Living for ever or turning back the clock are long-held fantasies, with countless products and procedures playing to fears, promising to give us extra years. But despite all our dreams of longevity, it is unlikely we can slow the rate … Read More
Turning plastic into vanilla flavour can help in fight against waste mountains
With TV ads praising the uniquely delicious flavour of vanilla from Madagascar, how does the idea of vanilla from waste plastic appeal? Far-fetched? Unpalatable? Well, it’s one way of tackling the mounting issue of plastic pollution. Edinburgh scientists have come … Read More
The researchers printing custom-made prosthetic limbs which can repel germs
An artificial body part, such as an arm, hand, finger or foot, has to be practical, precise and bespoke. In the past they were often none of these things, but Nottingham University researchers have hit on a way to tailor … Read More
Women’s immune system could have cancer benefit and may offer greater protection
Women may have a stronger immune response to a common form of skin cancer than men, says a study led by University of Manchester scientists at the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute. “It has long been assumed that men are at higher … Read More
Vegan children have healthier hearts – but their diets could impact growth
Years ago, when I first wrote about vegetarianism and vegan diets for children, it was highly controversial. At the time it seemed positively eccentric to say kids could be well-nourished on a diet without meat. Well, times have moved on … Read More
Wonder drug that stops breast cancer returning after treatment could save lives
Here’s some great news – a drug has been developed that cuts the likelihood of hereditary breast cancer caused by BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes coming back after treatment. The results show how the drug reduces the risk of recurrence, second … Read More
Fresh hope as two new drugs could slash death risk for diabetics
Type 2 diabetes can be difficult to treat if the patient has a high BMI. It’s important to stabilise blood sugar levels in the normal range to protect the heart and kidneys, but now hope has arrived with the advent … Read More
Recoiling at the sound of other people chewing can be a recognised condition
Because I suffer from a dry mouth, I chew gum to keep it moist. It helps me, especially when I’m in a long meeting and might not be able to have a drink. But it can really irritate others. One … Read More
Doctors use Trojan horse drug to trick cancer cells while ignoring healthy ones
Truly there’s no end to the cleverness of our scientists. Researchers at Edinburgh University have come up with a way to carry a drug directly into cancer cells. But only cancer cells – healthy ones remain untouched. They have likened … Read More
Losing teeth makes it more likely you’ll struggle with your life in old age
It hardly seems credible that having all your teeth into old age can make you more capable of making a phone call or cooking a meal. But researchers have shown just that. Older adults with more natural teeth are better able to perform everyday … Read More