Health news: 2011

December
- Scientists provide potential explanation for mechanisms of associative memory - Press release - 14 December
  Researchers funded by BBSRC at the University of Bristol have discovered that a chemical compound in the brain can weaken the synaptic connections…
- Protein sheds insight into spread of vCJD to the brain - Press release - 2 December
  A protein linked to the immune system could play a key role in helping scientists understand how vCJD spreads throughout the body…
November
- New research aims to shed light on how ageing affects immunity - Press release - 29 November
  Efforts to understand the effect of ageing on the immune system received a boost today as BBSRC announced…
- The story behind ‘super broccoli’ - Feature - 23 November
  When Beneforté 'super broccoli' was launched onto selected UK supermarket shelves in October 2011…
- Scientists take steps to defuse the Vietnam time bomb - Press release - 11 November
  A key mechanism by which a bacterial pathogen causes the deadly tropical disease melioidosis has been discovered by an international team…
October
- ‘First step’ to perfect drug combinations - Press release - 24 October
  Scientists funded by BBSRC at The University of Manchester have discovered a way of speeding up the creation of perfect drug combinations…
- Green vegetables directly influence immune defences and help maintain intestinal health - Press release - 14 October
  Leafy greens, widely recognised as containing essential ingredients for ensuring optimum health and wellbeing…
- Study could help battle against superbugs - Press release - 14 October
  Targeting a toxin released by virtually all strains of MRSA could help scientists develop new drugs that can fight the superbug…
- The barriers to eliminating disease - Feature - 13 October
  In the temperate western hemisphere, we take going to sleep for granted. But in tropical climates biting insects carry deadly diseases…
- Researchers study ageing’s effect on the brain - Press release - 11 October
  Research by biologists funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council at the University of York and Hull York Medical School…
- New collaboration to tackle MRSA and skin infections - Press release - 7 October
  A dermatologist, microbiologist, pharmacologist and a biotechnology company have joined forces on research into a new topical treatment for MRSA…
- X-rays help advance the battle against heart disease - Press release - 6 October
  Scientists from Imperial College London and Diamond Light Source have revealed the structure of a cholesterol-lowering-drug target…
- Keeping track of reality - Press release - 5 October
  Research provides new insight into why some of us are better than others at remembering what really happened…
September
- Virus discovery helps scientists predict emerging diseases - Press release - 23 September
  Fresh insight into how viruses such as SARS and flu can jump from one species to another may help scientists predict the emergence of diseases…
- Stem cell research could prevent premature births - Press release - 16 September 2011
  BBSRC-funded researchers, investigating engineered tissue for use as an alternative to toxicity testing in animals, have also developed…
- Cancer-killing cells are caught on film in more 3D detail than ever before - Press release - 14 September
  Scientists funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council have revealed in more detail than ever before…
- UK - US funding for research to help control the spread of disease - 13 September 2011 - Press release - 13 September
  A collaboration between UK and US funding agencies has today announced more than £3.5M new funding for research aimed at controlling…
- ‘Trojan Horse’ particle sneaks chemotherapy in to kill ovarian cancer cells - Press release - 12 September
  A common chemotherapy drug has been successfully delivered to cancer cells inside tiny microparticles using a method inspired by our knowledge…
- Gene that controls chronic pain identified - Press release - 9 September
  Research lays groundwork for the development of new, targeted pain medications…
- New drugs hope for dangerous yeast infections - Press release - 7 September
  Researchers funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council are a step closer towards creating a new class of medicines…
- New project will test novel mechanisms to control satiety - Press release - 5 September
  A new research project at IFR is to test how human digestion is affected by molecules designed to slow down the breakdown of fat…
August
- Scientists uncover gene network responsible for repair of the central nervous system of the fruit fly - Press release - 30 August
  A gene network that controls repair to the central nervous system (CNS) after injury has been discovered in the fruit fly, Drosophila…
- Researchers produce complete map of gene activity in the brains of mice - Press release - 24 August
  A complete map of active genes in the mammalian brain has been produced for the first time by BBSRC-funded researchers at Oxford University…
- Scientists discover how antibiotic molecule found in bacteria stops breast cancer - Press release - 23 August
  Scientists have discovered how a molecule that was first discovered in bacteria blocks a protein which causes breast cancer to develop and spread…
