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Michael J Porter

Lecturer in Molecular Genetics, University of Central Lancashire

Dr. Michael J. Porter is a specialist in Molecular and Cellular Biology; his PhD focused on the familial breast cancer gene BRCA2. Currently his research interests include the use of multimedia to enhance the student experience, blended learning approaches and authentic teaching/assessment. His scientific research is primarily in the area of Dermatology, particularly the genetics underlying hair / skin pigmentation, and metastatic melanoma (skin cancer). Other interests include the biological/psychological impact of stress in students/general public, the role of epigenetic modification in nutrigenomics, particularly during the gestational period, the impacts of vaping, highly caffeinated soft drinks etc. and evolutionary adaptation.

He is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) and a fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), as well as a member of The Royal Society of Biology and The Royal Society of Chemistry.

He is also heavily engaged in encouraging the public’s understanding and engagement with Science; making appearances on Radio and Television, as well as writing for various newspapers.

Cryptic genetic variation: the hidden changes in your DNA that could produce new diseases

Aug 15, 2019 18:01 pm UTC| Insights & Views Science

Rarely has our environment changed so quickly. On top of climate change, were exposing ourselves to air pollutants, microplastics and unprecedented levels of fat, salt and sugar in our food. Environmental change is one...

No safe suntan, but research suggests there may be a way to reduce 'old leathery' look

Oct 28, 2018 13:19 pm UTC| Insights & Views Health

Getting a tan may not depend on how much sun people get, but rather when they get it. This is the finding from a new international research project. The study, published in Molecular Cell, found that sun exposure every...

Economy

Digital trade protocol for Africa: why it matters, what’s in it and what’s still missing

In February 2024, African heads of states adopted a draft protocol to regulate digital trade within the continent. This significant yet challenging course for Africas digital economy fits into the broader trade agreement,...

Industry shutdowns are messy and painful: 4 lessons Australia’s coal sector can learn from car-makers about bowing out

Shifting Australias electricity sector to low-carbon technologies and closing coal plants is vital to tackling climate change. But such transitions are easier said than done. People and economies are often deeply...

Food prices will climb everywhere as temperatures rise due to climate change – new research

Climate change, and specifically rising temperatures, may cause food prices to increase by 3.2% per year, according to a new study by researchers in Germany. As climate change continues to worsen, this price inflation will...

Industrialisation is still vital to economic development but some countries are struggling to reap its benefits

Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of the US, wrote a wealth of reports that served as building blocks for the countrys economic system. In 1791, during his time as secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton...

This is how President Ramaphosa got to the 25% figure of progress in land reform in South Africa

Nearly three decades into democracy, land reform remains central to South Africas transformation policies and agricultural policy. We have over the years pointed out that the progress on land reform has been incorrectly...

Politics

Nvidia RTX 4090D Embroiled in US-China Tech Rivalry; South Korea Navigates Chip Export Dilemma

The U.S. government has tightened export restrictions on high-performance semiconductor chips to China, including the Nvidia RTX 4090D, and is urging South Korea to enforce similar curbs, marking a significant escalation...

US and Japan Boost AI, Semiconductor Alliance; EU Eyes Reduction in China Dependence

Japan and the United States are poised to deepen ties in the high-tech sector, signaling a strategic move to enhance their global partnership with a focus on artificial intelligence and semiconductor...

US Finalizes Ban List for Chinese Chipmakers; Boosts Mexico Semiconductor Ties

The United States is finalizing a list of Chinese chip factories banned from receiving vital technology, aiming to curb Beijings tech advancements amid national security concerns. Concurrently, a US-Mexico semiconductor...

China's Commerce Minister to Advocate EV Sector in Europe Amid Subsidy, Tariff Probe

Chinas Commerce Minister Wang Wentao is set to visit Europe in April to address concerns and advocate for the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) industry amid a European Commission investigation into alleged unfair...

South Africa’s electricity crisis: what political parties say in their election manifestos about solving it

South Africa is in the middle of a deep electricity crisis. In 2023 the public, many of whom are voters, experienced the worst loadshedding to date, losing power for an average of five hours a day. The power shortages...

Science

Exploding stars are rare but emit torrents of radiation − if one happened close enough to Earth, it could threaten life on the planet

Stars like the Sun are remarkably constant. They vary in brightness by only 0.1% over years and decades, thanks to the fusion of hydrogen into helium that powers them. This process will keep the Sun shining steadily for...

An eclipse for everyone – how visually impaired students can ‘get a feel for’ eclipses

Many people in the U.S. will have an opportunity to witness nearly four minutes of a total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024, as it moves from southern Texas to Maine. But in the U.S., over 7 million people are blind...

How do airplanes fly? An aerospace engineer explains the physics of flight

Airplane flight is one of the most significant technological achievements of the 20th century. The invention of the airplane allows people to travel from one side of the planet to the other in less than a day, compared...

The mystery of consciousness shows there may be a limit to what science alone can achieve

The progress of science in the last 400 years is mind-blowing. Who would have thought wed be able to trace the history of our universe to its origins 14 billion years ago? Science has increased the length and the quality...

What is minoxidil, the anti-balding hair growth treatment? Here’s what the science says

Hair loss (also known as alopecia) often affects the scalp but can occur anywhere on the body. Its very common and usually nothing to worry about; about half of Australian men show signs of visible baldness at age 50 and...

Technology

Shibarium's Transaction Count Soars to Nearly 1 Million in Record Surge

Shibarium, Shiba Inus layer-2 blockchain, has witnessed a meteoric rise. It is nearing one million daily transactions, and a 228.5% increase in activity sets a new transaction record. Shibarium Nears Milestone with...

Bitcoin Fees Soar to $11M as Halving Event Nears, Hash Rate Spikes

Bitcoin (BTC) transaction fees soared to a record-breaking $11 million in a single day as the highly anticipated Halving event approached. This uptick reflects greater activity on the Bitcoin network as users race to...

Spotify Hints at Long-Awaited Lossless Music Experience in Latest App Code Discovery

Industry insiders confirm that Spotify is gearing up to launch Music Pro, a new subscription tier featuring lossless audio and exclusive DJ tools. This will mark a significant shift in the music streaming services...

Tesla Model Y LR Takes on Law Enforcement Role in Anaheim

The Anaheim Police Department has launched a pilot program to evaluate the performance of Tesla Model Y Long Range vehicles as patrol cars, featuring enhancements from Unplugged Performances UP.FIT division. Sustainable...

Expert Warns: Altcoin Dip Buying Riskier Than It Appears, Cites Historical Data

Amid turbulent market conditions, Benjamin Cowen, CEO of Into The Cryptoverse, advises caution against purchasing altcoins on the dip, pointing to historical patterns that signal further declines could follow. Market...