Vaccine for deadly ant sting
• Allergies • May 24 04
People allergic to ant stings can be immunised against potentially fatal reactions, researchers have found.
The jack jumper ant is responsible for around 90%…
Tailored obesity treatments possible
• Obesity • May 24 04
Different genetic causes for obesity have been identified, raising the possibility of tailored treatments for patients.
US researchers found different genes were responsible for…
HK doctors ‘identify killer disease’
• Respiratory Problems • May 24 04
Scientists in Hong Kong have claimed a key breakthrough against a virulent form of pneumonia which is claiming more victims around the world.
The…
Alcohol increases HIV risk
• AIDS/HIV • May 24 04
Alcohol abuse may increase susceptibility to HIV infection, researchers have found.
The findings could be particularly significant as there is evidence that alcohol abuse…
Changing Lifestyle May Help to Combat Cancer
• Cancer • May 24 04
A new report says changing lifestyles can be a major factor in preventing deaths from cancer.
The Institute of Medicine says that quitting smoking,…
Asthma patients help each other
• Asthma • May 24 04
Asthma patients are going to be guided by others with the disease on how best to manage their illness.
A study will monitor how…
Drug abuse effects linger
• Drug Abuse • May 24 04
Cocaine and amphetamine drug users struggle with the residual effects for up to a year after going cold turkey, research suggests.
Previous studies have…
Human tests of anthrax vaccine planned
• Drug Abuse • May 24 04
A San Diego biotechnology firm said it hopes to begin human testing of its experimental anthrax vaccine by the year’s end.
Several companies and…
‘Missing eye’ gene found
• Eye / Vision Problems • May 24 04
Mutations in a particular gene may be the cause of a devastating condition that leads to babies being born without eyes.
Bilateral Anophthalmia is…
Ops best for heart patients
• Heart • May 24 04
An operation offers heart attack victims a better prognosis than drug treatment, researchers have found.
A review of studies carried out in the area…
Eye care ‘varies widely’
• Eye / Vision Problems • May 24 04
Only a tiny fraction on patients needing appointments with eye specialists get them within a month, a survey suggests.
The Patients’ Association, which carried…
New hope for Aids vaccine
• AIDS/HIV • May 24 04
A US biotechnology company has been giving details of a vaccine against Aids, which it hopes could be available by 2005, to delegates attending…
Surgeons hail blindness cure
• Eye / Vision Problems • May 24 04
A pioneering operation has restored the sight of a 70-year-old man and could be a cure for the commonest form of blindness in the…
Parents to sue over epilepsy row
• Epilepsy • May 24 04
More than 200 families are planning legal action against Leicester Royal Infirmary after children were wrongly diagnosed with epilepsy.
An investigation has already shown…
Epilepsy errors ‘affected’ 1,500 children
• Epilepsy • May 24 04
Up to 1,500 children may have legitimate compensation claims following an epilepsy misdiagnosis scandal, their solicitor has claimed.
BBC News Online has learned that…
‘Epilepsy’ children wait for answers
• Epilepsy • May 24 04
Checks into the work of an epilepsy doctor accused of misdiagnosing children are moving too slowly, say parents. Annabelle Appleyard of Market Harborough, Leicestershire,…
Tumour diary: A Happy time
• Brain • May 24 04
BBC News Online science and technology writer Ivan Noble was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour last August.
Since then he has been sharing…
CJD cases ‘in decline’
• Psychiatry / Psychology • May 24 04
The worst of human BSE infection may be over, according to scientists monitoring vCJD.
The National CJD Surveillance Unit said the number of people…
Ј1m boost for epilepsy care
• Psychiatry / Psychology • May 24 04
Over a million pounds will be invested in epilepsy care over the next two years, the government has announced.
The investment is part of…
Zebrafish clue to cancer
• Food & Nutrition • May 24 04
Scientists hope that the zebrafish may help them to develop new treatments for cancer.
At first sight the tiny fish may seem to have…
Cancer patients ‘not told enough’
• Cancer • May 24 04
Half of breast cancer patients are given “incomplete or incomprehensible” information about their disease, researchers have found.
The study of 1,000 women also found…
Safe birth hope for refugees
• Childbirth • May 24 04
Baby Carolina was wrapped in swaddling clothes in a room heated by one electric bar when charity workers first saw her in one of…
Hospital hygiene ‘improving’
• Drug News • May 24 04
NHS hospitals are cleaner and are serving patients better food, ministers have claimed.
Figures released by the Department of Health suggest 60% of hospitals…
Radiation link to cancer explained
• Cancer • May 24 04
Scientists are a step closer to discovering why radiation causes cancer.
They have identified a molecule which appears to play a crucial role in…
Death by Denial Living with AIDS
• AIDS/HIV • May 24 04
HIV-related fear has led society to deny the presence of this deadly virus that sits at our doorstep. This, despite the collective risk we…