Cause of corneal disease lies in the genes

Researchers have discovered that people who carry a mutated form of the transcription factor 4 gene (TCF4) have as much as a 30-fold increased risk of developing Fuchs's corneal dystrophy...[Read More]

Genetic factors important in survival after breast cancer, study shows

A UK study has revealed that breast cancer patients who have the POLQ gene are eight times more likely to suffer from recurrence after treatment compared to patients who do not carry the gene....[Read More]

Acupuncture does not increase the chance of IVF success

Women given acupuncture during IVF treatment are no more likely to become pregnant than their counterparts who undergo needle stimulation to body areas not used in acupuncture, a US study has shown...[Read More]

UK's HFEA releases termination of pregnancy data

Data recently obtained by the Sunday Times newspaper, via a Freedom of Information Act enquiry to the UK's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), show that an average of 80 pregnancies achieved through IVF treatment are terminated each year....[Read More]

IVF twins born to first-time mum aged 62

A 62-year old Bulgarian woman has reportedly become the country's oldest first-time mother to give birth to twins after IVF (in vitro fertilisation) treatment. 'Age was not an obstacle for me, I so much wanted to have children', said Krasimira Dimitrova from the Northern city of Ruse, who sought treatment with IVF after Bulgarian authorities refused to allow her to adopt a baby, on account of her age....[Read More]

Genetic code evolved almost inevitably, study finds

Researchers studying the beginnings of human life on Earth say that the development of the genetic code was an inevitable consequence...[Read More]

London Sperm Bank launched

The UK's first stand-alone clinic focused on recruiting new sperm donors, has announced its opening. The London Sperm Bank (LSB) - licensed by fertility watchdog, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) - will incorporate two existing sperm banks, the Louis Hughes Sperm Bank, and the London Women's Clinic's (LWC's) own bank...[Read More]

Pioneering trial aims to speed up delivery of personalised breast cancer drugs

Researchers at the University of California San Francisco are about to begin a groundbreaking new breast cancer trial designed to speed up the drugs discovery process and cut the delivery time of new personalised cancer therapies...[Read More]

Scientists create 'designer' genetic code

Scientists have created a new way of using the human genetic code, by adding 'designer' amino acids to the proteins in DNA to alter its biochemical behaviour. The research could pave the way to the development of what lead researcher Jason Chin is calling 'a parallel genetic code'....[Read More]

Scientists announce 'huge step forward' in stem cell research

A research team at Stanford University School of Medicine has for the first time successfully transformed mouse skin cells directly into neurons. They achieved this by infecting the skin cells with a genetically modified virus that inserts three different genes into the cells' DNA...[Read More]