This year the UK is expecting the arrival of its first three-parent babies. We’re not sure exactly when these babies will be born, but we know that last year the Human Fertilisation and Embryo Authority approved two cases for the go-ahead at a fertility clinic in Newcastle. Obviously the first question to answer is how […]
Resisting against Resistance
Antibiotics are drugs used to treat infections, and work by killing bacteria. According to a research charity by the name of Nesta GPs reportedly prescribe about 90% of all antibiotics used in the UK. A recent study has shown that 76% of GPs prescribe antibiotics without being completely sure if a patient needs them and […]
Zika: from Mild to Wild
What is Zika? Zika is a virus that’s recently been hitting the news, due to its nasty effects on new-borns. The virus spreads via Aedes mosquitos, the species of mosquito that also transmits tropical diseases like yellow fever and dengue. In addition to mosquito-bites, there have been cases of sexual transmission, transmission through blood donation […]
How to be wise when you revise
The exams you’re dreading are fast approaching (sorry). But are you actually revising effectively or are you wasting your time? Are you revising at all yet? Are you reading this to procrastinate from the revision you should be doing? Lots of psychological research has shown us what is and isn’t helpful when revising, so here […]
Looking for that one thats a perfect human specimen?
Woman, 19, seeks biologically-perfect mate. Seeking a male with a waist-to-hip ratio of between 0.8 and 1. I will be measuring. Any less and you clearly don’t have enough energy in your body to father our kids. Sorry. Must have a prominent brow and chiselled jaw. This is not negotiable. Otherwise you probably won’t have […]
Man Flu: it’s real!
Ladies, how many of us can admit to diagnosing men with a case of ‘man flu’ and having a good old laugh to ourselves? Even if we have the very same strain of flu, it always feels like men seem to suffer much so more than us. If I catch a nasty cold, I’ll have […]
BINGO! Four new elements complete row on the Periodic Table
The discovery of four new elements and the subsequent completion of the seventh row of the periodic table, has chemists all over the world excited. Back in 2011, we saw the discovery of elements 114 (flerovium) and 116 (livermorium), both in row seven. Now, on the 30th of December 2015 the elements 113, 115, 117 […]