Who wants to live for ever? A scientific breakthrough could mean humans live for hundreds of years

A genetically engineered organism that lives 10 times longer than normal has been created by scientists in California. It is the greatest extension of longevity yet achieved by researchers investigating the scientific nature of ageing.

Unraveling the physics of DNA's double helix

 The stability of DNA is so fundamental to life that it's important to understand all factors , said Piotr Marszalek, a professor of mechanical engineering and materials sciences at Duke.  If you want to create accurate models of DNA to study its interaction with proteins or drugs, for example,  you need to understand the basic physics of the molecule . For that, you need solid measurements of the forces that stabilize DNA .

DNA construction kit for nanoengines

For a rotaxane molecule consists essentially of an axle and a ring, or hoop, threaded over it. To prevent the hoop from slipping off the axle, bulky  stoppers  are placed at each end. These, in turn, consist of intertwined rings. The whole construction looks rather like a dumbbell with a hoop around its handle ( see diagram ).

La mayor tormenta solar en 500 días inquieta a los científicos

Una vez más, y esta vez con más fuerza y de forma totalmente inesperada, el Sol ha dado muestras de que ha despertado de su letargo. El telescopio espacial 'Tesis' registró el lunes la mayor tormenta geomagnética desde octubre de 2008, según informa el Instituto ruso de Física 'Lebedev'. La tormenta solar alcanzó el nivel 7 en una escala de 10, el máximo histórico del último año y medio. Su fase activa se prolongó de las 10.00 a las 19.00 horas. "No se han producido fluctuaciones de tal magnitud durante 540 días, desde el 11 de octubre de 2008", aseguran los técnicos. Una gran actividad solar no presagia nada bueno en un mundo absolutamente dependiente de la tecnología.

Once again, this time harder and quite unexpectedly, the Sun has shown that he has awakened from its slumber. The Hubble Space 'thesis' posted on Monday, the largest geomagnetic storm of October 2008, according to the Russian Institute of Physics 'Lebedev'. The solar storm reached level 7 on a scale of 10, the record high last year and a half. Active phase lasted from 10.00 to 19.00. "There have been no fluctuations of such magnitude for 540 days, from October 11, 2008", say the technicians. A high solar activity does not bode well in a world utterly dependent on technology.

Brain Stimulation with Infrared Light

Researchers have recently found that infrared light has the capability of stimulating brain cells. Infrared light causes the excitation of neurons thus altering their activity. This new type of brain stimulation method is referred to as infrared nerve stimulation (INS). INS has a variety of applications for altering the functioning of central nervous system disorders. For many brain disorders, brain activity is altered in comparison to more normal states. Infrared light has a very high selectivity and can target very small sub-populations of brain cells. This type of stimulation could potentially reduce many of the side effects of current brain stimulation.

DNA Evidence Can Be Fabricated, Scientists Show

Scientists in Israel have demonstrated that it is possible to fabricate DNA evidence, undermining the credibility of what has been considered the gold standard of proof in criminal cases. The scientists fabricated blood and saliva samples containing DNA from a person other than the donor of the blood and saliva. They also showed that if they had access to a DNA profile in a database, they could construct a sample of DNA to match that profile without obtaining any tissue from that person. “You can just engineer a crime scene,” said Dan Frumkin, lead author of the paper, which has been published online by the journal Forensic Science International: Genetics. “Any biology undergraduate could perform this.”

Organic food is no healthier, study finds

Organic food has no nutritional or health benefits over ordinary food, according to a major study published Wednesday. Researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine said consumers were paying higher prices for organic food because of its perceived health benefits, creating a global organic market worth an estimated $48 billion in 2007.

The TRUTH about all those dodgy health claims, by one of Britain's top researchers

Now, Professor Regan is applying her trademark scientific training to examine the health credentials of an even wider range of products for her latest BBC2 series. And not only has she discovered some bestsellers have little evidence backing them up, she believes many companies are, in fact, touting spurious claims. Here, she shares a few of her intriguing findings...

To prove this point, I developed my own diet pill and asked 17 overweight people to try it for a month, alongside a balanced diet and a sensible exercise plan. More than 70 per cent of the volunteers lost weight and believed the tablets had worked. Unbeknown to them, though, the tablets were simply sugar, a placebo - which shows the power of mind over matter. Yet I could easily use my results to launch an impressive marketing campaign, - as many companies do.

15 foods that kill fat

Jeanne Calment: A French woman with the longest confirmed lifespan in history at age 122 years 164 days

When asked on one occasion for her prescription for a long life, she mentioned garlic, vegetables, cigarettes, red wine, and avoiding brawls. On another occasion, she ascribed her longevity and relatively youthful appearance for her age to olive oil, which she said she poured on all her food and rubbed onto her skin, as well as a diet of port wine, and nearly 2 pounds of chocolate eaten every week.

Old age begins at 27: Scientists reveal new research into ageing

Getting old already? 27-year-old singer Beyonce Knowles is already past her mental peak according to new research.

Old age is often blamed for causing us to misplace car keys, forget a word or lose our train of thought. But new research shows that many well-known effects of ageing may start decades before our twilight years. According to scientists, our mental abilities begin to decline from the age of 27 after reaching a peak at 22. The researchers studied 2,000 men and women aged 18 to 60 over seven years. The people involved – who were mostly in good health and well-educated – had to solve visual puzzles, recall words and story details and spot patterns in letters and symbols.

El aceite de oliva ayuda a prolongar la sensación de saciedad

Ya se sabe desde hace tiempo que es bueno para la salud, pero una nueva investigación encontró una ventaja extra. Las comidas preparadas con este aceite mantienen la sensación de saciedad por más tiempo.

Exploding mobile phone kills man in China

The shop worker from Guangzhou, China, died moments after he put a new battery in his phone, it has been claimed. It was believed that he may have just finished charging the battery and had put the phone in his breast pocket when it exploded. China's daily Shin Min Daily News said the accident happened on Friday, Jan 30, at 7.30pm. An employee at the shop told local media that she heard a loud bang and saw her colleague lying on the floor of the shop in a pool of blood. The employee said the victim had recently changed the battery in his mobile phone.

Do Nanoparticles in Food Pose a Health Risk?

Yet, the Washington, D.C.–based environmental group Friends of the Earth (FoE) reports that none of the more than 100 food or food-related products it identified that contain nanoparticles—puny particles between 100 and one nanometers—bears a warning label or has undergone safety testing by government agencies.

Napping: the expert's guide

For years, napping ("siesta") has been derided as a sign of laziness. We are "caught" napping or "found asleep at the switch". But lately it has garnered new respect, thanks to scientific evidence that midday dozing benefits both mental acuity and overall health. A slew of recent studies have shown that naps boost alertness, creativity, mood, and productivity in the later hours of the day.Read more...