Gene therapy and stem cells unite on May 13, 2012By James Gallagher Health reporter, BBCNews Two of the holy grails of medicine - stem cell technology and precision gene therapy - have been united for the first time in humans, say scientists. It means patients with a genetic disease could...
Being bilingual 'boosts brain power' on May 1, 2012BBC News Differences were seen in the brainstem (coloured orange in this picture) Learning a second language can boost brain power, scientists believe. The US researchers from Northwestern University say bilingualism is a form of brain train...
Big hearts 'have genetic problem' on Apr 29, 2012BBC News The exact role genes play in irregular heart growth is largely unknown Scientists claim to have found a new genetic basis for why some people develop an enlarged heart, a condition which can result in a cardiac arrest. Irregular hea...
Light therapy potential probed in disease fight on Apr 22, 2012Researchers hope light could be used to penetrate a cell and assess its health BBC News Scientists at the University of St Andrews have begun a project to develop new light technology that could improve the diagnosis and treatment of dis...
Sugar warning for 'healthy' soft drinks on Apr 19, 2012BBC News People underestimate the amount of sugar in drinks which are perceived to be "healthy", research suggests. The Glasgow University study asked more than 2,000 people in the UK to estimate how much sugar was in a range of drinks. Wh...
Women's height linked to ovarian cancer on Apr 7, 2012By Helen Briggs BBC News Obesity has been linked to several cancers Taller women have a slightly higher risk of ovarian cancer, according to a review of studies. Obesity is also a risk factor among women who have nev...
Tanzania anger over red ribbon labels for HIV pupils on Mar 19, 2012 in Tanzania anger over red ribbon labels for HIV pupils BBC News Pupils wearing ribbons are excused from chores like fetching water Campaigners in Tanzania have criticised some schools for making HIV-positive pupils w...
Edinburgh scientists grow human brain cells to study mental illness on Mar 1, 2012 in Edinburgh scientists grow human brain cells to study mental illness BBC NewsScientists are growing brain cells from people in families with a history of mental illness to test new treatments. In the past, researchers have had to rely on brain tissue from deceased donors to study conditions such as schizoph...
Deep brain stimulation surgery 'first' for depression on Feb 18, 2012 in Deep brain stimulation surgery 'first' for depression BBC News The first patient to receive the treatment, Sheila Cook, was featured on BBC Inside Out WestA medical team at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol is pioneering a new form of surgery to treat long term depression.The technique, deep brain stimul...
Bacterial disguise evades vaccine on Feb 1, 2012 in Bacterial disguise evades vaccine By James Gallagher Health and science reporter, BBC News Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria can cause pneumonia and meningitis. Some bacteria can evade efforts to vaccinate against them by wearing a new disguise,...
