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How accurate are sibling DNA tests?

How accurate are sibling DNA tests? How does the test work? How long do you have to wait for the results? Read on to find out… How accurate are sibling DNA tests? AlphaBiolabs is an ISO 17025-accredited laboratory, meeting the very highest international quality standards. Our expert DNA scientists ensure that your DNA tests are […]

Basketball star banned after drug test reveals he’s pregnant

A US basketball player was suspended after an attempt to cheat at a urine drug test backfired spectacularly. The 28-year-old’s urine sample was found to contain high levels of pregnancy hormone. Donell ‘DJ’ Cooper Jr had a successful career in Europe and had played for AS Monaco for 2 years. In 2017, he was named […]

Flakka blamed for rise of violence on Irish streets

The latest drug craze to have made its way from the USA is being blamed for the rise of violence on Irish streets. The synthetic drug Flakka, also known as gravel or bath salts, is a novel psychoactive substance (NPS) that can be smoked, injected or snorted. Users are said to become overwhelmed with an […]

Dying man convicted of first drug-driving charge

The first person to be convicted of drug-driving in Ireland is a terminally-ill man who has to take over 20 tablets a day. Alan Croghan, a liver transplant patient, suffers from a number of illnesses and has less than 5 years to live. His conviction includes a 4-year road ban along with a €750 fine. […]

DNA test proves that wrong child was given to mother

Solicitors acting for a woman who was given back the wrong child after temporarily leaving her infant daughter in the care of nuns at the St Patrick’s Guild adoption society are expected to begin legal proceedings. Helen Maguire’s story emerged in the aftermath of revelations last year that St Patrick’s Guild had incorrectly registered at […]

Ireland’s first alcohol-free pub opens its doors

The target demographic for Dublin’s first booze-free bar is people who don’t want to consume alcohol but still want to have a good time, says Vaughan Yates. Together with his business partner Oisin Davis, Yates is opening The Virgin Mary on Capel Street. The stylish bar seats 30 and offers a selection of non-alcoholic cocktails, […]

Alcohol tag

SCRAM Continuous Alcohol Monitoring® (SCRAM CAM®) is an innovative way of monitoring alcohol consumption via a bracelet worn on the ankle. Known as an alcohol tag, sobriety tag or alcohol bracelet, this clever device tests for the presence of alcohol in perspiration every 30 minutes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As such, […]

Privacy and DNA testing

DNA is valuable. Last year, the pharma giant GlaxoSmithKline announced a $300 million deal with 23andMe to use home DNA results from its 5 million customers for new drug research. At the end of last year, Genomics Medicine Ireland announced it intended to gather DNA from 400,000 people in Ireland to research new medical treatments. […]

Chemsex party drug use on the rise

Chemsex is a type of drug use which has seen its popularity surge in recent months. The term describes the use of drugs such as gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), gamma butyrolactone (GBL), crystal methamphetamine, ketamine and mephedrone to enhance sexual activity. GHB and GBL are known colloquially as drug ‘G’. This recreational drug became popular around […]

DNA testing identifies missing people

The remains of two people who went missing in Dublin in the 1990s have been identified using new DNA testing methods. Margaret Glennon, aged 49, from Baldoyle in Dublin went missing in May 1995. Her family made national appeals at the time and have carried out many searches over the years to locate her body. […]