Briefs
Link between light touch, Merkel cells solves 100-year mystery
Crescent-shaped deposits of Merkel cells in the skin enable musicians to use a keyboard, said Baylor College of Medicine researchers who solved a 100-year puzzle over the mystery of light touch.
Erk3 responsible for success of steroids in treating newborn lungs
The reason a long-used treatment to help babies' lungs mature works may be a gene called Erk3, said Baylor College of Medicine researchers.
Clue to human immune disorder found in fruit fly cell fate
Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, an immune disorder that affects mainly children, may be better understood because of research into what determines the fate of certain cells in the fruit fly.
Nicotine links environmental cues to smoking
The powerful addiction of nicotine tricks the brain into linking environmental cues with the urge to light up.
Moderate glucose levels in diabetic patients with heart failure might be more healthy
Maintaining moderate glucose levels may be life saving for people with heart failure.
Copy number variation in DNA template explains evolutionary shifts
A critical stall in DNA copying could explain genetic missteps.
A matter of health
Dr. Mary-Claire King – discoverer of the breast cancer gene BRCA1 – challenged young translational scientists at Baylor College of Medicine to think critically and said their educational program places them in a good spot to do that.
