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World's first audio collection of examples of stammered speech

The world's first audio collection of examples of stammered speech has been set-up by scientists funded by the Wellcome Trust, the UK's biggest biomedical research charity.

9 Aug 2004

Self-recovery from Hep C infection linked to genes that suppress action of killer immune cells

In a study to be published in Science online Aug. 6, researchers at Johns Hopkins have found that genes involved in suppressing the body's defensive "killer" immune cells are a potential key factor in spontaneous recovery from hepatitis C.

5 Aug 2004

Call for action following Healthcare Commission report

Cancer information charity CancerBACUP is calling for action following today's Healthcare Commission report, which highlights particular concerns about patient information and the lack of patient involvement in their treatment and care.

5 Aug 2004

New washing machine design makes life easier for pensioners and people suffering back problems

A student has designed a prototype for a labour-saving washing machine which aims to make life easier for pensioners and people suffering back problems.

29 Jul 2004

New information guide on cervical cancer

Information and support charity CancerBACUP has launched an up-to-date guide to cervical cancer.

22 Jul 2004

Iraqi child undergoes heart surgery in New York

Four-year old Bra’a Hussein’s heart will never be the same following recent surgery at NYU Medical Center to correct a highly complex congenital heart condition called tetralogy of fallot.

19 Jul 2004

Continued commercial development of research into DNA repair

Recent developments have greatly improved the understanding of the mechanisms used by cells to identify and repair breaks in DNA, and the potential for drugs that target DNA repair in the treatment of a range of human diseases including cancer.

28 Jun 2004

Some low income parents have considered doing something illegal to feed their kids

Half of all parents (46 per cent) on a low income have gone short of food over the last year to feed someone else in their family, reveals a survey by leading children's charity NCH.

26 Jun 2004

Can a diet avoiding gluten and milk proteins reduce autism?

For years, many parents of children with autism have advocated a diet avoiding the proteins gluten and casein, but there had not been a scientific review of evidence about this practice.

21 Jun 2004

British Government is promoting cycling and walking as healthy and convenient ways to travel

The package of new measures announced today includes plans to extend the National Cycle Network, which provides safer cycling routes, to hundreds of schools. The Department for Transport (DFT) will invest £500,000 in upgrading cycle provision at 200 rail stations.

16 Jun 2004

Report shows unacceptably high variations in access to cancer drugs across the UK

Cancer information charity CancerBACUP welcomes today’s report into variations of usage of cancer drugs (postcode prescribing) issued by the Department of Health but says the vital issue of accountability and enforcement has been left unresolved, leaving patients still vulnerable to postcode prescribing.

15 Jun 2004

For nearly 50% of women, hair loss was the most distressing side effect of chemotherapy

Information and support charity CancerBACUP has dramatically revised its booklet on hair loss - the most traumatic side effect of cancer treatment for many women. The revamped booklet also now includes practical advice for patients from minority ethnic groups.

14 Jun 2004

Chairman's speech at consultants conference 2004

Put patients first. That's what Mr Reid says. That's fine. Consultants do this every day. We don't need a politician to say it, like it's something we never thought of. When a consultant is working 50 hours a week despite only being paid for 35, that is putting the patient first. When a consultant is operating on an emergency patient in the middle of the night, that is putting the patient first.

12 Jun 2004

As Britain’s population gets older, research into ageing is becoming increasingly important

As Britain’s population gets older, research into ageing is becoming increasingly important. Many researchers at The University of Reading are committed to this crucial issue and will be highlighting their approaches to improving the quality of life of older people at a special workshop on Thursday 24 June.

11 Jun 2004

Drink that enhances the effectiveness of medication given to treat psychiatric illnesses

Scientists funded by the UK's largest biomedical research charity, The Wellcome Trust, have developed a drink that enhances the effectiveness of medication given to treat psychiatric illnesses such as mania and schizophrenia.

10 Jun 2004

Brain builds early warning detection system by working out the odds on potentially harmful experiences

An experiment conducted by Dr Ben Seymour and colleagues at the Wellcome Department of Imaging Neuroscience, University College London, revealed that volunteers couldn’t recall the details of a specific test which had resulted in them receiving a mild electric shock.

10 Jun 2004

Over one-third of British population cannot name a famous disabled person

Scope, the national disability organisation, has surveyed the British public to test their attitudes towards disabled people. Despite the achievements of Home Secretary David Blunkett, Professor Stephen Hawking and sportsperson Tanni Grey-Thompson, 36 per cent of those questioned in a YouGov survey could not name one single famous disabled person.

7 Jun 2004

Atkins high-fat-low-carbohydrate diet may have caused severe heart disease

A Florida businessman filed suit today against Atkins Nutritionals, Inc., and the Estate of Dr. Robert C. Atkins, claiming that the late diet author’s controversial high-fat, low-carbohydrate regimen caused severe heart disease, necessitating angioplasty and a stent. He is seeking a court injunction banning Atkins Nutritionals from marketing its products without a warning of potential health risks and asks for compensatory damages.

31 May 2004

Nelson Mandela backs call for equality amongst disabled people

Scope, the leading national disability organisation, today launches its Time To Get Equal campaign to end discrimination and prejudice against the UK’s 10 million disabled people.

26 May 2004

£1.8m Unit for treating teenagers with cancer at University Hospital of Wales

A Welsh donor has already given a massive £650,000 and Teenage Cancer Trust has pledged £650,000 from its central funds. On Monday 24th May, Teenage Cancer Trust will launch its fundraising campaign for the Unit at St David’s Hotel, Cardiff Bay. The charity is looking to raise a minimum of £500,000 to reach their target.

25 May 2004