T. Rex wiped out by parasites?

Submitted by Genevieve, class of 2012:

When we think of the legendary T. Rex, one imagines that the death of such a fearsome creature would be a result of an epic dino-battle. However, recent findings from researchers Ewan D.S. Wolff of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Steven W. Salisbury of the University of Queensland, Australia studying the famous corpse of the T. Rex "Sue" suggest that it was a far less dramatic, yet equally interesting battle that sealed this massive carnivore's fate: it was a parasite that did the monster in! The scientists were able to peg the killer as a trichomonosis infection, caused by a single-celled parasite that causes similar pathologies on the mandibles of modern birds. Transmission of the parasite may have been through salivary contact (through physical-altercation puncture wounds) or cannibalism, both of which serve as testaments to the infamous bullying behavior of the T. Rex.

But here's the kicker: scientists say that Tyrannosaurus Rexes might have been the original source of the disease, whose transmission continues among pigeons (raptor descendants) today!

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090929133117.htm

Autism link to MMR vaccine is discredited

Submitted by Rebecca, class of 2011:

MMR is a vaccine used to protect children against measles, mumps and rubella. In the 1998 a paper was written and published in the medical journal Lancet that connected the MMR vaccine to autism. This scared lots of parents and they stopped taking their kids in to get the vaccine; which then caused outbreaks of said diseases. Even though the article was retracted parents still fear the connection between the two. Journalist Brian Deer did some digging on the supposed study that Andrew Wakefield did in order to write the article. Deer found that while Wakefield said that the 12 children he tested were normal and had not preexisting conditions that this was in fact not the case at all, five had previously documented developmental problems and all of the medical files were altered and didn’t match up to what the parents said about their children. While not very many professionals believed the study Deer’s discovery really cleared things up. Some parents will probably still shy away from the MMR vaccine even though there is no connection between it and Autism.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2011/01/05/health/AP-EU-MED-Autism-Fraud.html

Tuberculosis Ratted Out by Giant Rats!

Submitted by James, class of 2012

You might first react to these large rodents by exclaiming “Get that away from me!” but you, and especially those in low-income countries, now have a reason to actually benefit from Gambian pouched rats. These huge rodents can sniff out Tuberculosis, which is estimated by the World Health Organization to affect one in three people worldwide. The rats are 90% accurate, and can detect low doses of TB that might be skipped over by primary microscopy tests. They might one day be used commercially in low-income countries, and would be much more affordable. Once trained, they can whip through a dozen samples in a minute.

Link: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/68001/title/Giant_rats_detect_tuberculosis

Arsenic for Dinner?

Check ou this article from the New York Times. A scientist has grown bacteria that exist on a phosphorous-free diet and eat arsenic instead. Quite intriguing...

How cats lap

A new use for coffee...

Cornell scientists use coffee grounds and a balloon to create a versitile gripper for a robot arm.

John Amend

The robotic gripper conforms to the shape of the item it is lifting. See more things it can pick up in a University of Chicago video.

Science Ink

Some people wear goofy scientific t-shirts, and some people prefer to wear their scientific passions on their flesh. If you happen to be one such decorated scientist, let Carl Zimmer know so he can include you in his forthcoming book of science tattoos, Science Ink. For the curious, his blog has a large collection of pictures that range from artful to humorous to downright geeky.