Science News
PETA Urges Investigation Into Harvard Primate Center
PETA argued that the inadequate care at the center violated Massachusetts’s cruelty-to-animals legislation and urged the district attorney to “pursue charges against the experimenters responsible for overseeing the animals’ care.”
Chemistry Professor Lights Neural Activities with Proteins
Chemistry professor Adam Cohen creates visualizations of neural activity by using proteins from the Dead Sea to cause cells to flash with light.
Study Supports Role of Magnetic Fields in Star Formation
By measuring the orientation of magnetic field lines on a variety of scales in the Cat’s Paw Nebula, scientists found that magnetic field direction is well preserved through different spatial scales.
Microbial Sciences Initiative Aims To Attract Undergraduates
Microbial Sciences Initiative, an interdepartmental and interschool initiative founded in 2003, hopes to engage more students from Harvard College as well as microbial scientists from the Boston area.
Outreach Program Engages Students in Scientific Research
The Life Sciences Outreach Program aims to aid local teachers in professional development and to foster high school students' interest in science.
Long-Time EPS Professor Richard O’Connell Dies at 73
Colleagues and students recall the positive impact that Earth and Planetary Sciences professor Richard O’Connell has left on his field and acquaintances.
Researchers Develop First Global Risk Model for Cardiovascular Disease
The project compiled data from eight preexisting cohort studies and aims to improve allotment of resources and disease treatment in low-income countries, according to the first authors.
Paul J. Barreira
UHS Director Paul J. Barreira said that a University Health Services study on the impact of exercise encouragement on mental health found no difference between control and treatment groups in a talk on Wednesday.
Science Journal Publishes Inaugural Issue
The ICSJ, a collaborative science publication featuring material from multiple colleges including Harvard, released its first issue in March.
Broad Institute Announces Partnership with Calico
The Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT announced a partnership last week with Calico, a life sciences company backed by Google, to advance research on age-related diseases and therapeutics.
Astronomy Professor Goodman Named Scientist of the Year
Astronomy professor Alyssa A. Goodman is the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations’ 2015 Scientist of the Year.
Chemistry and Chemical Biology Professor named Sloan Fellow
Professor Ni researches ultracold atoms, which she said will help scientists better understand other physical systems.
Experts Talk Vaccine Opt-Out Parameters
In the wake of the recent outbreak of measles in California, panelists emphasized the need for Americans to be more informed in their decisions for or against vaccination Wednesday.
BioVisions Initiative Highlights Importance of Life Sciences Visualizations
BioVisions, an initiative supported by Harvard and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, works to make digital visualization a more common tool in studying the life sciences.
Artist-in-Residence Draws Inspiration from Physics
Kim Bernard, the Physics department's Artist-in-Resident, draws inspiration from the physical sciences in her sculptures.
Lab Rat of the Week: Brian D. Farrell
Brian D. Farrell, who is a biology professor, curator of Entomology at the Museum of Comparative Zoology, and director of the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies, combines his diverse interests in science and music in his teaching.
Study Finds Strong Genetic Component to Obesity
A new finding by the Genetic Investigation of Anthropometric Traits consortium has identified 97 gene regions associated with obesity, tripling the number of such genes previously known.
Researchers Uncover Link Between Mediterranean Diet, Aging
A recent study by researchers at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital shows that telomeres, biomarkers of aging, could contribute to the benefits of this dietary pattern.
Researchers Pave Way for Anti-Obesity Drug
The discovery could help transform the body’s energy-storing white fat into energy-burning brown fat.
New Genetic Testing May Aid in Cancer Treatment
Experts say that a new gene screening called the Rapid Heme Panel may be a game-changer in cancer treatment.
Blood Mutations May Indicate Higher Cancer Likelihood, Researchers Find
Two independent research teams affiliated with Harvard have found a link between a mutation in the blood and an increase in the likelihood of developing blood cancers.
Limbs and Genetalia
A photo of a house snake embryo, in which the hemipenis bud can be seen near the tail end of the embryo. Research by Harvard scientists shows that genitalia placement is related to limb placement, demonstrated in snake embryos.
‘Breakthough Prize’ Grants $3 Million to Univ. Researchers
The awards were given to 12 recipients in in the celebrity-studded “Breakthrough Prize Ceremony” on Nov. 9.
Herbarium Celebrates 90 Years
To honor the anniversary, former interim Dean of the College Donald H. Pfister discussed a few of the collections out of the millions of specimens in the Herbarium.
Med School Study Explores Genitalia Formation
Genitalia development, according to the study, is closely linked to the growth and presence of limbs in animals such as snakes, lizards, and birds.