New device could slash STD results times to 30 minutes January 16, 2014 Today saw the announcement of a new of a point of care device that can deliver state of the art test results for a host of diseases in just 30 minutes. Patients could be provided with testing and begin their treatment in just a single visit to the clinicians as soon as next year. Current [...]
Gene therapy success could mean the end of blindness January 16, 2014 (deviantart) A new gene therapy pioneered by surgeons at Oxford has improved the quality of vision for six patients who would otherwise have fallen victim to blindness. Six patients suffering from choroideremia were treated with a virus that has been modified to carry a working copy of a gene that the patients lack. The procedure [...]
Holiday season sees bumper bike sales for Halfords January 16, 2014 Halfords Group has reported strong growth for the 15 and 41-week periods to 10 January. The company received a boost from bumper retail cycling sales, which grew 19 per cent over the 15 week period to 10 January. The group enjoyed a particularly strong performance in accessories and children's bikes. Online retail sales also boomed [...]
Ladbrokes says it’s on track – but will markets buy it? January 16, 2014 Gaming company Ladbrokes has said it expects operating profit for the year ended 31 December 2013 to be roughly in the middle of the current range of analysts' forecasts of £129.8m to £151m It also confirmed that the upgrading of the gaming machines estate will be completed in time for the World Cup in June [...]
Bovis Homes average sale price jumps 14pc January 16, 2014 British housebuilder Bovis Homes has reported impressive results in its trading update for the year ended 31 December 2013. In line with other competitors Bovis has reported a hefty increase in its average sales price. The company announced that its average sales price jumped 14 per cent to £195,100 up from £170,700 in 2012. The [...]
Here are 4 myths about fracking that need dispelling January 15, 2014 As the debate over shale gas intensifies David Cameron has called for an end to myths surrounding the process of hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking. Here are four you might be thinking of. 1. Your water can be set on fire In a scene from the anti-fracking film Gasland, one of the participants who [...]
78 per cent of economists agree that Uber’s price hikes are good for consumers January 15, 2014 A poll of academics has overwhelmingly concluded that using higher prices to allocate transport services is good for consumers. 78 per cent of the IGM Economic Experts Panel agreed with the statement: Using surge pricing to allocate transportation services — such as Uber does with its cars — raises consumer welfare through various potential channels, [...]
EU moves toward new regulatory crackdown on HFT January 15, 2014 The European Union has agreed to introduce a plethora of new regulations governing high frequency trading (HFT,) commodity speculation and derivatives trading. The measures come shortly after the introduction of a cap on banker bonuses. The revision to the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) is to be implemented by the end of 2016 and [...]
European rivals no match for Canada says Osborne January 15, 2014 George Osborne has delivered a shot across the bow to Britain's European partners in a speech delivered to the think tank Open Europe and the conservative Fresh Start group. The chancellor said: Canada is not, as some of our continental friends kid themselves, in competition with Paris and Frankfurt. It is in [...]
Smartphone payment system could mean the end of cash January 15, 2014 Five UK banks have embraced the new mobile payment facility called Zapp. Zapp allows real-time payments on customers smartphones and tablets through their existing mobile banking app. The app will allow consumers to make purchases at the touch of a button without the need for cash or credit cards. HSBC, First Direct, Nationwide, Santander and [...]
