Health News Today

Nine areas have been given the go-ahead to become "healthy towns" under a plan by ministers to combat obesity. »»»

Scientists have shown a technique to screen IVF embryos can double the chances of pregnancy for some women. »»»

Cells have been successfully engineered in the laboratory to overcome one of HIV's most effective defence mechanisms, say researchers. »»»

An analysis of former Prime Minister Harold Wilson's speeches suggests he may have had early Alzheimer's disease while still in office. »»»

The risks of opting for an untested remedy »»»

Lesotho villagers tell of daily HIV struggle »»»

Can a recovering alcoholic enjoy the occasional drink? »»»

A comprehensive guide to clinical conditions »»»

Leading medical experts warn patients against using untested remedies advertised on the internet which, they say, sell "false hope". »»»

Medical staff in Hull failed to act properly when dealing with a difficult birth, health officials admit. »»»

Services at Birmingham Children's Hospital are being investigated after consultants raise concerns. »»»

A group of MPs calls for an end to cut-price alcohol to help reduce the burden they say drink-fuelled disorder puts on police. »»»

Thousands of elderly patients in two areas are to take part in clinical trials to try to cut down on hospital infections. »»»

Aid agencies warn of the risks of disease in DR Congo refugee camps, as fresh fighting breaks out across the country. »»»

(American Academy of Ophthalmology) Today's scientific program at the 2008 Joint Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (Academy) and European Society of Ophthalmology includes presentations of broad public interest: contamination of contact lens storage cases among refractive surgery candidates; and evolving physician practices regarding LASIK and other refractive surgery for people with HIV/AIDS. »»»

(Indiana University) An Indiana University study found that young, female breast cancer survivors often suffer from sexual and intimate relationship issues and are interested in using sexual enhancement products to treat these problems. »»»

(Elsevier Health Sciences) With childhood obesity increasing, school administrators and public health officials are reducing availability of sugar-sweetened beverages in schools. In a study published in the November/December 2008 issue of the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, researchers found that reduction or elimination of SSB from school menus has little effect on total consumption by adolescents. »»»

(University of California - San Francisco) Use of radiology imaging tests has soared in the past decade with a significant increase in newer technologies, according to a new UCSF study that is the first to track imaging patterns in a managed care setting over a substantial time period. »»»

(University of Delaware) The University of Delaware will host "Environmental Nanoparticles: Science, Ethics & Policy" on Nov. 10-11 at the John M. Clayton Hall Conference Center in Newark, Del. The registration deadline is Monday, Oct. 20. »»»

(Washington University School of Medicine) Scientists report in Nature Neuroscience that a simple decision-making task does not involve the frontal lobes, where many of the higher aspects of human cognition, including self-awareness, are thought to originate. Instead, the regions that decide are the same brain regions that receive stimuli relevant to the decision and control the body's response to it. »»»