High-fibre diets may affect fertility

Women who eat too much fibre may ovulate less and have lower oestrogen levels, according to a recent study...[Read More]

First non-embryonic stem cell product launched

A commercial product claiming to be the first to make use of iPS (induced pluripotent stem) cell cells has been launched, albeit not a product that can be directly used on humans. Cellular Dynamics International (CDI), a biotech company based in Madison, Wisconsin, US, has recently announced that it has released human heart cells derived from iPS cells for commercial use. CDI intends its trademarked iCell Cardiomyocytes to be used by pharmaceutical companies to aid in the drug...[Read More]

Scientists take major step towards personalised childhood vaccines

In the future children could be given 'personalised' vaccine shots if they are found to be in the genetic minority pf people who don't benefit fully from standard forms of a vaccine. Not everyone produces the same amount of disease specific antibodies in response to a vaccine, meaning that a vaccination will not protect some people when they later come into contact with that disease. However, scientists from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Morgantown, West V...[Read More]

Thousands of genomes sequenced to map Han Chinese genetic variation

The first genetic historical map of the Han Chinese has been published in the American Journal of Human Genetics by scientists from the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS). Based on genome-wide variation in 8,200 individuals, the new map has provided many insights into the evolutionary history and population structure of the Han Chinese which is the largest ethnic population in the world. The map is of great importance as it has helped uncover subtle differences in the genetic ...[Read More]

New drug could help treat Down's syndrome

A new drug that is being developed may lessen the effects of learning difficulties caused by the genetic condition Down's syndrome. Children with the condition are not developmentally delayed at birth, but often fall behind as they grow older because of memory deficits. A new study in mice, published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, has identified the key brain defects responsible and has pointed out a strategy for dealing with them through medication. The US resea...[Read More]

Gene discovery hints at why humans can talk

Scientists believe that they have found a gene that helps explain the fact that humans are the only animal that has developed speech. Subtle variations in the human version of the gene, known as FOXP2, appear to underpin the human development of language, according to recent research carried out by scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), US, and published in the journal Nature. When comparing the human and chimp version of FOXP2 the researchers discovered...[Read More]

UK considers plans to expand newborn screening programme

The UK National Screening Committee is considering plans to screen newborn babies for a greater number of rare conditions. Currently, on a newborn's fifth day, a single spot of blood is taken from their heel, and they are screened for five conditions including sickle-cell disorders (SCD) and cystic fibrosis (CF). Parents then receive the results of the tests around eight weeks later. This lags behind some areas of Europe where they test for 10 or more conditions, and some American states that...[Read More]

Relaxation helps the success of IVF

Reducing stress may increase fertility, a new study suggests. At a fertility centre in Boston, US, some women took part in a stress management program in parallel with their IVF (in vitro fertilisation) treatment whilst others did not. It was found that the program had no effect on how many women conceived at the first try. However, women who failed at the first attempt and were trying to get pregnant a second time, whilst using the stress management techniques,experienced a 160...[Read More]

Revealed at last: the epigenome

The first detailed map of the human epigenome has been published. The epigenome, sometimes described as the 'instruction manual' to the human genome, is a regulatory network of chemical switches that governs the activation of human genes, and is therefore ultimately responsible for how a person grows and develops. Scientists believe that this exciting work could lead to new treatments for a range of illnesses including mental conditions such as schizophrenia, and l...[Read More]

Vaccine made from stem cells may help prevent colon cancer

Stem cells could potentially be used to vaccinate people against colon cancer. This surprising conclusion was made by researchers from China and the US after laboratory mice immunised with human embryonic stem (ES) cells experienced a dramatic decline in tumour growth compared to control mice. The idea that embryonic material may generate an anti-tumour response is an old one, but one that has never been tested outside animal research, so to find such an effect wit...[Read More]