News archive: 2008

December
- Mothers pass on disease clues - Press release - 24 December
  When there is a threat of disease during pregnancy, mothers produce less aggressive sons with more efficient immune systems…
- Stem cells dialogue report published - News - 22 December
  The results of the largest ever UK stem cells dialogue project have been published…
- Largest ever stem cell ‘dialogue’ provides insight into public attitudes - Press release - 17 December
  Results of the largest ever public dialogue on stem cell research in the UK have revealed high levels…
- 'More Cavalier' plants could counter effects of climate change - Press release - 17 December
  A leading UK plant scientist has called for the application of new in-depth data analysis of plants' regulatory…
- UK commercial expertise to be embedded in academic departments - Press release - 16 December
  The UK's biggest funder of research across life sciences has today announced plans to bring industrial…
- Discovery could improve the lives of premature babies - Press release - 13 December
  Scientists…have identified a potential new avenue for altering lung development in the embryo…
- Antisocial, invasive cells are the basis of cancer - Press release - 10 December
  Scientists…have discovered the mechanism by which cells normally repel each other - a process sidestepped…
- Statin warning for pregnant women - Press release - 10 December
  Pregnant women or those hoping to start or extend a family should avoid using the cholesterol-lowering…
- Exceptional entrepreneurial skills win omega-3 team best young entrepreneur title - Press release - 9 December
  Exceptional entrepreneurial skills win omega-3 team best young entrepreneur title…
- Unique transatlantic tie-up to understand the ageing process - Press release - 8 December
  Increased life expectancy in the developed world is forecast to lead to a dramatically older population…
- BBSRC Fellow wins NW start up of the year - Press release - 5 December
  Dr Andrew Almond, a recent BBSRC David Phillips Fellow and a current BBSRC/RSE Enterprise Fellow…
- BBSRC plant scientists who ‘could change the world’ highlighted - News - 5 December
  BBSRC is pleased to announce that a joint BBSRC/National Institute on Aging Partnering Award scheme to…
- Research Councils seek new members for the Research Organisation Consultation Group - News - 5 December
  The Research Councils are seeking nominations for members of the Research Organisation Consultation Group…
- BBSRC/US National Institute on Aging scheme to support collaborative research on the biology of ageing - News - 5 December
  Two researchers who have received support from BBSRC and the Agricultural and Food Research Council (AFRC)…
November
- Advice system for farmers improves water quality through better manure recycling - Press release - 28 November
  Researchers funded by the cross-Council Rural Economy and Land Use (RELU) programme and led by…
- Independent review of the highest level microbiological containment facilities in the UK - News - 27 November
  Independent review of the highest level microbiological containment facilities in the UK…
- Impact awards - application deadline approaching - News - 26 November
  The application deadline for individuals to enter the Innovator of the Year 2009 competition and for university…
- £20 million to fight virtual crime and treat our ageing population - Press release - 20 November
  Fighting virtual crime, treating an ageing population, and turning research into commercial enterprises, will be…
- Basic science breathes life into patient - News - 19 November
  BBSRC welcomes today's news reports that surgeons have successfully used a patient's adult stem cells…
- Scientists gain insight into the cause and possible treatment of motor neurone disease - Press release - 17 November
  BBSRC-funded researchers…have identified a molecule that could be the key to understanding the cause of…
- BBSRC backs UK team at 2009 International Biology Olympiad - Press release - 17 November
  BBSRC, the UK's principal public funder of bioscience research and training, has announced that it is…
- UK Research Councils recommend changes to the European Commission’s draft revised animals Directive - Press release - 5 November
  MRC, NERC, and BBSRC have expressed concern over proposed changes to the EU's animals Directive…
- Response to EC draft animals Directive - News - 5 November
  IAH has developed a fast and highly sensitive bluetongue virus detection kit, which will be launched in 2009…
- Institute for Animal Health to launch bluetongue testing kit - News - 5 November
  Concerns over proposed changes to the EU's animals Directive have been published in a statement issued…
- Appointments to BBSRC Council - News - 5 November