- Tuning natural antimicrobials to improve their effectiveness at battling superbugs - Press release - 23 August
  Ongoing research at the Institute of Food Research is exploring the use of virus-produced proteins that destroy bacterial cells to combat potentially…
- Babraham epigenetics research paves the way for a better understanding of unexplained infertility - Press release - 19 August
  BBSRC-funded scientists at the Babraham Institute have made a breakthrough in understanding how mammalian genomes are modified…
- Revealed: How sticky egg captures sperm - Press release - 19 August
  Researchers funded by BBSRC have uncovered exactly how a human egg captures an incoming sperm to begin the fertilisation process…
- Stress in early life of zebra finches reduces life expectancy - and that of partners - Press release - 17 August
  BBSRC-funded research at the University of Glasgow suggests that exposure to stress hormones early in life can have an impact on life expectancy…
- Research opens the possibility of temporarily reversing ageing in the immune system - Press release - 16 August
  Researchers funded by BBSRC have discovered a new mechanism controlling ageing in white blood cells. The research, published in the September issue…
- JIC student brings home new expertise to answer question in antibiotic resistance - Press release - 10 August
  Working out the structure of a complex formed when a protein binds to DNA has proved to be key in understanding how…
- Scientists show brain regions work together to link a face with a name - Press release - 5 August
  BBSRC-funded researchers at the University of Bristol have discovered that three brain regions, all known to be involved in memory processing…
- Scientists uncover mechanism for strong long-lasting memories of stressful events - Press release - 2 August
  The discovery of a mechanism in the brain explains for the first time why people make particularly strong, long-lasting memories…
July
- New international funding for healthy ageing research - Press release - 27 July
  €4.2M of funding has been made available to European researchers, with the aim of increasing healthy life expectancy by two years…
- Stem cell breakthrough heralds new era of therapy development - Press release - 18 July
  Researchers funded by BBSRC and the University of Glasgow have used knowledge of cell biology and engineering to uncover a new method…
- The birth of nerves - Feature - 14 July
  Basic bioscience of neurons opens avenues for epilepsy research. Scientists studying the fundamental biology of nerve cells (neurons) in fruit flies…
- New discovery throws light on blood pressure regulation - Press release - 11 July
  Researchers have discovered that a protein found in the walls of blood vessels plays a key role in maintaining healthy blood pressure…
June
- Genome analysis will reveal how bacteria in our guts make themselves at home - Press release - 30 June
  Researchers from the Institute of Food Research and The Genome Analysis Centre have published the genome sequence of a gut bacterium…
- Living antibiotic effective against Salmonella - Press release - 27 June
  Scientists have tested a predatory bacterium - Bdellovibrio - against Salmonella in the guts of live chickens…
- Histamine H1 receptor breakthrough heralds improved allergy treatments - Press release - 23 June
  New 3D picture of human membrane protein to enable development of targeted anti-histamines without side-effects…
- Liver cells from stem cells to test new medicines - Press release - 8 June
  Researchers have discovered a new way to create precursor liver cells from stem cells, with the potential to impact on the testing of new medicines…
May
- Reindeer see a weird and wonderful world of ultraviolet light - Press release - 26 May
  Researchers have discovered that the ultraviolet (UV) light that causes the temporary but painful condition of snow blindness in humans is life-saving…
- ‘Octopus’ laser improves understanding of processes behind cancer - Press release - 12 May
  A breakthrough in understanding a biological process that causes many common cancers including lung and breast cancer opens up the possibility…
- Cocoa chemical could promote good gut health - Feature - 9 May
  Regular cocoa drinkers may take heart from a recent clinical trial where researchers at the University of Reading have shown that eating flavanols…
- Scientists track evolution and spread of deadly fungus, one of the world’s major killers - Press release - 3 May
  New research has shed light on the origins of a fungal infection which is one of the major causes of death from AIDS-related illnesses…
- Why can some people endure exercise better than others? - Press release - 3 May
  Researchers at the Universities of Leeds and Liverpool aim to gain insight into how different people endure exercise in new research funded by BBSRC…
April
- Birmingham scientists discover ‘how to stop your immune system from killing you’ - Press release - 29 April
  Scientists funded by BBSRC at the University of Birmingham have discovered a 'molecular hoover' with the potential to prevent autoimmune conditions…
- Scientists reveal how white blood cells get activated in auto-immune disease, helping to better target drugs for these disorders - Press release - 12 April
  Scientists at the Babraham Institute, which receives strategic funding from BBSRC, have discovered a critical piece of the jigsaw that explains how…
