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 Health & Mind Opium poppy's genes finally revealedMonday, 15 March 2010
Researchers have discovered the genes that allow the opium poppy to make codeine and morphine, which could lead to genetically engineered plants or microorganisms generating the painkillers.  Brain scan reveals people's thoughtsFriday, 12 March 2010
A scan of brain activity accurately identified which of three scenarios volunteers were thinking about, researchers said, because our memories are encoded in predictable ways.  More flashbacks after drinkingTuesday, 9 March 2010
People who have a drink or two prior to a traumatic event may suffer from more flashbacks than if they were either sober or drunk, said researchers.  Gold nanoparticles take out brain parasiteTuesday, 9 March 2010
A novel technique to kill parasites uses a combination of gold nanoparticles and lasers, and has been shown to work on Toxoplasmosis gondii - a common parasite that causes cysts in the brain. Fat: the sixth tasteMonday, 8 March 2010
In addition to the five tastes already identified lurks another detectable by the palate, fat, and people's weight is linked to their ability to taste it.  Census of microbes in human gutThursday, 4 March 2010
A census of microbes in the human digestive tract found at least 1,000 microbes, many previously unknown, and could lead to new cure for gut ailments with the help of personal microbial profiles.  Nanoparticles in sunscreens raise questions of safetyWednesday, 3 March 2010
Zinc from sunscreens can penetrate healthy adult skin, according to two Australian studies. The results raise questions over the safety of sunscreens containing zinc oxide nanoparticles – which may be dangerous in the body if still in a nanoparticle form.  Early cannabis use linked to psychosisTuesday, 2 March 2010
The longer and earlier people use cannabis or marijuana, the more likely they are to experience hallucinations or delusions or to suffer psychosis, said Brisbane scientists.  Nanotubes mimic biological ion channelsFriday, 26 February 2010
Tiny tubes of boron nitride – similar to biological ion channels – could provide an alternative to desalination plants and may even lead to future treatments for cancer and cystic fibrosis, scientists said.  Ibuprofen may ward off Parkinson'sMonday, 22 February 2010
Using the common painkiller ibuprofen may reduce the risk of developing Parkinson's disease, according to new research.  Dolphins can turn diabetes on … and offSaturday, 20 February 2010
Healthy bottlenose dolphins appear to turn on and off a diabetes-like state: a trick that may open to door to a treatment for the disease in humans.  Retreating glaciers may boost dust stormsSaturday, 20 February 2010
The retreat of glaciers and the loss of moisture from soil due to climate change will likely increase the number of large-scale dust storms, such as those that blanketed Sydney in 2009, scientists predict.  Hearing melody reshapes birdbrainThursday, 18 February 2010
Scientists peered into the brain of an adolescent finch as it listened to the warble of an adult brain and saw the cells changing, which may provide insights into the learning process.  Two languages in womb makes bilingual babiesWednesday, 17 February 2010
Babies who hear two languages regularly when they are in their mother's womb are more open to being bilingual, a study published this week in Psychological Science shows.  Why valium is addictiveFriday, 12 February 2010
Scientists have figured out why people get hooked on a class of prescription drugs that includes Valium, along with other antidepressants, muscle relaxants and sleeping pills. 
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