Health news: 2012

May

A new dimension to DNA and personalised medicine of the future - Feature - 17 May
By investigating the existence of an unusual four-stranded structure of DNA in human cells, scientists have opened the door to novel cancer therapeutics…
Virus ‘barcodes’ offer rapid detection of mutated strains - Press release - 14 May
Researchers funded by BBSRC and others are developing a way to 'barcode' viral diseases to rapidly test new outbreaks for potentially lethal mutations…
Scientists identify protein that stimulates brown fat to burn calories - Press release - 11 May
Protein highlights ‘ideal mechanism’ for development of new therapies to fight obesity…
Scientists find new pieces of hearing puzzle - Press release - 9 May
Researchers have gained important new insights into how our sense of hearing works. Their findings promise new avenues for scientists to understand…
How a study of walking in high heels could help improve prosthetic limbs - Press release - 9 May
People walking normally, women tottering in high heels and ostriches strutting all exert the same forces on the ground despite very differently-shaped feet…
Breathing life into signalling pathways - Feature - 1 May
Understanding how the body senses oxygen leads to major spin-out success…

April

Doubling the information from the Double Helix - Press release - 27 April
Novel regulatory molecules called mirror-microRNAs control multiple aspects of brain function…
Salmonella infection, but not as we know it - Press release - 25 April
BBSRC-funded researchers at Cambridge University have shed new light on a common food poisoning bug. Using real-time video microscopy…
New insight into pain mechanisms - Press release - 24 April
Researchers have made a discovery which could help the development of analgesic drugs able to treat nerve damage-related pain…
Neuroscientists discover key protein responsible for controlling nerve cell protection - Press release - 23 April
Findings could lead to new therapies for stroke and epilepsy…
Study resolves debate on human cell shut-down process - Press release - 13 April
Researchers at the University of Liverpool have resolved the debate over the mechanisms involved in the shut-down process that halts cell division…
Plant research reveals new role for widespread protein - News - 4 April
Researchers looking at Arabidopsis plants have discovered a new role for a widespread protein…
Unique garden experiment changes understanding of behavioural mechanisms - Press release - 4 April
A unique experiment carried out in a Leicester garden, and concurrently in a garden in Italy, has yielded surprising results that has changed scientific knowledge…
Genes in worms could play a role in human ageing and disease - Press release - 2 April
Scientists have identified a gene in a simple water-dwelling worm that might play an important role…

March

Why can’t you sprint a marathon? - Press release - 20 March
Researchers have discovered a new memory mechanism within the nervous system that helps to avoid exhaustion…
Body clocks may hold key for treatment of bipolar disorder - Press release - 13 March
Insight into why lithium salts are effective at treating bipolar disorder…
New target for Alzheimer’s disease - Press release - 7 March
Scientists discover that specific antibodies halt Alzheimer’s disease in mice…
Carbohydrate-based medicines – more than a sugarcoating - Feature - 7 March
Breakthrough in sugar chemistry open door to new synthetic medicines…
Genetic changes in bacteria tracked - Press release - 6 March
An unusual case could tell researchers more about the genetic changes…
Pumping up funding for blood pressure research - Press release - 2 March
Researchers awarded £2.7M to determine possible new treatments…

February

Cell study may aid bid for motor neurone therapies - Press release - 29 February
New research shows how key cells are produced…
Telomeres' stress reveals insight into ageing - News - 29 February
Newcastle University discovers chromosomes ends are sensitive…
Immortal worms defy ageing - Press release - 28 February
Researchers demonstrate how a species of flatworm overcomes ageing…
Micronutrients prior to pregnancy affect offspring - News - 24 February
Scientists find that micronutrients affect methylation…
High-definition polarization vision discovered in cuttlefish - Press release - 21 February
Cuttlefish have the most acute polarization vision in animals…
Synthetic protein amplifies genes needed for stem cells - Press release - 17 February
Scientists find way to generate and maintain stem cells efficiently…
Diagnostics for viruses step closer to reality - Press release - 15 February
Researchers at University of Leeds have developed a new technique…
Scientist warns of new MRSA threat - Press release - 2 February
Emergence of a new MRSA bacterium in the United States …

January

Protein study gives fresh impetus in fight against superbugs - Press release - 31 January
How superbugs such as MRSA become resistant to treatment…
Cutting off the oxygen supply to serious diseases - Press release - 31 January
Family of proteins which regulate human body's 'hypoxic response'…
Scientists reveal how cholera bacterium gains a foothold in the gut - Press release - 27 January
Discovery could help scientists target treatments for the disease…
How to make better vaccines for humans and animals - Press release - 26 January
Scientists at IAH discover why some vaccines are not as effective…
Genetic study offers clues to how intelligence changes through life - Press release - 19 January
Genetic factors may account for 24% of changes in intelligence…
Scientists shed new light on link between ‘killer cells’ and diabetes - Press release - 16 January
Killer T-cells can inadvertently destroy cells that produce insulin…
New tool puts plant hormone under surveillance - Press release - 16 January
Sensor developed that allows auxin to be visualised in plant tissues…
Vitamin D could combat the effects of ageing in eyes - Press release - 16 January
Vitamin D reduces ageing effects in mouse eyes and improves vision…
How poor maternal diet can increase risk of diabetes – new mechanism discovered - Press release - 6 January
diet in the womb leads to problems storing fats in later life…