Brief Points, September 2006

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▪ Prion infections, such as mad cow disease, may incubate without symptoms for years. A technique that amplifies tiny amounts of prions in the blood successfully diagnosed infected hamsters within 20 days after exposure to prions and three months before symptoms appeared.

Science, July 7

▪ A radar system emits signals that appear as noise to other devices, thus enabling it to escape detection. Properly tuned, the stealth radar can also image objects behind walls.

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Ohio State University announcement, June 26

▪ Abnormal amygdalas may be the root of autism. A postmortem accounting reveals that adult autistic males have about 1.5 million (12 percent) fewer neurons in that brain region, important for memory and emotion.

Journal of Neuroscience, July 19

▪ The ability to empathize does not appear to be restricted to primates. Mice became more sensitive to pain after having seen cage mates in some distress.

Science, June 30

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