Issue 256 (05 May 2004)

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Genetics, scientists and the media

05 May 2004 - by Juliet Tizzard

In BioNews this week we report on a Canadian study which suggests that genetics is not overhyped by the media. For many people involved in genetic research or clinical services, the findings may come as a surprise. Feeling rather under siege from the media, they sometimes assume that coverage is...[Read More]

Gene therapy hope for Alzheimer's

29 April 2004 - by BioNews

Injecting genetically modified skin cells into the brain appears to slow the effects of Alzheimer's disease, and could lead to a new treatment for this disorder, US researchers say. Scientists at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) presented the results of a small, preliminary study at the American Academy...[Read More]

Heartening news for stem cell treatments

29 April 2004 - by BioNews

Patients with heart failure could one day be treated with injections of their own stem cells, according to new US trials that provide the 'first convincing evidence' that such an approach might work. Previous studies have produced conflicting results, and some researchers have questioned whether stem cell therapies for failing...[Read More]

Congress asks Bush for change of heart on stem cells

29 April 2004 - by BioNews

A letter signed by 206 cross-party members of the US House of Representatives has been sent to President Bush, asking him to change his policy on embryonic stem (ES) cell research. On 9 August 2001, the President issued an executive order limiting the availability of federal funds for ES cell...[Read More]

Male fertility also damaged by chlamydia infection

30 April 2004 - by BioNews

Chlamydia infection in men is linked to infertility, say Swedish researchers in the May issue of the journal Human Reproduction, who have found that infection in men appears to lessen the chance of their partners becoming pregnant. In a study of 244 couples attending a fertility clinic, the researchers, from...[Read More]

Brain cells and teeth from stem cells

30 April 2004 - by BioNews

Adult bone marrow stem cells can turn into brain cells, a finding that could lead to new treatments for brain disorders such as Parkinson's disease, US researchers say. The new study, published in the Lancet, provides more evidence that bone marrow can produce other types of tissue, as well as...[Read More]

No evidence of media 'genohype'

04 May 2004 - by BioNews

Despite fears of widespread 'genohype', most newspaper reports about developments in genetics are accurate, a new Canadian study reveals. Articles about genetics in broadsheet newspapers reflect the claims made in scientific papers, conclude authors Tania Bubela and Timothy Caulfield, of the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada. However, they did...[Read More]

Personalised cancer treatments show promise

04 May 2004 - by BioNews

Targeted cancer treatments, based on genetic profiling results, could soon become a reality. A team lead by researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, in the US, has found that only lung tumours with a particular gene mutation are likely to respond to treatment with the drug gefitinib. The work is...[Read More]