Genes may help some nations stay on top of happiness index

Presence of a gene variant involved in sensory pleasure and pain reduction may contribute towards making a population happier than others, suggests new research.

Scientists Capture Crispr’s Gene-Cutting in Action

FOR ALL THE furious hype around the gene-editing tool Crispr/Cas9, no one has ever really seen it in action. Like really seen it. How the protein Cas9 unzips a strand of DNA, how it slips in the molecule that guides it to a target—and finally, how it goes snip snip on the DNA.

New metamaterial may soon make Harry Potter's invisibility cloak a reality

In the future, these structures may be used to develop compact optical devices, as well as to create an 'invisibility cloak.'

Untapped region of a brain cell 'contains hidden autism genes - and could offer a goldmine of targets for new treatments'

Overlooked brain area has a 'motherlode' of autism genes. These genes are mutated Rbfox1 - which regulates cell proteins. When Rbfox1 genes 'go awry', it can increase the risk of autism. Scientists discovered a region of cells full packed with Rbfox1 genes. This finding provides fresh drug targets for new therapies.

Gravitation under human control? Physicist proposes using magnetic fields to produce and detect gravitational fields

Produce and detect gravitational fields at will using magnetic fields, control them for studying them, work with them to produce new technologies -- it sounds daring, but one physicist has proposed just that in a new article. If followed, this proposal could transform physics and shake up Einstein

Mysterious LHC Photons Have Physicists Searching for Answers

Physicists working at the Large Hadron Collider reported an unusual bump in their signal. But this time, they have no idea where the bump came from.

Engineers create the first ever structure to be 3D printed from 'alien' materials

Planetary Resources and 3D Systems today showcased a model of part of a spacecraft from meteorite metals found in Argentina. The model was today showcased at CES in Las Vegas.

IBM Watson ups the ante on digital wellness with gene-based health app

At the 2016 CES, IBM Watson and Pathway Genomics unveiled a new health app that takes the user's genes into account.

Move Over, Graphene: The Latest Super Material Is Borophene

Graphene is the best-known two-dimensional material, with its atom-thick layers proving plenty of fascinating material properties. But now a team of scientists has developed a new material with a similar structure that they’re calling borophene.

Should We Engineer Future Humans?

Gene editing has come further than ever before. That means we need to start thinking further ahead than ever before.

UW-led effort aims to develop implantable devices that promote brain plasticity, reanimate paralyzed limbs

In the next decade, people who have suffered a spinal cord injury or stroke could have their mobility improved or even restored through a radically new technology: implantable devices that can send signals between regions of the brain or nervous system that have been disconnected due to injury.

New quantum record as ball of atoms ends up in two spots at once

Try to imagine a tiny ball sitting on one fingertip yet also on your shoulder at the same instant. Are you struggling? Most of us can’t conceive of an object being in two places at once – yet physicists have just demonstrated the effect over a distance of half a metre, smashing previous records.

Scientists Create New Super Strong Metal With Nanotechnology

A team of UCLA led scientists have conjured a new magnesium based metal with the help of nanoparticles and it just might find application in a variety of industries ranging from aeronautics and space to automotive and biomedical.

A new era of health-care innovation

We are experiencing a new wave of innovation in health care - one that promises to create the smartest, most connected, and most efficient health systems the world has ever seen.