Genetic predisposition to AIDS

Some people might be genetically pre-disposed to developed more severe consequences of AIDS infections, new research has found. Writing in the journal AIDS, Stephen O'Brien and his colleagues at the National Cancer Institute, Maryland, sequenced the mitochondrial DNA from 1833 patients infected wi...

Getting personal with breast cancer treatment

It’s becoming increasingly clear that the old saying “one size fits all” doesn’t work when it comes to cancer treatment. The more scientists discover about the genetic faults that underpin different tumours, the more it’s possible to divide them into sub-types, which may in turn respond very differe...

Giardia Gene Shuffling Masks Bug from Immunity

A common gut bug has evolved an ingenious strategy to outwit the immune system, helping to conceal the parasite from immune attack. Writing in this week's Nature an Argentinian research team led by Hugo Lujan at the Catholic University at Cardoba found that Giardia lamblia, a major cause of intest...

Paws for thought - dogs demonstrate envy!

Scientists have found that just like humans and other primates, dogs get jealous too! The Austrian team paired up pooches and asked the dogs to hold out a paw on demand from the handlers.  One of the dogs was given a treat whenever it cooperated, the other dog went unrewarded.  Quite qui...

Zoo life not so good for elephants

Everybody loves elephants, and they’re often a big attraction in any zoo. But some rather sad news in this week’s edition of the journal Science suggests that zoo life my not be all that good for them. Researchers from the RSPCA, along with other colleagues, did a survey of nearly 800 elephants liv...