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Plus, They Are Cute

Oct 15, 2008

Over the weekend Chinese scientists announced that they've sequenced the giant panda genome and that prompted Keith Robison to explain why having a bear genome is important. He says that there can never be too many genomes sequenced, especially for comparative studies, and pandas, as former carnivores, should give insight into the evolution of that group and how their digestive tract has evolved to digest bamboo. Also, Robison points out that knowing the panda genome and population structure could help the pandas themselves since they have low fertility and are endangered.

Breaking News
The Scan

Pig Organ Transplants Considered

The Wall Street Journal reports that the US Food and Drug Administration may soon allow clinical trials that involve transplanting pig organs into humans.

'Poo-Bank' Proposal

Harvard Medical School researchers suggest people should bank stool samples when they are young to transplant when they later develop age-related diseases.

Spurred to Develop Again

New Scientist reports that researchers may have uncovered why about 60 percent of in vitro fertilization embryos stop developing.

Science Papers Examine Breast Milk Cell Populations, Cerebral Cortex Cellular Diversity, Micronesia Population History

In Science this week: unique cell populations found within breast milk, 100 transcriptionally distinct cell populations uncovered in the cerebral cortex, and more.