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Health News from the BBC and the NHS

BBC Health

Big rise in medical trial volunteers
The number of people volunteering for clinical trials - including one into typhoid - has trebled over the last five years.
Neuron growth 'cuts memory space'
The reason we struggle to recall memories from our early childhood is down to high levels of neuron production...
Some statins 'raise diabetes risk'
Some drugs taken to protect the heart may increase the risk of developing Type-2 diabetes, according to researchers in Canada.
Cancer cell enzymes are 'good cops'
Enzymes released by cancerous cells have a protective function and are not one of the 'bad guys', say researchers from the University of East Anglia.
Higher IQ link to good concentration
People with higher IQs are faster at detecting small moving objects but slower at noticing larger background ones, say US researchers.
Inquiry call over NHS 111 'debacle'
An independent inquiry is needed into the NHS non-emergency 111 phone line "debacle" in England, GPs say.
WHO urges sharing over coronavirus
The WHO urges countries with possible cases of novel coronavirus to share information amid concern over patent rights held by commercial labs.
GPs 'will not shore up unsafe NHS'
Family doctors are not prepared to shore up an emergency health care system left unsafe by "political meddling", a GP leader has warned.
Universal flu jab 'edges closer'
A way of creating more effective vaccines which could protect against a broad range of flu viruses has been reported by US researchers.
Jabs and 999 calls in NHS priorities
More MMR jabs, improved ambulance response times and an end to hospital bed-blocking are among the priorities...

NHS Choices Behind the Headlines

Breast cancer enzyme may slow tumour growth
"Cancer cell enzymes shown to act as 'good cops'," is the headline on the BBC News website. The BBC...
Could open plan offices be bad for your health?
Open plan offices make employees “less productive, less happy, and more likely to get sick” reports the...
Research could lead to 'universal' flu vaccine
“Scientists create new flu vaccine that works against many different strains of the virus,” The Independent...
Do iPads and electric lights disturb sleep?
"Terrible night's sleep? Blame your mobile phone" is the advice on the Mail Online website, as "exposure...
Cold weather may increase blood pressure
'Bad weather could raise your blood pressure and even kill you,' is the unnecessarily alarmist headline...
Could a mother's lack of iodine harm her child's IQ?
“Mothers’ diets may harm IQs of two babies in three,” warns The Independent. The newspaper reports on...
Claims vitamin B prevents Alzheimer's are unproven
'Should you be taking vitamin B to protect against Alzheimer's?,' asks the Daily Mail. Its question is...
Sharing a bed with your baby ups risk of cot death
"Bed-sharing 'raises cot death risk fivefold'," BBC News reports. The news has featured in much of the...
Job stress may raise our 'bad cholesterol' levels
'A stressful job really can kill you – by raising your cholesterol,' reports the Mail Online website....
Vitamin D may help treat severe asthma
”Sunshine vitamin 'may treat asthma'”, BBC News informs us, as a new lab-based study suggests vitamin...

Further Information

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