Researchers analyzed Darwin Award winners and found that 88.7% were male, supporting the idea that men are more prone to 'idiotic risk taking behaviour'. The study suggests males may engage in such risky actions as a rite of passage or for social esteem
The study suggests that music can have a calming effect on surgeons and theatre staff, improving communication and efficiency. The authors recommend specific songs, such as Stayin' Alive by the Bee Gees, to play in the operating theatre.
Researchers develop a propionate supplement that targets gut hormone release, leading to reduced food intake and fat distribution. The study shows significant weight loss and fat reduction in participants taking the supplement, with minimal side effects.
A study of nearly 15,000 middle-aged men and women found that those with the highest waist-to-hip ratio were twice as likely to experience sudden cardiac death as those with a normal ratio. The risk was strongly associated with central obesity, particularly around the midriff, which is thought to contribute to inflammation.
Added sugars, especially fructose, are likely to have a greater impact on high blood pressure and heart disease than salt. Reducing processed food intake containing added sugars can help mitigate cardiovascular risk. The authors argue that dietary guidelines should be more stringent in limiting sugar consumption, particularly among teens.
While some argue that a 48-hour working week has led to negative effects on medical training, others find no evidence to support these claims. Several reviews conclude that high-quality training can be delivered within this time frame, and trainees are increasingly satisfied with their training.
Delayed cancer diagnoses are often caused by limitations in scientific knowledge and the delivery of healthcare, not poor professional performance. Despite this, policy initiatives focusing on GP referral times may be ineffective. Researchers advocate for better information about diagnostic challenges to improve diagnosis and care.
The NHS has seen its annual spend on management consultancy double from £313m to £640m between 2010 and 2014. This significant increase in spending raises concerns about the value and impact of such services, with critics arguing that consultants are not accountable for their advice.
Researchers analyzed press releases and news stories for exaggerated advice, causal claims, and inference from animal findings. They found that 40% of press releases contained exaggerated advice, while 33% of peer-reviewed journal articles did. Improving academic press releases could reduce misleading health news.
A BMJ investigation analyzed 3,494 contracts awarded by Clinical Commissioning Groups in England between 2013 and 2014, showing that non-NHS providers secured 45% of these contracts. NHS providers won 55%, while private sector providers were successful in competitive tender processes and smaller AQP-based contracts.
A large study found that the benefits of regular low-dose aspirin in healthy women are outweighed by its drawbacks. However, limiting its use to women over 65 may lead to a better balance between risk and benefit. The study involved nearly 30,000 women aged 45 and above.
Doubling breastfeeding duration for 7-18 months can save the NHS at least £31 million, while doubling neonatal unit breastfeeding rates saves an extra £6 million. Helping existing mothers extend breastfeeding periods is key to achieving these cost savings.
A Swedish-US research team analyzed over 1.8 million births to find that maternal overweight and obesity increase infant mortality risk, with grade 2-3 obesity linked to more than doubled infant deaths. The study found modest increased risks for overweight mothers and significant increases for those with severe obesity.
A Mediterranean diet high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and olive oil has been associated with longer telomeres, a biomarker of slower aging. The study found that adherence to the diet was significantly linked to longer telomeres, corresponding to 1.5 years of telomere ageing.
A senior GP argues that UK government plans to extend diagnosis targets in primary care to six other conditions are problematic and unscientific. The data on which they are based is flawed, leading to potential overdiagnosis and unnecessary tests and treatments.
Research suggests respiratory infections play a key role in childhood asthma development. The link between paracetamol exposure and asthma is weakened when respiratory infections are considered.
Regular internet use and engaging in civic, leisure, and cultural activities may help maintain health literacy skills among older adults. Health literacy scores fell by one or more points in around a fifth of people over six years, regardless of initial score.
A study of 95,766 Danish participants found that genetically low vitamin D levels were associated with increased all-cause mortality and cancer mortality. However, the study did not find a link between vitamin D levels and cardiovascular mortality.
A study by Harvard Medical School found that police officers are at increased risk of sudden cardiac death when performing physically demanding and stressful duties. The research analyzed over 4,500 US police officer deaths and found a significant association between these tasks and cardiovascular deaths.
New wearable baby monitors are marketed as a solution to reduce parents' fears of SIDS, but no medical evidence supports their effectiveness. Experts call for prominent disclaimers and caution against relying on these devices for health benefits.
A study of over 6,100 British men found that those who paid for sex had twice as many lifetime sexual partners as the general population, but few were paid for. Young professionals with a taste for binge drinking and recreational drugs were more likely to engage in this behavior.
Starting smoking by age 13 is linked to an increased risk of chronic severe period pain. Smoking constricts arterial blood flow and affects hormones involved in menstruation, which may contribute to the association.
Mental health experts in The BMJ warn that UK immigration detention systems are broken and prioritize deterrence over protection, causing harm to detainees' physical and mental health. Experts call for NHS England to ensure detainees are screened for mental health problems and facilities maintain NHS standards.
Support for plain packs increased significantly after implementation, rising from 28.2% to 49%, with those who wanted to quit being more likely to accept them. Smokers with a higher desire to quit and low heavy smoking index were also more supportive of plain packs.
Research suggests that hospital interventions can significantly reduce smoking rates, with around 14.5% of hospital admissions being smokers. Implementing routine smoking cessation support could prevent hundreds of thousands of premature deaths.