- New treatment can destroy prostate cancer from within - Press release - 11 April
  Researchers at the Universities of Sheffield and York have developed a 'Trojan horse' system which attacks cancerous cells from within…
- Yeast reveal clues to human genetic diseases - Feature - 6 April
  Gene function results could lead to new drugs and therapies…
- Newly discovered epigenetic tag offers insight into embryonic stem cell regulation - Press release - 4 April
  Scientists from the Babraham Institute have gained a new understanding of how molecular signals and switches control how an embryo develops into…
- Why stem cells don’t just want to make neurons - Press release - 1 April
  Research being presented today (01 April) at the UK National Stem Cell Network annual science conference provides another piece in the puzzle of…
March
- Greater versatility of adult stem cells thanks to 3D lab experiments - Press release - 31 March
  A type of adult stem cell is now proving itself more versatile for research and therapies thanks to revolutionary 3D experiments…
- Babraham researchers discover how tumour cells acquire resistance to new emerging drugs - Press release - 28 March
  Scientists at the Babraham Institute, working with AstraZeneca and the MRC Cancer Cell Unit in Cambridge…
- Mothers’ hard work pays off with big brains for their babies - Press release - 28 March
  Brain growth in babies is linked to the amount of time and energy mothers 'invest', according to new research funded by BBSRC published today…
- Arthritis drug could help beat melanoma skin cancer - Press release - 24 March 2011
  Scientists at UEA to understand the fundamental biology of cell development has led to a breakthrough discovery…
- Research provides insights how genomes are reprogrammed at the start of life - Press releaes - 15 March
  Collaboration between an international consortium of scientists from the Babraham Institute and Universities in Germany and Japan…
- Curbing cholesterol could help combat infections, study shows - Press release - 9 March
  The scientists have shown a direct link between the workings of the immune system and cholesterol levels…
- Bones – one size doesn’t fit all - News - 9 March
  Microscopic adaptations allow bones to cope in all creatures great and small…
- You are what your mother ate - Press release - 7 March
  Research provides new insight into why poor diet during pregnancy negatively affects offspring's long term health…
- Bug busting bacterium uses genetic keep fit strategy - Feature - 3 March 2011
  Scientists have shown that the predatory bacterium Bdellovibrio safeguards its hunting ability by having three pairs of a gene…
- Worms strike see-saw balance in disease resistance - Press release - 3 March
  New research, funded by BBSRC has shown that nematode worms have to trade-off resistance to different diseases…
- Engineered bacterium is helping in the search for new antibiotics - Press release - 2 March
  To help in the search for new antibiotics, Juan Pablo Gomez-Escribano and Professor Mervyn Bibb have adapted a strain of Streptomyces coelicolor…
February
- Look at your body to reduce pain - Press release - 10 February
  Simply looking at your body reduces pain, according to new research by BBSRC-funded scientists from UCL and the University of Milano-Bicocca…
- Babraham research provides new insights into factors ensuring a healthy pregnancy - Press release - 7 February
  BBSRC-funded researchers at the Babraham Institute and University of Cambridge have made a breakthrough in understanding how…
January
- Mosquito research profiled in The Independent - News - 27 January
  New research to control dengue fever, based on genetic approaches developed from BBSRC-funded science, is profiled in The Independent today…
- Gene discovery shows parents divided over brain and brawn - Press release - 27 January
  BBSRC-funded scientists at the University of Bath have discovered a gene that defies conventional rules…
- First whole-genome sequence of Parsi breast cancer patient completed - News - 14 January
  For centuries stories have circulated of ancient peoples blessed with long lives, free of the burden of disease. Now The Genome Analysis Centre has…
- Research into cattle parasite could improve treatment of river blindness in humans - Press release - 13 January
  A team at the University of Liverpool has discovered how a parasitic worm that causes a skin complaint in cattle survives…
- Rapid ‘dip and dry’ technology for improved biomaterials - Feature - 12 January
  Sheffield-based researchers have developed a simple, generic platform for altering the surface properties of bioactive materials…
- Pregnant, constipated and bloated? Fly poo may tell you why - Press release - 7 January
  Clues about how our gut helps to regulate our appetite have come from a most unusual source: fruit fly faeces…
- Researchers visualise herpes virus’ tactical manoeuvre - Press release - 7 January
  For the first time, researchers have developed a 3D picture of a herpes virus protein interacting with a key part of the human cellular machinery…
- Protective properties of green tea still present after digestion - Press release - 6 January
  It has been proposed that regularly drinking green tea could protect the brain against developing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia…

Health news: 2011

December

November

October

September

August

July

June

May

April

March

February

January