17th November 2008
Obesity \'programmed before birth\'
Eating a high-fat diet in pregnancy may cause changes in the foetal brain that lead to over-eating and obesity early in life, research suggests. Tests on rats showed those born to mothers fed a high-fat diet had many more brain cells specialised to produce appetite-stimulating proteins.
Old treatments best for IBS
Older "overlooked" treatments for irritable bowel syndrome may end up being the best option for patients, research suggests. Fibre, anti-spasmodic drugs and peppermint oil were all found to be effective in a review of the evidence.
Love handles raise death risk
Carrying extra fat around your middle dramatically increases your risk of early death, even if your overall weight is normal, say researchers. A study of almost 360,000 people from nine European countries found waist size a "powerful indicator" of risk.
Baby after whole ovary transplant
A healthy baby girl has been born in London following the world's first transplant of an entire ovary, it has been reported.
Lungs boosted by breastfeeding
The sheer physical effort involved in breastfeeding may leave babies with stronger lungs well into childhood, researchers suggest. A study of 10-year-olds on the Isle of Wight by UK and US scientists found much better lung function in those breastfed for at least four months.
Premature births are increasing
There has been a dramatic rise in the number of babies being born prematurely in England, a charity has warned. Tommy's baby's charity highlights NHS figures showing 8.
Oliver warns over unhealthy diets
The economic downturn could lead to people eating more unhealthy food, TV chef Jamie Oliver says. He told the House of Commons Health Committee for the first time in British history large numbers of people simply could not cook.
Cut caffeine, pregnant women told.
Pregnant women should cut their caffeine intake and drink no more than two cups of coffee or four cups of tea a day, a government agency has advised.
Pupils \'worry about their bodies\'
More children are worried about their bodies than being bullied, according to an annual survey of pupils' well-being. Some 32% of 150,000 10 to 15 year olds in England polled for Ofsted said their body was something they worried about, compared to 27% for bullying.
Screening hope for pre-eclampsia
A blood test that screens pregnant woman for pre-eclampsia long before symptoms develop could be available in the next five years, doctors predict.
Lessons on sex to be compulsory
Lessons about personal, social and health matters including sex are to be compulsory in all England's schools for the first time.
Web content disturbs children
Three out of four children have seen images on the internet that disturbed them, an NSPCC poll suggests. The charity is renewing its call for computer manufacturers and retailers to install security to stop children finding violent or sexual content.
Boys lag girls at school by five
Girls already have a well-established educational lead over boys by the time they start school, a study claims. The study of 15,000 UK children suggests girls are two months ahead of boys in tests of verbal, non-verbal and visual skills by the age of five.
MPs attempt to force smacking ban
A cross-party group of MPs is attempting to force through a ban on smacking children in England and Wales. Led by Labour's Kevin Barron, the campaigners oppose the current situation allowing parents to use the practice as a "reasonable punishment".
Safer test developed for Down\\\'s
Scientists say they have developed a safer blood test that can tell a women if her unborn baby has Down's syndrome.
Big babies risk breast cancer
Baby girls who are of larger than average length and weight at birth grow up being at increased risk of breast cancer, analysis suggests.
Children\'s web watchdog launched
A new internet watchdog has been launched to help protect children from "harmful" web content, such as cyber-bullying and violent video games.
Breastfeeding cuts cancer risk
Breastfeeding for a year over the course of a woman's life helps cut the risk of breast cancer, research says. The World Cancer Research Fund analysed 7,000 previous studies and found it reduced the risk by 4.
No evidence exam targets work
There is "no quantified evidence" about whether threatening to close schools affects their pupils' performance, the National Audit Office says.
Test of free school meals for all
All primary school pupils are going to be offered free school meals in a pilot scheme in two areas of England.
Baby paracetamol asthma concern
Use of paracetamol in babies increases the risk of developing asthma five years later, a study of more than 200,000 children suggests. Those given the painkiller for fever in the first year of life had a 46% increased risk of asthma by the age of six or seven, The Lancet reported.
Sex offender alerts plan launched
Parents will be able to ask if someone close to their family is a sex offender under new pilot schemes in England.
Breast Cancer Vaccine hope raised
A new vaccine has completely eliminated a type of breast cancer tumour in tests on mice, say researchers. The vaccine targets breast cancer caused by an excess of a protein called HER2 - and even destroyed tumours resistant to current drugs.
Infections linked to cot deaths
Some cases of cot death may be due to a bacterial infection, researchers say. The Archives of Disease in Childhood study found samples from babies who had died for no apparent reason often carried potentially-harmful bacteria.
Free cookbooks for 11-year-olds
All 11-year-olds in England will be a ble to receive a free cookbook under a programme aimed at tackling obesity. Head teachers will be able to order the booklet, which has recipes for favourites such as spaghetti bolognese, roast chicken and jacket potatoes.
