World's first three-parent
baby could soon be born in UK, as Government approves treatment
Three parent babies made headlines this week not so much for the
possibility of preventing mitochondrial disease but because the third parent
remains anonymous. However the scientific benefit of three parent babies is the
prevention of mitochondrial diseases which can lead to severely disabled
babies. I’ve got a blog post coming up on the ethics of this debate. Stay
tuned.
Cancer blood test moves closer
after promising results
Scientist at the University of Bradford have developed a technique to
detect cancer from a simple blood test. This could lead to an end to current
invasive diagnostics test such as biopsies and colonoscopies. Their technique is
different to current cancer blood test in that it is universal. So far, the technique
has been used on three types of cancer with promising results.
Africa 'missing out on biotech
green revolution'
In line with the GM
debate and climate change, another research report by Chatham
house suggests the need to introduce new varieties of crops to boost yield
and increase resistance whiles highlighting the challenge to attract funding
for biotechnology projects on staple crops, such as cassava due to their
limited market.
Trees save lives, reduce
respiratory problems
If you ever wondered why forestry was so important, well basically the
trees just saved your life.
Nigeria tests for first
suspected Ebola case
Ebola continues to threaten the
West African continent after reports suggest the virus has now reached Nigeria.
The current death toll in the region has exceeded 600 according to WHO.
Shift workers at higher risk of
diabetes, study finds
A study published in the journal
Occupational and Environmental Medicine suggests that shift workers have a 9%
increased risk of type 2 diabetes with the risk higher in men. That goes for the
hard working health care professionals, fire fighters etc. Shift workers have previously been reported to
be at higher risk of weight gain and increased appetite – both of which are
risk factors for diabetes. I guess bottom line, if you work shifts, take extra
caution. Expert reaction from the SMC here.
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jul/25/shift-workers-higher-risk-type-2-diabetes-study
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