Egg cells send out chemical signals to entice sperm, suggests study
Progesterone released from an egg may help guide sperm towards it and assist sperm to penetrate the egg's protective layers, according two studies published in Nature...
News
Image by K Hardy via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts a human embryo at the blastocyst stage (about six days after fertilisation) 'hatching' out of the zona pellucida.
UK and US stem cell bank tie up announced
The UK Stem Cell Bank (UKSCB) has announced it has forged an affiliation with the recently established University of Massachusetts (UMASS) Human Stem Cell Bank and Registry for the exchange of stem cell technology and expertise. The banks will collaborate on various aspects of stem cell banking, including best practice standards and the delivery of stem cell lines for clinical use...
Image by K Hardy via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts a human embryo at the blastocyst stage (about six days after fertilisation) 'hatching' out of the zona pellucida.
Stem cell therapy used to treat glaucoma in rats
UK scientists have shown stem cells can be used to successfully stop glaucoma, an eye disorder, in rats. Stem cells were isolated from bone marrow and successfully grafted onto damaged nerves in the eye...
Image by Alan Handyside via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts a human egg soon after fertilisation, with the two parental pronuclei clearly visible.
Survey highlights the UK's continuing IVF 'postcode lottery'
A recent survey has found that two thirds of women would consider moving to another area of the UK to access IVF on the NHS....
Image by K Hardy via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts a human embryo at the blastocyst stage (about six days after fertilisation) 'hatching' out of the zona pellucida.
'Landmark' neural stem cell trial underway
A US company has launched an experimental neural stem cell clinical trial for patients paralysed by spinal injury. StemCells Inc will extract neural stem cells from donated aborted fetuses to be injected into the spines of patients with chest-level spinal cord injury...
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
Study finds genetic link to common form of liver cirrhosis
UK scientists have found 15 new genetic regions that may affect a person's risk of developing primary biliary cirrhosis, a chronic form of liver disease...
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
Gene linked to early onset stroke uncovered
US scientists have identified a gene that may increase the risk of an early onset of stroke. They analysed the genomes of 14 Amish individuals affected by stroke and found a mutation in the SAMHD1 gene that was associated with the brain condition....
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
New guidelines published for the reporting of genetic risk prediction studies
This week saw the culmination of an international effort to devise guidelines to strengthen and standardise the reporting of genetic risk prediction studies...
Reviews
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
Comic Review: Unique Tales - All in the Mind
When Tim is stuck on his biology homework, his brilliant scientist and inventor uncle has the perfect solution: an invention that allows a teacher to project their thoughts directly into the brain of their pupil. 'Oh, if only' I hear every teacher and science communicator gasp. Wouldn't projecting science messages into children's minds make our lives a whole lot easier?...
Comment
How I discovered I wasn't genetically Scottish
by Alastair Moffat
When Dr Jim Wilson of Edinburgh University emailed with the results of his analysis of my DNA, I was fascinated. And my faith in the accuracy of the techniques used was redoubled. But Jim told me that my DNA did not match with any other men named Moffat on the database. Perhaps there had been a mix-up at the lab, perhaps all was not what it seemed? We could have the DNA re-tested...
To mark 12 years and 600 editions, BioNews launches birthday appeal
by Sarah Norcross
BioNews is celebrating its 12th birthday this week, with the publication of the 600th edition of its weekly email newsletter. The Progress Educational Trust, the charity which publishes BioNews, is a lean organisation and that is why we are asking all our readers to donate to the Bionews Birthday Appeal....