Latest research news

Blair to be quizzed on possible US role in silencing of chief scientist
Tony Blair is to be questioned about an attempt to silence the government's chief scientific adviser after he claimed that global warming was more serious than terrorism. Norman Baker, the environment spokesman for the Liberal Democrats, said he would write to Mr Blair asking him whether he had come under pressure from the US government to rein in the scientist Sir David King.
( The Independent )

Firm that cloned Dolly faces bankruptcy
The firm behind Dolly the sheep last night announced that it was "almost certain" to declare itself bankrupt. PPL Therapeutics, which was hailed as a scientific pioneer when Dolly was successfully cloned in 1996, announced that it was on the brink of bankruptcy after key shareholders refused to back a last-ditch rescue plan.
( The Guardian )

Hope of pregnancy from unfrozen ovaries
The possibility of women one day having children after the menopause appeared to come closer yesterday when US scientists reported that they had created an embryo from an egg produced from ovarian tissue that had been frozen for six years.
( The Guardian )

Increased doses of 'miracle' heart drug needed to save lives
They are the miracle drugs of the 21st century and already they have saved tens of thousands of people with heart disease. But heart specialists say patients need up to eight times more statins than the present recommended dose to give maximum protection. They also warn that the new evidence on the best way of tackling heart disease has huge cost implications which could bankrupt health systems.
( The Times )

Whale hunting condemned
Sir David Attenborough has condemned the cruelty of whaling in backing an anti-whaling coalition's campaign to end all commercial and scientific hunting of whales.
( Daily Telegraph )

Comment: George Monbiot
Biotech firms are out to corner the market, so they have to persuade us something else is at stake. ( The Guardian )

T'ai chi is good for health, but researchers still don't know why
The ancient martial art of t'ai chi has proven medical benefits, research published on Tuesday says. But the medical establishment is still mystified as to how the slow-motion movements actually improve health.
( The Independent )

Restorers find David's ankle is cracking up
Michelangelo's statue David may be clean in time for his 500th birthday this year, but experts are concerned that his left ankle may not be strong enough to keep him standing forever. A team of experts at Bologna University has begun analysing tiny cracks in the marble masterpiece's left ankle since restoration work began on the statue last September.
( The Guardian )