Latest research news

Medical researchers criticise funding system
Academics are calling for a more transparent and generous funding system for clinical research.
(Guardian)

Animal extremists 'will drive research abroad'
New laws are needed to deal with animal extremists if Britain is to keep its pole position in bioscience in Europe, a report said yesterday. Existing legislation is not working and immediate steps are needed to protect research workers and companies from harassment and attack, says the Bioscience Innovation and Growth Team, an industry group that is funded by the Government to provide advice.
(Times)

Polio vaccine may spawn disease
A new report fuels fears that mutated vaccine might seed new bouts of poliomyelitis, even after the disease is stamped out. Its findings will inform the ongoing debate on how to phase out the vaccine.
(Nature)

Red List highlights threats to islands
Island plants and animals are the unfortunate stars of the new Red List of the world's most threatened species, released today by the World Conservation Union. One name may already have to be removed from the inventory. The St Helena olive ( Nesiota elliptica ) seems to have gone extinct within the past week. The leaves of the last known tree, on the South Atlantic island of St Helena, have withered and died.
(Nature)

New particle is double trouble for physicists
A mysterious sub-atomic particle has been revealed that does not fit any of the models currently used by physicists. The discovery suggests that either a new family of molecule-like sub-atomic particles exists, or that theorists must substantially re-think their theory of the masses of sub-atomic particles.
(New Scientist)

Smog and smokers
Rises in air pollution can trigger heart attacks, especially among smokers. Researchers in Dijon found that on high-pollution days smokers were 250 per cent more likely to be affected than on low-pollution days.
(Times)

Surgeon sheds light on Turner's vision
Viewers have been puzzling over JMW Turner's singular vision of the world for over 200 years. Now an opthalmic surgeon is suggesting that there is no mystery; Turner, suffering from early, slight colour-blindness and later cataracts, was painting exactly what he saw.
(Guardian)