Wellcome Trust News and features

Diamond light, brighter than the sun

2012-02-07T12:00:00.0+00:00

It's the size of five football pitches and generates light 10 billion times brighter than the sun. As the Diamond Light Source celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, Penny Bailey visits to see how it works.

Genetic variant increases risk of common type of stroke

2012-02-06T12:00:00.0+00:00

A genetic variant that increases the risk of a common type of stroke has been identified. This is one of the few genetic variants to be associated with the risk of stroke and opens up new possibilities for treatment.

New scheme tackles orphan and neglected diseases

2012-02-06T12:00:00.0+00:00

A new funding scheme to support academic-industry partnerships for early-stage applied research and development projects in orphan and neglected disease areas launches today.

'Goldilocks' gene could determine best treatment for tuberculosis patients

2012-02-03T12:00:00.0+00:00

Tuberculosis (TB) patients may receive treatments in the future according to which version they have of a single 'Goldilocks' gene, says an international research team part-funded by the Wellcome Trust.

Old drug shows new promise to treat leishmaniasis

2012-02-02T12:00:00.0+00:00

A study published yesterday shows that a drug called fexinidazole could potentially be used to treat visceral leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease that kills 50 000 to 60 000 people a year in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Testosterone makes us less cooperative and more egocentric

2012-02-01T12:00:00.0+00:00

Testosterone makes us overvalue our own opinions at the expense of cooperation, recent research has found. The findings may have implications for how group decisions are affected by dominant individuals.

First award under Irish partnership examines links between obesity, diet and heart disease

2012-02-01T12:00:00.0+00:00

Dr Fiona McGillicuddy from University College Dublin has become the first recipient of funding under the Science Foundation Ireland-Health Research Board-Wellcome Trust Biomedical Partnership.

A delicate balance: investigating intestinal inflammation

2012-01-31T12:00:00.0+00:00

Professor Fiona Powrie has made significant contributions to our understanding of the immune system in the gut and inflammatory bowel disease. Michael Regnier spoke to Fiona about her research and career.

Genetics study reveals how bacteria behind serious childhood diseases evolve to evade vaccines

2012-01-30T12:00:00.0+00:00

Genetics has provided surprising insights into why vaccines used to combat serious childhood infections can eventually fail. The study has implications for how future vaccines can be made more effective.

Wellcome Trust and Cambridge University Press work together to secure the future of 'Medical History'

2012-01-30T12:00:00.0+00:00

Cambridge University Press has announced that it will publish the leading journal 'Medical History', an international journal for the history of medicine and related sciences, from January 2012.

Genetics study boosts search for better ways to treat human African trypanosomiasis

2012-01-26T12:00:00.0+00:00

The findings of a genetic screening study reported in 'Nature' have identified how the parasite that causes human African trypanosomiasis interacts with the drugs currently used to treat the disease.

New malaria maps to guide battle against the disease

2012-01-24T12:00:00.0+00:00

A new suite of malaria maps has revealed the current global pattern of the disease in unprecedented detail, allowing researchers to see how malaria has changed over several years.

Opinion: "The only way is Wikipedia"

2012-01-24T12:00:00.0+00:00

In a world in which anti-science appears to be on the increase, it is imperative that scientists improve how they engage with the general public about their research and do not simply preach to the converted.

Comedy tour exposes the maths of death

2012-01-23T12:00:00.0+00:00

The critically acclaimed comedy tour 'Your Days are Numbered' is embarking on a national tour with support from a Wellcome Trust People Award.

Ways to prevent mitochondrial diseases to be assessed in new �5.8 million Wellcome Trust centre

2012-01-19T12:00:00.0+00:00

Research that could pave the way for IVF treatment to prevent mitochondrial diseases will take place at the new Wellcome Trust Centre for Mitochondrial Research at Newcastle University thanks to a £5.8m funding boost.

Nuts and Bolts: the neuron

2012-01-19T12:00:00.0+00:00

Neurons are highly specialised cells that conduct and process information in animals, enabling thought, perception and control of movement. Here, Lydia Harriss presents a quick guide to these remarkable cells.

Appliance of Science: "There's no such thing as a non-science story"

2012-01-17T12:00:00.0+00:00

Science is part of absolutely everything. I hate science being confined to science programmes and science festivals and science pages. To me, science isn't a domain but a way of looking at things.

Counterfeit and substandard antimalaria drugs threaten crisis in Africa

2012-01-16T12:00:00.0+00:00

Hopes of controlling malaria in Africa could be dashed by the emergence of poor-quality and fraudulent antimalarial medicines, warn experts. Unless urgent action is taken, millions of lives could be put at risk.

Scientists find link between gene and sensitivity to emotional environment

2012-01-13T12:00:00.0+00:00

Researchers at the University of Essex have shown that a genetic variant could make some people more sensitive to their emotional environment - and more susceptible to anxiety disorders - than others.

Artist collects false memories at free event

2012-01-12T12:00:00.0+00:00

Have you ever remembered something a certain way, only to find that it never happened? Artist Alasdair Hopwood is inviting you to contribute your false memories to a new project called the False Memory Archive.