Study uncovers mechanism that causes genetic movement disorder

A research team at the Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC) has identified the mechanism that causes movement disorders in patients with mutations in the NUS1 gene. Using both cellular and model organism studies, cholesterol accumulation was found to contribute to the symptoms of seizures, ataxia, and movement abnormalities. This breakthrough study on NUS1, a gene that […]

Study on artificial microswimmers could improve the efficacy of targeted cancer therapy

A Mason Engineering researcher has discovered that artificial microswimmers accumulate where their speed is minimized, an idea that could have implications for improving the efficacy of targeted cancer therapy. Jeff Moran, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering in the Volgenau School of Engineering, and colleagues from the University of Washington in Seattle studied self-propelled half-platinum/half-gold […]

“How I learnt to fail by (almost) swimming The Channel”

Maddy Duxbury was more surprised than anyone by her positive reaction to a failed attempt to swim across the Channel. Here, she reflects on how learning to ‘fail successfully’ has been the greatest success of all. Against the backdrop of a moonlit sky, I plunged into the dark English Channel waters and struggled for breath […]

Can cold water swimming banish lockdown anxiety?

2020 has been a difficult year, to put it lightly. Not only have Brits been worrying about their physical health, taking all precautions possible to limit the spread of coronavirus, but we’ve been collectively worrying about our mental health, too. A study conducted by the ONS at the beginning of the first lockdown showed that […]