passion for health -
big
stories
weigh less, live longer
Keeping a healthy weight may help people live longer by limiting brain exposure to insulin. That's
according to scientists in the USA. Their studies using mice found that reducing insulin signals inside brain cells
increased lifespan.
robo-doc
A robotic arm able to carry out an intricate life-saving heart operation is being pioneered by UK surgeons.
The robot is used to guide thin wires through blood vessels in the heart to treat a fast or irregular heartbeat.
synthetic life
Scientists in the USA claim to have taken a major step towards producing life from scratch in the laboratory.
The team say they successfully transplanted an entire genome from one bacterium cell to another.
It's hoped eventually to use the technique to create designer microbes, which could produce artificial fuel or
help clean up toxic waste.
the tummy fill pill
Italian scientists have developed a pill to make dieters feel full. The researchers claim the pill
can stop hunger for a few hours. The pill is made from a hydrogel, which the team developed when trying to
make more absorbent nappy linings.
something fishy
Research in Norway suggests taking a spoonful of cod liver oil each day could stave off depression.
Scientists say people in taking part in their study who regularly took the oil were less likely to suffer depression
than those who didn't. The oil is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, these are linked to various benefits.
dads suffer too
UK research shows fathers-to-be can suffer from pregnancy symptoms. Morning sickness, cramps, back pain and
swollen stomachs were all reported by men whose partners were pregnant.
too clean
Excessive washing with harsh soaps and abrasive skin care products is being blamed for a rise in allergic diseases
such as eczema. The "hygiene hypothesis" pins the rise on people being too clean, resulting in the immune system
becoming too sensitive to infection.
aspirin research
UK experts are not convinced by American research that suggests healthy women should take aspirin.
According to the US study, women who take a low to moderate dose of aspirin could reduce their risk of dying early,
particularly from heart disease. The US team monitored 80,000 women's use of aspirin for over 20 years. However
UK experts say the findings contradicted other studies, and warned aspirin could cause bleeding.
tasty & healthy
Boffins in the USA claim to have come up with a way of making pizzas more healthy.
The researchers have developed a way of baking and fermenting dough which can increase levels of antioxidants, which protect against cell and tissue damage.
skin damage
Smoking causes damage to skin right across the body.
Researchers looked at the upper part of the inner arm in smokers and non-smokers.
Previous studies have focused on the face, where skin can also be damaged by exposure to the sun.
|
interviews
Eat oily fish,
it's good for you!
Or is it?
Lynne McTaggart says it's not that straight forward.
Click for What Doctors Don't tell You
fast features
HEALTHfile
Scientists say dark chocolate is high in flavanoids - these improve the function of blood vessels and help
prevent the build up of cholesterol.
world news
click for headlines
and the planet's
best music
Acoustic Africa
is one of the 8 CDs
recommended in the
Global Music Starter Set.
click to view the set
|
|
.gif){kind=small}
"passion is a genuinely new concept in radio"
