Groundbreaking DNA technique that could change lives
Scientists at Newcastle University have developed a technique that could eliminate genetic disease. Opponents say it's unethical
Wind turbine row
A new wind turbine planned for Callaly in Northumberland would open the floodgates for more, say opponents of the scheme.
Maggie's technology awards
A new competition called TeenTech is trying to encourage schoolchildren to get more interested in careers in technology.
Live updates
Full Report: Pressure from rural communities for better broadband
For many who live in rural communities, the age of the information superhighway where fibre-optic cabling and computers allow us to communicate and transfer data at the click of a mouse is far from the case.
Many organisations say their businesses and communities are suffering and are putting pressure on the Government to roll out the national programme of high speed connection further and faster.
You can watch the full report from Andy Burn below.
Twitter launches Trends tool in 10 new UK cities
Twitter users can now find out what is trending in 10 more UK cities after the website launched its Trends tool in 160 new locations across the world.
The 10 cities are: Bournemouth, Middlesbrough, Stoke-on-Trent, Coventry, Hull, Swansea, Preston, Blackpool, Plymouth and Derby.
The Trends tool will list the most popular posts and phrases in each city.
Twitter said in a blog post, "By viewing Trends in these cities, it's easier than ever before to find out what's going on in your area and to get involved in the conversations".
"Regional Trends give you a great flavour of what's happening in different parts of the UK", it added.
The countries that will have Trends lists for the first time from today include Belgium, Greece, Kenya, Norway, Poland, Portugal and Ukraine.
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Full Report: High speed trains to be built in County Durham
More details have emerged about the planned Hitachi factory in County Durham.
High speed trains will be built at the site in Newton Aycliffe from 2016.
Work to prepare the land will begin soon - as well as the recruitment of senior management.
The company has also released a picture of what it hopes the finished site will look like.
You can watch the full report from Jonny Blair below.
Full Report: New canine cameras for police dogs
Surveillance cameras have always been part of the police's electronic weaponry against crime, but now the Durham force has taken it a step forward.
The force have begun sending police dogs into dangerous situations with cameras strapped to their backs.
Watch the full report from Derek Proud below.
New superfast broadband for Northumberland businesses
Businesses across Northumberland are set to benefit from new superfast broadband across the region.
The Northumberland Digital Economy Programme aims to create access to an improved broadband network.
It is estimated that over 2500 businesses will benefit from the new technology.
High speed trains to be built in County Durham
More details have emerged about a factory in County Durham where high speed trains will be built.
Work to prepare the land in Newton Aycliffe will soon begin, as well as a recuitment drive to employ senior management.
You can watch the lunchtime report from Jonny Blair below.
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North East centre to test deep sea technology
An "extreme" engineering centre will be built in Newcastle to help develop subsea technology.
The £7 million Neptune National Centre will be created on the River Tyne in the city.
The centre was unveiled by the Business Secretary Vince Cable as part of a new oil and gas strategy.
The centre will be built on the north bank of the river on Neptune Energy Park, part of Shepherd Offshore.
It is billed by Newcastle University, which is providing funds for the scheme, as a centrepiece for economic revival.
The project, also supported by Newcastle City Council, includes plans for a hyperbaric chamber capable of testing technology and materials at temperatures and pressures equivalent to those found at the deepest ocean depths.
– Vince Cable, Business Secretary"The UK's oil and gas sector is crucial to the economy, so we've worked closely with the sector on today's industrial strategy. But its future success relies on it being underpinned by the latest science and technology.
"This cutting-edge new facility will help put our academic community and industry at the centre of subsea and offshore engineering research. It will drive up skills and develop the innovations needed to fuel growth in the North Sea."
– Professor Nick Wright, Project lead"The Neptune Centre will create a unique facility that will significantly enhance research capacity, not just at Newcastle University but in the UK as a whole, providing a focus for the development of both new technology and academic-industry relationships that underpin future growth."
Broad support for three-parent baby technique
A public consultation has shown broad support for controversial research being carried out at Newcastle University.
The DNA technique uses three people to create one baby in order to prevent genetic diseases being passed through generations.
The findings will now be passed to the government. If approved it could be law within five years. Opponents say it's unethical.
Public backs "three-parent" IVF
Members of the public broadly support the creation of IVF babies with three genetic parents in order to defeat inherited disease.
A majority of Britons back controversial mitochondrial replacement techniques that could affect generations to come, fertility regulators found.
However, a large proportion of people were unsure or undecided about what they thought of the currently illegal procedures.
Results from a major consultation by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority were delivered to the Government today, as well as policies and safeguards for treatments.
However, they fell short of recommending the move permitting children to be conceived with the help of DNA donated by a second "mother".
Experts believe mitochondrial replacement could lead to the eradication of serious inherited diseases, but critics argue that it could be the beginning of eugenics.
Broad support for disease-prevention DNA technique
A public consultation has shown broad support for controversial research being carried out at Newcastle University.
The DNA technique uses three people to create one baby in order to prevent genetic diseases being passed through generations.
The findings of the consultation will now be passed to the government and, if approved, could be made law within five years.
However, opponents of the research say that it is unethical.
