National and International News
They didn't have long anyway - The Guardian 22/01/04
Imagine for a moment the suspicious deaths of 13 little boys and girls at a privately run children's home. Imagine the fuss there would be if concern was such that officials talked of exhuming bodies and the coroner was asked to investigate. Imagine the calls for further inquiry, the questions in parliament, the dispatch of busloads of reporters to the vicinity.
Bubble magic - The Observer 23/01/05
Rated 3 in National and International News on Jan 24, 2005 at 22:51:08 GMT.
Drinking plenty of water plays a key part in any detoxing diet, but should you drink still or sparkling? Dr John Briffa recaptures his fizz
Scourge of polio returns to Africa - The Observer 23/01/05
Rated 3 in National and International News on Jan 24, 2005 at 22:49:26 GMT.
An international team of doctors is set to launch a desperate, last-ditch bid to save Africa from polio, a scourge once believed to have been defeated but which has recently returned to haunt the continent.
Prisons face tough criticism - The Observer 23/01/05
The Prison Service is bracing itself for serious criticism over its failure to protect vulnerable female inmates this week as it awaits the verdict of an inquest into the death of an 18-year-old woman with a history of self-harm and mental illness.
Scientist was paid consultant to tobacco firm - The Observer 23/01/05
Serious concerns were raised last night about a scientific journal that published influential studies questioning the links between smoking and lung cancer.
Parents targeted in fertility donor crisis - The Observer 23/01/05
Parents will be targeted by a new campaign to encourage sperm and egg donation to stave off a growing shortage that could cripple fertility treatment.
Why big babies are not so healthy - The Observer 23/01/05
Parents have been given wrong advice on the best weight for infants, a new study shows. Jo Revill reports
'They said feed him up. It wasn't right' - The Observer 23/01/05
When her first son was born Vicky Bevan had an uphill struggle to persuade health visitors that he was not too skinny.
Melanie McFadyean: 21 things I would never have known if I'd never had cancer - The Guardian 22/01/05
Finding out that she had breast cancer was a terrifying bombshell, of course, but at least Melanie McFadyean encountered a few new truths. Blondes do have more fun, graveyard humour helps but funeral manners from the well-meaning are a pain, and whatever you do, don't believe the statistics
Nurse wins 70,000 for unfair dismissal - The Guardian 22/01/05
A district nurse who injured her neck when the strap on her workbag snapped was yesterday awarded 70,000 damages for wrongful dismissal.
Mid-life drinkers who booze at home risk disease - The Observer 23/01/05
Britain's epidemic of teenage binge-drinking is diverting attention from the much greater number of middle-aged people who get serious liver damage as a result of consuming large quantities of alcohol at home, experts will warn this week.
Deacon attacks NHS ‘paralysis’ - The Sunday Times 23/01/05
A FORMER health minister claims that the Scottish NHS is becoming “paralysed” by the executive’s failure to take difficult decisions.
Yellow fever vaccine warning - The Telegraph 23/01/05
British travellers heading to many parts of tropical Africa and South America are struggling to obtain the necessary yellow fever vaccinations because of a shortage of stocks across Britain.
How the culture of blame has made victims of us all - The Telegraph 23/01/05
As a society, we have moved a long way from the 1950s, when it was fashionable to believe that your destiny was in your own hands and anyone could succeed if they tried hard enough. It was, in many ways, a liberating and transforming belief.
AstraZeneca needs stronger medicine - The Telegraph 23/01/05
Sir Tom McKillop, the head of the troubled pharmaceuticals group, will have to use his best bedside manner at this week's annual meeting to reassure investors and quash merger rumours. Sylvia Pfeifer reports
British children are fatter than health studies' worst fears - The Telegraph 23/01/05
British toddlers have fatter stomachs than health professionals thought, new research has revealed.
Did Shipman kill my grandmother too? - The Telegraph 23/01/05
Jon Sharpe is 63 years old, happily married with a family and has a successful career as an engineer and a holiday home on Florida's west coast. There is one thing he lacks, however - peace of mind.
Catholic schools to snub sex advice - The Sunday Times 23/01/05
CATHOLIC schools are to defy Jack McConnell’s order to provide pupils with advice on obtaining contraception and abortions without their parents’ consent.
Liverpool turns on the red light - The Sunday Times 23/01/05
LIVERPOOL, home of the Beatles and designated as Europe’s capital of culture for 2008, will this week seek a new accolade. It will take steps to become another Amsterdam by applying to the Home Office to open Britain’s first officially recognised red light area.
Tick the box if you would like to pay more tax - The Telegraph 23/01/05
With the building of the Parthenon, it was said, the Athenians were bribed with their own money. But at least they got something lasting. It is a different story with the 35 billion of Government waste which has just been identified by the City troubleshooter David James, and upon which the shadow chancellor, Oliver Letwin, has based his proposed 4 billion worth of tax cuts. Besides revealing that an NHS "efficiency" unit wasted thousands booking hotel rooms for a conference that never took place, Mr James identified 168 quangos, which serve virtually no public good, and 235,000 bureaucrats whose jobs merely complicate the business of public administration.
Cancer fear over women's sex pill - The Observer 23/01/05
Women in Scotland could be used like human guinea pigs in a massive hormone experiment if a controversial new sex drug - touted as 'pink Viagra' - is made available on prescription.
'Mate? I'm not your f***ing mate' - The Telegraph 23/01/05
Rated 3 in National and International News on Jan 24, 2005 at 21:19:38 GMT.
Robert Watts learns to keep his cool as he is confronted by scary, foul-mouthed hostage takers – all in the name of management training
'It's the economy, glupi'* - The Telegraph 23/01/05
When the Government opened the 'floodgates' to immigrants from the 10 new EU countries last year, it was grimly predicted that they would be a grave threat to Britain. Yet, as Ross Clark reports, the effect has been anything but harmful
Britons Getting More Nips, Tucks and Trims - Reuters 24/01/05
Britons are getting more cosmetic surgery and other treatments intended to improve their looks, with nearly a fifth more procedures carried out last year versus 2003, an industry body said Monday.
