Tag Archives: Genetic engineering

Microscopic caffeine fiends

By Sid Perkins / April 15, 2013
Scientists tweaked the genes of a bacterium so that it requires caffeine to live and reproduce. Now, they can use this microbe to measure concentrations of caffeine in beverages such as soda, coffee and energy drinks. When the microbes are added to a water-weakened version of one of those drinks, the bacteria grow and the liquid turns cloudy — but only if the drink contained caffeine. In caffeine-free Coke (top left), no cloudiness appears. Credit: Barrick Lab/University of Texas at Austin

Researchers create a bacterium that can’t live or reproduce without a stimulant found in soft drinks, chocolate, coffee and tea

Posted in Microbes, Fungi & Algae | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Meat from scratch

By Stephen Ornes / April 12, 2012
engineeredmeat

Scientists are working to produce meat without killing animals

Posted in Food & Nutrition | Tagged , , , , , ,

The secret life of fruit flies

By Stephen Ornes / October 23, 2009

Scientists find that the most attractive scent for a fruit fly is no scent at all

Posted in Chemistry | Tagged ,

A Spider’s Silky Strength

By Emily Sohn / March 15, 2007

What makes spider webs so strong? Scientists attempt to unravel the secrets of silk.

Posted in Chemistry | Tagged ,