September 30, 2007
Nanotechnology Issue 1(2) August 2007 is now available by subscription only. Articles include: “Nanotechnology – Steps Towards Understanding Human Beings as Technology?” by Armin Grunwald and Yannick Julliard, 77-87. “Social and Ethical Interactions with Nano: Mapping the Early Literature” by … Read More
September 26, 2007
by Neil Levy Abstract The extended mind thesis is the claim that mental states extend beyond the skulls of the agents whose states they are. This seemingly obscure and bizarre claim has far-reaching implications for neuroethics, I argue. In the … Read More
September 21, 2007
A recently discovered cell survival switch could be key to increasing longevity. Cranking up an enzyme in a cell’s powerhouse–the mitochondria–makes the cell resilient to stress and death, according to a study published today in the journal Cell. The findings … Read More
September 21, 2007
New study reveals why restricting calories may lead to longevity. Scientists have known for more than 70 years that the one surefire way to extend the lives of animals was to cut calories by an average of 30 to 40 … Read More
September 21, 2007
New data show that a vaccine against the virus that causes cervical cancer partially blocks infection by 10 strains of the virus on top of the four types the vaccine targets. That boosts protection — at least partially — to … Read More
September 17, 2007
Strict controls are needed to ensure genetic information collected for research is not used inappropriately by outside parties, experts have warned. Many DNA databases have been collated for specific studies on genes and disease, a British Society of Human Genetics … Read More
September 16, 2007
From The Associated Press Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton rejoins the health care debate in earnest Monday with a plan to expand coverage. Positions of other presidential candidates: DEMOCRATS: _Delaware Sen. Joe Biden: Expand health insurance to cover all … Read More
September 15, 2007
We all make mistakes and, if you believe medical scholar John Ioannidis, scientists make more than their fair share. By his calculations, most published research findings are wrong. Dr. Ioannidis is an epidemiologist who studies research methods at the University … Read More
September 14, 2007
The American Journal of Bioethics Issue 7(9) is now available by subscription only. Perspective “Rethinking Neuroethics in the Light of the Extended Mind Thesis” by Neil Levy, 3 – 11. Perspective “Propranolol and the Prevention of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Is … Read More
September 9, 2007
Biodegradable polymers replace viruses to deliver genes. In work that could lead to safe and effective techniques for gene therapy, MIT researchers have found a way to fine-tune the ability of biodegradable polymers to deliver genes. Gene therapy, which involves … Read More
September 5, 2007
Cardiac patients could have their own or donated cells engineered into heart valve or muscle replacements and implanted within six weeks from donation. This could be possible in as little as three to five years say top heart surgeons in … Read More
September 3, 2007
The Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics Issue 35(3) Fall 2007 is now available by subscription only. Articles Include: “Genome Justice: Genetics and Group Rights” by Rebecca Tsosie and Joan L. McGregor, 352–355. “Population Genomics and Research Ethics with Socially … Read More
September 3, 2007
Pain Medicine Issue 8(6) September 2007 is now available by subscription only. Articles include: Editorials “Selective, Tailored, Biopsychosocial Pain Treatment: Our Past Is Our Future” by Rollin M. Gallagher, MD, MPH, 471–472. “What Do Experimental Pain Models Tell Us about … Read More
September 3, 2007
Pain Practice Issue 7(3) September 2007 is now available by subscription only. Articles include: Editorial “Evidence-Based Medicine: Our Responsibility to Our Patients” by Craig T. Hartrick, MD, 219–220. Evidence-Based Medicine “Clinical Research in Interventional Pain Management Techniques: The Clinician’s Point … Read More
September 3, 2007
Scientists have discovered the first gene that influences a person’s height. People who carry two copies of the “tall” version of the HMGA2 gene are up to 1cm taller than those who carry two copies of the “short” version. The … Read More
September 3, 2007
A nanoparticle drug delivery system designed for brain tumour therapy has shown promising tumour cell selectivity in a novel cell culture model devised by scientists at The University of Nottingham. The project, conducted jointly by the Schools of Pharmacy, Biomedical … Read More
September 3, 2007
Human embryonic stem cell research, long touted by the scientific community as a promising source for treating diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, has also conjured up heated ethical debates and legal challenges. Lawsuits challenging the use of public … Read More
September 3, 2007
Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards says his universal health care proposal would require Americans to go to the doctor for preventive care. Edwards, speaking in Tipton today, says his plan requires that everyone in America has health coverage. (WQAD)
September 3, 2007
Many factors threaten to turn Southern California’s typical seasonal lack of reserves into a permanent problem. In the blood business, Labor Day is the last hurdle of the donor-dry summer. Soon, college and corporate blood drives will get underway to … Read More
September 2, 2007
You might have come across the acronym NBIC, which stands for Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information technology and new technologies based on Cognitive science. Initially introduced in the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance report (pdf download, 5.9 … Read More
September 2, 2007
New research explores using atoms and molecules to pack more data storage and computing capabilities into smaller spaces. IBM researchers this week announced they’ve made major strides in nanotechnology by studying how to build storage and other computing devices out … Read More
August 24, 2007
Airic’s_arm is inspired by nature. Based on a combination of mechatronics and the biological model of a human being, it opens up new possibilities for future automated movement processes. The Airic’s_arm is a robotic arm fitted with artificial bones and … Read More
August 24, 2007
Artificial Life and Robotics Issue 11(2) July, 2007 is now available by subscription only. Articles of Interest: “Heterochrony and evolvability in neural network development” by Artur Manuel Ribeiro dos Santos Caldas de Matos, Reiji Suzuki and Takaya Arita, 175-182. “Comparison … Read More
August 24, 2007
Zygon Issue 42(3) is now available by subscription only. Articles of Interest: Crossing Species Boundaries “Cross-Species Chimeras: Exploring a Possible Christian Perspective” by Neville Cobbe, 599–628. “Approaching Religious Guidelines for Chimera Policymaking” by Stephen M. Modell, 629–642. “On Chimeras” by … Read More
August 24, 2007
Eric Miller’s career as an Army Ranger wasn’t ended by a battlefield wound, but his DNA. Lurking in his genes was a mutation that made him vulnerable to uncontrolled tumor growth. After suffering back pain during a tour in Afghanistan, … Read More
