The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has made history this week by approving an application to begin gene-editing on human embryos. Dr Kathy Niakan, of the Francis Crick Institute in London, applied for approval in order to understand the processes behind unexplained miscarriages and infertility. Although similar research has been undertaken previously in China to correct a…
Category: New Science
The Dirt: Exclusive Interview with Dr Ken Lacovara
Dr Kenneth Lacovara is the real life Alan Grant. At 54 years old, he has already discovered one of the world’s largest dinosaurs and undertaken roles as Professor of Paleontology and Geology at Rowan University and fellow of the prestigious Explorers Club. His most recent position as director of Rowan University Fossil Quarry, New Jersey, may be…
Analysis of ‘Hobbit’ Fossil Reveals New Species
“In a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit.” Unbeknownst to Tolkien, he actually wasn’t far from the truth. In 2003, archaeologists stumbled upon the fossil of a diminutive human species which they called Homo floresiensis which soon gained the nickname of ‘The Hobbit’. The fossil is at least 17,000 years old and about a meter tall (hobbits are…
Schizophrenia Linked to Brain Inflammation
People with schizophrenia, a type of psychosis, have much higher levels of immune system activity within the brain, a recent study finds. The research conducted by Peter Bloomfield and teams at both Kings College and Imperial College London investigated the activity of immune cells in 56 participants who already had a diagnosis of schizophrenia, were at high risk of…
Eating Habits of Stonehenge Inhabitants Revealed
The University of York has combined forces with the University of Sheffield to discover how our ancient ancestors may have eaten nearly 5000 years ago. Teams from both universities have excavated an area of the Durrington Walls in Sailsbury, which once surrounded the world famous Stonehenge monument. The walls, which are dated back to the late-Neolithic period…
Stem Cells May Cure Most Common Cause of Blindness
Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) is the leading cause of sight loss in the UK, and over 600,000 Britons are currently affected by the condition (NHS, 2015). The macular is an area of the eye which provides sharp central vision. Although the cause for degeneration in this area isn’t known, it is suspected that free radicals…
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