Cells switch identity in biological breakthrough
Talk about an extreme makeover: Scientists have transformed one type of cell into another in living mice, a big step toward the goal of growing replacement tissues to treat a variety of diseases.

Gulf Coast watches ominous Gustav

Gulf coast residents keep a close watch on Hurricane Gustav as the third anniversary of Katrina approaches.

Gustav may reach Category 3

Gustav swirled toward Cuba on Wednesday after triggering flooding and landslides that killed at least 22 people in the Caribbean. Its track pointed toward the U.S. Gulf coast, including Louisiana.

Todd: Biden's time finally arrives

Joe Biden can be counted on to  make the case for Barack Obama and prosecute the case against John McCain.  But NBC News political director Chuck Todd wonders will he control his instinct to be No. 1?

Mental skills fade earlier than thought
Simple tests of perceptual speed, spatial ability and verbal function showed that some cognitive skills begin rapidly fading nearly 15 years before death, said Valgeir Thorvaldsson, who worked on the study.

Bankruptcy filings near 1 million in 12 months
Nearly 1 million individuals and businesses filed bankruptcy in the 12 months ended June 30, according to U.S. Court data released Wednesday.

Mugabe says he'll form new government
Zimbabwe's opposition accused President Robert Mugabe of abandoning talks aimed at forming a unity government, and said Wednesday he would fail if he tried to rule alone.

Democrat delegates cast votes

Barack Obama was poised to become the first African-American ever nominated for president by a major political party Wednesday after delegates to the Democratic convention began the historic nomination process.

One-horse town to be no-horse town
A one-horse town in Nebraska looks like it's set to become a no-horse town.