  The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) is looking to appoint new members to…
- Next generation of bioscience talent gathering in Newcastle - Press release - 4 November
  A cross-section of early-career bioscientists will gather in Newcastle later this week to gain advice from leading…
October
- BBSRC changes peer review, priorities and Institute funding arrangements - Press release - 20 October
  BBSRC has today announced changes to the way its peer review committees are organised, the way new research…
- Roadshows to announce new Committee structure - News - 20 October
  Today, the first of 5 roadshows to inform potential applicants and grant holders of our future plans…
- Institute for Animal Health response - News - 17 October
  We confirm that proceedings have been issued against the Institute for Animal Health by various persons…
- Opening a can of worms: serendipitous discovery reveals earthworms more diverse than first thought - Press release - 10 October
  Scientists have found that the UK's common or garden earthworms are far more diverse than previously…
- Researchers discover how infectious bacteria can switch species - Press release - 9 October
  Scientists from the Universities of Bath and Exeter have developed a rapid new way of checking for toxic genes…
- Ground-breaking, lifesaving TB vaccine a step closer - Press release - 8 October
  Researchers at Aberystwyth University, following a number of years of investment by BBSRC, have licensed…
- UKARF highlights how age research will help to shape the future of the UK - News - 2 October
  Today, 21 key funders are coming together to highlight the importance of age research…
- New Chief Executive joins UK’s leading bioscience funder - Press release - 1 October
  New Chief Executive joins UK’s leading bioscience funder
- Ecologists allay fears for farmland birds from wind turbines - Press release - 1 October
  Scientists observing how rats come to dislike certain flavours have developed techniques that could lead…
- Innovative study could lead to new anti-obesity treatments and insight into why exercise puts you off your food - Press release - 1 October
  Wind farms pose less of a threat to farmland birds than previously feared, new BBSRC-funded research has…
September
- Public-private research partnership announces £5M of projects to accelerate biopharmaceutical drug development - Press release - 30 September
  Bioprocessing research in the UK has received a £5M boost following today's announcement of nine projects…
- Development of a new class of antibiotics to treat MRSA - Press release - 18 September
  A new class of drugs that kill MRSA in the lab has been discovered and could form the basis of new treatments…
- UK and Japan forge agreement for systems biology cooperation - Press release - 17 September
  The leading science funding bodies in systems biology in the UK and Japan have signed a new agreement this…
- BBSRC congratulates 2008 Lasker Prize winner Prof David Baulcombe - Press release - 13 September
  BBSRC extends its warmest congratulations to David Baulcombe FRS, Professor of Botany at the University of…
- Small changes to transport systems could mean big benefits for older people - Press release - 11 September
  A new study has pinpointed how simple, low-cost measures could revolutionise older people's ability…
- Harnessing new technology to keep older people behind the wheel for longer - Press release - 11 September
  A new study has highlighted the key role technology could play in extending the age at which people can drive…
- Easier-to-hit 'targets' could help older people make the most of computers - Press release - 11 September
  Older people could make better use of computers if icons, links and menu headings automatically grew bigger…
- New research could hold the key to keeping older people fit for longer - Press release - 11 September
  A carefully framed combination of moderate exercise and nutritional supplements could help older people…
- New national competitions will honour UK’s bioscience innovators - Press release - 11 September
  Two new competitions are being launched today to honour the UK bioscientists who are best at turning…
- Investment in alternatives to animal research rises for fifth consecutive year - Press release - 11 September
  The NC3Rs announced funding of £2.6 million for ten new projects that aim to replace, reduce or refine the use of…
- BBSRC-funded scientist to receive prestigious honour for work on deadly disease - Press release - 5 September
  Professor Mandy MacLean, a BBSRC-funded scientist at the University of Glasgow, is the first woman…
- New stem cell tools to aid drug development - Press release - 3 September
  Scientist have designed, developed and tested new molecular tools for stem cell research to direct the…
