Excess female to male births in Canada linked to chronic dioxin exposure. Tiny capers pack big disease-fighting punch. Bacteria in the intestines can influence results of drug tests. Recycling of e-waste in China may expose mothers, infants to high dioxin levels. Chemistry of San Andreas Fault may offer clues to earthquake mysteries.

A quick, accurate test to reveal illegal use of steroids. A new treatment for health problems related to low testosterone levels. An ultrasensitive method for early detection of human papilloma virus. How fruits and veggies stay nutritious as they age. How consumers have become the bottleneck in efforts to recycle plastics.

Hyped-up hopes for hairy roots as biofactories. How targeting the body’s sugars could improve the treatment of bone diseases. Using human urine as a safe, inexpensive fertilizer for food crops. A new device that cleans up the air by capturing and storing carbon dioxide. Why Norway’s icy waters may be a ‘liquid goldmine’ in the quest for new drugs.

A promising treatment for fighting lupus. Pollution in subways could cause lung damage. How ginger may combat infant diarrhea. Even hydrogen-fueled vehicles pollute the air. Why new medications for migraine headaches may be only a breath away.

An intriguing new role for CDs and CD players. Whiter and brighter light-emitting diodes for homes and offices. How pomegranate juice plays a part in the fight against cancer. Printing with enzymes, not ink. The latest treatments against drug-resistant tuberculosis.

A new technology for finding builders of homemade bombs. Improvements in gene therapy and treating Alzheimer’s disease. A new method for creating integrated circuits for more powerful computers. A fast, portable test to help detect flammable liquids in arson; Protective coatings that could prevent bridge collapses.

How PCBs may threaten killer whale populations for 30-60 years. An advance toward new treatments for type 2 diabetes. Using magnets to boost production of ethanol for fuel. A discovery that promises more nutritional cassava for the developing world. A "lung on a chip" and other marvels from microfluidic devices.

Fingerprinting fake coffee. Nanomagnetic sponges to clean precious works of art. Tiny carbon nanotubes show big germ-fighting potential. Coated nanowires that may improve drug delivery. Use of memory enhancement drugs.

How some forms of good cholesterol can be bad for the heart. An advance toward a safer source of collagen. New evidence of an increased diabetes risk from high-fructose corn syrup. Pioneering odor tests on plastic water pipe. Current breakthroughs in solar power.

In a quest for improved drinking water, Andrea Dietrich is conducting pioneering studies on how plastic pipes affect the odor and taste of water.