Surprising Science — April 27, 2010

Morphine Makers

Researchers have discovered that mammals may have the biochemical machinery to produce their own morphine.

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Researchers have discovered that mammals may have the biochemical machinery to produce their own morphine. Scientists found traces of morphine in the urine of mice after injecting chemical precursors of the drug. Mammals have specialized receptors in the brain that respond to morphine, and scientists had long believed that animals had a way to naturally synthesize the addictive pain reliever.

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

A white lab mouse sits in a glass petri dish, cradled gently by hands clad in blue gloves. The captivating scene underscores the crucial role of lab mice in scientific research and discovery.

Life

Scientists kill 192 million lab mice each year. Is there a better way?

Can laboratories become more humane, or is it time to end animal research altogether?

A black-and-white photo of a seated person with their head in their hand, partially overlaid with an image of flames, evocatively captures the intense struggle to treat anxiety.

Neuropsych

Researchers discover an entirely new way to treat anxiety

Manipulating a signaling pathway in mice reversed their anxiety — and offers hope for a new class of anti-anxiety medications for humans.

The head of a man and a woman are shown side by side in a research study focused on ketamine and depression.

Neuropsych

A vaccine for depression

Ketamine’s remarkable effect bolsters a new theory of mental illness.

An image displaying the periodic table of elements.

Health

Is iron the Achilles’ heel for cancer?

Cancer cells hoard iron in unusually high quantities. Scientists have discovered how to leverage this to create safer cancer drugs.

Health

The scientific highs and lows of cannibinoids

Hundreds of these cannabis-related chemicals now exist, both natural and synthetic, inspiring researchers in search of medical breakthroughs.

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Guest Thinkers

Warming the Vines

Wine grapes are extraordinarily temperature-sensitive, and as global warming intensifies the “premium-wine-grape production area [in the United States] … could decline by up to 81 percent.”