Physorg.com is reporting that a New York technology start-up has developed a much cheaper and faster device to perform the PCR (polymerase chain reaction). PCR is a process used to amplify small bits of DNA so that it can be used for DNA fingerprinting and other important projects. The new device is able to cycle the temperature of the DNA much faster than traditional PCR, and this reduces the wait time for a successful amplification dramatically.
Category: Health
Canada’s Supreme Court Says NO to Pesticides
The Supreme Court of Canada has thrown out a case that would have challenged the right of municipalities to ban pesticides in their communities.
A pesticide producer tried to challenge legislation passed in Toronto that banned the use of pesticides. This is a major step in Canada since the issue of spraying nature with chemicals as been for the most part ignored. The court’s decision means that wary municipalities can now ban pesticides without fear of a lawsuit.
Meditate and Think Great
Meditation makes your brain bigger and better according to some new research. The act of meditation can increase grey matter in a few regions of your brain. This is a big thing because it is, as far as I know, the first time that meditation can actually impact the physical layout of the brain.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Now Easily Detectable
Canadian researchers have found a new way to easily detect fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Previous attempts to detect FAS have been mired by other factors, for instance it is hard to tell if a child has poor impulse control as a result of FAS or other factors like how they were raised.
The researchers found that doing a series of simple eye-tracking tests that children FAS had a similar patter, while those not diagnosed with FAS did not. Eye-tracking has been used to find other neurological problems, but now it has been applied to FAS with positive results.
Faster, Better HIV Tests
Physicians in Canada are now able to purchase a 60-second HIV testing machine. Previously, individuals wanting to be tested for the disease had to wait 2-3 weeks to get the results from provincial laboratories. Now, it’s as simple as a trip to the doctor’s office.
Meanwhile, the US FDA is considering approving a do-it-yourself home HIV test. This is good to hear, because 1 in 4 AIDS patients in the US don’t know they have it!