How blueberry juice could improve memory in older adults. Why people older than 50 should be concerned about copper and iron. A blood test for a common mental illness that could be available soon.

Research in Singapore could help streamline production of a common anti-flu drug. Chinese scientists have detected a new set of biomarkers for colon cancer. Chemists in Japan may have unraveled the secret behind a painful weapon used by one of the world’s strangest creatures.

High blood pressure drugs might help subdue a common complication of diabetes. A new fabric could help improve blood circulation in people who have diabetes. How coal linked to an ancient mass extinction could still be taking lives today.

A recap/digest of the top 2009 stories for ACS and Science Elements this past year.

How food aromas could help combat the battle of the bulge. Heart drugs that show promise for fighting colon cancer. Tiny tweaks could ease concerns about nanoparticles in sewage.

How calorie-restricted diets fight obesity and extend life span. New research suggests older dental fillings might be safer than previously thought. Scientists are making progress toward a fast, accurate urine test for pneumonia.

How scientists are sniffing out new ways to preserve old books. A natural Jekyll-and-Hyde transformation is linked to coral bleaching. Fruit flies could lead to better addiction treatments.

Why hepatitis B hits men harder than women. How changes in a woman’s saliva could help doctors detect and treat age-related diseases. An ultraviolet light switch could lead to better understanding of paralysis.

Explosive findings about the inner realm of living cells. A vast new liver protein database that could shed light on combating disease. New evidence that dark chocolate helps ease emotional stress.

New evidence suggests that an old idea about oil and gas might be right. How personalized solar energy could become a reality. A new test could quickly and easily detect pesticide residues on foods.