Abstract: Is genetically modified food safe? Are concerns over genetically modified food warranted? What is the difference between introducing genes into plants by grafting and by molecular engineering? These and other questions are answered in the book "Mendel in the Kitchen" written by plant biology expert Dr. Nina Fedoroff. ... Read more

Abstract: There are defined windows of opportunities during which stroke can be treated. Various clinical trials testing a variety of drugs and the overall management of stroke are discussed. ... Read more

Abstract: In addition to the immune system, apoptosis plays a role in the nervous system. An excessive number of cells are generated during embryogenesis and only neurons that make the correct connections at the right time survive. But then, these surviving neurons do not divide and they need to make it through the entire life of the organism and cannot be replaced once they are dead. The control over death and survival is therefore vitally important. ... Read more

Abstract: Infections acquired in the hospital during visits and hospitalization have happened to 2 million patients and cause 90,000 deaths in the U.S a year -- a staggering number beyond comprehension or common sense. Due to the mobility and persistence of drug-resistant bacterial infections, one hospital's infection control effort, balancing both cost and benefit to that hospital, may not make a significant impact in a large population base, but it would if all hospitals act together. ... Read more

Abstract: Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, plays a key role in the development, execution, and maintenance of immune functions. The dynamics of survival of subsets of T lymphocytes with the backdrop of human aging is discussed. ... Read more

Abstract: Typical cells are subject to the fate of replicative senescence -- a key mechanism of our aging process. Cancer cells and, to a certain extent, immune cells have a mechanism to replenish the lost sequence of the telomere and allow them to divide without the usual constraints of replicative senescence. ... Read more

Abstract: Each time a cell divides, the DNA sequence at the end of the chromosome, called the telomere, shortens by a small stretch. After the telomere has shortened to a certain point, the cell stops dividing, ages, and eventually dies. Telomerase is an enzyme that can add back what telomere has lost during cell division. The functions and dynamics of key components of telomerase are discussed. ... Read more

Abstract: Empirical and scientific data support the phenomenon that infections can prevent and alleviate certain allergy and autoimmune diseases. The author discusses the mechanism behind it and how to maximize the benefits without revoking the deadly consequences of infections. ... Read more

Abstract: Most current drug treatments cannot cure cancer. Recent studies have demonstrated that one of the reasons is that chemoagents kill the rapidly growing cells, including cancer cells, but do little damage to non-dividing cells. Cancerous stem cells stay quiescent and escape from these chemoagents to mount a comeback at a later time. ... Read more

Abstract: Mortality rates from breast cancer have fallen in most European countries in recent years due to effective early diagnosis and treatment. However, these rates are still rising in most other parts of the world. An overview of the landscape of breast cancer research and treatment is presented. ... Read more