August
- Scientists discover new link in pathway to cancer: hope for drug design - Press release - 28 August
  University of Manchester scientists have identified an exciting connection between a cell's extracellular…
- Changes to BBSRC RSS feeds - News - 28 August
  Our individual RSS feeds have now merged into one feed…
- Scientists overcome nanotech hurdle - Press release - 13 August
  When you make a new material on a nanoscale how can you see what you have made? A team lead by a BBSRC…
- Structural biology spin-out tackles major diseases - Press release - 7 August
  A spin out company from basic structural biology, Asterion Ltd., has led to new technology that provides a way of…
- Midge-hunting scientists tackle spread of devastating bluetongue virus - Press release - 7 August
  Scientists at the BBSRC-funded Institute for Animal Health (IAH) are stepping up the battle against the devastating…
- New public-private initiative to develop cleaner, greener chemicals - Press release - 7 August
  A new research initiative, bringing together the UK's main public funder of bioscience research with 10 companies…
- Broccoli could reverse the heart damaging effects of diabetes - Press release - 6 August
  Researchers have discovered eating broccoli could undo the damage caused by diabetes to heart blood vessels…
- Aphids, protein therapies and using mathematics to beat epidemics - latest BBSRC research news - Press release - 6 August
  The following stories feature in the latest issue of BBSRC Business, the quarterly research highlights magazine…
- Public-private research partnership announces £4M of projects to improve UK diet and health - Press release - 6 August
  A unique public-private partnership between 3 Research Councils and 15 food and drink companies has today…
- Aphids are sentinels of climate change - Press release - 6 August
  Aphids are emerging as sentinels of climate change, researchers at BBSRC-supported Rothamsted Research…
- New step forward in search for solution to infection puzzle - Press release - 5 August
  Scientists at the University of Manchester have helped to reveal more about the way bacteria can attach…
- Why the slow paced world could make it difficult to catch a ball... - Press release - 4 August
  Researchers at the University of Birmingham have uncovered new information about the way that we…
- Changes to the BBSRC research grant final report form - News - 1 August
  BBSRC is making some changes to research grant final reports with effect from 1 August…
July
- The buzz of the chase - Press release - 30 July
  Scientists from Queen Mary, University of London are helping to perfect a technique used to catch serial killers…
- BBSRC statement in response to Professor Howard Atkinson’s remarks on BBC Radio 4 Farming Today - 29 July 2008 - News - 30 July
  BBSRC, who funded the GM potato field trial led by Professor Atkinson that is the focus of current debate…
- Cell therapy research and development to receive £6 million funding injection - Press release - 24 July
  Nine innovative research and development projects to receive investment…Total value of projects in excess…
- BBSRC publishes review of 2007-08 - Press release - 23 July
  BBSRC has today published its Annual Report and Accounts 2007-08…
- Pay attention - Scientists uncover basis of attention span - Press release - 16 July
  Scientists have uncovered the chemical basis of attention span with new research published today…
- BBSRC appoints three new members of senior management team - Press release - 14 July
  BBSRC has appointed three new members of its senior management team…
- New Chief Executive for BBSRC - Press release - 7 July
  The Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills has today announced the appointment of…
June
- Scientists at the Royal Society summer science exhibition challenge the public to predict the best way to control disease epidemics - Press release - 30 June
  Scientists will be challenging the public this week to pit their powers of prediction against the latest…
- Joint statement in response to ''Face to Face: UK Chemistry-Biology Interface'' - News - 26 June
  BBSRC, EPSRC and MRC have worked with the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) on the report "Face to Face…
- Biosciences scoop over £7M from Government commercialisation fund - Press release - 23 June
  BBSRC welcomes the announcement that four bids which it supported under the Public Sector Research…
- Queen's Birthday Honours 2008 - News - 18 June
  The following were announced in the Queen's Birthday Honours list 2008…
- Ancient antibody molecule offers clues to how humans evolved allergies - Press release - 13 June
  Scientists…have discovered how evolution may have lumbered humans with allergy problems…
