Obstetric fistulas are injuries that most often occur during childbirth, when a baby gets stuck in the birth canal, causing a hole to develop between the mother’s vagina, and her bladder or rectum. Faeces or urine leak from the fistula constantly, meaning many women with these injuries are shunned by their families and communities. The […]
In 1959, CP Snow wrote that “the intellectual life of the whole of Western society is increasingly being split into two polar groups.” He was referring to the estrangement between scientists and literary intellectuals, but his words could have as true for science and the visual arts. Although arts and science are often seen as […]
Read More… from 2018 Wellcome Book Prize – longlist announced
Scientists have discovered crucial new information about how a foetus develops which could explain why very premature babies suffer low blood pressure and other health problems. It is well-known that babies born before 32 weeks of pregnancy often suffer from dehydration, a drop in blood pressure and even death in some cases. The team found […]
Read More… from Why do premature babies have low blood pressure?
A study, published (Jan 2018) in the Environmental Science & Technology journal, looked at 200 toys taken from homes, charities and second-hand shops and nurseries in the South-West of England. They were looking to establish if older, plastic second-hand toys could pose a safety risk to children. They were checking for the presence of 9 […]
Romantic chemistry is all about warm, gooey feelings that gush from the deepest depths of the heart…right? Not quite. Actually, the real boss behind attraction is your brain, which runs through a very quick, very complex series of calculations when assessing a potential partner. Dawn Maslar explores how our five senses contribute to this mating […]
For the first time, new research shows people with schizophrenia can train themselves to control brain regions linked to verbal hallucinations, using an MRI scanner and a computerised rocket game. The pilot study by researchers at King’s College London’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) and the University of Roehampton suggests the new technique […]
I’m happy to be open about the fact that I have incurable lung cancer and I’m also the medical director of Public Health England. I can’t entirely separate the two but this blog is more about my personal take on living and dying and I’m not speaking on behalf of PHE. I’m 54 years old […]
Urinary stress incontinence and sexual dysfunction are common, yet many women suffer through in silence because they believe there are few options available to help them. The last few years has seen major changes in how these conditions are managed and are leading to significant improvement in quality of life. Up to forty percent of […]
Do household remedies really work? Whether it’s superstitions, family remedies passed down through the generations, or simply little tricks that you swear on, almost everyone has some unusual methods for fighting off common illnesses. Indeed, many of us have anecdotes of strange things our parents made us do because they promised it would rid us […]
Surgeons are treating patients with a new type of hip implant that could lead to better outcomes for younger, more active people requiring surgery. Fifteen patients have so far been treated with a novel ceramic hip resurfacing implant in a new trial at Imperial College London. Early results suggest patients can return to physical activities […]