Advance in MS research; Research facility planned for Liverpool; DNA changes tied to schizophrenia

Stem Cell Research

A certain set of adult stem cells in mice can be coaxed to turn into myelin-making cells by changing a single gene, say researchers. And that could repair the damage to myelin which occurs in multiple sclerosis. Report

Disgraced Korean scientist Hwang Woo-suk has been barred from resuming work involving embryonic stem cells. The researcher faces possible jail time for misusing funds that were used in faked ESC studies. Story

Some scientists say the time has come to start paying women for human eggs in order to overcome a shortage of the eggs needed in research programs. Report

Research Money

Researchers in Liverpool have won £5 million to establish a new biomedical research facility. Story

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences provided a $9.2 million grant to researchers at the University of Georgia to support their work determining how embryonic stem cells differentiate. Report

The University of Wisconsin gained almost $9 million from the NIGMS. Story

Genetics

Researchers have identified a gene that lessens the risk of migraine with aura in women, but also note that when the gene is present in women with that condition it elevates the risk of a stroke. Report

Structural changes in DNA apparently increase the risk of schizophrenia. Story

The FDA has approved a new test that can identify the type of cancer cells present in a tumor. Report

Cancer Research

A genetic mutation linked to an elevated risk of cancer could be the key to a new test that could be used for early tumor detection. Report