Scientists Crack Black Death's Genetic Code!

Humans have rarely encountered an enemy as devastating as the black death. Between 1347 and 1351 black death sparked, an infection carried by fleas that spread rapidly across Europe killing around 50 million people.

It had struck at a time when the climate was suddenly getting cool. Amidst the war and famine, people were moving into closer quarters where the disease could spread easily, scientists say. And the first time this particular disease had hit humans, it has been suggested that our immune defenses against the germ were lacking.

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Spider Silk Makes Skin Bulletproof

The Bulletproof Spider Silk Matrix.

Talking about bulletproof skin seems to be quite fictitious and much like a superhero in a Hollywood film. But now the new artificial skin made by the dutch artist Jalila Essaidi makes human skin almost bulletproof.

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Brain Eating Amoeba takes 3 lives

          Naegleria fowleri. Image Courtesy: ScienceBuzz

This brain eating amoeba that killed 3 individuals this summer is a organism that can be found in the warm regions and freshwater and also in the lakes, rivers, hot springs and also in the soil. 

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DNA found in Outer Space

DNA in Meteorite

Ever thought of building blocks of DNA to be found in space? If no then this article is going to prove helpful to you for NASA-funded researchers have discovered that building blocks of DNA, the molecule that carries the genetic instructions for development of life, in meteorites, which were likely created in space.

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Artificial Neural Network made from DNA

A piece of DNA

The researchers at California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have created an artificial neural network out of DNA which, on asking questions, gave the correct answers.

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Digital Tattoos to monitor your Blood

A Conventional Tattoo

Do you think tattoos are only for Harley riders or teenagers? If so change your opinion, for bioengineering doctoral student Kate Balaconis has proved it false with the invention of digital tattoos that monitors the blood and communicates through iPhone.

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Stretch Solar 'Skin'

A sample of the solar 'skin'

Ever had a dream about robotic artificial skin, which, um, harvests power? Then, it would be fine if I say 'Zhenan Bao, a chemical engineer at Stanford, has got something for you.'

She is working on a solar cell which is stretchable & claims that this could be used to make artificial skin which can generate electricity as well as would be sensitive and responsive. These solar cells are able to expand upto 30% extra in any two directions & this enable them to fit on human skin of parts like hands & legs. The electrodes are made from a liquid metal called Eutectic Gallium- Indium (EGaIn) that conforms to a surface as it lengthens & relaxes.

Bao dreams that such a solar cell would make self powering building and would be crucial in establishing an eco-friendly society. At First, I didn't think this would work as we need sunlight to synthesize Vitamin-D, but , It seems she has a solution.

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