Health & Beauty

New cancer risk gene testing announced

Saturday, 25 May 2013 08:02

A pioneering programme to test cancer patients for nearly 100 risk genes is to start in London to look for genes such as those which led Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie to have a double mastectomy.

The test, developed by biotechnology firm Illumina, looks for 97 genes which increase the risk of cancer. More risk genes can be added to the test once they are discovered.

Kidney grown in laboratory

Saturday, 25 May 2013 08:02

A kidney "grown" in the laboratory by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital has been transplanted into animals where it started to produce urine. Similar techniques to make simple body parts have already been used in patients, but the kidney is one of the most complicated organs made so far.

Campaigners welcome patent rejection

Saturday, 25 May 2013 08:02

Healthcare campaigners have welcomed India's rejection of a legal bid by Swiss company Novartis to patent a new version of its cancer drug, applied for a patent in 2006 for its new version of the drug, arguing that it was easier to absorb and therefore qualified as an innovation.

Obesity-reducing microchip to undergo trials

Saturday, 25 May 2013 08:02

An "intelligent" microchip designed by researchers at Imperial College London to suppress appetite is about to be tested on animals. Using cuff electrodes, the chip is attached to the vagus nerve within the peritoneal cavity found in the abdomen, which plays a role in appetite as well as a host of other functions within the body.

Obese heart patients 'do better'

Saturday, 25 May 2013 08:02

Obese cardiac patients are less likely to die early than their normal weight counterparts, according to researchers at University College London, despite the fact that they report worse health and are less likely to follow lifestyle advice.