Cancers of the lung are differentiated into small cell and non-small cell types on the basis of their histopathology, but scientists say lung cancers are diverse when it comes to their underlying molecular pathology, highlighting the need to establish different therapeutic targets for each. They used genomic hybridisation and gene expression profiling to identify at least 159 genes that are responsible for the differential pathogenesis of the two types of cancers (British Journal of Cancer 2006 May 16; doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6603167).

Have researchers finally succeeded in creating an animal model of autism? Mutation in the PTEN gene is associated with behavioural changes—the mutants display reduced social interaction and heightened responses to sensory stimuli—and also with neuronal hypertrophy and macrocephaly. The proposal of a link with autism comes from rare human instances where mutations in this gene led to autism spectrum disorders (Neuron 2006;50: 343-5).

Light or anti-depressant? A double blind randomised controlled comparison of these in the treatment of seasonal affective disorder in Canada reports that light therapy brought earlier responses and a lower rate of some side effects than did fluoxetine. However, there were no significant differences in outcome between …