Law
Human Genes Not Patentable, Supreme Court Says
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Research News
Animals
Animal CSI: Inside The Smithsonian's Feather Forensics Lab()
June 19, 2013 A keen eye and extensive knowledge of feathers allows forensic ornithologist Carla Dove (yes, that's her name) figure out from feather and bone fragments which type of bird crashed into a plane or was eaten by a snake. But the expertise has an uncertain future.
Shots - Health News
The Human Voice May Not Spark Pleasure In Children With Autism()
June 17, 2013 Scientists and parents have long been baffled by the fact that children with autism often don't pay attention to human voices. Researchers say that may be because speech doesn't activate a reward system in the brain for those children the way it does for typical children.
Shots - Health News
Rule Would List All Chimps As Endangered, Even Lab Animals()
June 14, 2013 Though the regulation proposed by the Fish and Wildlife Service would make it more difficult to use chimpanzees for research purposes, that may not be a problem, some scientists say. Scientific advances show the animals are less medically useful than previously thought.
The Salt
Sorry, Dr. Oz, Green Coffee Can't Even Slim Down Chubby Mice()
June 14, 2013 An extract from raw, green coffee beans has been called a "miracle" weight-loss aid. But a study in mice casts doubt on the supplement's fat-burning effects — and even offers preliminary evidence that it could be harmful.
Shots - Health News
Scientists Go Medieval To Solve Ancient Leprosy Puzzle()
June 14, 2013 Looking for clues to to modern-day leprosy, scientists dig up a 500-year-old mass grave and scan for ancient strains of bacteria in human remains. They find that the bacteria that cause leprosy haven't changed, humans have.
Shots - Health News
Supreme Court Gene Ruling Splits Hairs Over What's 'Natural'()
June 13, 2013 The court said biotech company Myriad could not patent human genes, since they already "existed in nature." But when it comes to synthetic DNA, the court said patents may be acceptable in some cases.
