The human genome explained
For many people the human genome is a mystery but there is lot of work being carried on at various institutions around the world like the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge they have together some great facts about the human genome:
The genome is the complete list of coded instructions needed to make a person.
The 4 [...]
Tattoos could deliver drugs
Having a tattoo done is something that you either like or hate, whether it is the fact that you have a picture left on your body or just the pain that it causes. But this could be the key to helping vaccines to become more efficient.
Its amazing how this technology could be used in medical [...]
Why cancer cells grow
Researchers have been working on what makes a cancer cell work, and how to identify the genes that make the cancer cell divide in the first place. As it is the growth of these cells that is very dangerous, if a way was found to somehow stop this from happening then this would be a [...]
February 6, 2008Sound destroys viruses
Researchers at Arizona State University have been working on how to destroy viruses, this is a serious venture because a virus can be anything from flu to something even more deadly, and in many cases there is nothing that can be done to prevent a virus from running its course.
However the research team have found [...]
New Year’s health resolutions
For a lot of people making a new years resolution would normally involve either dieting or giving up smoking, but as smokers are now in the minority these days, it would seem that getting fit and healthy would be the favourite one to be concentrating on this year and order to do this it is [...]
December 20, 2007Second Life medical school
The virtual world of Second life is where many people live out their dreams, in fact there are around ten million users worldwide and this was mainly used as a sort of game. But now businesses have seen the potential for this and have begun to move in, this however has lead to another sector [...]
December 17, 2007Stem cells used cancer surgery aftercare
Doctors in Japan have been using stem cells taken from fat that has been removed liposuction, to help women cancer patients who have had mastectomies. But have been disappointed to find that the operation has left them with odd shapes and scarring etc.
This work has seen much research recently as the recovery of the patient [...]
Nanobots used for treatments
From treating diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s the use of nanobots could be endless and there are no known side effects like those that a patient often gets from being treated with chemotherapy.
But obviously there are going to be concerns regarding the use of such technology, as it can not yet be what the long [...]
Carrots don’t fight cancer
It was way back in the 80’s when it was claimed that carrots can help the fight against cancer, and the attention turned to the supplements of Beta Carotene and vitamin E, but the trails have found that there is no link to a prevention of cancer, but in men it would seem that there [...]
December 5, 2007How to get your brain fit
There used be an acknowledged way for training your brain, like if you are looking to join MENSA then you can train your brain to help solve the puzzles faster, its a bit like exercising your brain.
But this may not be the best way of training your brain as researchers from the University of Lancaster [...]
Effects of ageing reversed in mice
In a study at Stanford University School of Medicine, researchers have reversed the aging process in mice; this has been done by them blocking just a single protein.
This is not going to be the mythical fountain of youth; otherwise this research team would be billionaires overnight just by setting up a clinic in Beverley Hills! [...]
Skin patch could replace injections
In collaboration HP and Crospon have been developing a new system of administering drugs in a virtually painless and indeed a completely safe way of delivering drugs over a certain amount of time.
The skin patch has a chip which can be programmed to deliver an assortment of drugs directly into the system through tiny needles [...]
Monkeys move legs via internet
A research team at the Duke University in Durham have used monkey brains that have been implanted with electrodes to move artificial legs that are thousands of miles away in Japan.
It is believed that this research will be able to help people who have been paralysed to walk again.
The whole experiment was conducted over the [...]
Stem Cells from skin
In the US and Japan there have been two groups working on how to produce stem cells from human skin, and it would appear that they have succeeded, and this success could end the long running problems with using stem cells from embryos.
The cells developed from skin cells could be used in the treatment of [...]
Health and Wi-Fi
There is a study going around by Dr George Carlo and published in the Australasian Journal of Clinical Environmental Medicine, which is regarding a connection between that little wireless router that is positioned somewhere in your home and Autism.
This is a similar study as we have seen with mobile phones and masts etc, but the [...]
PS3 used in Bio research
For anyone who was familiar with the SETI at home program where PCs down loaded a small program which searched for stars, with this program the principle is the same but wit a PS3. This is PS3GRID and any PS3 user can allow the program to use the system when it is not in use.
The [...]
Dragons Blood great upset stomachs
Now taking something called Dragons Blood could be enough to put anyone off of going to the doctor, but this is not conventional medicine, this is Chinese herbal medicine, and Dragons Blood is a plant that is gives off a red sap, hence the name.
This plant actually contains a whole host of chemicals that have [...]
Nanodiamonds for drug delivery
Researchers from North-western University are playing with diamonds with a view to using them for the delivery of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy. These diamonds are only two nanometre in diameter the drug is loaded onto the surface, and then they are grouped into clusters of which change the size to around 50 to 100 [...]
November 9, 2007Medical advice over the phone
A new medical service has begun, this phone service will connect the caller with a doctor specialising in whatever field the caller needs, this is a great idea and although this is never going to replace the services of a GP, it can however help people with questions on specialist illnesses and other problems which [...]
October 26, 2007Funding for largest Alzheimer’s study
A research team at Cardiff University have been given a fantastic opportunity to look into the genetics that are behind the late onset of Alzheimer’s. The team have been given £1.3 million from the Wellcome Trust who is the UK’s largest medical research charity.
With over 700,000 people in the UK suffering from this disease and [...]