Latest research news

Women are poor at science, says Harvard president
The president of Harvard University has provoked a furore by arguing that men outperform women in maths and sciences because of biological difference, and discrimination is no longer a career barrier for female academics.
Guardian

Young scientists need spark of a genius
Professors should become inspirational preachers who seek out young people to convert them to the cause of science and engineering, according to the distinguished heart surgeon Sir Magdi Yacoub.
Daily Telegraph

Life in Britain’s seas ‘in a shameful state’
Britain's marine wildlife is in serious decline and hundreds of species are in danger of losing their natural habitats, according to a WWF report on Monday. Of 16 different species and habitats investigated, 13 were found to be under threat, including cod, salmon, porpoises and turtles.
The Times

Gene defect may be cause of Parkinson's disease
A genetic discovery was hailed on Monday as the most significant breakthrough in the hunt for a cure for Parkinson’s disease. Scientists announced that a newly discovered single gene defect could be the most common cause of inherited Parkinson’s disease. Three separate papers published in the Lancet highlight the importance of the defect, in a gene called LRRK2.
The Scotsman

Hole in heart link to serious migraine
Thousands of migraine sufferers may have holes in their hearts as well as pains in their heads, doctors said yesterday. And fixing those heart defects might just offer the best hope of a cure for the headache misery caused by some forms of the condition. A relatively simple cardiac procedure that has been used to repair the hearts of small children, divers with the bends, and stroke patients is to be tested for its migraine-solving potential on volunteers at British hospitals.
The Guardian

Pollution during pregnancy is linked to childhood cancer
Women who breathe air polluted with smoke and exhaust fumes are up to four times more likely to have children who develop cancer, a study shows. Research at the University of Birmingham suggests atmospheric pollution from oil-fired furnaces and vehicle exhausts may be the principal cause of childhood cancer.
Independent