The government in Pakistan’s eastern province of Punjab is struggling to control a growing dengue fever epidemic, officials say. They have warned that it threatens to affect other parts of the country. More than 4,000 cases of dengue fever have been reported in the past two months, officials say, and at least eight people have died. Read More
Pakistan is hit by dengue fever epidemic
Designer vagina NHS operations unwarranted
About 2,000 genital cosmetic operations are paid for by the NHS each year
GPs should not refer women who are well but worried for female genital cosmetic surgery on the NHS, say experts. Specialists at a Central London teaching hospital say they received 30 such referrals, mainly from family doctors, over the past three years. Read More
Blood pressure guidelines revised in England and Wales
Patient Sheila Milson tries out the blood pressure recording device. Prof Mark Caulfield, from Queen Mary University of London, explains how works.
Patients thought to have high blood pressure should have the diagnosis confirmed at home, according to new guidelines. Patients in England and Wales will be offered extra checks using a mobile device that records blood pressure over 24 hours, says the watchdog NICE. Read More
Virtual touch helps keyhole surgeons to ‘feel’ tumours
Users manipulate tissues using haptic feedback
Tactile feedback technology could give keyhole surgeons a virtual sense of “feeling” tumours while operating. A Leeds University study has combined computer virtualisation with a device that simulates pressure on a surgeon’s hand when touching human tissue remotely. Read More
‘Cot death risk’ to small babies
Babies should be placed with their feet to the foot of the cot
Parents of underweight babies must be given more information on reducing the risk of cot death, says a charity. According to latest research, babies born weighing less than 2.5kg (5.5lb) are five times more likely to suffer cot death than those of normal weight. Read More
F1 team grants teenager hand wish
Matthew James explains how the new bionic hand works
A Formula One fan has had his wish of a new bionic hand fulfilled after a plucky letter to boss of the Mercedes GP Petronas team, Ross Brawn. Matthew James, a 14-year-old from Wokingham in Berkshire, was born without a left hand. Read More
Smoking worsens female heart risk
Smoking
Women who start smoking increase their risk of a heart attack by more than men who take up the habit, according to a review of more than 30 years of research. A study of 2.4 million people, published in the Lancet, showed a 25% difference in increased risk. Read More
U.S. woman mauled by chimp shows new face in first photo
A combination photo shows face transplant recipient Charla Nash, of Stamford, Connecticut, before her injury and after her surgery.
A U.S. woman who underwent a full face transplant in May after being mauled by a chimpanzee in 2009 revealed her new face in a photo released on Thursday. Read More
Exercise should be ‘standard part of cancer care’
cancer care
All patients getting cancer treatment should be told to do two and a half hours of physical exercise every week, says a report by Macmillan Cancer Support. Read More
15 Things Your Walk Reveals About Your Health
15 Things Your Walk Reveals About Your Health
Walk into an exam room and a trained eye can tell a lot about you in seconds: Your stride, gait, pace, and posture while walking can reveal surprising information about your overall health and well-being. Read More