Mummy reveals prostate cancer secret; Researchers generate brain tissue from skin stem cells;

Cancer

> Scientists discovered prostate cancer in a 2,200 mummy housed in Lisbon, Portugal--the second oldest case of its kind ever found, according to the Daily Mail. Researchers say this proves cancer is caused by genetics, not environment. Story

> Researchers at Trinity College Dublin in Ireland have developed a new cancer vaccine that worked in mice, which manipulates the immune response to malignant tumors. Release

Genetics

> An international survey is set to launch asking individuals, health professionals and researchers if they actually want to know, through testing, the risk of developing hundreds of genetic conditions. Story

> DNA sequencing could become much more common for difficult diagnoses of mitochondrial diseases reflected by disorders such as muscle pain or seizures. Story

Stem Cells

> Scientists at Edinburgh's Centre for Regenerative Medicine developed brain tissue from skin stem cells, French Tribune reports. Story

> Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is pledging to ban all embryonic stem-cell research if elected president, even work done on discarded embryos created by in vitro fertilization, The Washington Post reports. Story

> The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission is launching a new grant program for preclinical and clinical research involving human stem cells, which will assist for-profit companies in the development of stem-cell based therapies. Release

And Finally...

> President Obama used his State of the Union speech to renew a call for more spending on basic research. Story