The Nutshell

Daily News Roundup

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The new NAS inductees join the ranks of luminaries like Harvard University biologist E.O. WilsonWikimedia Commons, Acghost

The National Academy’s New Members

By Bob Grant | May 2, 2012

Eighty-four new researchers are elected to America’s premier science club.

Flickr, Casey Fleser

A New Branch of Life?

By Jef Akst | May 1, 2012

Researchers investigate a microorganism that may warrant a new eukaryotic kingdom in the classification of life.

Flickr, 401K

More Research Money for MDs

By Cristina Luiggi | May 1, 2012

Principal investigators with medical training have a slightly higher NIH funding rate than those with just a PhD.

Flickr, Aaron Fulkerson

Sensor Measures Produce Ripeness

By Megan Scudellari | April 30, 2012

The device could help grocers and food distributors better monitor fruits and vegetables.

Flickr, Jill A. Brown

Call for Diabetes Drug Ban

By Sabrina Richards | April 30, 2012

A consumer advocacy group calls for a ban of a diabetes drug after evidence surfaces that it may increase the risk of cancer.

Two avian influenza A (H5N1) virionsWikimedia Commons, Cynthia Goldsmith/Jackie Katz

Extended H5N1 Moratorium?

By Cristina Luiggi | April 30, 2012

A US science official recommends extending moratorium on bird flu studies as well as other types of risky research.

Flickr, Meneer Zjeroen

Mad Cow in California

By Edyta Zielinska | April 30, 2012

A variant of the prion that causes bovine spongiform encephalopathy turns up in the United States.

Wikimedia Commons

Illegal Genes

By Bob Grant | April 30, 2012

California mulls a state law that would criminalize the unauthorized sharing, storing, or analyzing of genetic data.

ARS technicians assess biomass materials for biofuels productionFlickr, U.S. Department of Agriculture

Obama’s Plan for a Bioeconomy

By Megan Scudellari | April 27, 2012

The White House announces a strategy to foster development of biological products in fields ranging from medicine to agriculture.

One of two baby ploughshare tortoises found in the wildDurrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

Rare Reptiles Breed in Wild

By Jef Akst | April 27, 2012

Two baby ploughshare tortoises born to parents raised in a captive breeding program are discovered in Madagascar, validating the conservation effort.