UCLA has completed proof-of-principle research that shows that human blood stem cells can be engineered to fight HIV. Researchers identified the T cell receptor in the CD8 cytotoxic T lymphocytes (killer T cells) on an HIV infected person that identifies and allows the cell to destroy HIV infected cells. Unfortunately nobody has enough of these cells to wipe out the HIV. They then took this receptor and engineered it into blood stem cells which they then implanted into HIV a human/mouse hybrid (mouse with human thalamus tissue) and injected the GM stem cells which matured into HIV killing T cells and lowered the viral load in the mice. (UCLA, thanks Wesley for the link!)

While most of the world is experiencing glacier mass decreases, the Karakoram mountain range (home of K2) in the Himalayas is actually experiencing either no glacier loss or a slight increase. Even though increased precipitation at high elevations was predicted, this is still an anomaly.  (Live Science)

Non-Newtonian fluids which have changing viscosity based on the speed they’re flowing at or the force applied to it. A popular example such as I hear was to be used by Camp Quest at Rock Beyond Belief is to have people walk on water, at least water mixed with corn starch. A team of undergraduate engineering students at Case Western Reserve University have a new use for these awesome fluids: filling pot holes. They fill kevlar (or similar fiber) and silicone bag with their soon to be patented powder and water and toss it into a pot hold, apply a black cover and allow drivers to drive over it all they want until repair crews can patch it properly. (Science Mag via SlashDot)