Bird Flu Likely Jumped Between Humans Last Year - Reuters 24/01/05
A fatally ill Thai girl probably spread deadly bird flu to her relatives last year in what would mark the first documented case of human-to-human transmission of the feared virus, medical investigators said on Monday.
BMA appeals for widespread support for Smoke-Free Liverpool Bill, UK - Medical News Today 24/01/05
The first reading of the Private Bill to ban all smoking in Liverpool workplaces is being presented in the House of Lords today. Mr James Johnson, BMA Chairman and a vascular surgeon working around Liverpool, has called for mass support of the Bill.
Better early warning could save millions of children's lives in disasters, says WFP Chief in Kobe - Medical News Today 24/01/05
01CWith exceptionally generous help from Japan and other donors, no child who survived the Asian tsunami should die from hunger. Children suffered most in this tsunami, but with better early warning systems, we can spare millions of them in future,01D said James T. Morris, Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), today in Kobe during his three-day visit to attend the UN World Conference on Disaster Reduction.
HHS Takes Major Step to Prescription Drug Benefit, USA - Medical News Today 24/01/05
Rated 3 in National and International News on Jan 24, 2005 at 16:05:33 GMT.
Final Rules Provide New Help with Drug Costs Improve Medicare Health Plans and Establish Options for Retirees
US activists to march on abortion - BBC Health News 24/01/05
Anti-abortion activists are to march in Washington amid speculation that a new Bush term and changes at the Supreme Court may boost their case for repeal.
How the fit and fabulous stay that way: Chimene 'Chemmy' Alcott - The Times 22/01/05
Britain's star skier Chimene 'Chemmy' Alcott, 22, has no fear of pain but is petrified of pigeons
We've worked it out - The Times 22/01/05
With health clubs out to woo new members, how can you tell which to join? Peta Bee finds the best deal for you
I'll take the Thai Road - The Times 22/01/05
Suzi Godson enjoys an oriental massage at the new Gleneagles spa and has a Jacuzzi by Scottish starlight
Eat well and enjoy tasty, comforting foods with these wheat-free recipes - The Times 22/01/05
Eat well and enjoy tasty, comforting foods with these wheat-free recipes
A new lease of life - The Times 22/01/05
Emma Jolly, 33, a marketing manager in London, tried giving up wheat for two weeks
How to cheat at eating: Wheat and gluten-free chocolate biscuits - The Times 22/01/05
SAINSBURY019S FREEFROM COCONUT & CHOCOLATE COOKIES Fat 6.1g per biscuit (20g Price 1.49 per 200g Verdict These biscuits, which are free from wheat and gluten, have more calories than a regular chocolate digestive, but they seem more indulgent 014 soft, crumbly and rich. The coconut makes the texture relatively heavy and the chocolate topping is thin. By weight they are the lowest-calorie of the three 014 their bigger size makes them the highest in calories 014 but they019re a satisfying wheat and gluten-free alternative biscuit. 103 calories
Hunting down the kitchen culprits - The Times 22/01/05
Is the wheat in your diet making you ill? Jane Clarke, The Times nutritionist, explains how you can find out
Wheat-watchers: going against the grain - The Times 22/01/05
From toast at breakfast to pasta for dinner, we eat more wheat than we think. So will the latest craze for cutting it out of your diet make you feel better? We examine the facts behind the fad
Teen food rebel is hard to take - The Times 22/01/05
My 16-year-old son has an appalling diet consisting of processed chicken, supernoodles, oven chips and toast. He drinks tea with five sugars and eats very little fruit or veg. When I refuse to get the food he prefers, he buys chips and sugary fizzy drinks with money provided by my ex-husband. My son appears to be in good health, but I am concerned about the long-term effects of his diet.
Mum, not veg again! - The Times 22/01/05
The Times nutritionist Jane Clarke has ten top tips for getting kids to eat healthily; and Dr Jane Collins, tackles bolshie teenagers' bad diets
Why we must consider some of the alternatives - The Times 22/01/05
Our columnist Dr Toby Murcott says a look at complementary therapies can only be good for all medicine
No, you are not dying - The Times 22/01/05
Bit of a headache? Fear the worst? Here's a guide to the most common complaints in my surgery and those that you should worry about, says this GP
Sex with Dr Thomas Stuttaford and Suzi Godson - The Times 22/01/05
I encourage my wife of 30 years to masturbate during sex as she finds it difficult to have an orgasm. She doesn't want to and claims she has never masturbated. Surely this must make her very closed to her sexual feelings? I feel selfish for reaching orgasm every time. How can I get her to open up more?
Moving on: Am I a lesbian? - The Times 22/01/05
I am in my mid-forties, happily single and have always found men attractive. Recently I have been finding myself more drawn to women. My last boyfriend was emotionally abusive and he affected my self-esteem considerably. This was six years ago and I think the experience has put me off getting involved with another man. During the last year I have been seeing an osteopath, a woman to whom I have become increasingly attracted. I would never do or say anything as she is happily married, but I always look forward to seeing her. I am terrified of revealing these feelings to my friends as they would be horrified. These feelings confuse me. Am I bisexual, or gay even?
Home neat home? - The Times 22/01/05
If you want to turn your space into a sanctuary, bin the lifestyle books
Marc Almond: Getting back out there - The Times 22/01/05
How a near-fatal accident has given the singer spiritual strength and a new positive outlook on life
Dr Copperfield: Inside the mind of a GP - The Times 22/01/05
The difference between a drug and a poison? The dose - it's not child's play
Need to know - The Times 22/01/05
Claim The secret of a glossy coat and bushy tail in old age? It's the same in dogs and humans, say researchers from California University.
