"Nearly a quarter of women who don’t make cervical screening appointments are unaware that the process even exists, according to a UK survey," BBC News reports. Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the cervix, the entrance to the womb. It’s responsible for around 900 deaths a year in the UK. Regular screening appointments
"Over-the-counter magnesium tablets significantly improve depression in just two weeks, new research reveals," the Mail Online reports. A small study found that people taking the supplements – on top of their existing treatment – reported an improvement in depression symptoms. However, because the study wasn’t blinded (people knew what they were taking) the improvements could have
"Boys who get fat in their teenage years are much more likely to suffer a life-threatening stroke as an adult, experts today warned," The Sun reports. Swedish researchers suspect the association could be down to the effects of high blood pressure, a known risk factor for strokes. The study involved almost 40,000 Swedish men, who
"A ‘painless’ sticking plaster flu jab that delivers vaccine into the skin has passed important safety tests in the first trial in people," BBC News reports. Results of a small phase 1 trial were encouraging, with no serious side effects reported. The patch, around the size of a standard plaster, contains 100 "microneedles" – tiny
"Middle-aged male office workers ‘more sedentary than over-75-year-olds’," The Daily Telegraph reports. A survey in Scotland suggests previous studies may have underestimated sedentary behaviour in middle-age by not asking about time at work, which for many people increasingly involves sitting at a desk. Researchers surveyed more than 14,000 people about their time spent doing activities –
"Your coffee machine could be making you ill," the Mail Online reports, saying that steam released by the machine could be creating the perfect conditions for fungi to grow. The Sun reports a similar risk for kettles and showers. But before you throw out your expensive coffee pod machine or trusty kettle, the research behind
"Taking paracetamol when pregnant ‘makes boys less manly, less aggressive and lowers their sex drive’," reports The Sun. But the alarming headline doesn’t explain that the research was in mice, not humans. Researchers gave daily doses of paracetamol to pregnant mice, and looked into the effect on their male offspring. They measured an area of
"Sex is the key to staying sharp in old age," reports the Mail Online after researchers found older people who have regular sex scored better on two of five brain tests. Participants who had sex at least once a week scored higher on tests that measured their verbal fluency and spatial awareness compared with those who
"Toxic fumes in aircraft cabins could cause serious health problems, scientists warn," reports The Sun. This is based on a UK study investigating air contamination on aircraft and its possible effects on the health of pilots and cabin crew. The researchers say the air supply on planes can become contaminated by leaks of oil or
"Cholesterol-lowering jab to help prevent heart disease," reports BBC Online. The headline refers to a recent mouse study that aimed to see whether a new vaccine could reduce cholesterol and lower the risk of heart disease. Mice bred to develop heart and vascular disease were given the AT04A vaccine or a control vaccine, and were then
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