Life Sciences headlines http://www.ucl.ac.uk/life-sciences-headlines-viewer/rss Nick Dawe 2012-02-01T14:58:24Z Study sheds new light on hidden mysteries of leprosy http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/headlines/062013/180613-leprosy “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 UCL News Rosie Waldron 2013-06-19T09:47:07Z Scientists uncover clues to cancer's spread http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/headlines/062013/160613-scientists-uncover-clues-to-cancer-spread "(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 UCL News Rosie Waldron 2013-06-17T09:18:28Z Clinical science star sought for Crick opening http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/headlines/062013/13062013-Clinical-science-star-sought-for-Crick-opening 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 UCL News David R Weston 2013-06-13T10:03:53Z Dawn of the water eaters: How Earth got its oxygen http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/headlines/062013/080613-photosynthesis-oxygen-how-Earth-got-its-oxygen 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 UCL News Rosie Waldron 2013-06-10T13:02:31Z Bacterial apocalypse – the bugs are getting cleverer, and we are doing little to stop them http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/headlines/062013/100613-anti-biotic-resistance-developing-new-antibiotics The time is now to develop new antibiotics, but serious barriers stand in our way, said Dr Jenny Rohn (UCL Clinical Physiolog). Read: Guardian UCL News Rosie Waldron 2013-06-11T10:33:20Z Tiny, insect-eating animal becomes earliest known primate http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/headlines/062013/060613-earliest-primate-found "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 UCL News Rosie Waldron 2013-06-06T09:43:27Z Nanoscience can enhance humans – but ethical guidelines must be agreed http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/headlines/062013/030613-nanoscience-can-enhance-humans-but-ethical-guidelines-must-be-agreed 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 UCL News Rosie Waldron 2013-06-05T09:12:57Z How diseases spread http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/headlines/062013/010613-how-diseases-spread 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 UCL News Rosie Waldron 2013-06-03T13:54:16Z If a medical cure looks too good to be true, it probably is http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/headlines/062013/020613-medical-hype-and-evidence 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 UCL News Rosie Waldron 2013-06-03T16:24:10Z Is acupuncture a research-proven treatment-or just a 'theatrical placebo?' http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/headlines/062013/030613-is-acupuncture-just-placebo "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 UCL News Rosie Waldron 2013-06-05T09:59:38Z Should astronauts risk their health for Mars mission? http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/headlines/062013/010613-astronaut-Mars-radiation 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 UCL News Rosie Waldron 2013-06-03T16:32:05Z Back pain study fails to declare link http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/headlines/052013/280513-back-pain-study-fails-to-declare-potential-conflict-of-interest ''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 UCL News Rosie Waldron 2013-05-29T12:45:02Z The Life Scientific: Linda Partridge http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/headlines/052013/280513-life-scientific-linda-partridge 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 UCL News Rosie Waldron 2013-05-29T11:02:20Z A cleansed interior for that Hollywood glow http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/headlines/052013/270513-detox-diets "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 UCL News Rosie Waldron 2013-05-29T10:24:17Z Royal Society rolls away red carpet for royals http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/headlines/052013/260513-Royal-Society-row-over-electing-Prince-Andrew-as-fellow 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 (£) UCL News Rosie Waldron 2013-05-28T10:05:32Z Prolonging the Buzz with Grandma http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/headlines/052013/220513-ageing-genetics-living-longer Dr Matthew Piper (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment) comments on the genetics of aging and the evolutionary selection pressures. Read: Scientific American UCL News Rosie Waldron 2013-05-22T17:07:43Z Extreme science: Two doctors united to research high altitude and aerospace http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/headlines/052013/150513-Xtreme-everest-Nasa-Grocott-Fong 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 UCL News Rosie Waldron 2013-05-15T12:13:52Z Europeans are one big family http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/headlines/052013/080513- 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 UCL News Rosie Waldron 2013-05-09T09:48:10Z Royal Society scientists angered by Prince Andrew's election as fellow http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/headlines/052013/050513-Prince-Andrew-Royal-Society-Fellow “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) UCL News Rosie Waldron 2013-05-08T13:23:49Z The Serpent’s Promise: The Bible Retold as Science by Steve Jones http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/headlines/052013/040513-steve-jones-book-the-serpents-promise-science-bible-religion A review of The Serpent's promise by Professor Steve Jones (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment). Read: Times (£) More: Telegraph Sunday Times (£) Independent UCL News Rosie Waldron 2013-05-07T15:16:27Z Is the bible the first scientific text book? http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/headlines/042013/300413-steve-jones-bible-scientific-textbook Professor Steve Jones (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment) discusses the science of culture and the culture of science. Listen: BBC Radio 3's Night Waves (from 35 mins) UCL News Rosie Waldron 2013-05-03T08:53:45Z Francis Galton, Flinders Petrie, and the dangers of hubris http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/headlines/042013/270413-galton-petrie-archaeology-of-race Professor Steve Jones (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment) reviews new book The Archaeology of Race: the Eugenic Ideas of Francis Galton and Flinders Petrie by Debbie Challis (UCL Petrie Museum). Read: Lancet UCL News Rosie Waldron 2013-04-29T14:44:46Z A Sense of Where You Are http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/headlines/042013/290413-grid-cells-brain-mapping Professor John O'Keefe (UCL Cell & Developmental Biology) comments on grid cells. Read: New York Times /International Herald Tribune (no link) More: China Daily UCL News Rosie Waldron 2013-05-01T10:26:26Z Hay fever season http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/headlines/042013/260413-hayfever-pollen-art David McCarthy (UCL Pharmacology) assists retired scientist Steve Geschmeistner with creating dramatic images of microscopic pollen. Watch: BBC's One Show UCL News Rosie Waldron 2013-05-02T14:52:19Z Stealth drugs: Panacea pills make targeted kills http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/headlines/042013/300413- A new generation of drugs promises diagnosis, monitoring, stealth, precision and cure – all in one package. "Doxil was a landmark in the field," says Professor Kostas Kostarelos (UCL Pharmaceutics). Read: New Scientist UCL News Rosie Waldron 2013-04-26T09:46:08Z