Technology Review AudioDizer Podcast - Biomedicine Top Stories

Potential Treatment for Down Syndrome

Emily Singer — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Enhancing specific chemical signaling in the brain could help treat the disorder.

New Hope for Neuron Protection

Jennifer Chu — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A drug developed to treat Lou Gehrig's disease undergoes clinical trials.

Biodegradable Transistors

Katherine Bourzac — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Electronics that break down in the body could be useful in temporary medical implants and drug delivery.

Mimicking the Building Prowess of Nature

Emily Singer — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Scientists build new materials using inspiration from complex biological forms.

Contact Lenses that Respond to Light

Jennifer Chu — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

UV-responsive dyes embedded in contact lenses can quickly adapt.

Sequencing Price Drops Even Lower

Emily Singer — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Start-up Complete Genomics reveals three new human genomes.

Spraying on Skin Cells to Heal Burns

Lauren Gravitz — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A new technique in burn treatment provides an alternative to skin grafts in the operating room.

Software Listens for Hints of Depression

Jennifer Chu — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A large-scale trial will test whether software can identify depressed patients.

Molecular Sunglasses for Macular Degeneration

Emily Singer — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Dampening a light-sensing reaction in the eye might slow a common cause of blindness.

Electrifying Brain Tumors

Lauren Gravitz — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Combined with chemotherapy, electric fields help prevent the growth of deadly brain tumors.

Tiny Devices Use Light to Grab Cells

Katherine Bourzac — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Silicon chips and lasers could pick out and count cells on microfluidic devices.

Awakening Paralyzed Limbs

Emily Singer — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Brain signals can drive arm movement in a monkey with a paralyzed arm.

Delivering a Virus Imposter Quicker

David Dobbs — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

With H1N1 vaccine supplies delayed, attention turns to faster-to-make "virus-like particles."

Massive Gene Database Planned in California

David Talbot — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The data will be compared against electronic health records and patients' personal information.

Decoding the Brain with Light

Emily Singer — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Scientists are using genetic "light switches" to probe memory and improve disease therapy.

Making Heart Muscle

Emily Singer — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Newly identified cardiac stem cells form a functioning strip of heart muscle.

Seamlessly Melding Man and Machine

Emily Singer — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:15:00 GMT

Tiny implants that connect to nerve cells could make it easier to control prosthetic limbs.

Flu Vaccines Hit a Wall

Lauren Gravitz — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As new influenza strains emerge, researchers struggle to speed vaccine development.

Surgical Scalpel Sniffs Out Cancer

Katherine Bourzac — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A cutting tool distinguishes tissue types based on their chemical profiles.

The Human Genome in 3-D

Emily Singer — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

New technology reveals how DNA molecules pack themselves inside a cell nucleus.