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Courtesy of Gabrielle LeBlanc, NINDSPurkinje cells in the mouse cerebellum expressing the calbindin gene Researchers maintain and constantly add to numerous gene databases as science progresses in its effort to map the human body. The recent announcement of a major new database initiative, however, may, as one researcher noted, "change the culture of neuroscience." Thanks to financial support from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, explained Gabrielle LeBlanc of NINDS d

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in individuals over 55 years of age in the developed world. AMD affects about 11 million Americans, 5 million of whom have become legally blind because of it. Stargardt's macular degeneration (STGD3) is an early-onset form of AMD that affects about 30,000 children and young adults in the United States. Researchers reported in this week's Nature Genetics that they have identified a gene linked to AMD and predicted the discov

Referees on strike, and a new "template" for academic electronic publishing; sound familiar? This time it's economists on the warpath, and they have figures to shoot with.

A French research team is criticised for allowing a clinical trial to continue even though preliminary results suggested the drug therapies were ineffective.

WHO pilots an initiative to give developing nations access low-cost internet access for scientific information.

The medical community has become split over what to do with its overseeing body, the GMC. Can it reform itself, or will Government have to step in?

LONDON The UK's National Health Service (NHS) has launched a pilot version of an online library that will provide health care professionals with the knowledge and know-how to support health care decisions. With the stated aim of becoming of becoming "one of the greatest libraries of the world," the National electronic Library for Health (NeLH) will provide fast access to the latest thinking in health care services but will also act as a filter to ensure the reliability of the information it lin

British Members of Parliament have voted in favour of allowing therapeutic cloning.

Since 1997 the US FDA has banned use of 11 prescription drugs because of serious side effects. The FDA says it's not the drug approval process but inappropriate prescribing that is responsible.

magazine's 'Person of the Year'.

The British parliament is to vote on Tuesday 19 December on whether to allow research into stem cell technology to be extended beyond its current boundaries.

Donald Kennedy.