Scientists discover why the plague is so lethal- Bacteria that cause the bubonic plague may be more virulent than their close relatives because of a single genetic mutation

Bacterial slime helps cause serious disease - Leptospirosis is a serious but neglected emerging disease that infects humans through contaminated water. Now research published in the May issue of the journal Microbiology shows for the first time how bacteria that cause the disease survive in the environment.

Ferreting Out HIV - Compound that pulls the virus out of hiding is synthesized.

China rushes to quell viral outbreak as Olympics approach - A viral outbreak in China has sickened more than 6,300 people and killed another child, raising the death toll to 26 children

Reprogrammed Stem Cells Work on Parkinson’s - A study in rodents suggests that skin cells can be transformed into neurons to treat neurodegeneration.

U.S. Congress bans genetic discrimination

Fully automated anesthesia

A new anti-evolution push

Surgery for backward, upside-down feet

Exoskeleton industry gears up

Living artificial kidneys

Plastic blood cells

Fetal cells may protect mom against cancer

Women’s voices are sexier during fertility peaks

Magician holds his breath for 17 minutes

Flowers bring wasps to orgasm

Testosterone makes female birds better fighters but worse parents

Middle-aged people who are overweight or obese have lower levels of certain brain chemicals that signal good brain health and function, according to a new study using high-tech brain scans.

The findings suggest that excess body fat may speed the brain aging process, which could put people at greater risk of developing age-related diseases of the brain, such as Alzheimer’s disease.

South Korea reckons that ‘Chase’, a Canadian Labrador Retriever is the BEST SNIFFER DOG around. So instead of buddying him up with newbie dogs to transfer his wealth of knowledge and skills, they did the next best thing…they made 7 more ‘Chases’ by cloning the mutt.

Apparently the dogs are doing well in their training and their genetic qualities look promising. If everything works out, they report for duty in June 2008.

On a side note:

Hurray me! I’ve had that dog icon above for over 2 years and I finally have an opportunity to use it. I think this is going to be a good week after all!

In a recent paternity test, a DNA sample was taken from a suspected father in the case. For quite a few years now, samples are usually taken from mouth to collect saliva cells to conduct the DNA analysis.

In the Journal of Forensic Sciences, Dr José Antonio Lorente Acosta (director of the Laboratory of Genetic Identification of the University of Granada) explains how saliva samples were collected from the subject’s mouth using the standard swabbing method you’ve probably seen on CSI dozens of times.

However, the saliva analysis (epithelial cells from the interior of mouth) taken from the person gave an incongruous result, a DNA which could not come from the man who had carried out the test.

After repeating the analysis, there was an only one possible conclusion: In the mouth of that man there was DNA from two different persons.

After dismissing other possibilities, the question was: how was it possible? The analysts met with the person in question and showed him the results and explained that they thought he was purposely trying to manipulate the samples which could get him in serious trouble with the judge in the case.

Faced with the evidence, he admitted that shortly before the mouth swab he put someone else’s saliva in his mouth, saliva that he had kept in a little container for the moment. This will cause a change in the protocol for the process moving forward; it will be compulsory for the donor to wash his mouth out before a witness.

The University of Granada Science News has more detailed information.