A mother-of-five lived for 99 years with a ‘totally backwards’ body, doctors have revealed. Rose Marie Bentley, from Molalla in northwest Oregon, was discovered to have situs inversus with levocardia. This caused her liver, stomach and pancreas to develop on her right side rather than in their normal more ‘left’ position. Mrs Bentley was oblivious … Read more
Hyacinths could lead to a cure for blindness ‘because they contain potent compounds that stop growth of abnormal blood vessels in the eyes’ The unexpected growth of blood vessel cells in the eyes is linked to blindness Tests found homoisoflavonoids can halt the growth of abnormal blood vessels Researchers say they could create synthetic versions … Read more
Hydrogen peroxide used in teeth whitening strips damages the tissue deep in the tooth and makes it weaker, a study has found. Whitening kits have become a billion-pound-industry – but companies selling them have come under fire amid their emerging dangers. Now, scientists have found the damage goes even deeper than the enamel, after tests … Read more
People who suffer catastrophic brain injuries may recover their social skills quicker by stroking guinea pigs, research suggests. Traumatic brain injuries often affect a patient’s ability to feel empathy and express their emotions. But a study found allowing patients to stroke ‘cute animals’ – such as micro pigs, rabbits and donkeys – during rehabilitation sessions … Read more
A cancer vaccine that teaches the body to fight tumours has put three lymphoma patients into remission. The vaccine is injected directly into the tumour and teaches the immune system to destroy it, as well as seek other cancerous cells. Researchers tested it on 11 patients with lymphoma and said some were in full remission … Read more
Few of us give much thought to how we put one foot in front of the other, but scientists are investigating whether changing the way we walk can protect our physical and mental health. One promising focus is on how altering our gait can reduce our risk of knee arthritis. The most common type is … Read more
At crisis levels — that is how some experts describe the increase in the numbers of people being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. New data published last week revealed there were more than 200,000 new cases diagnosed in England and Wales alone in 2017, the equivalent of one diagnosis every three minutes. ‘In an average … Read more
Research has linked being green-fingered to everything from higher vitamin D levels to lower blood pressure. And last month, a study in the journal Neurology listed gardening as one of a handful of activities that could lower the risk of dementia in old age. This is thought to be down to the combination of physical … Read more
They are typically taken by the health conscious with the hope of adding years to life. But a study found taking supplements has little effect and only nutrients found in foods can lower your chances of death. In fact, some supplements – such as calcium and vitamin D – were actually associated with a higher … Read more
Zapping the brains of older people can give them the memory of someone in their 20s. It takes only a weak electrical current to restore the thinking powers of people over 60, scientists found. The tiny pulses of electricity are thought to synchronise their brainwaves so their brain works more efficiently. Older people zapped with … Read more