biomedical research

An analysis of pediatric clinical trials found that the results of almost a third of studies that were finished weren't published in medical journals. The lapses raise scientific and ethical concerns.

Researchers in Seattle have created a public observatory for studying the visual circuitry in a mouse's brain. Among the attractions: watching 18,000 neurons respond to Orson Welles' Touch of Evil.

A synthetic version of the human genetic blueprint might used for a wide range of medical research, scientists say. But it's far from reality, and comes with big ethical and safety questions.

Researchers experimenting with chimeric embryos say they could develop into adult pigs, sheep or cows with human organs that one day might be suitable for transplantation in people.

Scientists have been able to keep human embryos alive twice as long as before. The technique is reopening a debate over a rule limiting research on human embryos to 14 days.

NIH Director Francis Collins has stopped research at two leading labs for now. But an independent board of experts wants even more oversight to ensure that patient safety is the top priority.