Doing porridge - The Times 22/01/05
IS PORRIDGE the new sushi? In the week that a boom in consumption was revealed, with oats sales growing by 23 per cent, new figures show other encouraging trends in our early-morning eating. Though the market leaders in ready-to- eat cereals still include sugar-shrouded confections such as Frosties and Coco Pops, the general trend is that healthy eating options such as Weetabix, Special K and Shredded Wheat are on the way up at their expense.
Image problem - The Times 22/01/05
THE writing019s on the wall 014 or should that be the forearm? The announcement this week that the tattoo industry is getting organised to make itself more reputable surely spells the beginning of its imminent demise.
Analyse this: Celebrity Big Brother - The Times 22/01/05
VIEWERS may not have been surprised at the ejection of the racing pundit John McCririck from Celebrity Big Brother this week. But the true shock of the series must have been the introduction into the house of the former mother-in-law of one of the house guests, Brigitte Nielsen, once married to the actor Sylvester Stallone.
Confused issues - The Times 22/01/05
Stem cell research could soon give us a cure for Alzheimer's disease, right? Wrong, says The Times science correspondent
Don’t just lie there - The Times 22/01/05
IF YOU are planning a lazy weekend, David Kump has a word of advice: don't.
Waiting lists and NHS 'apathy' - The Times 22/01/05
Sir, As ever with such statistics the waiting list figures published by the healthcare research company, Dr Foster (report and leading article, January 15), hide the facts.
Levy won't solve problem, says drinks industry - The Times 22/01/05
THE drinks industry has furiously condemned the levy proposals which they say would fail to tackle the problem of drink-related disorder.
The American Council on Exercise (ACE) Endorses Government Regulation on Dietary Supplements - Medical News Today 24/01/05
Institute of Medicine Issues New Report Calling for More Reliable, Standardized Products - Recently, the Institute of Medicine, part of the National Academy of Science, issued a report urging Congress to require tougher standards for dietary supplements and their manufacturers
National Folic Acid Awareness Week January 24-30, USA - Medical News Today 24/01/05
The National Council on Folic Acid (NCFA) is launching National Folic Acid Awareness Week, January 24-30, 2005. The campaign, "Folic Acid: You Don't Know What You're Missing!" is supported by Wyeth Consumer Healthcare and others. It will focus on nutrition and overall health, alerting the public, especially women of childbearing years, to the importance of folic acid in their lives and its many lifelong benefits.
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Outcry over creation of GM smallpox virus - The Independent 23/01/05
Senior scientific advisers to the World Health Organisation (WHO) have recommended the creation of a genetically modified version of the smallpox virus to counter any threat of a bioterrorist attack.
24-hour drinking: ministers shun pubs levy - The Independent 22/01/05
Ministers have stopped short of a compulsory up-front levy on pubs and clubs under the new 24-hour licensing plans, it was announced today.
Town haunted by memory of young Harold Shipman - The Independent 22/01/05
"Dick Gardener," said the man at the bar of the Church Tavern in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, after a 10-minute struggle to call to mind the name of a long-dead acquaintance. "Went in for a routine operation in late '71, beginning of '72 and never came out. Big, strapping, fit miner he were. Working down Ackton Hall pit one minute; then dead at 50 the next. Seemed like a funny business."
Football stadium ban gives smokers the blues over ban - The Independent 22/01/05
Goodison Park, the home of Everton FC, may become Britain's first smoke-free football stadium after the club announced yesterday that it was about to ban pre-match smoking in its 11 restaurants and hinted that a complete ban may follow.
How to survive Misery Monday - The Independent 22/01/05
A Cardiff University academic has pinpointed this Monday - 24 January - as the most depressing day of the year: a dark cocktail of foul weather, failed resolutions and overdue Christmas bills. But it doesn't have to be like that. From hot toffee to cold walks, our pundits suggest ways to put a smile on your face
Demand for IVF treatment among older women soars - The Independent 22/01/05
Demand for fertility treatment from older men and women is rising rapidly as more couples postpone childbearing, specialists said yesterday.
Zest for life - The Independent 23/01/05
Discover the health secrets of Britain's fit and famous
Your guide to health supplements - The Independent 23/01/05
What is it? The main active ingredient is curcumin, widely claimed to work as an antioxidant and anti inflammatory, to improve memory and to help prevent Alzheimer's.
Room for improvement - The Independent 23/01/05
Make the most of your couch-potato leanings with Tania Alexander's guide to the top 10 ways to get fit and healthy without having to leave the house
They Want Your Body - The Independent 23/01/05
Fads, fashions - and falls from grace - dominate the world of health and fitness. Overnight, a charismatic expert can appear in every star's address book and on every chat-show couch. So, who are today's wellbeing gurus vying to attend to your bodily needs? From herbalists to yoga instructors, nutritionists to plastic surgeons, we meet Britain's hottest healers - and make them hand over their trade secrets
Record number of families in temporary housing - The Independent 23/01/05
With record numbers of families housed in temporary accommodation, up to 300,000 children are enduring a "terrible start in life", missing out on essential schooling and medical care, the country's leading authority on child welfare warns today.
Meet the 'silver sniffers': the pensionables snorting and smoking the unmentionables - The Independent 23/01/05
Escalating use of pills and powders will no longer be confined to the young. Sophie Goodchild reports on the coming drug age
They work too hard and drink too much. Why today's woman is more like a man - The Independent 23/01/05
New research into modern lifestyles shows that the gender gap is closing in some surprising ways...
Vitamin users in last-ditch bid to stop ban on supplements - The Independent 23/01/05
Consumers and producers of popular vitamin and mineral supplements used by thousands every day will this week make a last-ditch attempt to prevent a European Union directive from banning them.
Bat spit drug firm goes to market - BBC Health News 24/01/05
A German firm whose main product is derived from the saliva of the vampire bat is looking to raise more than 70m euros ($91m; Sterling 49m) on the stock market.
Ministers plan for flu pandemic - BBC Health News 24/01/05
Football matches and pop concerts may be banned and people confined to their homes if there is a flu pandemic.
'Talk helps babies read' claim - BBC Health News 24/01/05
Parents are being encouraged to talk to their children from an early age as part of a new campaign.
