Statins lower cholesterol if taken daily – but may also have other effects on the body. StockLite/Shutterstock Nothing in medicine is as exciting as discovering new drugs. However, this process is time consuming, expensive and not always necessary. Sometimes, existing drugs can be used to manage illnesses that are differentContinue Reading
The protein, called GDF5, plays an important role in the development and function of certain brain neurons. pikselstock/ Shutterstock Parkinson’s disease, a brain disorder that affects over 10 million people worldwide, is caused by the gradual loss of dopamine neurons. The loss of these neurons leads to involuntary tremors, stiffnessContinue Reading
dotshock/Shutterstock In the global effort to overcome COVID-19, much scientific and medical attention has focused on the ability of our immune system to generate antibodies. Antibodies are one of our body’s main weapons against viruses, created to recognise specific proteins on a virus’s surface and initiate processes that ultimately neutraliseContinue Reading
Scientists have recreated the mutant gene that causes a rare cancer called phaeochromocytoma in a millimetre-sized worm. University of Dundee, Author provided When the Williamson family from Dundee lost their mother Sue to a rare cancer named phaeochromocytoma in 2003, they didn’t realise that further devastation was to follow. OfContinue Reading
The UK has become the first country to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for widespread use. The government has ordered 40 million doses and the first batch of 800,000 doses is expected to be shipped from Belgium – where the vaccine is being made – in the next couple of days.Continue Reading
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine has just been approved for widespread use in the UK and the government has ordered 40 million doses – enough to vaccinate 20 million people. The first 800,000 doses are expected to be delivered to the UK in the next few days. The Moderna and Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccinesContinue Reading
England has emerged from lockdown and entered the second phase of its tier system – in which different parts of the country are placed under a different set of coronavirus restrictions. The scheme has been controversial, with many pointing out that the system is more heavily applied in the northContinue Reading
Krasula/Shutterstock One of life’s true miracles, the humble egg is maybe one of the most versatile foodstuffs on the planet. It’s formed in 24 to 26 hours and hens can lay up to 250 eggs a year. The incredible egg is pure protein and there are numerous (both sweet andContinue Reading
Krakenimages/Shutterstock A close friend – let’s call him John – recently called, asking for advice. He woke up with severe muscle aches and fatigue. Understandably worried that it could be COVID-19, he asked whether he should go to work, run to get a test or stay home. Because he didn’tContinue Reading
Teenagers who dieted and thought they were overweight had greater symptoms of depression than those in previous generations. dotshock/ Shutterstock The proportion of teenagers who are overweight or obese has risen over the past 30 years. In parallel, there has been an increase in societal focus on weight loss andContinue Reading
