A new study suggests that people suffering from schizophrenia are six times more likely to develop epilepsy. The reason for the strong link between the two conditions could be related to genetic, neurobiological or environmental factors. The study, that was led by researchers from the China Medical University Hospital in Taichung, has been deemed “interesting […]
The fact that people with a negative outlook on life possess a certain gene variant, the short version of the 5-HTTLPR serotonin-transporter gene, has always been known. But a recent study conducted at the University of Essex has revealed that the very same gene could inspire positive thoughts. Two groups of people- one representing the […]
The benefits of laughing is widely known, but who would have thought that the joyful exercise could help to numb pain? A recent study conducted by the University of Oxford has revealed that a proper laugh makes the body releases chemicals that act as a natural painkiller. The findings emerged after groups of volunteers were […]
Good news for chocoholics- scientists have found that consuming small amounts of dark chocolate every day may improve health in a similar way to exercise. Trialled on mice, the study revealed that the chocolate plant compound epicatechin appeared to stimulate the same muscle response as vigorous activity. Hopes are high that the research will eventually […]
A new lie detection test has been developed by British scientists. The test uses a heat camera that records the flow of blood around the eyes, and then feeds the results to a computer programme that monitors tiny changes in facial expressions. A study carried out by researchers at Bradford University found the system to […]
To critics, GM food is still the stuff of science fiction novels.
However, given the recent advances that are helping solve
world hunger and malnutrition, should we still be scared?
To critics, GM food is still the stuff of science fiction novels. However, given the recent advances that are helping solve world hunger and malnutrition, should we still be scared?
William Henry looks at the word of mouth and how it can spread dystopia
A new hope in the fight against AIDS has emerged from the unlikely source of a trio of “glow cats”, genetically modified to harbour the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene, which originates from jellyfish, and an extra monkey gene, TRIMCyp. The team of scientist behind the research hope that their invention will offer the animals […]
A year-long study has revealed that two fossil skeletons of early humans possess characteristics that land in between those of primitive “ape-men” and our immediate ancestors, as some bones look almost human while others display a more chimpanzee-like profile. The well preserved fossils date back 1,977,000 years and were discovered in 2008 in a Malapa […]
In a bid to boost marine conservation in the UK, a proposal to create over 100 Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) has been unveiled. If applied and put into practise, the zones will span many different types of marine formats, from extensive tracts of seas floor to small stretches of coastline.
A software variant called Cleverbot has proven to be almost as skilled a conversationalist a human. Showing off its skills at Techniche festival in Guwahati, India, Cloverbot passed one of the key tests applied to artificial intelligence, the so called Turing test. The trial involved thirty volunteers brought in to hold 4-minute conversations- half of […]
