The science of...
sciencetolife | June 4, 2008
A new study aimed at confirming the region of the brain that is important in detecting sarcasm may open the door for new diagnostic tools in detecting mental illness, according to an article in The New York Times.
Study leader Katherine P. Rankin, a neuropsychologist and assistant professor in the Memory and Aging Center at the University of California, San Francisco, used MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) technology and a language test to highlight the region of the brain where the ability to detect sarcasm resides.
The findings, which were presented at the American Academy of Neurology's…
sciencetolife | October 24, 2007Here's an interesting article from Scientific American about the genetics of politics.
The article discusses a study headed by University of California, San Diego political scientist James Fowler suggesting that genetics can strongly influence whether or not a person will vote.
The authors are careful to explain that the research findings DO NOT suggest that genetics can determine whom people will vote for, only whether or not they are likely to vote. They further emphasize that environment also plays a significant role in voting.
Check out the article here
sciencetolife | July 30, 2007
I have the honor of answering the next installment of "Ask a ScienceBlogger". This time around the question is:
Can a forensic scientist tell the difference between DNA from blood samples of identical twins?
The short answer is "No."
Identical, or monozygotic, twins occur when a fertilized egg divides into two embryos that then develop into separate fetuses. Because they come from a single egg that's been fertilized by a single sperm, identical twins have identical DNA. This makes it difficult for forensic scientists to distinguish between DNA from blood samples of identical twins.
To set…
sciencetolife | July 17, 2007Why is gambling so seductive? Author Jonah Lehrer of The Frontal Cortex explains how the neurotransmitter dopamine plays a role in the lure of gambling. Read his post here.
sciencetolife | June 29, 2007
Here's a mix of recent science stories I found interesting.
Unraveling the puzzle of pain
"Today's pain medications are not always providing as much relief as we would like. We hope these early findings will lead to new drugs, and give some hope to people with chronic nerve pain, or pain from inflammation," says Dr. Gerald Zamponi. Read more about his research on pain pathways in the brain here.
Giant microwave turns plastic back to oil
US company Global Resource Corporation is taking plastics recycling to another level - turning them back into the oil they were made from, and gas. Read…
sciencetolife | May 17, 2007I've always wondered if chocolate is really an aphrodisiac. So when I recently read a knowledgeable response to this question from author Anahad O'Connor I thought I'd share it with you.
He explains:
Most scientists believe that the aphrodisiac qualities of chocolate, if any, can be ascribed to several chemicals.
1.Tryptophan, a building block of serotonin, the brain chemical that creates feelings of pleasure, helps sooth pain and plays a role in sexual arousal.
2.Theobromine a chemical stimulant similar to caffeine but has a great ability to elevate mood.
3.Phenylethylamine, a chemical…
sciencetolife | February 26, 2007 Scientists have known for a long time that the HIV virus, upon entering a cell, can lie dormant for some time before becoming active.
Researchers from Princeton University are trying to understand the biology behind this On/Off switch for HIV and how to exploit it for use in developing anti-HIV treatments.
In an article published in the journal PLoS Biology the researchers, Leor Weinberger and Thomas Shenk, explain that the HIV virus becomes dormant by turning off its genes and shutting of protein synthesis.
The Tat protein (encoded by the HIV Tat gene) was a likely target for this…
sciencetolife | February 8, 2007 The FDA recently approved diet pill Orlistat for sale as a non-prescription over-the-counter medication.
Amidst the buzz surrounding the FDA's decision and what it may do for our over-weight society, I would like to know what the science of this drug's action is.
According to MedicineNet.com Orlistat (which is also sold under the brand name Xenical) works by preventing the digestion and absorption of fat from the food we eat. The enzyme lipase metabolizes fats so they can be absorbed by the body. Orlistat blocks the action of lipase, thereby preventing the body from absorbing fat.
There…
sciencetolife | January 21, 2007 What drives people to do good things?
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have discovered an area of the brain that determines whether people tend to be selfish or altruistic.
The researchers used a brain scanning technique called functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in conjunction with a computer game that engaged participants' altruistic behavior. In the computer game participants' success earned them money for a charity.
The study showed that increased activity in a region of the brain called the posterior superior temporal sulcus strongly predicted a person's…
sciencetolife | January 5, 2007
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (UWM) researcher Fred Helmstetter Ph.D. is trying to understand why human memory is so selective. Why, he asks, is it that amnesia patients can't remember their names or addresses, but can remember how to hold a fork?
Dr. Helmstetter, a professor of psychology at UWM who researches the brain's regulation of memories, emotions and learning, explains that remembering 'what' is not the same as remembering 'how.'
In a recent press release he explains that "different circuits in the brain are activated when you remember what you had for breakfast this morning…