Viagra could treat failing hearts - BBC Health News 24/01/05
The anti-impotence drug Viagra could be a good treatment for heart failure, US researchers believe.
'My face swelled like a balloon' - BBC Health News 24/01/05
Medical science has come a long way in the 100 years since hormones were named and discovered.
'People think I've drunk too much' - BBC Health News 23/01/05
Kids standing on street corners shout out 'drunk' as Dean Harding walks by and bouncers often stop him going into their clubs because they worry that the 27-year-old has had too much to drink.
'Right to life' parents to appeal - BBC Health News 24/01/05
The parents of a seriously-ill baby are to appeal against a High Court decision which gave doctors the right not to resuscitate her if she stops breathing.
Autism centre 'shows way forward' - BBC Health News 24/01/05
A ground-breaking resource centre to help people with autism has been opened in Glasgow.
The man who swears by breast milk - BBC Health News 23/01/05
A 59-year-old American has been drinking breast milk for the past four years in a bid to fight cancer.
Clark's doctor denies misconduct - BBC Health News 24/01/05
A doctor who gave evidence in the case of Sally Clark, wrongfully convicted of murdering her two baby sons, has appeared before the GMC.
Cosmetic surgery popularity surge - BBC Health News 24/01/05
There has been a big increase in the number of people undergoing cosmetic plastic surgery.
Disabled people 'treatment fears' - BBC Health News 23/01/05
People with learning disabilities and their families are being asked for their experiences of the NHS treatment.
Doctors asked for pension views - BBC Health News 24/01/05
Scottish doctors are being asked for their response to new health service pension scheme proposals.
Obesity sabotages prostate test - BBC Health News 24/01/05
Obesity may affect the accuracy of a screening test for prostate cancer, research suggests.
Scan to reveal brain disease clue - BBC Health News 23/01/05
A high resolution x-ray scanning technique can look inside a single brain tissue cell.
Wetherspoon pubs to ban smoking - BBC Health News 24/01/05
Rated 3 in National and International News on Jan 24, 2005 at 13:45:05 GMT.
JD Wetherspoon is to ban smoking in all its 650 pubs by May 2006 amid fears smoky pubs are deterring customers.
Vioxx and Celebrex widely over-used long before recent problems, study shows - Medical News Today 22/01/05
Even before making the connection between drugs such as Vioxx and heart attacks, many doctors were becoming concerned that the heavily advertised drugs known as COX-2 inhibitors were being over-used, often by patients unlikely to benefit from this costly but innovative pharmaceutical class.
Timing is everything: First step in protein building revealed - Medical News Today 22/01/05
Timing is everything, it seems, even in science. A team led by Johns Hopkins scientists has unraveled the first step in translating genetic information in order to build a protein, only to find that it's not one step but two.
Technology that could double the effectiveness of cancer drugs studied at Yale - Medical News Today 22/01/05
To identify the best treatment for recurrent ovarian cancer, researchers at Yale School of Medicine are studying a technology called the Yale apoptosis assay in combination with another technology called the ChemoFX assay, which could double the response rate to existing drugs.
Statement on CMS Release of Final Regulations on Medicare Drug Benefit - Medical News Today 23/01/05
Below is a statement from Robert M. Hayes, president of the Medicare Rights Center, regarding the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) release of final regulations to implement the 2006 Medicare Drug Benefit.
Smoking by Nurses Can Create Workplace Issues that Must be Addressed - Medical News Today 23/01/05
Smoking by nurses can create workplace problems that must be addressed by health care systems to promote better interactions between nurses and their patients and reduce dissension among staff, according to a first-of-its-kind study by researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center.
Smallpox Vaccine Risks, say Allergists - Medical News Today 23/01/05
The live-virus smallpox vaccine may pose a risk for individuals taking high-dose corticosteroids, and those with certain skin disorders or who are immunosuppressed, according to a report published in this month's Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).
Simpler Alphabet Guidelines for Treating Acute Coronary Syndrome Reduce Risk - Medical News Today 23/01/05
A simplified approach to the management of patients with an acute coronary syndrome (chest pain at rest or with mild exertion) can help ensure that precise risk-reducing strategies are followed to the letter by doctors and other caregivers of patients with this medical condition, according to a study by Johns Hopkins researchers.
Severity of liver disease not a reliable indicator of quality of life - Medical News Today 22/01/05
A new study on the determination of how livers are allocated for transplants examined the relationship between liver disease severity and quality of life, and found that the commonly used model for liver allocation is not a reliable indicator of general quality of life.
Revolutionary new medical treatments: International effort to steer around obstacles - Medical News Today 22/01/05
Major developments in biotech, genomics and stem cell research now offer exciting and far-reaching new opportunities for health care in conditions ranging from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease to genetic disorders. However the very pharmaceutical companies who could otherwise be expected to bring the relevant treatments to the market place are facing disturbingly turbulent conditions in their relations with policy makers, regulators and members of the public.
Rebuilding wounded veterans: Annual review of limb loss & prosthetics research - Medical News Today 22/01/05
The Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development (JRRD) has compiled a compendium of articles describing advances in limb loss and prosthetics research published in 2004. This research provides state-of-the-science knowledge, evidence-based rehabilitation practices, techniques, and devices that enable veterans and others with limb loss to improve their health outcomes, to participate in sports and leisure activities, and to perform the mundane activities of daily-living able-bodied people take for granted.
Protein in Fly Saliva Speeds Healing of Incisions, Wounds - Medical News Today 23/01/05
Auburn University researchers investigating ways to control tiny, blood-thirsty black flies have discovered a protein in the flies' saliva that speeds the healing of surgical incisions and have been awarded a U.S. patent on the technology.
Premenstrual Syndrome Carries High Costs for Employers - Medical News Today 23/01/05
The presence of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in female workers is associated with sharply increased costs to employers-mainly related to the indirect costs of missed work time and reduced productivity, reports a study in the January Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, official publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM).
