In an article for Scientific American, Josh Fischman writes about new research from MIT Professor David Page that shows that the Y chromosome is not vanishing. Page and his colleagues argue that the Y chromosome has been stable for the past 25 million years and plays a crucial role in the survival of humans.
Scientific American reports on Professor Susan Lindquist’s research into how the protein HSP90, which binds to other proteins to keep them properly folded, can play into genetic variability during times of stress.
New York Times reporter Gina Kolata examines a new MIT study that uncovered a rare mutation that protects people from getting Type 2 diabetes. The findings could be applied to developing a drug that mimics how the mutation operates, Kolata writes.
The PBS NewsHour's Rebecca Jacobson reports on Professor Dennis Kim's work studying how worms defend themselves against bacteria. Through this work, Kim believes he can gain a better understanding of the human immune system.