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Welcome to BioNews by email, the free weekly news digest of the top stories in assisted conception, genetics, embryo/stem cell research and related areas, published by the Progress Educational Trust. Sent to registered subscribers each week, BioNews by email is aimed at informing debate in these areas by providing balanced and timely summaries of the week's news and developments alongside comment, reviews and recommendations of selected topical conferences, events and more. It also contains job advertisements from the relevant sectors.
Visit the BioNews website at www.bionews.org.uk where you can subscribe for free to receive BioNews by email in one of three formats, plus view more news, comment, reviews and job advertisements and search the full archive.
| Ageing genes identified in twin study |
| 23 April 2012 - by Victoria Burchell |
| Chemical alterations in a group of genes affect how we age, scientists have discovered. These changes switch genes on or off in response to diet or environmental factors throughout our lives. Researchers found that four genes that are epigentically switched off in later life may have a bearing on how well we age... [Read More] |
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| Big brains and high IQ linked to small gene change |
| 23 April 2012 - by Helen Brooks |
| Two genes that influence brain size, and accordingly intelligence and possibly susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease, have been discovered by scientists... [Read More] |
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| Hair hopes raised for bald men in mouse study |
| 23 April 2012 - by Greg Ball |
| Functioning hair follicles have been grown in hairless mice by researchers in Japan, offering hope of a future treatment for baldness and alopecia in humans. The study is the first to report creating viable hair follicles using human cells, according to Nature News.... [Read More] |
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| Private sperm donor fathers 82 children using sex as donation method |
| 23 April 2012 - by Rosemary Paxman |
| Ed Houben, a 42-year-old Dutch man has fathered at least 82 children by private sperm donation, mostly by having sex with his clients, news sources report... [Read More] |
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| 'Landmark' study could change future of breast cancer |
| 23 April 2012 - by Linda Wijlaars |
| Breast cancer can be reclassified into ten separate 'diseases' based on its genetic characteristics, according to scientists. Analysis of the DNA and RNA from almost 2,000 tumours identified ten genetically different subtypes of breast cancer with different survival outcomes. The information could be used to better predict the outcomes of the disease, as well as offer tailored treatment to patients... [Read More] |
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| Six kinds of synthetic DNA created |
| 23 April 2012 - by Ana Pallesen |
| Six new kinds of artificial genetic material have been created by scientists. These XNAs, or xeno-nucleic acids, have similar life-building properties to naturally-occurring DNA... [Read More] |
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| Clinic for freezing ovarian tissue planned in the UK |
| 23 April 2012 - by Marianne Neary |
| Women may soon be given the option of banking their ovarian tissue if a new clinic to offer the procedure opens in the UK. The technique allows women to freeze ovarian tissue containing eggs to use at a later date and could assist cancer patients and other women who hope to have children later in life.... [Read More] |
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| Maternity rights for women using surrogate mothers raised in Parliament |
| 23 April 2012 - by Dr Lux Fatimathas |
| Former shadow health secretary Mr John Healey has called for mothers of children conceived using a surrogate to be given equal maternity pay, leave and rights as other mothers. Currently mothers who use surrogates are entitled to 13 weeks unpaid leave, in contrast to mothers who adopt or conceive themselves, who are entitled to 52 weeks leave with 39 weeks maternity pay.... [Read More] |
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