Possible fault in OptiPen Pro-1 for diabetics, UK - Medical News Today 23/01/05
The MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency) have issued an alert about possible problems with the Aventis OptiPen Pro-1.
Pharmacist review does not keep older people out of hospital, UK - Medical News Today 21/01/05
The NHS recommends regular medication reviews for older patients, yet a study published on bmj.com today finds that home based monitoring does not keep older people out of hospital.
New method to fix cleft palate shows promise in Mayo Clinic lab study - Medical News Today 23/01/05
Results from a Mayo Clinic laboratory study in animals suggest that using distraction osteogenesis, a procedure that uses the mechanical force of an appliance to lengthen soft tissue and bone, may be a feasible and effective method to repair cleft palate in the future. Cleft palate is a common birth defect in which a child is born with a gap in the roof of the mouth. This condition occurs in one out of 700 to 1,000 births in the United States.
Mouthwash Kit Helps Gene Study Recruit Patients Nationally - Medical News Today 23/01/05
Researchers at Montefiore Medical Center are recruiting patients for a national study to find out the possible genetic causes of hyperhidrosis, or sweaty palms, a condition that affects 1 in 500 persons. Patients with hyperhidrosis experience excessive sweating from their palms and soles.
Moderate female drinkers less likely to have Alzheimer's later on - Medical News Today 21/01/05
Older women who drink a moderate amount of alcohol each day may be helping to keep their minds sharp, according to researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and colleagues.
Mental health crisis looming for tsunami survivors, warns psychologist just back from Indonesia - Medical News Today 23/01/05
As the death toll from the Dec. 26 earthquake and tsunami climbed above 200,000, a University of Washington psychologist who just returned from Indonesia warned of a new danger among the survivors - a mental health crisis.
Maternal Depression Linked to Low Birth Weights in Newborns, Study - Medical News Today 23/01/05
Depressed pregnant women may be more likely to have babies with low birth weights, according to a new study co-authored by Karen Conway, professor of economics at the University of New Hampshire Whittemore School of Business and Economics.
Takara Bio, Konica Minolta to Co-develop Compact Chlamydia Testing System - Medical News Today 24/01/05
Takara Bio (TSE: 4974) and Konica Minolta (TSE: 4902) have jointly announced that they have agreed to co-develop an inspection system targeting chlamydia.
Staying Warm in the Winter Can Be a Matter of Life and Death for Elderly - Medical News Today 24/01/05
In the spring of 2003, a 76-year-old Vermont man with Alzheimer's disease strayed from his home. Overnight, the temperature dropped to 32 degrees. The next day a farmer found him lying dead in a swampy area, the victim of hypothermia precipitated by a cold, wet environment. Older people in poorly heated homes sometimes suffer hypothermia, a preventable condition.
Significant Differences In MS Between African And Caucasian Americans, Study - Medical News Today 24/01/05
A study, supported in part by the National MS Society, comparing the clinical characteristics of MS in African Americans and Caucasian Americans found significant differences between these two groups.
NIAID Begins Enrolling Volunteers for Novel HIV Vaccine Study - Medical News Today 24/01/05
A large clinical trial of a novel HIV vaccine has begun enrolling volunteers at sites in North America, South America, the Caribbean and Australia. Organizers are seeking 1,500 participants.
Latest News on Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia - The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Medical News Today 24/01/05
Michael J Mauro, M D, an expert on leukemia, will discuss novel treatment approaches for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in a free telephone workshop entitled Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia - Update from the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting. The program is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 3, 2005, 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. E
Heavy middle-aged and elderly smokers have higher suicides rates - Medical News Today 24/01/05
If you are male, middle-aged or elderly, and smoke a lot, you are much more likely to commit suicide, say Japanese researchers.
Viagra (Sildenafil) effectively treats enlarged hearts, mouse study shows - Medical News Today 24/01/05
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have found that sildenafil citrate (Viagra), a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in millions of men, effectively treats enlarged hearts in mice, stopping further muscle growth from occurring and reversing existing growth, including the cellular and functional damage it created.
Vaginal hysterectomy leads to better outcomes than abdominal surgery - Medical News Today 24/01/05
A review of recent studies concludes that surgeons should perform vaginal rather than abdominal hysterectomies whenever possible in order to cut down on complications and the length of hospital stays.
Study finds no evidence of a 'cancer personality' - Medical News Today 24/01/05
There is no association between two specific personality traits - neuroticism and extroversion - and cancer, according to a new study, one of the largest prospective twin studies to examine this issue. The study, published in the March 1, 2005 issue of CANCER (interscience.wiley.com/cancer-newsroom), a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, also finds no evidence that personality traits indirectly lead to cancer through behavioral factors, such as smoking.
Steroids increase death risk from traumatic head injury - Medical News Today 24/01/05
The common use of anti-inflammatory steroids for traumatic head injuries like those from car crashes may actually increase the risk of death, according to a new review of studies about the treatment.
Hypertension risk in African-Americans linked to genetics, Stanford study - Medical News Today 24/01/05
National health records have shown that African-Americans are more prone to high blood pressure than Caucasians, but pinning down the roots of that difference has proven elusive. Now, researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have narrowed down the search for genes that contribute to this difference in disease risk.
Healthy seniors with 'Alzheimer's gene' find it harder to 'remember to remember' - Medical News Today 24/01/05
Study finds surprisingly strong impact of genetic variation - Carrying the higher-risk genotype for Alzheimer's disease appears to render even healthy older people subject to major problems with prospective memory, the ability to remember what to do in the future. For the group studied, this could affect important behaviors such as remembering to take medicine at a certain time or getting to a doctor's appointment. The research appears in the January issue of Neuropsychology, which is published by the American Psychological Association.
Current human embryonic stem cell lines contaminated, UCSD/Salk team finds - Medical News Today 24/01/05
Currently available lines of human embryonic stem cells have been contaminated with a non-human molecule that compromises their potential therapeutic use in human subjects, according to research by investigators at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine and the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California.