Despite no detectable coronary artery disease, nearly three-quarters of patients experience severe or moderate symptoms before and after angiography. Symptoms persist in over seven out of ten cases. Validated questionnaires reveal higher anxiety levels, increased somatoform disorders, and hypochondria in these patients.
Long-term shift work is associated with impaired brain function, including lower memory and processing speed. Recovery may take at least five years after stopping shift work.
A high milk intake in both men and women has been associated with an increased risk of death and fractures, despite previous research suggesting the opposite. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and determine potential causality.
A report by Richard Wakeford highlights the shortage of doctors in general practice, with only 11% of new medical students planning a career in GP. The Medical Schools Council's lack of representation from GPs is a major concern, as it may hinder effective recruitment.
Clinical trials conducted in East Germany between 1983 and 1990 involved over 14,000 patients and 68 Western companies. Despite some strict regulations, the country's desperation for hard currency led to trials with potentially ethically uncertain processes, but no evidence suggests systematic harm to patients.
Researchers found that recreational drug use among swingers was associated with high-risk sexual behavior and STIs, especially in women. The study suggests that targeted interventions addressing safer sex practices and secondary prevention of drug use could be effective in reducing the spread of STIs.
Researchers found that exposure to traffic-related air pollutants during the second trimester of pregnancy is associated with reduced lung function in preschool children. Higher levels of benzene and NO2 were linked to impaired lung function, particularly among allergic children and those from lower social classes.
Research found that non-smokers living with smokers are exposed to PM2.5 concentrations three times higher than the WHO guidance, similar to heavily polluted cities. Inhaling in a smoke-free home could reduce exposure by over 70% for non-smokers.
A growing body of evidence links metal fumes to a heightened risk of bacterial lobar pneumonia in welders. New data shows welders are more than 3.5 times as likely to die from pneumococcal pneumonia compared to other workers.
The UK tops the global league table for gullet cancer, specifically adenocarcinoma, in men. This type of cancer has seen a significant increase in high-income countries, particularly among men. The strongest risk factors for adenocarcinoma include acid reflux and obesity.
Researchers found that family doctors may not be detecting lung cancer signs promptly enough, with one in seven patients dying within three months. Chest x-rays performed in primary care had lower early death rates, but frequent GP visits increased the risk.
Poor dental health among athletes affects their wellbeing, performance, and quality of life. High-carb diets and acidic sports drinks exacerbate the problem, leading to tooth decay, gum disease, and other issues.
Research on 1221 Danish men found a link between moderate weekly alcohol intake and poorer sperm quality, with effects more noticeable at higher consumption levels. The study showed that even habitual drinking was associated with changes in reproductive hormone levels, leading to lower sperm counts and abnormal sperm shape.
A large UK study has found a significant link between gout and diabetes in the general population, particularly among women. Women with gout were 71% more likely to develop diabetes than those without, highlighting the importance of prompt treatment of shared risk factors.
Research found a significant association between high alcohol intake and heightened HPV infection risk in men, even after adjusting for other risk factors. The study suggests that moderate alcohol consumption may be crucial to reducing this risk, alongside safe sex practices and smoking cessation.
A minimum unit price of 45p would significantly reduce consumption and health harms among harmful drinkers, with effects estimated at 40-50 times greater than a below cost selling ban. This policy is likely to save thousands of lives and hospital admissions per year.
A recent study found that adhering to healthy lifestyle habits such as a healthy weight, regular physical activity, and not smoking can significantly reduce the risk of gestational diabetes. The study estimated that nearly half of all diabetic pregnancies could be prevented through these low-risk lifestyle factors.
A study of over 93,000 women found that increases in skirt size are strongly associated with a higher risk of postmenopausal breast cancer. Women who gained one size every 10 years were 33% more likely to develop the disease, while those who gained two sizes faced an 77% greater risk.
A leading expert suggests that taking patients in cardiac arrest to hospital may be actively harmful and recommends empowering ambulance staff with skills to optimise CPR at the scene. This approach could save lives and reduce unnecessary transports, but experts acknowledge the complexity of applying guidelines in different regions.
Research found that workers experiencing high levels of job insecurity were more likely to develop asthma. The study, based on a German survey, indicates a potential link between psychological stress and new onset asthma.
Research suggests that sponsorship of nutritional supplements and sports drinks at sporting events may be misleading the public about their health benefits. The lack of strong scientific evidence for these products' effectiveness raises concerns about their value and cost.
Researchers analyzed recorded gun deaths in the US from 2000 to 2010, finding a significant disparity between racial groups. Gun deaths were twice as common among African-Americans as they were among white citizens, with rates rising in some states and falling in others.
Researchers found that chokeberry extract killed off cancer cells and boosted the effectiveness of chemotherapy drug gemcitabine in treating pancreatic cancer. The extract's anti-cancer properties were tested on human pancreatic cancer cells, with results suggesting a potential synergy between the two.
A urine HPV test showed high accuracy in detecting the virus compared to traditional cervical sampling methods. The test had a sensitivity of 87% and specificity of 94%, with improved results when using first-void urine samples.
A recent study suggests that treating mildly elevated blood pressure in low-risk individuals may not be effective in reducing cardiovascular disease or death. Experts urge clinicians to re-examine the threshold for treatment and promote lifestyle changes, such as weight loss and increased exercise, instead of relying on medication.