Each time I write about an organ transplant, I'm reminded anew of the human impact of medical science. Over the last few weeks, as I've …
Month: December 2010
National HIV screening and testing could be very cost-effective
For four years, it’s been recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 be …
Researchers use brain imaging to predict which dyslexics will learn to read
In a study involving older children with dyslexia, researchers have shown for the first time the specific brain mechanisms involved in a patient's ability to …
Vector offers more recommended reading for the holidays
Carol Cruzan Morton of Vector blog, which is produced by Children's Hospital Boston, has added more titles to her list of recommended holiday reading in …
XKCD comic is a moving, personal affirmation of science
The creator of popular webcomic XKCD, Randall Munroe, shared several weeks ago that he's coping with a serious illness in his family, and his work …
Nature Methods names optogenetics its "Method of the Year"
Nature Methods has picked optogenetics, a biological-research technology largely pioneered at Stanford, as its designated "method of the year" for 2010. Karl Deisseroth, MD, PhD, …
Online prostate-cancer diagnostic underestimates patients' risk of having advanced tumor
An Internet-based tool determine a patient's risk of having an aggressive case of prostate cancer, called the Prostate Cancer Risk Calculator, or PCRC, is used …
Grand Roundup: Top posts for the week of Dec. 13
The five most-read posts on Scope this week were: Stanford study shows depression symptoms may predict breast cancer survival: New research published in the Journal …
Scope will be on a limited publishing schedule until Jan. 3
We are signing off for the week. From December 20 to January 3, Scope will be on a limited holiday publishing schedule. During that time, …
Discover Top 100 stories of 2010 list features Stanford bioethicist Hank Greely
Among the personalities and pioneering research on the Top 100 stories of 2010 list in the latest Discover magazine issue is Stanford law professor Hank …
Stanford IVF research on Time's top ten list
Congratulations to Stanford researcher Renee Reijo Pera, PhD: Somehow we missed it last week, but her recent research showing how to greatly improve the accuracy …
KQED health program explores mental health in California
In 2004, California voters passed Proposition 63, also known as the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), which expanded mental health services to persons who have …
Biotechnology hacker space opens in New York
Wired Science reports: A cadre of science entrepreneurs recently opened Genspace, the world's first government-compliant community biotech laboratory. The bedroom-sized facility was two years in …
Rare type of brain damage leaves one woman fearless
The amygdala is a region of the brain involved in creating the fear response. So here's a question that falls into the realm of weird …
Gamers compete to create healthier fast food
UPDATE 12-16-10: Yoxi announced that the team from San Francisco, called the Yudon Project, won the competition. *** 12-14-10: Given our country's obesity problem and …
New science-blog network Occam’s Typewriter launches
A new science-blog network sprouted up this month: Called Occam's Typewriter, it features nine different blogs - and several are written by former Nature Network …