Science

Monday, April 3, 2017 - 17:51

Failure to Communicate, Part 2: Primary school

By Ben Mansky

The scientific community and the general public aren’t known for agreeing on all the issues, to put it gently. For example, 88% of surveyed members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science think genetically modified foods are safe to eat. The American public? Not so much — a mere 37% would dig into a plate of GMOs without some serious reservations.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017 - 15:10

The CRISPR Quandary

By Nathan Harris
​With the advent of CRISPR technology, editing human genomes is no longer the stuff of science fiction. But Hank Greely, a Stanford law professor and bioethicist, isn’t too concerned: “I don’t think it’s very important, I don’t think it’s gonna happen, but I don’t care about it even if it does,” he remarked (perhaps with a bit of tongue in his cheek), speaking at UCSF in January.
Sunday, February 19, 2017 - 14:51

TZAPping Telomeres Shorter

By Lindsey Jones

Our DNA fits into our cells by tightly coiling into structures called chromosomes. During cell division, the machinery that is responsible for DNA replication cannot replicate the very ends of chromosomes, so some genetic information may be lost d

Friday, February 3, 2017 - 15:46

Failure to Communicate Part 1: Words Can Never Hurt Me

By Ben Mansky
The chair squeaked quietly as I fidgeted, swiveling left, right, left. I sat toward the back of a long wooden table flanked by my fellow graduate students, while a pair of eminent biologists led a discussion on how to talk to skeptical non-scientists about evolution. Perhaps it was an intrinsic bias instilled by our families, or a side-effect of years spent steeping in the world of science; whatever the case, as we sat in that conference room we discussed those who dared to disbelieve as if they were at best misguided lambs to be converted and at worst heretical fanatics, frothing at the mouth and waving crosses wildly to fend off fish with feet.
Monday, January 23, 2017 - 13:40

Using the Body to Fight Cancer

By Breanna Allen
In the fight against cancer, harnessing the natural defense mechanisms within the human body is gaining promise. Termed cancer immunotherapy, researchers have discovered ways to bolster the immune system to recognize and kill cancer cells.
Monday, January 16, 2017 - 13:49

The Morning After: Science in a Trump Administration

By The Science Pol...

If you were to ride the D.C. metro the morning after the election, you would have been overwhelmed with a tense, eerie silence that pervaded the mood of the town.

This type of distress and strong emotion permeated throughout the country.

Monday, January 16, 2017 - 08:54

Diet Against Disease

By Breanna Allen

“Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are,” Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, 1826.

What you consume not only affects the health and appearance of your body, but also the integrity of the mind.

Monday, December 19, 2016 - 10:24

Increasing Brain Tumor Survival

By Lindsey Jones
Nearly 73,000 adults will be diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2016, and for more than one third, their tumor will be declared incurable. Large, collaborative efforts like The Cancer Genome Atlas have helped scientists better understand the genetic changes that define primary tumors, but this information alone is not enough to beat cancer.
Thursday, December 15, 2016 - 13:10

What is Science Policy?

By The Science Pol...

As a member of the Science Policy Group, people frequently ask me what science policy entails.

Monday, December 12, 2016 - 14:24

Finding the Fountain of Youth

By Stephanie Holden
For thousands of years, explorers, adventurers, and conquerors have searched for the “fountain of youth,” a magical spring that grants longevity to those who drink from it. Today, the search continues, now led by explorers of a different kind — research scientists.