"By comparing the brains of monkeys living in large groups to those living in smaller groups, scientists have found that the brain can change shape to accommodate social network size.

The finding, published in Science today, reveals that there are still opportunities for the brain to change, even during adulthood. It also suggests that a complex social environment puts pressure on improving brain plasticity - our brain's ability to efficiently adapt to changes.

The researchers found that areas of the brain known to process social information such as facial expressions were larger in monkeys who lived in larger groups, and vice versa...."

http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/news/4932/bigger-social-network-could-mean-brain-gain-baby

"A team of researchers at Curtin University have found a substitute for insulin to help treat diabetes orally.

Over 10 years, Professor Erik Helmerhorst and his colleagues looked at millions of compounds on pharmaceutical databases to try to emulate the molecular map of insulin.

“On a computer, in silico, we searched three million compound structures for their ability to fit that map,” explains Professor Helmerhorst.

In short, they found one, and are developing it as part of their dream to ‘take the needle out of diabetes’......"

http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news/20110611-22804.html