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Doctors have seen a sharp increase in the number of women choosing breast surgery to prevent cancer. But the genetic mutation that contributed to Angelina Jolie's decision is relatively rare, and the vast majority of women who choose prophylactic mastectomy don't face the same level of risk.

Scientists used to think that identical twins turned out differently because they were treated differently by friends, teachers or their parents. A study of mice supports the idea that small changes in behavior can lead to larger ones and eventually even resculpt brains in different ways.

A case considered pivotal to the future of science and medicine came before the Supreme Court on Monday, involving a company that has patented two genes linked to cancer. While the patent challengers lost in the lower court, they seemed to have a more receptive audience at the Supreme Court.

Same-sex marriage got huge headlines at the Supreme Court last month, but in the world of science and medicine, the case being argued on Monday is far more important. The lawsuit deals with a truly 21st century issue that in some cases can pit drugmakers against patients.

Sir Robert Edwards, whose research led to the world's first "test-tube baby," overcame enormous controversy surrounding his work.

A Dutch design studio is building furniture that is built from a person's unique DNA profile. The process takes genetic profiles, maps them with 3-D imaging and constructs pieces of furniture.

The largest gene-probing study ever done has found dozens of new genetic markers that flag a person's susceptibility to breast, ovarian and prostate cancer. But knowing these susceptibility markers won't mean much for patients for now.

Henrietta Lacks' family was never consulted before her genetic information was made public. Author Rebecca Skloot, who chronicled the story of her cells, says current regulations aren't covering the privacy questions that come up for people like the Lacks family.

Science writer Carl Zimmer says we're not going to bring back dinosaurs. But we might be able to resurrect other extinct species.

The medal, along with other items that belonged to the late Francis Crick, will be auctioned on April 10-11 in New York.