Changing the timing of cancer vaccines - Medical News Today 24/01/05
A molecule specially modified by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine can reset the biological clock for cancer vaccines, potentially making them more potent.
Vitamin C Foundation to Offer Best Vitamin C - Medical News Today 24/01/05
The Vitamin C Foundation asserts that contrary to marketing claims, one form of vitamin C is best taken by mouth. Individuals may now purchase superior vitamin C from the not-for-profit Vitamin C Foundation. Proceeds from sales fund vitamin C research.
Study naming hospitals in top 5% for clinical quality released by HealthGrades, USA - Medical News Today 24/01/05
Patients in highest-quality hospitals have 12-20% better survival rates for common procedures and diagnoses - A new study naming hospitals in the top five percent in the nation in clinical quality is being released today by HealthGrades, the independent healthcare quality organization. The hospitals - 229 out of nearly 5,000 - were ranked at the top of the list based on the death and complication rates of Medicare patients in 28 common procedures and diagnoses, from hip replacement to bypass surgery, over the years 2001, 2002 and 2003.
Org 24448 Selected To Test Efficacy In Treatment Of Cognitive Dysfunction In Schizophrenia, Organon - Medical News Today 24/01/05
The Netherlands - The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) sponsored network called Treatment Units for Research on Neurocognition in Schizophrenia (TURNS) has selected Organon's compound, Org 24448, to undergo testing as part of its effort to facilitate the development of medications to enhance cognition in patients with schizophrenia. Org 24448 is an ampakine that intensifies the action of the AMPA type glutamate receptors in the brain, which may in turn influence cognitive functions such as thinking, attention, and memory. Org 24448 is currently in phase II of development for the treatment of schizophrenia both as a single treatment and in combination with other medications.
Obesity may affect accuracy of prostate screening - Medical News Today 24/01/05
Researchers say obesity is associated with lower prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels in men, making the screening test likely to produce unreliable results in this population. The full study is published in the March 1, 2005 issue of CANCER (interscience.wiley.com/cancer-newsroom), a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society
Early seizures after epilepsy surgery predict more seizures - Medical News Today 24/01/05
The prevailing medical understanding of seizures in the weeks just after epilepsy surgery is that they are likely to be temporary, probably due to swelling or minor trauma suffered by the brain during the operation.
Consultation on NHS Pension Scheme Review opens in Scotland - Medical News Today 24/01/05
Consultation on the NHS Pension Scheme Review for Scotland starts today (24 January 2005) with the publication of the long awaited consultation document. The BMA will be collecting the views of doctors in Scotland to feed into its formal response. A parallel consultation on the planned changes is already underway in England and Wales. Historically, the NHS Pension Scheme has mirrored that of England and Wales to reflect the wider UK Government pensions policy. Any distinctive Scottish issues will, however, be considered in the review.
Concern Whether New Labour Scheme Can Tackle Long Waits for Treatment, Wales - Medical News Today 24/01/05
Speaking ahead of the Assembly's debate scheduled for Wednesday on the Second Offer Scheme, Plaid Cymru's Shadow Health Minister, Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM today expressed his concerns on the ability of the scheme in tackling the long waiting times seen in Wales.
Paracetamol may be better for osteoarthritis pain than anti-inflammatories - Medical News Today 24/01/05
According to researchers at Queensland University, Australia, paracetamol might be better for patients with osteoarthritis (who suffer chronic pain) than anti-inflammataries.
New data for Pulmicort strengthens existing evidence for early intervention in asthma - Medical News Today 24/01/05
Lund, Sweden, January 24, 2004: New results from the START study1 are published today in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, revealing three-year safety outcome data for Pulmicort (budesonide). These data further reinforce previous findings that Pulmicort in low doses is well tolerated in long term treatment of asthma in both adults and children.
Most medical errors are made at the beginning of the month - Medical News Today 24/01/05
Deaths due to prescription drug errors are 25% higher during the first week of each month when compared to the last week of each month, say US researchers. They say that pharmacies are much busier at the beginning of each month, this rise in prescription demand could be partly to blame for the rise in errors.
Ethnicity a factor in hospital risk - Medical News Today 24/01/05
South Asian people and black people are more at risk of needing emergency care for asthma than white people, according to new research funded by Asthma UK.
Asthma management should include quitting smoking, say researchers - Medical News Today 24/01/05
Smoking cigarettes is particularly detrimental to the long-term lung health of people with asthma, say researchers, and asthma management strategies should involve trying to persuade smokers with asthma to kick the habit.
229 passengers fall ill on cruise ship - Medical News Today 23/01/05
229 passengers and 18 crew members came down with a stomach virus (Norovirus) while on board 'The Mariner of the Seas', which was cruising in the Caribbean. A spokesman for Royal Caribbean, the company that owns the ship, said all the patients are responding well to OTC drugs.
American Academy of Microbiology report proposes initiative to interpret genome data - Medical News Today 21/01/05
While large-scale genomic sequencing technologies over the past decade have given scientists databases filled with the complete genomes of hundreds of organisms, not enough is being done to interpret all that data by assigning functions to sequenced genes (annotation), according to a report released today by the American Academy of Microbiology. An Experimental Approach to Genome Annotation proposes a new initiative to help address this challenge.
Anti-Bacterial Additive Widespread In US Waterways - Medical News Today 21/01/05
Many rivers and streams in the United States are believed to contain a toxic antimicrobial chemical whose environmental fate was never thoroughly scrutinized despite large scale production and usage for almost half a century, according to an analysis conducted by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The chemical, triclocarban, has been widely used for decades in hand soaps and other cleaning products, but rarely was monitored for or detected in the environment. The new findings suggest that triclocarban contamination is greatly underreported. The study is published in the current online edition of Environmental Science & Technology, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Chemical Society.
Babies still abandoned in Romanian hospitals, says UNICEF - Medical News Today 21/01/05
As new child rights legislation enters into force in Romania, a report finds that babies are just as likely to be abandoned in the country's maternity and pediatric hospitals as they were three decades ago.
