Skimping on sleep has long been associated with overeating, poor food choices and weight gain. Now a new study shows how sleep loss initiates this process, amplifying and extending blood levels of a chemical signal that enhances the joy of eating, particularly the guilty pleasures…

Zika virus has been detected in the amniotic fluid of two pregnant women whose foetuses had been diagnosed with microcephaly, according to a study published today in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. The report suggests that Zika virus can cross the placental barrier, but does not…

The advice given to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, SIDS, has worked well, but the potential to save more lives exists. In addition to sleeping on their backs, infants should sleep in their own beds for the first few months to reduce…

Having an occasional drink is fine, but “binge” drinking is a known health hazard and now high blood pressure may need to be added to the list of possible consequences. Young adults in their twenties who regularly binge drink have higher blood pressure which may…

Given the high stress levels, extended periods of screen time and regular social outings many experience day-to-day in environments where high-calorie foods are readily available, it can be easy to fall into the habit of mindless eating – where we’re too distracted to pay attention…

Traditional Chinese exercises such as Tai Chi may improve the health and well-being of those living with heart disease, high blood pressure or stroke, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.“Traditional Chinese exercises are a low-risk, promising intervention that…

Researchers at UPM and UWO have shown that performing supervised moderate-intensity exercise during pregnancy can prevent gestational hypertension in pregnant women and overweight in newborns.A team of researchers from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and University of Western Ontario (Canada) has carried out a randomized clinical…

A painful knee condition that affects more than one in eight active people has been treated effectively with a botulinum toxin injection and physiotherapy.Researchers from Imperial College London and Fortius Clinic carried out a trial involving 45 patients with what they term lateral patellofemoral overload…

Doctors are seeing a rise in the number of parents requesting so-called ‘vaginal seeding’ for babies born by caesarean section, according to an editorial in the BMJ.The practice, which is also known as microbirthing, involves taking a swab from the mother’s vagina and wiping this…

A research carried out by scientists from the University of Granada and King’s College London shows that maternal DHA supplementation could help preventing or reducing the risk of the newborn suffering from anemiaA research has proven, for the first time, that maternal supplementation with docosahexaenoic…

A new study from the University of Eastern Finland shows that a relatively high intake of dietary cholesterol, or eating one egg every day, are not associated with an elevated risk of incident coronary heart disease. Furthermore, no association was found among those with the…

New research from the University of Southampton shows that copper can destroy MRSA spread by touching and fingertip contamination of surfaces.Frequently-touched surfaces in busy areas – such as hospitals, transport hubs and public buildings – are at high risk of community-acquired and healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs)…