Getting An Earful

With gene therapy, ears grow new sensory cells

Scientist Yehoash Raphael has discovered a way to regenerate hair cells in the ears of adult guinea pigs. Even though the study doesn't determine whether or not the hair cells can detect sound or properly connect with the brain, many other scientists and specialists believe it's paved the way to treat people with hearing problems. Raphael and his colleagues will continue to research this topic, testing new theories one at a time.

I think it's awesome that scientists have found a way to make new sensory cells in mammal's ears. Hopefully, they will be able to know if you can really detect using them and help correct people's hearing problems in the future.

coax - persuade
regenerate - regrow
inkling - slight knowledge or suspicion: hint

Glowing Trio Under the Sea!

Glowing Trio under the Sea: Nitrogen fixer joins algae inside coral

From Science News, Volume 166, No. 7, August 14, 2004, p. 99.

Cyanobacteria - blue green algae or a phylum of bacteria that obtain their energy through photosynthesis.

Preliminary - introduction

Polyp - a coelenterate, such as a hydra or coral, having a cylindrical body and an oral opening usually surrounded by tentacles.


This article is about a Caribbean coral found underwater that glows! The Montastraea cavernosa coral seems to live symbiotically with two microbe species. It's the first ever to be found that has a symbiotic microbe that converts nitrogen into a usable form.

I think it's cool that coral glows! It may be more beneficial to us in the long run to humans and other researches, but none that I know about. I find it interesting how certain bacteria and algae glows and makes other thins glow, like the coral in this case.