"Facebook lurking makes you miserable, says study," BBC News reports after a Danish study found regular users who took a week-long break from the social media site reported increased wellbeing. The one-week trial assigned Facebook users to either give up using the site for a week, or go on using it usual. They were then
"A drug that alters the immune system has been described as ‘big news’ and a ‘landmark’ in treating multiple sclerosis," BBC News reports. The drug, ocrelizumab, proved effective in two related studies, for treating both the primary progressive and the relapsing remitting types of multiple sclerosis (MS). We have focused our analysis on the second study,
"A study … challenged recommendations by public health officials for people to cut sugar consumption," the Mail Online reports. The study has been criticised as it is funded by companies who sell sugary products, including Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and McDonald’s. This systematic review assessed guidelines from all over the world, including those produced by Public Health
"Regularly indulging in a bacon sandwich doubles the risk of an asthma attack," is the needlessly alarming headline in The Sun. A French study suggests eating four or more portions of processed (cured) meats a week may worsen symptoms like wheezing – but this does not amount to an asthma attack. An asthma attack is
"A drug activated by laser light successfully destroys early prostate cancer while avoiding side effects … results have shown," The Guardian reports. This new technique may offer an alternative treatment to the current "wait and see" approach, also known as active surveillance. The main challenge of treating prostate cancer judged to be low risk is that it’s difficult to
"Want to avoid arthritis? Then brush your teeth … bugs that cause gum infections also trigger the crippling joint pain," the Mail Online reports. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the cells that line joints by mistake. Exactly what causes this response is still unclear. This latest study aimed to examine
"Sugary drinks tax ‘will benefit children most’," BBC News reports. A new study, where researchers tried to estimate the impact of a sugar tax on soft drinks, found that it would help combat child obesity as well as tooth decay. A proposed UK sugar tax on soft drinks is expected to be introduced in 2018.
"Detailed MRI scans should be offered to some women in pregnancy to help spot brain defects in the developing baby, say researchers," BBC News reports. A UK study suggests combining an MRI scan with ultrasounds could prevent misdiagnosis. Current guidelines recommend that pregnant women are given at least two ultrasound scans, at 8 to 14 weeks
"Women who take paracetamol or ibuprofen just twice a week could be damaging their hearing permanently," the Daily Mail reports. A US study found an association between the long-term use of these widely used painkillers and reported hearing loss. Researchers calculated just over 1 in 20 (5.5%) hearing loss cases in their study could have
"Pokémon GO doesn’t help people to stay fit and healthy," the Mail Online reports. A survey of US players of the popular augmented reality game found the average player’s daily step rate fell back to pre-game levels after six weeks. Pokémon GO is an app which encourages players to explore real-world destinations while "catching" Pokémon
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