Posts by author
Adriana Albini
Can a novel anti-diabetic, anti-obesity ‘wonder drug’ be repurposed for cancer?
Throughout human history, the search for a universal cure has captivated the minds of philosophers, healers and scientists across time and cultures. In Greek mythology, the goddess Panacea was believed to possess a potion to treat all afflictions. We still…
Is yours a beach-ready body? Dietary tips to lower your risk of melanoma
“Did you remember to bring the sunscreen?” Public awareness of the need to protect against the risk of melanoma from excessive exposure to UV rays from the sun has risen dramatically over recent decades. ‘Bringing the sunscreen’ is now a…
How telomeres protect our chromosomes, and what happens when they don’t
Chromosomes are essential structures in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells that carry genetic information as DNA. DNA is organised into genes, which provide the instructions for building and maintaining the organism. During cell division, chromosomes ensure that each daughter cell…
Women’s career progression in science: challenges, barriers, and solutions
Despite significant and hopefully promising discussions, graphs plotted using data from studies conducted at global and European levels continue to show a distinctive ‘scissors’ shape, indicating a significant gender gap in academic and scientific careers, which starts at the doctoral…
Integrative and complementary cancer care mends an ancient division to put patients first
Physicians and cancer services provide better care when they recognise the benefit that complementary therapies can bring to their patients’ mental and physical wellbeing – as well as the potential risks. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is defined by the…
Angiogenesis: how cutting the blood supply became a tool against cancer
The human body is permeated by an extensive network of approximately sixty thousand miles of blood vessels – an intricately organised system designed for the precise and efficient distribution of oxygen and nutrients to all cells and organs, and for…
Michael Sporn: A pioneer in prevention and a unique and special friend
Michael B. Sporn, an internationally recognised cancer researcher who was one of the discoverers of the tumour growth factor TGF beta and a strong advocate of Cancer Prevention, died on September 29, 2022 at his home in Tunbridge, Vermont. He…
Born to be walkers? How to stay healthy in a sedentary world
Humans have been endurance runners and walkers for at least 2 million years. Walking and running are our two main gaits. Whether we are more predisposed for the former or the latter is under debate. Studies carried out in the…
Pandemics, War, Reconstruction and the Duty of Medicine and Science
“It is sufficiently obvious that the problems of reconstruction following the war will tax the intelligence and good will of mankind to the utmost. It is also certain that mistakes made during this period will have more serious consequences…
Do patents encourage or discourage innovation? Intellectual property from ancient Greece to the Covid pandemic
In October 2020, India and South Africa submitted to the World Trade Organization (WTO) a proposal for a waiver from certain provisions of the Trips agreement – the 1994 WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights. The rationale…