Businesses worldwide wait for rampant epidemic before addressing HIV/AIDS - Medical News Today 21/01/05
Businesses rarely draw up written policies to tackle HIV/AIDS until 20% of the country's population is infected, according to a global survey on the impact of the disease on business. The findings come from the Business and HIV/AIDS: Commitment and Action? report, jointly published today by the Global Health Initiative (GHI) of the World Economic Forum, Harvard School of Public Health and UNAIDS, after a survey of almost 9,000 business leaders in 104 countries.
Childcare provision is not geared to realities of modern working life - Medical News Today 22/01/05
For most of the growing number of women who go out to work, organising childcare for young children is a highly complicated process in which the slightest disruption is likely to cause a crisis, according to new research sponsored by the ESRC.
Colon Cancer Test Fails - Medical News Today 23/01/05
A common screening test for colon cancer fails 75 - 95 percent of the time. That's the finding about the digital fecal occult blood test published last week in the Annals of Internal Medicine. UAB gastroenterologist, Christopher Truss, M.D., said, 01CSome cancers of the colon bleed every day, but some bleed only once every two weeks. The ability to catch a specimen is somewhat random.01D So what is the most effective way to screen? 01CColonscopy examines the rectum and colon directly - it's like looking at a hand: You can see the wart instead of waiting for it to bleed, so you know it's there.
CPR Performance Does Not Follow Guidelines - Medical News Today 23/01/05
New research indicates that CPR performed outside the hospital and in the hospital often does not meet or adhere to standard guidelines, according to 2 studies in the January 19 issue of JAMA.
DNA molecules used to assemble nanoparticles - Medical News Today 22/01/05
University of Michigan researchers have developed a faster, more efficient way to produce a wide variety of nanoparticle drug delivery systems, using DNA molecules to bind the particles together.
Evolution of classical polyandry: three steps to female emancipation - Medical News Today 22/01/05
Females on top: Three Steps to Emancipation Classical polyandry occurs when a female breeds with several males who will raise their offspring alone. New research suggests that three evolutionary steps are crucial for this type of mating system with reversed sex roles to develop.
FDA delays decision on OTC emergency contraceptive, Plan B - Medical News Today 22/01/05
Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc confirmed that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has informed the Company that it is unable to complete its review of the Company's Supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) to market the Plan B(R) (levonorgestrel) emergency contraceptive Over-The-Counter (OTC) by the January 21st Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date. The FDA also indicated to the Company that it is committed to completing its review of the application in the near future. The Company remains optimistic that the agency will approve Plan B for OTC sale. Plan B continues to be available to American consumers by prescription.
Helping Children Lose Weight - Medical News Today 23/01/05
Losing weight and eating healthier are common New Year's resolutions for millions of Americans each year, but it's not just adults who need to shed a few pounds.
Herbal Supplements Don't Mix with Surgery - Medical News Today 23/01/05
Many Americans take herbal supplements to boost their health, but they may not realize that continuing to do so prior to surgery could have life-threatening results.
Human Papillomaviruse Vaccine Not Far Off - Medical News Today 23/01/05
As more and more promising results of clinical trials on vaccination against human papillomaviruses are published, the more likely it becomes that an HPV vaccine will be the first licensed immunization against a sexually transmitted disease.
Illness can make BSE prions appear in more organs than originally thought - Medical News Today 23/01/05
Prions that transmit BSE (mad cow disease) can appear in more organs than were originally thought if the infected animal has an inflammatory disease. Scientists have thought that prions would only appear in the brain, spinal cord, spleen and lymph tissue of an infected animal - meaning, even if you eat some other part of that animal you will never develop the human vCJD.
Information cure for sickness absence - Medical News Today 22/01/05
New survey results released January 18th indicate that employers who give their workers more health information may see a decrease in sickness absence with nearly two thirds of people (64%) agreeing that if they had more information about managing common ailments they would be less likely to take time off work.
Invasive procedures don't necessarily improve survival for heart patients - Medical News Today 21/01/05
Invasive procedures, often given to patients as soon as they are admitted to hospital with a life-threatening heart condition, do not necessarily improve survival, finds a study published on bmj.com today.
Lung cancer among women drops 2 per cent since 1998 in America - Medical News Today 23/01/05
Over the last seven years rates of lung cancer among American women has dropped 2%. Death rates among female lung cancer patients have stopped rising, says a report.
Bird Flu Likely Jumped Between Humans Last Year - Reuters 24/01/05
A fatally ill Thai girl probably spread deadly bird flu to her relatives last year in what would mark the first documented case of human-to-human transmission of the feared virus, medical investigators said on Monday.
Impotence Drug May Reduce Heart Failure-Study - Reuters 24/01/05
The impotence drug Viagra may also help prevent the abnormal growth of the heart seen in some types of heart disease, researchers reported on Sunday.
FDA Delays Nonprescription Morning-After Pill Rule - Reuters 22/01/05
U.S. regulators on Friday delayed a decision on whether to approve over-the-counter sales of a Barr Pharmaceuticals "morning-after pill" to prevent pregnancy, prompting a lawsuit from a women's rights group.
Bush to Boost AIDS Funds; Critics Say More Needed - Reuters 21/01/05
President Bush will propose $3.2 billion for next year to combat the spread of AIDS globally, one of the few increases in what is expected to be a tight foreign aid budget, administration and congressional sources said on Friday.
Vioxx, Celebrex Were Overprescribed, Study Says - Reuters 21/01/05
The two popular painkillers Vioxx and Celebrex, heavily marketed as "super-aspirin," were prescribed for millions of patients who did not need them or should not have taken them, researchers said on Friday.
Managed Health-Care Execs Bullish on 2005 -Survey - Reuters 21/01/05
The tides are turning in the health care industry, with managed care executives becoming bullish about growth in 2005, while pharmaceutical executives are rattled, a new survey shows.
