Findings from the Gut—New Insights into the Human Microbiome
People who like milk chocolate have slightly different microbes in their intestines than those who prefer their chocolate dark, although researchers do not know why. Significant differences in the so-called microbiome are also found in individuals based on whether or not they eat a lot of fiber or take certain medications—such as the diabetes drug metformin, female hormones or antihistamines. But all these variations account for only a small fraction of the microbial diversit
Asperger’s Are Us Offers Comedy for All
L-R, Jack Hanke, Ethan Finlan, New Michael Ingemi and Noah Britton Photo by Andrew Cohen The four members of Asperger’s Are Us decided a long time ago that their main goal would be to amuse themselves. But after nearly a decade of laughing and writing punch lines together, Asperger’s Are Us, which is probably the only comedy troupe made up of people on the autism spectrum, is on the cusp of comedic success. A documentary about the group premiered at the SXSW conference
Do Genes Time One's Loss of Virginity?
Walk into any middle school classroom and it’s obvious that puberty hits some kids earlier than others. Some students daydream about kissing while others are still planning their latest LEGO creation. Now a new study suggests that the genes that drive puberty also influence some of the next stages of sexuality: age at first intercourse and—for women—age at first birth. Of course, genes are not the only factor. Parenting, religion, social mores, peers and many other factors co
The Cancer Defense: Against cancer, new enhancements to the body's own immune system are looking
If Michelle Boyer had received her diagnosis of advanced and aggressive skin cancer in 2010 instead of 2013, she would almost certainly be dead by now. Melanoma, the most lethal form of skin malignancy, had spread from a mole on her back to her lungs, and she knew her prognosis was grim. But beginning in May 2013, the 29-year-old Seattle resident started a series of revolutionary treatments—some of which first became available in 2011—that prompted her immune system to identi
