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Popular Articles

Some Groups Say Iowa HIV Transmission Law Worsens Stigma, Hinders Testing Efforts
Some Iowa groups are concerned that the state"s criminal HIV transmission law adds to the stigma associated with the virus and hampers testing efforts, and are urging lawmakers to revisit the law, the Iowa Independent reports. According to the Independent, criminal transmission of HIV is classified among the second-most serious felonies that can be committed in the state. Those that have been convicted under the law have been sentenced to a few months to several decades in prison. Former state Rep. Ed Fallon (D) who supported the 1998 law, said, "It seems to me that since it is now 11, almost 12, years later, it wouldn"t be [a] bad time to take a look at it again," adding that "surely [there] are some tweaks or changes that the legislature could consider relevant to this law, especially with all the new knowledge we have of the disease" (Waddington, 7/1).

An 'Eye Catching' Vision Discovery
Nearly all species have some ability to detect light. At least three types of cells in the retina allow us to see images or distinguish between night and day. Now, researchers at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine have discovered in fish yet another type of cell that can sense light and contribute to vision.
News of the day
NAO Issue New Report And Research Autism Asks: 'Falling Through The Cracks': Why Is The Outcome So Poor For Adults With Autism?
The National Audit Office (NAO) on Friday released findings from a new report exploring the problems and challenges of supporting adults with autism. The aim of the report was to assess current service provision in areas including: health, social care, education, benefits and employment support. It also identified how these areas could be made more effective, efficient and appropriate to the needs of adults with autism and their carers.
Diagnostics

Stem Cell Research Progress - cells that become part of the pancreas or part of the bile duct

Researchers from Cincinnati Children"s Hospital Medical Center have discovered that a specific gene - Sox17 - plays an important role in directing cells to become part of the pancreas or part of the bile duct (used in the digestion of food). Research in mouse embryos found that the Sox17 gene "acts like a toggle or binary switch that sets off a cascade of genetic events," said the study"s senior investigator, James Wells. Could prove important "In normal embryonic development, when you have an undecided cell, if Sox17 goes one way, the cell becomes part of the biliary system [bile duct]," Wells explained. "If it goes the other way, the cell becomes part of the pancreas." The researchers believe the discovery could one day prove important in directing embryonic stem cells to become pancreatic beta cells and potentially act as a cure or treatment for Type 1 diabetes. "With this study showing that turning one gene on or off in a mouse embryo instructs a cell to become pancreatic or biliary, now we"ll see if that same gene, Sox17, can be used to direct an embryonic stem cell to become a biliary cell instead of a pancreatic cell," said Wells. Another step forward Dr Victoria King, Research Manager at Diabetes UK, said: "Stem cell research is very much in its infancy but with more research it could one day offer a real possibility of leading to a cure for diabetes." "This study looks at a step in making a pancreatic cell from stem cells, but not necessarily the needed insulin-producing pancreatic cells. Making those cells is a big challenge. "Diabetes UK would not wish to raise people"s expectations that this research is a massive leap in diabetes stem cell research, but it is interesting and does provide another step forward in our knowledge," said King. Diabetes UK


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