- Renewed multi-million pound effort to prevent disease - Press release - 12 June
  A partnership of government departments, research organisations and charities is offering up to £12M to…
- BBSRC funded scientists enter new frontier of structural biology - News - 12 June
  Scientists have developed a new technique for investigating proteins that allow drugs to get in and…
- Synthetic Biology: funders move to address social and ethical challenges - Press release - 9 June
  The report of an independent review of social and ethical challenges associated with research into…
- Darwin200 launched - News - 4 June
  Launched last night, Darwin200 is a national programme of events celebrating Charles Darwin's scientific ideas…
- Professor John Pickett to give Royal Society's Croonian Prize Lecture - News - 3 June
  Professor John Pickett from Rothamsted Research will be delivering the Croonian Prize Lecture at the Royal…
- BBSRC highlights bioscientists for their contribution to UK economy - Press release - 2 June
  BBSRC has highlighted nearly 50 top bioscience researchers and research groups for their contribution to…
May
- Bioscience:Biomillions - News - 31 May
  In May BBSRC held a successful event at HM Treasury that showcased the economic and social impact…
- New projects to raise UK profile in Synthetic Biology - Press release - 29 May
  Four UK Research Councils have come together to announce funding for new projects designed to…
- Parasites’ family planning strategy helps malaria spread - Press release - 28 May
  Malaria parasites ensure the successful spread of the disease by being able to produce more sons…
- How can we measure the emotional states of animals? - Press release - 21 May
  Rats housed in standard conditions show a stronger response to the loss of an expected food reward…
- Human ageing gene found in flies - Press release - 12 May
  Scientists…have found a fast and effective way to investigate important aspects of human ageing…
- Ancient protein offers clues to killer condition - Press release - 12 May
  More than 600 million years of evolution has taken two unlikely distant cousins … turkeys and scallops…
- £6.5M Cross-Channel link up for Systems Biology - Press release - 8 May
  The leading public life science funding agencies in the UK and France have announced a unique…
- Animals in research - News - 8 May
  BBSRC has joined with other major funders of bioscience research in compiling a single document that sets…
- BBSRC announces new make-up of its Council - Press release - 6 May
  The Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, John Denham, has appointed five new…
- New consultation on BBSRC research relating to environmental change - News - 6 May
  A review panel for BBSRC has launched a new consultation to inform future directions in BBSRC-funded…
- New discovery linked to DNA repair and cancer - Press release - 1 May
  BBSRC-funded scientists have discovered a new protein in humans that plays an important role in repairing DNA…
April
- Tiny magnets offer breakthrough in gene therapy for cancer - Press release - 17 April
  Soldiers on sentry duty in hostile territory keep in regular radio contact with their colleagues to assure them…
- Birds announce their sentry duty to help comrades get a good meal - Press release - 17 April
  A revolutionary cancer treatment using microscopic magnets to enable 'armed' human cells to target…
- Athlete’s Foot, spin-outs and beating pig disease - latest BBSRC research news - Press release - 15 April
  The following stories feature in the latest issue of BBSRC Business, the quarterly research highlights…
- Response to the review of funding, governance and risk management at the Institute for Animal Health (IAH) - News - 14 April
  At its meeting on 9 April 2008, BBSRC Council considered and accepted the Beringer Review, and is acting on
- Plant scientists working on new cure for Athlete’s Foot - Press release - 11 April
  A green-fingered approach is being taken by scientists to help the millions of people who suffer the discomfort…
- Scientists ask whether micro-scaffolding can help stem cells rebuild brain after stroke damage - Press release - 10 April
  Inserting tiny scaffolding into the brain could dramatically reduce damage caused by strokes the UK…
- Stem cells and cancer: Cancer pathways that also control the adult stem cell population - Press release - 10 April
  Speaking today (10 April) at the UK National Stem Cell Network Annual Science Meeting in Edinburgh…
- Scientists uncover the potential to control Adult Stem Cells - Press release - 10 April
  Research being presented today (10 April) at the UK National Stem Cell Network Annual Science Meeting in Edinburgh represents a step towards…
