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By Martin Graham
SCIENTISTS from the University of Edinburgh hope to discover the causes of Alzheimers disease, diabetes and cataracts in a new study examining the behaviour of tiny protein molecules.
The team of researchers will be studying insulin protein found in the body to try and establish why the molecules sometimes clump together as people get older.
This ‘clumping’ effect, known as aggregation, is thought to be a cause of Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related illnesses.
By Rory Reynolds
THE makers of Buckfast are under pressure to remove caffeine from its recipe after new figures linked the drink to crime.
Research shows that half of young men jailed for booze-related crimes consumed the tonic wine before committing an offence, with some claiming the caffeine made them “hyper” and aggressive.
A BBC investigation has revealed that the strong tonic wine has been cited 5,000 times in crime reports over three years by Scotland’s largest police force, Strathclyde.
One in 10 of the crimes were violent, with figures showing that bottles of Buckfast themselves have been used as a weapon on 114 occasions.
BBC Scotland Investigates, being shown tonight also examined the physical effects of drinking Buckfast through inmates at Polmont Young Offenders’ Institute. Continue reading
The McLaughlin family (left to right, Ryan, Darren, Alan and Kirsten) meet Cathy Jamieson (centre) at the parliament
By Cara Sulieman
A SCOTS schoolboy campaigning for better treatment for MS suffers like his mum has received the backing of a top scientist.
Plucky Ryan McLaughlin, 14, from Glasgow, started a campaign to get the Scottish Government to supply free Vitamin D supplements to Scots after claims a lack of sunshine in this country made the condition worse.
His mum Kirsten has battled the disease for years.
Now Oliver Gillie, a respected medical writer and researcher who has been working on research into the benefits of Vitamin D for some years, is lending his support to the teenager.
By Oliver Farrimond
PIONEERING scientists at a Scottish university have invented a robot that can evolve just like a human – bringing the film ‘I-Robot’ one step closer to reality.
The robot brain being developed by researchers at Robert Gordon University grows more complex as it learns new skills, just like a human brain.
The robot brain – called an ‘artificial neural network’ – adds new layers to itself as it grows, becoming more and more complex.
Although the project is currently on hold while the team wait for more funding, the future looks bright as the team hope to use their discovery to help disabled people in their homes.
Dr Chris Macleod, who is leading the research, said: “The beauty of this robot brain is that it appears to have no limit – the brain physically increases in size and learns automatically.
“The robot started off pulling itself along in a primitive way and then went through a series of tests, until it had evolved into a walking quadruped.
“It was able to react to its surroundings, avoid obstacles and react to objects as ‘predators’ or ‘prey’.”
“No other robot in the world can do this, it’s absolutely unique and the possibilities are endless.”
In theory there is no limit to the degree of complexity that can be achieved, and robots with potentially human-like abilities, such as Sonny in ‘I-Robot’, could be designed using the same technique.
In the 2004 film, humans co-exist peacefully with robots, who are used as domestic servants and are as widespread as any other machine.
This is until they overthrow their leaders through a violent revolution, in order to stop humans from destroying the environment.
Dr Macleod was keen to dispel fears of such an uprising occurring as a result of his findings.
He said: “As long as we’re careful, there’s no need for concern.
“A robot designed for household chores would hopefully be neither strong enough nor clever enough to pose any kind of danger.”
There are also many other possible applications of this approach in science, including more advanced prosthetic limbs, electronic design and aerospace engineering.
Dr Macleod added: “It is also possible that by studying the evolution of our robot’s brain, we may shed some light on the earliest origins of life.
By Cara Sulieman
STUDENTS at one of Scotland’s universities will be getting a lecture on bouncing breasts this month.
A world-class expert on sports bras is visiting Napier University give a lecture on the movement of the breast during exercise.
Dr Joanna Scurr, from the University of Portsmouth, has done extensive research on the topic and hopes to spread the word of her buoyant results.
Tests used during research involved women up to a G cup running at 20 miles an hour on a treadmill. Their ‘level of bounce’ was then measured both with and without a sports bra.
Her research, with the catchy title “the biomechanics of breast movement during exercise,” has led to the re-design on the sports bra.
Dr Scurr said: “This is an important area because so many women in the UK suffer from breast pain – and often don’t bother to report it. Women need to make sure they are fitted for a bra, and don’t keep the same bra for too long – I’ve spoken to some women who keep the same bra for 10 years.
“My research suggests that, when it comes to sports bras, the traditional ‘encapsulated’ design, where each breast is held separately in a cup which encloses it completely, works better than some of the more modern designs which work by pressing the breasts into the chest to stop movement.”
Professor Davison from Napier is looking forward to welcoming Dr Scurr to the university.
He said: “I’m pleased that Joanna has found the time to come and deliver her research to our staff and students. It is highly important that we offer our students the chance to see the many possible directions their Sports Science degree can take them.”
Deadline Press & Picture Agency 