A laser-controlled brain or a heart that beats in time to a disco light display sound like some of the more vivid imaginings of science fiction writers. But scientists are gathering together tricks that may allow us to do just that – and they could be used to create drug-free therapies. This is the growing … Continue reading Exciting cells and controlling heartbeats – could optogenetics create drug-free treatments?
Category: Science News
How have animals helped scientists fight diseases?
Since Speaking of Research was founded in 2008, we have produced over 800 posts, including over 200 posts that report scientific breakthroughs made possible thanks to studies on animals. However, finding information about how specific animals have helped fight specific diseases has not always been easy. Well fear no more, from Amphibians to Zebrafish, Addiction … Continue reading How have animals helped scientists fight diseases?
Scott Kelly and Beyond: How rodents are being utilized by NASA and the ISS
March 1st marked the end to NASA Astronaut Scott Kelly’s 340-day space mission on the International Space Station (ISS). The overall goal of Kelly’s mission was to study behavioral and physiological effects of prolonged exposure to space in order to better understand how NASA can better prepare for a mission to Mars. Recent media has … Continue reading Scott Kelly and Beyond: How rodents are being utilized by NASA and the ISS
How zebrafish help advance cancer research
Do sharks get cancer? Despite the widely touted myth that sharks do not develop cancer, fish of all species do occasionally develop spontaneous tumours. This is of course also true for the most common of laboratory fish, the zebrafish. In this article, I will give you a brief overview of how the unique properties of … Continue reading How zebrafish help advance cancer research
NC3Rs announce international 3Rs prizewinners
The National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) is a primarily UK Government-funded organisation which works in collaboration with scientists and research institutions “driving and funding innovation and technological developments that minimise the need for animals in research and testing, and lead to improvements in welfare where animals continue … Continue reading NC3Rs announce international 3Rs prizewinners
Over 200 institutions publish online animal research position statements
It's a good start but there's plenty more still to be done, and it is being done. Yesterday the University of Edinburgh launched their excellent new animal research resource http://www.ed.ac.uk/research/animal-research, too late to be included on our list this time around, but definitely worthy of full marks! Over 200 research institutions now have clear policy … Continue reading Over 200 institutions publish online animal research position statements
HPV vaccines and cervical cancer – a success in animals is a success for humans
A recent article in the journal Pediatrics reported that vaccination against human papilloma virus (HPV) resulted in a 64% reduction in infections in girls aged 14-19 (1). The vaccine, Gardasil, came onto market in June of 2006 and protects again four different HPV types: the two most prevalent high-risk viruses, HPV16 and HPV18, and the … Continue reading HPV vaccines and cervical cancer – a success in animals is a success for humans
Macaque study explores best route of oxytocin administration
Oxytocin is a natural brain peptide most commonly thought of as the “love hormone” for its role in social bonding: it spikes during social contact, play, cuddling, and sex. Because of extensive research in animals including prairie voles, sheep, and monkeys demonstrating that oxytocin promotes affiliative behaviors and social bonding1,2, oxytocin is increasingly being studied … Continue reading Macaque study explores best route of oxytocin administration
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