Forensic scientists can now construct a partial DNA profile from just a few cells, says Professor David Balding (UCL Genetics Institute). Read: New Scientist

Dr Nick Lane (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment) joins Brian Cox and Robin Ince and guests to discuss the science of death. Listen: BBC Radio 4's Infinite Monkey Cage

The open access movement is forcing publishers to take down paywalls, making publicly funded research available to the public for free. But beyond that a more important development is pacing in the wings – that of open data, says Dr Michael Galsworthy (UCL School of Life and Medical Sciences). Read: Conversation More: The Hindu

"This work suggests quite strongly that they were taken to Ireland by Spanish people, which is still a bit weird, because why would they do it?" said Professor Steve Jones (UCL Genetics, Evolution and Environment). Read: NBC News

The only area where pharmacists and doctors are not usually working as a team is in primary care, and this is neither in the patient’s interests nor that of the NHS, says Professor Nicholas Barber (UCL School of Pharmacy). Read: The Health Foundation

A team from the UCL Centre for Altitude, Space & Extreme Environment Medicine (CASE) recently spent several weeks on Everest studying hundreds of trekkers, climbers and Sherpas. The research will further our understanding of how our bodies adapt to low oxygen levels. Read: New Scientist

“Human genetics influences susceptibility to leprosy to some extent and better nutrition and better housing are also possible reasons for the overall decline,” said Dr Helen Donoghue (UCL Division of Biosciences). Read: The Conversation

"(This) suggests an alternative way in which cancer treatments might work in the future if therapies can be targeted at the process of interaction between malignant and healthy cells," said Prof. Roberto Mayor (UCL Cell & Developmental Biology). Read: Telegraph More: UCL News io9 Science Business

The search is on for the first joint chair in clinical sciences at UCL and the Francis Crick Institute. "This is not about appointing people on the basis of esteem; it’s about appointing people on the basis of their scientific credentials and potential,” says Professor Sir John Tooke, UCL Vice-Provost (Health). Read: Research Fortnight

Dr Nick Lane (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment) comments on why it took so long for the oxygen-producing form of photosynthesis to evolve. Read: New Scientist

The time is now to develop new antibiotics, but serious barriers stand in our way, said Dr Jenny Rohn (UCL Clinical Physiolog). Read: Guardian

"It does not only contribute new fossil material to a period for which very little is preserved, but it contributes a new specimen that is astonishingly complete for its age," said Dr Christophe Soligo (UCL Anthropology). Read: Guardian

The challenge will be to draw a line that could be regulated globally, restricting "human enhancement" to only those who medically need it, says Professor Kostas Kostarelos (UCL Pharmaceutics). Read: Guardian

The 20th Century saw an explosion in our understanding of bacteria viruses and prions and the conquering of many diseases, said Professor Bill Bynum (UCL Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology). Read: BBC Focus Magazine

For all the advances in medicine, effective cures are rare, yet we are bombarded with sensational claims based on little evidence, said Professor David Colquhoun (UCL Biosciences). Read: Guardian

"The benefits of acupuncture are likely nonexistent, or at best are too small and too transient to be of any clinical significance," said Professor David Colquhoun (UCL Biosciences). Read: Business Standard

Dr Kevin Fong (UCL Centre for Space Medicine) said a manned mission should not be ruled out but there would be "health penalties". Read and Watch: BBC News

''It's obvious that you can't be relied upon to be objective about the results of an experiment or clinical trial if you stand to make money from a particular outcome,'' said Professor Colquhoun (UCL Biosciences). Read: The Age

Professor Linda Partridge (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment) discusses her research on the genetics of ageing and her route into science. Listen: BBC Radio 4's Life Scientific

"The whole philosophy of detox is based on the unlikely premise that accumulated toxins cause a sluggish metabolism, weight gain, general malaise and so on,” said Professor David Bender (UCL Molecular Biology). Read: New York Times

Professor David Colquhoun (UCL Biosciences) carried out a poll of the Royal Society’s 1,350 members about the decision to elect Prince Andrew as a royal fellow. 53% of those who responded said the election had damaged the society’s reputation and 43% said they no longer wanted to elect members of the royal family. Read: Sunday Times (£)

Dr Matthew Piper (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment) comments on the genetics of aging and the evolutionary selection pressures. Read: Scientific American

In 2000, Nasa enthusiast Dr Kevin Fong and mountaineer Professor Mike Grocott decided to join forces to investigate the body’s response to extreme conditions. They established the Centre for Altitude, Space and Extreme Environment Medicine (CASE Medicine) at UCL. Read: Metro

Professor David Balding (UCL Genetics Institute) comments on research that suggests that those of European descent still living on the continent are related to each other through a common ancestry dating back just 1,000 years. Read: Daily Mail

“The Royal Society was founded to advocate the idea that science is what matters, not deference to authority,” said Professor David Colquhoun (UCL Biosciences). Read: Sunday Times (£) More: Guardian Daily Mail Guardian (2) Times (£) Independent FT Kashmir Times Gulf Times Telegraph (no link)