My picks from ScienceDaily

'Ecstasy' Linked To Survival Of Key Movement-related Cells In Brain:

New research from the University of Cincinnati suggests that the widely abused club drug "ecstasy," or MDMA, can increase the survival of dopamine cells in the brain during fetal development. Because these cells are critical in the regulation of voluntary movement, the findings, the researchers say, may lead to better therapies for neurological diseases like Parkinson's.

Latest Buzz: Marijuana May Slow Progression Of Alzheimer's Disease:

New evidence in rats suggests that marijuana may contain compounds that slow the memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease. Marijuana has strong anti-inflammatory effects, and many researchers believe that there is a compelling link between chronic inflammation and the progression of Alzheimer's.

Synchronous Neuronal Firing May Underlie Parkinson's Disease:

In a finding that contradicts current theories behind Parkinson's disease, neuroscientists at Duke University Medical Center have discovered in mice that critical nerve cells fire all at the same time and thus overwhelm the brain's ability to control the body's movements.

Commercial Fishing Causes Dangerous Fluctuations In Fish Populations, Research Shows:

Commercial fishing causes serious fluctuations in fish populations leaving them in danger of total collapse, says new research published this week. These fluctuations mean current measures in place to control fish stocks may not be sufficient to ensure their sustainability.

How Ants Find Their Way:

Ever wondered how ants find their way straight to the uncovered food in your kitchen? Now scientists have discovered how the humble wood ant navigates over proportionally huge distances, using just very poor eyesight and confusing and changing natural landmarks. The research could have significant benefits in the development of autonomous robots and in furthering our understanding of basic animal learning processes.

Learning To Live With Oxygen On Early Earth:

Scientists at the Carnegie Institution and Penn State University have discovered evidence showing that microbes adapted to living with oxygen 2.72 billion years ago, at least 300 million years before the rise of oxygen in the atmosphere. The finding is the first concrete validation of a long-held hypothesis that oxygen was being produced and consumed by that time and that the transition to an oxygenated atmosphere was long term.