biochemistry news stories on Newser

Researchers Discover Why Pot Makes You Forget

Nick McMaster — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:55:01 CDT

Scientists have found the area in the mouse brain that marijuana acts upon to cause forgetfulness, AFP reports. Researchers in Barcelona used two groups of mice, each engineered to be missing one of the two concentrations of receptor neurons for cannabis (CB1) in the hippocampus, an area of the brain...

Scientists Build a Better Web—by Adding Metal

Mary Papenfuss — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:42:15 CDT

Scientists have combined spider silk with metal atoms to boost web strands' already-phenomenal strength, reports Ars Technica. The breakthrough experiment advances the science of creating ever-stronger materials, as well discovering a successful method to bond metal to biological material. Experiments are already under way to make chicken eggs stronger.

Scientists Seek 'Shadow' Life Forms on Earth

Neal Colgrass — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 18:52:45 CDT

"If aliens exist, they may be living right next door..." No, it's not a writer pitching a television pilot, but the premise of a scientific theory called the "shadow biosphere," New Scientist reports. Some astrobiologists say that life forms may have originated on Earth after our own, and endured, unnoticed....

Eat Your Way Out of Addiction: Experts

Michael Roston — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 20:14:28 CDT

Good grub may be enough to rewire an addict's brain. The trick is to serve up meals that revive pleasure-inducing neurotransmitters disrupted by addiction, neuroscientists say. Foods as simple as steak, milk, and nuts can boost the brain's production of serotonin or glutamine, both of which help addicts recover. But...

Chemistry Nobel Goes to 3 Who Found Glowing Protein

Jason Farago — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:25:06 CDT

The Nobel Prize in chemistry was awarded today to three scientists who discovered green fluorescent protein, a compound that allows biochemists to study cellular processes. The glowing protein, first found in jellyfish more than 40 years ago, can be attached to other structures and has been critical in research on...