news 2017

Ancient DNA analyses show that - unlike elsewhere in Europe - farmers from the Near East did not overtake hunter-gatherer populations in the Baltic. The findings also suggest that the Balto-Slavic branch of the Indo-European language family originated in the Steppe grasslands of the East.

Over 80 new genetic variants that strongly influence human height have been discovered in a study led by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), Montreal Heart Institute, The Broad Institute and the University of Exeter. The research with the international team of researchers analysing DNA from over 700,000 participants across the globe to determine why people have different heights.

In contrast to Western Europeans, new research finds contemporary East Asians are genetically much closer to the ancient hunter-gatherers that lived in the same region eight thousand years previously.

Vital molecule which regulates breathing discovered by University of Warwick researchers Connexin26 detects CO2 levels in body and activates body's breathing mechanisms - and has been specially tuned by evolution for this purpose Discovery could lead to more targeted treatments of respiratory problems & congenital deafness Respiratory conditions could be better targeted and treated, thanks to the discovery of the vital molecule which regulates breathing - according to research by the University of Warwick.

Research led by the University of Glasgow has found that widening the definition of 'at risk' babies based on predicted birth weight may reduce the number of stillbirths and infant deaths. The study, which is published in PLOS Medicine, found that birth weight at or below the 25th centile, or at or above the 85th centile is associated with greater risk of adverse outcomes such as stillbirths and infant deaths.

PA 18/17 The results of a study by researchers at The University of Nottingham suggest that the risk of liver cancer in patients with cirrhosis may be much lower than previously thought. Liver cancer - or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) - is one of the most serious complications of cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver, caused by long-term liver damage.

Scientists found that poverty and poor education are linked to ill health and early death, and should be considered risk factors for these outcomes. The research, published in The Lancet and coordinated from Imperial College London, revealed that low socioeconomic status (SES) had almost the same impact on health than smoking or a sedentary lifestyle, and was associated with reduced life expectancy of 2.1 years, similar to being inactive (2.4 years).

A new test for bladder cancer could enable GPs to test a urine sample and spare patients the discomfort of a cystoscopy in hospital, according to UCL research published today in Clinical Epigenetics. The test, called UroMark, has been developed by UCL researchers and uses cutting edge genomic sequencing to detect abnormal cancer DNA in a urine sample.

Survival rates for people suffering from heart failure have not improved since 1998, according to a study led by University of Oxford researchers. Published in Family Practice, The research team looked at routinely collected medical records from 54,313 patients with heart failure and found 81.3% survived for one year, 51.5% survived for five years, and 29.5% survived for 10 years, following diagnosis with the condition.

A tiny sea creature identified from fossils found in China may be the earliest known step on an evolutionary path that eventually led to the emergence of humans We think that as an early deuterostome this may represent the primitive beginnings of a very diverse range of species, including ourselves Simon Conway Morris Researchers have identified traces of what they believe is the earliest known prehistoric ancestor of humans - a microscopic, bag-like sea creature, which lived about 540 million years ago.

Scientists have discovered the gene essential for chemically reprogramming human amniotic stem cells into a more versatile state similar to embryonic stem cells, in research led by UCL and Heinrich Heine University. The finding is an important step towards deriving reprogrammed cells that could be stored and used in therapies and research, providing an ethical alternative to human embryonic stem cells.

Research from the University of Bristol has developed new insights into how farmers treat their sheep for disease. Farmers who don't treat their sheep to avoid infection are often blamed for the national increase in disease. However an economic study, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) has found that, in some scenarios, this is the most economically sensible decision to take.

'Survival gene' stops strains of TB mutating into deadly 'superbugs' Scientists have discovered a key 'survival gene' that prevents strains of tuberculosis (TB) from mutating into drug-resistant 'superbugs'. In a joint study, published today (Friday 27 January) , scientists from the Centro Nacional de Biotecnología in Madrid and the University of Sussex in Brighton report the discovery of a gene called NucS that dramatically reduces mutation rates in mycobacteria - the infectious microbe which causes tuberculosis (TB).

In February 2016 the dwarf nova SS Cyg anomalous outburst lasted for more than 3 weeks. Rapid radio flaring was seen throughout the outburst and the most intriguing behaviour was towards the end of the outburst, where a fast, luminous, giant flare, peaking at ~20 mJy and lasting for 15 minutes was observed.

A new working paper from the Oxford Martin School at the University of Oxford reveals the effect of the app, Uber, on conventional taxi-driving services in US cities. Since its inception in 2010, few inventions have caused more controversy. In Europe, taxi drivers have rebelled following its introduction, and courts have banned or restricted its services.

In February 2016 the dwarf nova SS Cyg anomalous outburst lasted for more than 3 weeks. Rapid radio flaring was seen throughout the outburst and the most intriguing behaviour was towards the end of the outburst, where a fast, luminous, giant flare, peaking at ~20 mJy and lasting for 15 minutes was observed.

Children get more satisfaction from relationships with their pets than with their brothers or sisters, according to new research from the University of Cambridge. Children also appear to get on even better with their animal companions than with siblings. The fact that pets cannot understand or talk back may even be a benefit as it means they are completely non-judgmental Matt Cassells The research adds to increasing evidence that household pets may have a major influence on child development, and could have a positive impact on children's social skills and emotional well-being.

A team led by UCL researchers has identified how HIV is able to infect macrophages, a type of white blood cell integral to the immune system, despite the presence of a protective protein. They discovered a treatment that can maintain macrophage defences which could be a key part of the puzzle of reaching a complete cure for HIV/AIDS.

Key symptoms of bulimia nervosa, including the urge to binge eat and restrict food intake, are reduced by delivering electricity to parts of the brain using non-invasive brain stimulation, according to new research by King's College London. Bulimia is an eating disorder characterised by a vicious cycle of repeated bouts of distressing binge eating and inappropriate attempts to compensate for overeating through vomiting, extreme dieting, or the misuse of different medicines.

Our personality may be shaped by how our brain works, but in fact the shape of our brain can itself provide surprising clues about how we behave - and our risk of developing mental health disorders - suggests a study published today.