Stuttering Kids Need Help to Cope with Bullying - Reuters 21/01/05
Parents and teachers need to do more to help kids who stutter deal with any bullying or teasing, according to a speech pathologist.
New Treatment Promising for Cystic Fibrosis - Reuters 21/01/05
Inhaling a compound that is normally produced in the lungs but is lacking in people with cystic fibrosis seems to be helpful for such patients, results of a pilot study indicate.
'Morning After' Treatment Advised to Prevent AIDS - Reuters 21/01/05
A "morning after" treatment for the AIDS virus can help prevent infection after a rape, contact with a contaminated needle or even a night of passion without a condom, U.S. health officials said on Thursday.
Robust DNA Repair May Lower Breast Cancer Risk - Reuters 21/01/05
The innate capacity to repair damaged DNA seems to affect a woman's chance of developing breast cancer. Deficient DNA repair appears to triple the risk of breast cancer, researchers have found.
US policy shift on Aids drugs use - BBC Health News 22/01/05
The US health authorities have recommended that wider use should be made in the US of anti-retroviral drugs to help prevent the spread of Aids.
Plant diets can ward off cancer - BBC Health News 22/01/05
Eating lots of fruit and vegetables and limited amounts of red meat and sugary foods is the way to protect against cancer, say researchers.
Peanuts rich in 'good chemicals' - BBC Health News 21/01/05
Peanuts, often derided as unhealthy party food, contain the same amount of beneficial chemicals as strawberries, researchers have found.
Dutch told of child euthanasia - BBC Health News 23/01/05
Dutch doctors have reported 22 mercy killings of terminally ill babies since 1997, according to a new study.
Ban stubs out Italy tobacco sales - BBC Health News 22/01/05
A ban on public smoking, introduced less than two weeks ago, is already starting to have a dramatic effect on Italian cigarette sales.
Alzheimer brain damage 'reversed' - BBC Health News 22/01/05
Scientists have reversed the damage caused to the brain by Alzheimer's disease during tests on mice.
Cheshire and Mersey News
Hi-tech school whiteboards spark fears over eyesight - Daily Post 24/01/05
PARENT teacher groups yesterday called for better guidelines for electronic whiteboards, following the news that the hi-tech equipment could damage eyesight.
Widow's hope for assisted suicide fight - Liverpool Echo 21/01/05
Rated 3 in Cheshire and Merseyside on Jan 24, 2005 at 23:28:59 GMT.
MERSEYSIDE widow Win Crew said today she had no regrets over her long battle in favour of assisted suicide.
Hospital to be sued over wife's suicide - Daily Post 21/01/05
A GERMAN diplomat whose wife killed herself by jumping in front of a train last night vowed to take legal action against the privatelyrun hospital treating her for a mental illness.
Goodison on course to be smoke-free stadium - Daily Post 21/01/05
THE first steps have been taken to make Goodison Park the UK's first completely smoke-free football stadium.
330 bill caused my dad's stroke - Liverpool Echo 21/01/05
A PENSIONER collapsed with a stroke 48 hours after a plumber charged him £330 for changing the flusher mechanism in his toilet.
Scandal of care low pay - Liverpool Echo 24/01/05
Rated 3 in Cheshire and Merseyside on Jan 24, 2005 at 23:16:58 GMT.
CARERS on Merseyside are being paid up to £2 an hour less than cleaners and kitchen assistants.
Experts warn of diabetes danger - Liverpool Echo 24/01/05
THOUSANDS of people on Merseyside could be suffering from diabetes and not know it.
We're in this together - Liverpool Echo 24/01/05
Rated 3 in Cheshire and Merseyside on Jan 24, 2005 at 23:11:02 GMT.
QUITTING smoking is difficult at the best of times - but what if your partner quits at the same time?
Plan for red light zone a step nearer - Daily Post 24/01/05
Rated 3 in Cheshire and Merseyside on Jan 24, 2005 at 23:08:37 GMT.
THE prospect of legalised prostitution in Liverpool is expected to take a major step forward this week.
City's smoking ban hits election snag - Liverpool Echo 24/01/05
A BAN on smoking in all public buildings in Liverpool looks set to collapse because of government inaction.
Cumbria and Lancashire News
Hospital staff are angels - Lancashire Evening Telegraph 21/01/04
I RECENTLY required minor surgery at the pain management unit, Ward 12, Blackburn Royal Infirmary.
Greater Manchester News
Set-back for anti-fluoride campaigners - Bolton Evening News 21/01/04
CAMPAIGNERS opposed to the addition of fluoride to local drinking water supplies have been told they can expect no help from Europe.
Macmillan campaign - Bolton Evening News 21/01/04
A CANCER charity has launched a new campaign to highlight the financial problems affecting people suffering from the disease.
Hospital targets are off the mark - Bolton Evening News 21/01/04
IT was encouraging to note that Ruth Kelly MP has visited the Royal Bolton Hospital, but her remarks that the hospital is proof that Government targets are working are unhelpful in solving the problems at the hospital.
Round the clock drink is nothing new - Bolton Evening News 21/01/04
WITH reference to the current debate raging over the proposal of the 24-hour availability of alcohol, while I agree with S M Holstead (Letters) that drunken fighting in the street, under-age drinking and the abuse of police and hospital staff by drunken louts is unacceptable, I don't think that the 24-hour availability of alcohol is going to have much effect on these situations in the long term.
Healthcare oppurtunites in roadshows - Bolton Evening News 22/01/04
STUDENT nurses will be finding out about new ways of learning next week.
Anil death: Accussed is set to give evidence - Bolton Evening News 22/01/04
CHILDMINDER Rebecca Wilson, who is accused of shaking a baby boy to death, is due to start giving her evidence on Monday.
Cancer op man's message of hope - Bolton Evening News 22/01/04
CANCER patient Bob Norburn, who challenged Bolton Primary Care Trust's refusal to pay for life-saving treatment, is hoping his case will relieve other people's misery.
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