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Sleep helps memory

A good night's sleep triggers changes in the brain that help to improve memory, according to a new study led by researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC).

28 Jun 2005

Forensic use of tandem mass-spectroscopy detects links between banknotes and drugs

Research published in this month’s edition of the journal Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, describes a method that can detect a pattern of contamination on banknotes from drug related crime that is different from the pattern seen in general circulation. The process is significantly faster than other previous methods.

28 Jun 2005

MRC study finds vaccine eliminates HIB disease in the Gambia

A Medical Research Council (MRC) study results, announced online today in The Lancet, illustrate that a routine immunisation programme in The Gambia has been successful at eliminating the incidence of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease.

28 Jun 2005

Low doses of radiation associated with a small excess risk of developing cancer

Low doses of radiation, such as those received in the nuclear industry, are associated with a small excess risk of developing cancer, according to a study published online by the BMJ today.

28 Jun 2005

Routine immunisation against meningitis and pneumonia should be introduced for children in developing countries

Routine immunisation against a bacterial microorganism that can cause meningitis and pneumonia should be introduced for children in developing countries, suggests a report published in this week’s issue of The Lancet.

28 Jun 2005

Changes in economy and healthcare accompany Poland’s accession to the European Union

The European Union (EU) is in a state of flux following the recent accession of several Central and Eastern European countries. Their membership has further complicated the already complex economic, social and cultural dynamics at work within the EU.

28 Jun 2005

Office-based buprenorphine treatment for drug abuse shows promise

Patients who receive buprenorphine treatment for opioid addiction in an office-based setting are more likely than those receiving methadone treatment to be young men, new to drug use, and with no history of methadone treatment, Yale School of Medicine researchers report in a study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

28 Jun 2005

HRT safe for women with menopause and cancer survivors

Research shows that short-term hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is appropriate for peri- and postmenopausal women.

28 Jun 2005

Multi-million pound Grand Challenge grants to tackle TB and malaria in the developing world

UK scientists are to help tackle TB and malaria in the developing world through their leadership of two major international research projects.

28 Jun 2005

Scotland's doctors quiz Health Secretary on smoking

Scotland's doctors today took the opportunity to ask the English Health Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, what steps her Government was taking to protect workers in England from the deadly effects of second hand smoke, in light of moves towards a comprehensive ban in Scotland.

28 Jun 2005

Grand Challenges in Global Health awards $450m to top scientists

Grants totalling U.S $450m were awarded yesterday to some of the world's most inventive scientists to enable them to turn their novel ideas into practical solutions to the 14 greatest problems plaguing human health today.

28 Jun 2005

Vaccine against Lassa fever works in monkeys

Scientists say that a genetically engineered virus may possibly offer the first effective vaccine against Lassa fever.

28 Jun 2005

Keep taking Viagra, it won't make you blind!

In a review of its popular impotence treatment Viagra, Pfizer announced on Monday that it had found no evidence of increased risk of blindness among patients taking the erectile dysfunction drug.

28 Jun 2005

Don't sunbathe to avoid prostate cancer, take a pill instead

According to a recent study spending long periods in the sun may significantly reduce a man's risk of prostate cancer.

28 Jun 2005

Health costs soar as 60 million Americans classed as obese

According to a new study the amount of money spent treating obesity-related health problems in the U.S. has increased tenfold over 15 years.

28 Jun 2005

1.7 million will be anxious when Medicare coverage of anxiety drugs ceases

When the U.S. Government's new prescription drug benefit begins next year a category of drugs commonly used to treat anxiety, insomnia and seizures will not be included.

28 Jun 2005

Canada about to ban bulk sales of drugs to U.S.

According to some press reports Canada is about to announce a ban on bulk sales of drugs to the United States as a way of reining in Internet pharmacies that sell cheap medicine to Americans.

28 Jun 2005

New breast cancer drug not available to all who need it

Unless things change breast cancer patient Barbara Clark will probably have to sell her house to pay for an expensive drug called Herceptin.

28 Jun 2005

Vitamin C pretty useless when it comes to colds

Since the 1970's, when research advocated that doses of Vitamin C would help alleviate symptoms of the common cold, that doctrine has been generally accepted.

28 Jun 2005

The British Medical Association in Northern Ireland says Minister must introduce a complete ban on second-hand tobacco smoke

The British Medical Association in Northern Ireland, which has energetically campaigned for a ban on smoking in all enclosed public places and workplaces, said that the Minister’s decision not to introduce an immediate total ban in Northern Ireland was very disappointing.

28 Jun 2005