Research News

Researchers have identified a network of genes that appear to work together in determining alcohol dependence. By comparing patterns of genetic code from the brain tissue of alcoholics and nonalcoholics, researchers discovered a particular set of genes co-expressed together in the individuals who had consumed the most alcohol.

Human ancestors began evolving the ability to digest alcohol about 10 million years ago, researchers say. The study found that a single genetic mutation 10 million years ago endowed human ancestors with an enhanced ability to break down ethanol.

Vitamin D supplements can reduce chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) flare-ups by over 40 per cent in patients with a vitamin D deficiency, according to a new research. Researchers from Queen Mary University of London conducted a randomised trial on 240 patients with COPD in and around London. Half of the patients (122) received vitamin D supplements and the other half (118) received an equivalent placebo.

The rapid evolution of HIV, which has allowed the virus to develop resistance to patients' immunity, is at the same time slowing the virus's ability to cause AIDS, according to a new research. The study also suggested that people infected by HIV are likely to progress to AIDS more slowly because of widespread access to antiretroviral therapy (ART).

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Researchers have found that the colonisation of the gut by certain types of bacteria may lead to immune responses later in life that are linked to autoimmune disease. Researchers in mice studies found that increases in the levels of segmented filamentous bacteria can trigger changes in the lymphoid tissue of the mouse gut that result in the production of antibodies that attack components of the cell nucleus.

Researchers are developing a new drug that may prevent the onset of diabetes and reverse the symptoms of the disease.

Scientists have managed to prolong the lifespan of flies by up to 60 per cent after activating a gene which destroys unhealthy cells, an advance which may help develop new anti-ageing treatments for humans.

A new mobile app developed by an Indian-origin scientist allows your smartphone to help conduct research on breast cancer and Alzheimer’s while the device is at rest and charging. The Folding@home mobile app is an extension of the Folding@home distributed computing project launched by Vijay Pande, a professor of chemistry at Stanford University, in collaboration with Japanese corporate giant Sony in 2007.

Researchers are developing an electric retainer that could allow the hearing-impaired to ‘listen’ through their tongues. The retainer will eliminate the need for expensive cochlear implants for those with hearing loss, researchers said.

Worldwide spending on cancer has reached levels equivalent to the GDP of Hong Kong which is the 35^th largest economy in the world, a new report to be presented at a global health summit in Qatar later this month has claimed.