How dried licorice root fights the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. Why some vacuum cleaners actually make things dirtier in your home.  A new medical scanner bears a strong resemblance to a device used on television’s most famous science fiction show.

An emerging field of research could heat up cancer treatment.  How a new tool could help surgeons zero in on cancer cells in the brain. Why nano-magnets could help doctors replace damaged or diseased cells in the body.

Why an electronic nose could simplify the diagnosis and treatment of a rampant lung disease;  How a battery-powered skin patch could help relieve the agony of a common circulatory problem;  A vaccine that could help some drug addicts slay a dragon.

How sunlight could soon clean your clothes. Why the next generation of tires could be sweet and green.  How after-effects of the age-old quest for riches still haunt us today.

Which antibiotic-resistant substances are slipping through the cracks at sewage treatment plants. Why one of the foulest smelling creatures on Earth could lead to the development of more effective antibiotics. How one of the world’s most potent poisons could help improve our health.

How comets may have set evolution in motion. Why microscopic “spaghetti highways” could help rejuvenate older people. How butterfly wings could boost production of green fuels. What surprising source of antioxidants is popping up in the kitchen?

How the next generation of home printers could add a new dimension to even the drabbest photo. How a new “smart” material could help tap the medical potential of tissue-penetrating light. Why the weird world of water just got a little stranger

How a fresh-faced material could help foil the flu. How a new test could help fend off food poisoning. Why shedding a few tears could help keep diabetes under control.

How washing machines churn up microscopic water pollution. Why concerns about peat bogs releasing potentially climate-changing gases might be misplaced. Why the coldest places on Earth could soon light the way to an energetic future.

Why researchers think they’re just a hairs breath away from simplifying the diagnosis of a common neurological disorder.  How a magnetic tongue could help enliven processed food.  Why thermal cash register receipts are becoming a touchy subject.