- Heart disease predetermined by oxygen levels in the womb - Press release - 8 April
  The amount of oxygen available to a baby in the womb can affect their susceptibility to developing…
- Scientists, vets and farmers work to beat pig disease - Press release - 1 April
  A virus that can cause economic devastation for pig farmers, welfare issues for animals and drive up…
March
- First 'rule' of evolution suggests that life is destined to become more complex - Press release - 17 March
  Scientists funded in part by BBSRC have revealed what may well be the first pervasive 'rule' of evolution…
- Scientists discover how TB 'develops invincibility' against only available treatment for killer disease - Press release - 13 March
  BBSRC-funded researchers at the University of Leicester have uncovered a dramatic new twist in the battle…
- Joint BBSRC/IAH response to Anderson review - News - 11 March
  The IAH and its sponsoring body BBSRC welcome the report of the Anderson review and are now…
- Scientists determine structure of brain receptor implicated in epilepsy and PMT - Press release - 10 March
  Scientists funded by BBSRC have published new research in the journal Molecular Pharmacology identifying…
- New interactive website to give public a say in evolution debate - Press release - 7 March
  A new interactive website has been launched today that gives everyone the chance to consider Darwin's theories…
- Scientists uncover a novel mechanism that regulates carbon dioxide fixation in plants - Press release - 3 March
  A team of BBSRC-funded scientists at the University of Essex has discovered a new mechanism that slows the…
February
- Major scientific push to tackle agricultural productivity and food security in developing world - Press release - 21 February
  £7M of new research is being launched today to tackle some of the most damaging and widespread pests…
- Masters of disguise: secrets of nature's 'great pretenders' revealed - Press release - 20 February
  A gene which helps a harmless African butterfly ward off predators by giving it wing patterns like those of toxic…
- ‘Invisible’ bacteria dupe the human immune system - Press release - 19 February
  Scientists at the University of York have characterised an important new step in the mechanism used by bacteria…
- BBSRC congratulates Institute of Biotechnology on Queen’s Anniversary Prize win - Press release - 15 February
  BBSRC warmly congratulates the Institute of Biotechnology, University of Cambridge on…
- Scientists move closer to developing a new class of asthma and allergy drugs - Press release - 15 February
  A team of…funded scientists has moved a step closer to developing a new class of effective asthma and…
- Do you care about evolution? Does Darwin matter today? - Press release - 12 February
  With the news that scientists are on the brink of creating synthetic life, with stories of man-made extinctions…
- Genes are a big influence in child obesity - Press release - 7 February
  Nature is more important than nurture in determining whether a child will become overweight, a new study…
January
- Taking ULTRA molecular fingerprints - Press release - 29 January
  A new laser under development at the Science and Technology Facilities Council's Rutherford Appleton…
- Director of Science and Technology - News - 28 January
  In September this year, Professor Nigel Brown will be leaving BBSRC to take up a new appointment…
- Synthetic biology - News - 25 January
  BBSRC has for the past year been acting to ensure that its research policies and funding-decisions take account…
- Understanding sound, defeating pest resistance and swapping fat for air - latest BBSRC research news - Press release - 18 January
  The following stories feature in the latest issue of BBSRC Business, the quarterly research highlights…
- Wildebeest or malaria parasite - same rules determine number of offspring - Press release - 15 January
  Whether you are dealing with the number of wildebeest on the Serengeti or the number of malaria parasites in the…
- Lend me your ears - and the world will sound very different - Press release - 14 January
  Recognising people, objects or animals by the sound they make is an important survival skill and something most…
- Why it pays to be choosy - Press release - 10 January
  Cooperative behaviour is common in many species, including humans. Given that cooperative individuals can…
- New Year Honours 2008 - News - 9 January
  The following were announced in the New Year Honours list 2008…
- Diversionary tactics save crops from pests in developing countries - Press release - 8 January
  Research published today…reveals the effectiveness of using 'push-pull' agricultural techniques in…

News archive: 2008

December

November

October

September

August

July

June

May

April

March

February

January