Deborah Fields

Feature Writer

B.Sc.

Chemistry

Deborah holds a B.Sc. degree in Chemistry from the University of Birmingham and a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism qualification from Cardiff University. She enjoys writing about the latest innovations. Previously she has worked as an editor of scientific patent information, an education journalist and in communications for innovative healthcare, pharmaceutical and technology organisations. She also loves books and has run a book group for several years. Her enjoyment of fiction extends to writing her own stories for pleasure.

Articles from Deborah

Diabetic Foot Problems

Diabetes is a condition that results in high blood sugar (glucose) in a patient because the body is not making enough of the hormone insulin, which helps break down the sugar entering the cells and create fuel for its functions.

2 Jun 2016

Mitosis vs Meiosis

Mitosis and meiosis are both processes by which cells reproduce, but there are distinct differences between the two. While new cells are generated during mitosis, meiosis is a special type of cell division that produces sex cells for reproduction. The two processes were discovered by different scientists. Meiosis was discovered by German biologist Oscar Hertwig while German physician Walther Flemming is credited with the discovery of mitosis.

1 Jun 2016

Meiosis Process

Multicellular eukaryotes and single-celled sex cells reproduce by a process called meiosis. In this process, the number of chromosomes in a mother cell is halved to produce gametes, cells that fuse with other cells. This happens in plants, animals, and fungi. German biologist, Oscar Hertwig first discovered meiosis in sea urchin eggs in 1876.

1 Jun 2016

What is a Cytoskeleton?

The cytoskeleton of a cell helps provide shape, strength, and an organised structure to the cell. The cytoskeleton can be compared to a transport network facilitating various types of movement in the cell. It helps with cell reproduction, the movement of organelles, the functions of muscles and intracellular transport between the organelles. It also enables the separation of daughter chromosomes to opposite poles during cell division.

1 Jun 2016

Short-term use of opioids implicated in protracted pain, new study finds

Painkillers such as morphine, oxycodone and methadone could actually prolong and increase pain even after only a few days’ use, according to research conducted on rats by scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder in the US.

31 May 2016

Non-Surgical Treatment for Bunions and Bunionettes

A bunion is a bone deformity causing a protrusion from the foot at the edge of the big toe and at its base on the metatarsophalangeal joint. A bunionette, also known as tailor’s bunion, is a lump of bone on the edge of the other side of the foot at the base of the little toe.

31 May 2016

Bunions and Bunionettes: What’s the Difference?

A bunion and a bunionette are both bone deformities that develop on the feet and can cause pain to affected people. While a bunion or a hallux vulgus is a deformity of the bone at the bottom of the big toe that causes the toe to turn in towards the smaller toes often overlapping with the second toe, a bunionette or a tailor’s bunion is a bony deformity at the base of the fifth metatarsal in the little toe. In some cases of bunion, the second toe is also deformed. Both conditions are most commonly experienced by women. Even though there are similarities in both conditions, there are a few key differences as well.

31 May 2016

Bunionette / Tailor's Bunion

A bunionette, also known as a tailor’s bunion, is a bony deformity at the base of the fifth metatarsal in the little toe. It bears some similarities to a bunion, a bone deformity that develops at the base of the big toe.

31 May 2016

Bunion Surgery

Bunions are a deformity of the bone at the base of the big toe, the metatarsophalangeal joint. It looks like a large bump on the side of the foot. The condition, which mainly affects women, can cause a great deal of discomfort. The patient may experience pain and need to wear wide-fitting shoes to ease friction on the bone.

31 May 2016

Bunion - Hallux Valgus

A bunion, also known as hallux vulgus, is a deformity of the bone at the bottom of the big toe. It causes the big toe to turn in towards the smaller toes and sometimes overlap with the second toe. Occasionally, a bunion can also cause a deformity in the second toe. A lump can form on the top of the joint which may become inflamed, red, blistered, or infected. Some bunions cause pain while others do not. The size of a bunion can also vary.

31 May 2016