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Life Sciences headlines

Software says Amanda Knox's DNA wasn't at crime scene

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

What Is Death?

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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

Funding bodies will have to force scientists to share data

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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

How snails point to the trails of ancient seafarers in Ireland

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"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

Community pharmacy: a pill for primary care

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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

Everest's final frontier: Life without oxygen

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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

Study sheds new light on hidden mysteries of leprosy

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“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

Scientists uncover clues to cancer's spread

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"(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

Clinical science star sought for Crick opening

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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

Dawn of the water eaters: How Earth got its oxygen

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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

Bacterial apocalypse – the bugs are getting cleverer, and we are doing little to stop them

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

Tiny, insect-eating animal becomes earliest known primate

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"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

Nanoscience can enhance humans – but ethical guidelines must be agreed

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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

How diseases spread

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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

If a medical cure looks too good to be true, it probably is

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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

Is acupuncture a research-proven treatment-or just a 'theatrical placebo?'

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"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

Should astronauts risk their health for Mars mission?

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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

Back pain study fails to declare link

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''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

The Life Scientific: Linda Partridge

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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

A cleansed interior for that Hollywood glow

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"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

Royal Society rolls away red carpet for royals

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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 (£)

Prolonging the Buzz with Grandma

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

Extreme science: Two doctors united to research high altitude and aerospace

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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

Europeans are one big family

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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

Royal Society scientists angered by Prince Andrew's election as fellow

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“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)

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