"Mind-reading machine allows people with ‘locked-in’ syndrome to communicate," reports the Mail Online. The report is based on a study that aimed to communicate with four patients unable to speak, move or blink due to a severe form of motor neurone disease (MND). The patients were able to give "yes" or "no" answers to a
"Experts have revealed the onset of diabetes, or existing diabetes getting much worse could be a sign of hidden pancreatic cancer," reports The Daily Express. The media reports follow a press release of a study presented at the European Cancer Congress (ECCO) yesterday. The research analysed nearly a million people with type 2 diabetes in Belgium
"Breath test could save lives by diagnosing deadly cancers earlier," reports The Daily Telegraph. The story is based on new research into whether it is possible to detect cancers of the stomach and oesophagus (gullet) using a breath test. A possible "chemical signature" composed of five substances was tested against the breath samples of more than 300 people
"Alzheimer’s may begin in the womb because mums are short of crucial vitamin, scientists warn," the Daily Mirror reports. New research involving both mice and humans looked at the link between vitamin A deficiency, brain development and Alzheimer’s risk. Vitamin A helps boost the immune system and is mainly found in animal sources, including dairy, eggs, meat and oily
“Depression linked to higher chance of dying from cancer,” The Independent reports. Analysis of English and Scottish data found a link between mental distress and cancer mortality, which remained even after other factors such as smoking were taken into account. However, you definitely should not assume this means lots of people with mental health problems
"Nearly 1 in 10 British women [7.5%] finds sex painful, according to a big study," BBC News reports. The study’s results highlight the arguably neglected issue of pain during sex – dyspareunia – which some women may be too embarrassed to seek treatment for. Researchers surveyed almost 7,000 sexually active women and found 7.5% reported pain
"Trial finds combination of pancreatic cancer drugs extends survival," The Guardian reports. The results of a trial that combined the use of two chemotherapy drugs has led to calls for this approach to become the new protocol for pancreatic cancer treatment. The trial showed people lived an average of 2.5 months longer if they took
"Breast cancer drugs taken by thousands of women stop working because tumours ‘outsmart’ them," is the headline in The Sun. Around 70% of breast cancer cases are what are known as oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancers. This means the cancerous cells use the hormone oestrogen as a type of "fuel" to help them reproduce and spread. After
"Browned toast and potatoes are ‘potential cancer risk’, say food scientists," BBC News reports. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has launched a campaign about the possible health risk of acrylamide; a chemical formed when starchy foods are subjected to a high temperature. The campaign is titled Go for Gold – a reference to the advice that when
"Youngest children in class more likely to get ADHD medication, study says," The Guardian reports. The results of an Australian study have caused concerns that, in some cases, immature behaviour may be misinterpreted as evidence of a behavioural disorder. In a brief report, researchers found nearly 2% of 6-15-year-olds in Western Australia received a prescription for
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