In a patient study in which blood samples was been used scientists from UC Davis Veterinary School in California have found out that the immune capacity of neutrophils of autistic children is reduced to one third of those of non-disabled children. The reason for this is an impairment of mitochondria in the small immune cell type.

A central Stem Cell Bank at European level is the ambitious goal of the new joint project named Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI). In this bank induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) are centrally stored. Scientists and industry can use them for disease research and the development of therapies against neurodegenerative diseases.

Prof. Klaus Kümmerer, Director of the Institute of Sustainable and Environmental Chemistry at Leuphana University Lüneburg, researches new properties for pharmaceutical drugs with an aim to making them biodegradable in rivers and lakes.

As reported by The New York Times recently, China is loosening its test procedure requirements for cosmetics and other skin care products that until now have been tested on animals.