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Molecular biology

A man leans out of the door of his house down the street from large coal power plant smokestacks in Beijing.

Coal plant emissions damage infant DNA, a new study shows

Health

Pollution from coal plants has been linked to adverse health effects, including increased risk of cardiovascular problems and shortened lifespans. Now a new study suggests a reason why: coal plant emissions can effect telomeres — protective tips at the end of each string of DNA that are linked to aging.

Washington activists pushing for new labeling requirements for genetically modified foods

Business, Economics and Jobs

Online gamers solve 10-year-old science problem in 10 days

Environment

Supreme Court Allows Police to Collect DNA Samples After Arrests

Genetically Engineering Glowing Plants

GMO Trees

Genetically engineered tree plantations are touted as a solution to deforestation but they may lead to a greater loss of natural forest.

New Developments in DNA Sequencing

For the first time, scientists have pieced together the entire DNA sequence of an 18-week-old fetus without having to use any invasive tests that could result in a miscarriage. It’s an advance that offers a glimpse of the future of prenatal testing.  Andrew Pollack covers bio technology for our partner the New York Times, and  Dr. Jonathan […]

The World

How online gamers helped solve a 10-year science problem

Environment

Firas Khatib and Seth Cooper of the University of Washington designed and developed Fold.it, an online game that harnesses the power of crowd sourcing and human putzing to solve the mysteries of protein structure.

FDA Puts Transgenic Fish on the Scales

Any day now, the FDA is set to make a decision on what could be the first genetically modified animal for human consumption.

The World

Judging Biotech Seeds

The Supreme Court hears arguments to determine whether environmental impact statements should be required before planting genetically engineered plants.