New Atlas

Medical Audio available

Anti-obesity genetic variant discovery paves way for new weight-loss drugs

Rich Haridy April 22, 2019

A study has homed in on a number of specific variants in a single gene that can help people either lose or gain weight. The research revealed that some naturally-occurring variants can offer protection against obesity, and may lead to new weight-loss drugs that mimic this genetic variation.

Examining genetic data from half a million people revealed several specific genetic variants associated with lower ...

Medical Audio available

Cancer DNA study helps uncover specific chemical causes of tumors

Rich Haridy April 15, 2019

We have known for well over a century that exposure to certain environmental agents can result in DNA mutations that ultimately cause cancer. Now a team of UK scientists has developed a way to identify specific mutational signatures in tumors that can be linked to certain carcinogens.

New research reveals specific DNA signatures of 41 different carcinogenic agents can be identified in tumors

Medical Audio available

Stem cell treatment puts HIV into long-term remission in landmark study

Michael Irving March 4, 2019

Scientists report the “functional cure” of an HIV patient for only the second time ever. Known only as “the London patient”, the man received a transplant of bone marrow stem cells from a donor that had a resistance to the virus. The patient has now been in remission for 18 months.

Scientists are reporting the second known case of HIV remission in the world, after stem cell ...

Science Audio available

From aliens to immigration, international study finds most believe a conspiracy theory

Rich Haridy November 29, 2018

In the largest ever academic study into belief in conspiracy theories, a team from the University of Cambridge polled people in nine countries to reveal how mainstream certain fringe conspiratorial views have become in recent years.

A new study has shown how widespread belief in conspiracy theories is among some areas of ...

Medical

Spontaneous genetic mutations in the womb may drive the majority of dementia cases

Rich Haridy October 15, 2018

New research, led by scientists at the University of Cambridge, suggests spontaneous DNA mutations that occur when a baby's brain is growing in the womb may help explain why so many people develop dementia without having any prior family history with the disease.

New research suggests somatic DNA mutations that occur while the brain is developing in the womb ...

Medical

Heartsense is aimed at streamlining wearable ECG tech

Ben Coxworth September 13, 2018

If doctors want to check someone's heart rhythm while that person is out and about, the patient is required to wear a Holter monitor. Now, however, UK scientists have developed what they claim is a cheaper, more comfortable and faster-performing alternative, in the form of the Heartsense monitor.

The Heartsense monitor is worn like a regular heart rate sensor

Biology

Synthetic mouse embryos develop to new key stage of life

Michael Irving July 23, 2018

Scientists have created the most lifelike artificial embryos ever, guiding them through “the most important event in life” – a key development stage known as gastrulation. The researchers combined three types of mouse stem cells into an embryo that was just about ready to be implanted into a womb.

Researchers have developed the most lifelike artificial embryos yet, using three different types of stem cells ...

Science

World's oldest bread is over 14,000 years old and predates farming

Michael Irving July 16, 2018

Archaeologists have discovered the oldest direct evidence of bread ever found, dating back over 14,000 years. It predates farming, leading researchers to suggest that the realization that cereals can be cultivated might have helped humans transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture.

An archaeological site in Jordan, where traces of the oldest bread were found in the 14,400-year ...

Medical

Major research reveals CRISPR gene-editing could increase cancer risk in cells

Rich Haridy June 11, 2018

Two new studies are raising concerns that the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system could trigger an increased cancer risk in cells. With human trials using the technique starting this year, the scientists behind these new studies urge researchers to be aware of this cancer-driving mechanism.

New research suggests that the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technique could increase the risk of cancer in ...

Medical

How cholesterol in the brain may accelerate the onset of Alzheimer’s disease

Rich Haridy May 7, 2018

A landmark study has revealed that cholesterol in the brain may play a fundamental role in catalyzing the formation of amyloid beta clusters, thought to be a central mechanism leading to the devastating degenerative symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

Amyloid beta clusters (in red) have been found to accumulate faster in the presence of cholesterol ...