Latest research news

California allows stem-cell research
California has adopted a law that opens the state’s doors to stem-cell researchers, in a move that runs contrary to White House policy.
(Guardian)

Research link collapses
A public/private link between the John Innes Research Centre, Norwich, and the Swiss-based multinational Syngenta collapsed last week to the “regret” of the Biotechnology and Biological Research Council.
(Guardian)

Retired academics to help developing countries
The Association of Commonwealth Universities last week announced a link with a retired academics database so academics who want to carry on teaching can provide temporary supply cover in developing countries where there are shortages exacerbated by the brain drain and Aids.
(Guardian)

Scientists to test food after carcinogen scare
Universities and research institutes have been invited by the food agency to bid for work to test a wide range of British foods for the possibly cancer-causing chemical acrylamide, in an attempt to assess the scale of the threat.
(Guardian)

Earth was once dead ringer for Saturn
The Earth may once have been encircled by a ring similar to Saturn, according to research that offers a novel explanation for one of the planet’s most extreme periods of climate change. The results of the research, by scientists at Sandia Laboratories, New Mexico, and the University of New Mexico, were published in the Journal of Geophysical Research, Atmospheres.
(Times)

Sexes divided over bullying at work
Men and women react differently to bullying at work, researchers at the University of Bergen told a conference at the University of London yesterday. Male victims are more likely to confront the bully while women seek help or take sick leave.
(Times)

New door found in pyramid
Scientists using a robot have discovered yet another door deep inside the Great Pyramid, Egypt’s chief archaeologist has said.
(Times, Daily Mirror, Guardian)

An aspirin a day can halve the risk of Alzheimer’s
Taking a daily dose of aspirin can halve the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, according to scientists.
(Neurology, Daily Mail)