Monthly Archives: November 2006

Researchers have found that infants who die of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) have abnormalities in the brainstem, a part of the brain that helps control such basic functions as breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and arousal. Continue reading →

Low-intensity laser treatment was thought to help slow or prevent the loss of vision from age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but the studies looking into it were inconclusive. A major trial has now found that the treatment doesn’t prevent complications of AMD or loss of vision. Continue reading →

Resveratrol, a natural compound found in grapes, wines and nuts, was all over the news last week. Overweight aged male mice whose high-calorie diet was supplemented with resveratrol were healthier and lived longer than mice eating the same diet without the supplement. Continue reading →

Staph bacteria are a growing public health threat. Scientists have now created a vaccine that significantly protects mice from diverse strains of the bacterium. This proof of principle is an important step on the way to creating an effective vaccine for humans. Continue reading →

An effective contraceptive for men would make a welcome new family planning option. Researchers report that male rats given an experimental new treatment became infertile within four weeks, and that the effect was reversible. The accomplishment might lead researchers to a safe and effective contraceptive for men. Continue reading →

It’s not just their importance for agriculture that makes honey bees so interesting for scientists. Honey bees have tiny brains, and yet they manage to have complex social structures. Researchers have now completed sequencing the genome of the honey bee to get some insights into these fascinating insects. Continue reading →