Health News

H10N8 strain of bird flu is 'not a current threat to public health'

Date: May-29-2014
Experts assessing the the latest strain of avian flu conclude that there is no current risk of a pandemic, but they stress the importance of monitoring for mutations.

Researchers identify genetic mutations that may cause schizophrenia

Date: May-29-2014
Researchers from the Columbia University Medical Center have discovered mutations in a gene called SETD1A, which they say could play a role in the development of schizophrenia.

New generation brain scanner uses optical technology

Date: May-29-2014
Diffuse optical tomography could be a helpful alternative to MRI and PET. Patients can move during scanning, it is radiation-free, and does not disrupt electrical implants.

Worldwide obesity rates see 'startling' increase over past 3 decades

Date: May-29-2014
An international research team has found that, unlike other major global health risks - such as smoking - obesity rates have significantly increased over the past 30 years.

Cynicism linked to dementia in new study

Date: May-29-2014
Cynical people normally distrust others, believing they are motivated by selfish interests. But now, researchers have linked high levels of cynical distrust with dementia risk.

Fertility decisions 'influenced by high school friends'

Date: May-29-2014
Research has suggested friends can influence whether we smoke, drink and exercise. Now, a new study says high school friends may influence a woman's decision to have a child.

Placenta genes 'underpin health differences between girl and boy babies'

Date: May-28-2014
Male babies grow faster and larger in the womb than females, but why? And how does it affect their chances of survival? A new study finds a genetic origin for this disparity.

Mental illness threat to life expectancy similar to heavy smoking

Date: May-28-2014
An analysis of mental illness reviews, covering over 1.7 million individuals, finds the conditions can reduce life expectancy by up to 20 years - on par with heavy smoking.

Infertility: is it primarily seen as a woman's problem?

Date: May-28-2014
In 40% of all infertile couples, the male partner is the main cause or contributing cause of infertility. But is infertility primarily seen as a woman's issue? We investigate.

Did walking upright make humans smart?

Date: May-28-2014
Scientists in Australia suggest learning to walk upright may have helped humans develop a more complex brain than other species by freeing up the cortex from routine tasks.