"The proportion of diabetics who go blind or suffer sight loss has almost halved since a new national retinopathy screening programme started in 2007," BBC News reports. The screening programme was in fact launched in 2003 but rolled out to all diabetic people over the age of 12 by 2007. The main risk to vision
"Sperm counts among Western men have halved in last 40 years," The Guardian reports. A major review of research carried out since 1973 found an estimated 50-60% drop in sperm count in developed nations. Researchers looked for studies that reported measures of either total sperm count or sperm concentration in men not known to have
"Using money to free-up time is linked to increased happiness," BBC News reports. Researchers surveyed people from a number of developed countries and found those who reported using money to free up time, such as hiring a cleaner, tended to report higher life satisfaction. Researchers surveyed more than 6,000 participants from the US, Canada, Denmark and The
"Snoring linked to Alzheimer’s," the Mail Online reports. A US study reported an association between sleep-disorder breathing and Alzheimer’s disease in later life. But no definitive link between the two has been proven. Sleep-disordered breathing is a general term to describe pauses in breathing during sleep that restrict oxygen supply to the body. At the
"Cows have shown an ‘insane’ and ‘mind-blowing’ ability to tackle HIV which will help develop a vaccine, say US researchers," BBC News reports. The report is based on new research in cows that were immunised against HIV before having their immune response to HIV assessed. There’s currently no vaccine for HIV because the virus mutates
"Nine lifestyle changes can reduce dementia risk," BBC News reports. A major review by The Lancet has identified nine potentially modifiable risk factors linked to dementia. The risk factors were: low levels of education midlife hearing loss physical inactivity high blood pressure (hypertension) type 2 diabetes obesity smoking depression social isolation However, it’s important to
"Vitamin D will not protect your child from a cold: myth-busting study says ‘more isn’t always better’ to help toddlers stay healthy," says the Mail Online. The story is based on a study that looked at whether giving healthy young children high doses of vitamin D in the winter protects them from colds and flu better than
"Artificial sweeteners linked to risk of weight gain," the Daily Mirror reports. Researchers looking at data gathered in previous studies reported a link between artificial sweeteners – ironically often associated with diet drinks – and weight gain. They also found a link with type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and stroke. However, the results of
"Being vegetarian isn’t always healthy: Plant-based diet may raise the risk of heart disease," the Daily Mail reports. A US study found a vegetarian diet based on less healthy food options, such as refined grains, could increase the risk of heart disease. The researchers behind the latest study made the point that many previous diet
"Scientists have found you can hold back the hands of time with a regular romp," is The Sun’s typically colourful headline. While a healthy sex life may be a good thing, the research in question isn’t exactly mind blowing. The study included 129 mothers from San Francisco, half of whom had a child with an autism
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