Book Review: Communicating Biological Sciences: Ethical and Metaphorical Dimensions

My first impression of this book was that the title smacks of a dull read. On the contrary, however, this book provides a stimulating awakening into one of the challenges facing science writing today, namely the use of metaphor: its purpose in communication and consequences for science and public understanding...[Read More]

Molecular approach to male infertility

Research carried out at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine suggests that the packaging of DNA affects the production of sperm and could explain some cases of male infertility....[Read More]

Stem cell surgery a success, say UK doctors

An 11-year-old boy has returned home after becoming the first child to undergo a pioneering surgery which used his own stem cells to rebuild his windpipe. The operation, which took place in March this year at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, has been hailed as 'a success'...[Read More]

CFirst clinical trial of human embryonic stem cells gets go-ahead

Biotechnology company Geron has been given the all clear for the world's first clinical trial involving human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). This comes a year after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) placed the study on hold amid safety fears...[Read More]

Sperm-making gene is old, say experts

A gene crucial for sperm production in humans is also needed to make sperm in many other animals including mice, sea urchins, flies and worms, scientists in Chicago, US, have discovered...[Read More]

Genetic link to fertility drug response found

Scientists have discovered a genetic mutation that may make some women less likely to respond to the ovarian stimulating hormones used in fertility treatment. Dr Maria Lalioti and her colleagues from Yale University Medical School, US, reported their findings at the 26th annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Rome last week...[Read More]

Cell's 'power cells' protect against stroke

Certain variations of mitochondrial DNA are protective against strokes, according to a recent study in The Lancet Neurology....[Read More]

Two quit board of Canadian fertility watchdog

Two board members of the Canadian federal agency 'Assisted Human Reproduction Canada' have unexpectedly quit. This follows the resignations of four senior staff members last year...[Read More]

DNA duplications and deletions don't bridge 'heritability gap'

A study investigating the effects of common large DNA deletions and duplications has found no new links to complex disease...[Read More]

Genetic switch could accelerate wound healing

The ability for mammals to regenerate damaged tissue without scarring has been demonstrated for the first time by a research team based at the Wistar Insitute, Philadelphia. Their findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences last week....[Read More]

Bridge to offer Counsyl test

A UK fertility centre is to offer the controversial US genetic test that promises to eliminate the chances of a couple having a baby with over 100 inherited diseases....[Read More]