Coronavirus mutations: what we've learned so far

ImageFlow/Shutterstock In early January, the first genome sequence of Sars-CoV-2 – the virus that causes COVID-19 – was released under the moniker “Wuhan-1”. This string of 30,000 letters (the A, T, C and Gs of the genetic code) marked day one in the race to understand the genetics of thisContinue Reading

How periods and the pill affect athletic performance

These effects may have the greatest impact on elite athletes. Leonard Zhukovsky/ Shutterstock The menstrual cycle, the pill and their potential impact on sporting performance have long been considered a taboo subject. Yet for most females who undertake any form of exercise or high-performance sport, there are a range ofContinue Reading

Regrowing knee cartilage: new animal studies show promise

Breslavtsev Oleg/Shutterstock In our joints, a slippery, elastic tissue called cartilage covers the ends of the articulating bones. If this protective covering is lost through injury or ageing, it leaves bone grinding painfully against bone. Cartilage injuries are very common and rarely heal spontaneously. This can cause further damage toContinue Reading