May 2019

Blood test for pregnant women

A new blood test to check for the potentially life-threatening condition pre-eclampsia will be available to women in England.

Imaging with LEGO

Researchers have come up with an inexpensive, automated way to image biological samples – using the children’s toy, LEGO.

Breath testing for gut disorders

Small children may one day avoid invasive oesophageal tube-testing for gut damage and coeliac disease thanks to a new method. It involves blowing into a glass tube to provide effective diagnoses.

Blood test for rare cancer proteins

A new blood test developed at the Johns Hopkins University can identify individual molecules in human blood samples with minimal detection errors. 

Blood cell production insights

A healthy adult makes about two million blood cells every second, and 99% of them are oxygen-carrying red blood cells. 

HCPC standards of education and training

Alan Wainwright, IBMS Executive Head of Education, summarises revisions that are due to be implemented following an audit. 

“Poverty leaves mark on genes”

A new study challenges prevailing understandings of genes as immutable features of biology that are fixed at conception.

Top five congress tips

With just one more month of early bird discount rates for Congress 2019, we ask five regular attendees and previous speakers their top tips to make the most of Congress.

50 years of monitoring quality

To mark the half a century of UK NEQAS, three members of its consortium outline its growth from a short-term, UK-focused project in 1969 to the internationally-recognised organisation it is today.

molecular scissors

Jennifer Doudna is behind a pioneering gene editing technique, potential applications of which range from curing genetic diseases, to improving crops. She discusses the practical and ethical issues. 

The big question: “Is there a role for charities and volunteers to take the pressure off health services?”

Three professionals discuss taking the pressure off health services through the use of charities and volunteers. 

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