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Are dual cord blood banks the answer to increasing stem cell demand?

In this week's BMJ, two senior doctors, Professors Nicholas Fisk and Rifat Atun, analyse the UK's growing cord blood banking industry and the potential impact of a new bank that provides blood for both personal and public use.

24 Mar 2008

A national Clostridium difficile prevalence study

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) has announced a detailed strategy to combat Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD).

24 Mar 2008

Altruism can be actively cultivated

Empathy is an emotional reaction to the suffering of others. Empathy can lead to altruistic behaviour, i.e. helping someone with the sole intention of enhancing that person's wellbeing.

24 Mar 2008

Chronic insomnia and its negative consequences for adolescents

Documenting a "twofold to fivefold" increase in personal problems among adolescents with persistent sleeplessness, public health researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston say they have completed the first prospective study demonstrating the negative impact of chronic insomnia on 11 to 17 year olds.

24 Mar 2008

A polyphenols-rich diet keeps the heart younger

This finding comes out from a study by the University of Grenoble in collaboration with the other Centres participating to the FLORA Project, a European Commission funded research studying the effects of flavonoids, a variety of polyphenols, on human health.

24 Mar 2008

Taking correct medications on time easier with a pill card

Free, online instructions for creating a pill card -- an illustrated medication schedule -- using only a personal or laptop computer and printer are now available from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, a part of the US. Department of Health and Human Services.

24 Mar 2008

WHO warns Aussies to prepare for deadly flu

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is warning Australians to prepare for a potentially deadly flu season.

23 Mar 2008

Roxon says short-term, interim health agreement with states a possibility

The Australian Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon says there may be a delay in the implementation of a long-term health agreement between the states.

23 Mar 2008

Abortion puts women at risk of mental health problems

The Royal College of Psychiatrists says having an abortion may place some women at risk of developing mental health problems.

23 Mar 2008

Depressed women have more sex

Researchers at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, say depressed women have more sex than women who are mentally well.

23 Mar 2008

Circumcision does not protect men from common STDs

According to new research, though male circumcision protects men from HIV, it does not protect them against other common sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia, genital warts and genital herpes.

21 Mar 2008

Skin patch gives bird flu vaccine a big boost

Researchers testing an experimental skin patch designed to boost an H5N1 vaccine say preliminary results have been promising.

21 Mar 2008

Easter eye warning as occy straps lash out

Easter-period travellers are being warned to take care with octopus straps that hospitalise 540 people each year with severe eye injuries.

21 Mar 2008

New Hopkins report on successful health communication

Communication plays a crucial role in successful family planning, HIV prevention, and other health and development programs. Communication often is thought of as the production of messages and materials, such as postures or brochures. But effective communication programs that motivate people to adopt healthy behaviors and lifestyles use a systematic process and require long-term commitment.

21 Mar 2008