Clone cell cancer 'cure' hailed

Scientists claim they have cured advanced skin cancer for the first time using the patient's own cells cloned outside the body.The 52-year-old man involved was free of melanoma two years after treatment. US researchers, reports the New England Journal of Medicine, took cancer-fighting immune cells, made five billion copies, then put them all back.Scientists in the UK warned that further trials would need to... Read More »

Fight to allow gay blood donors

A petition by gay rights campaigners against what they believe is discrimination over who can give blood is to be considered by MSPs.The LGBT Network said safe sex practices meant men who have had sex with other men could give blood.The group stressed that there were no restrictions on heterosexual people who have unprotected sex giving blood.The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service said it... Read More »

Smoking link to hearing problems

Teenagers who smoke, or whose mother smoked in pregnancy, are at higher risk of hearing problems and understanding what is being said, a US study says.In tests on 67 teenagers, Yale University found those exposed to smoke had trouble focusing and interpreting sounds when there was a distraction.And the team said scans showed exposure changed the brain's white matter, responsible for transmitting messages.The findings... Read More »

Single brain cell's power shown

There could be enough computing ability in just one brain cell to allow humans and animals to feel, a study suggests.The brain has 100 billion neurons but scientists had thought they needed to join forces in larger networks to produce thoughts and sensations.The Dutch and German study, published in Nature, found that stimulating just one rat neuron could deliver the sensation of touch.One UK... Read More »

Stronger drinks put many at risk

Experts are warning that many more people than thought may be putting their health at risk by excessive alcohol consumption.The Office for National Statistics has revamped its assessment method to take account of bigger glasses, and the increased strength of alcoholic drinks.As a result average UK consumption for 2005 has been recalculated at 14.3 units a week, up from 10.8 units.The figures suggest many... Read More »

Cell transplant for heart attack

Transplanting genetically engineered cells into the heart may reduce the risk of a fatal condition which occurs after heart attack, research suggests.Ventricular tachycardia - an unusually fast heart rhythm - is the main cause of sudden death after heart attack.In mice, transplants of skeletal muscle cells engineered to produce a specific protein prevented the condition.Experts said the study in Nature should help to direct... Read More »

'Burned foods' linked to cancers

Women who eat crisps or chips every day may double their chances of ovarian or womb cancer, say scientists.The fears surround acrylamides, chemicals produced when you fry, grill or roast a wide range of foods.Dutch researchers quizzed 120,000 people on their eating habits, and found that women who ate more acrylamide appeared more at risk.UK experts say other factors could be to blame, and... Read More »