Health & Science

Sunday, January 4th 2015 - 06:39 UTC
Most types of cancer traced to 'bad luck' rather than risk factors, say scientists

Most types of cancer can be put down to bad luck rather than risk factors such as smoking, a study has suggested. US teams were trying to explain why some tissues were millions of times more vulnerable to cancer than others.
Sunday, January 4th 2015 - 06:34 UTC
Prolonged extreme droughts could help to explain collapse of Mayan civilization

The mysterious collapse of the ancient Mayan civilization has been attributed to a variety of factors, most notably overhunting, deforestation, and a catastrophic peasant uprising. However the theory of prolonged extreme drought has been gaining ground among the scientific community in recent years regarding the Mayan demise.
Wednesday, December 17th 2014 - 19:41 UTC
Falklands has a new Director of Health; Mr Bainbridge takes his position next January

The Falkland Islands Government is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Ian Bainbridge as Director of Health and Social Care, taking up post from 28th January 2015.
Tuesday, December 16th 2014 - 22:35 UTC
Antibiotic-proof bug detected in Rio's Olympic waters

Scientists at the Instituto Oswaldo Cruz find enzyme-producing bacteria that requires bolder therapeutic measures. Flamengo beach unfit for swimming.
Tuesday, December 2nd 2014 - 06:15 UTC
Imported chikungunya reaches UK: 197 cases reported so far

British public health officials say they are grappling with an escalating number of cases of the debilitating chikungunya virus, as holidaymakers return from Caribbean countries.
Saturday, November 29th 2014 - 07:30 UTC
Health professionals from Latam and Caribbean train for management of Ebola

Health professionals from more than 30 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean will receive training in clinical management of Ebola in three upcoming workshops sponsored by the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). The workshops are part of a series of PAHO/WHO actions intended to help countries strengthen their preparedness for potential cases of Ebola.
Friday, November 28th 2014 - 06:08 UTC
World health experts meet to discuss the high levels of antibiotic resistance

Next week, 2-3 December, senior government representatives from more than 30 countries are expected to agree on a pilot system for collecting data on antibiotic resistance—a major step forward in addressing this threat to global public health.
Thursday, November 27th 2014 - 06:50 UTC
Antarctica sea ice thicker than anticipated reveals an autonomous sub

A novel autonomous sub has acquired the first detailed, high-resolution 3D maps of Antarctic sea ice. Released from a ship, the vehicle crisscrossed the underside of the floes, using upward-looking sonar to measure their shape.
Friday, November 21st 2014 - 07:40 UTC
UN reveals major gaps in water and sanitation, especially in rural areas

Global efforts to provide improved water and sanitation for all are gaining momentum, but serious gaps in funding continue to hamper progress, according to a new report from the World Health Organization on behalf of UN-Water.
Wednesday, November 19th 2014 - 04:18 UTC
Bird flu highly contagious H5N8 strain in England, Netherlands and Germany

Bird flu on a duck farm in northern England is the highly contagious H5N8 strain, the same form of the virus already discovered in Germany and the Netherlands, Britain's farm ministry confirmed on Tuesday.