Straight from the gut: Microbes can cause obesity

[Helen Dodson] Obesity and chronic liver disease can be triggered by a family of proteins that alter populations of microbes in the stomach, a discovery that suggests the condition may be infectious, Yale scientists report. The study, in the advance online publication of Nature, expands on earlier Yale research that showed how similar microbial imbalances caused by the same family of proteins increases the risk of intestinal diseases such as colitis. 3 Feb 2012 15:10

Bedwetting can be due to undiagnosed constipation, research shows

Winston-Salem, NC, USA: Bedwetting isn't always due to problems with the bladder, according to new research by Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Constipation is often the culprit; and if it isn't diagnosed, children and their parents must endure an unnecessarily long, costly and difficult quest to cure nighttime wetting. 31 Jan 2012 13:47

Vomiting virus found in majority of British oysters: study

LONDON, UK: Three-quarters of British-grown oysters contain norovirus, a bug which causes diarrhoea and vomiting, according to new research published on Tuesday by the Food Standards Agency (FSA). 29 Nov 2011 16:04

Results of medication studies in top medical journals may be misleading to readers

[Enrique Rivero] A UCLA-Harvard study has highlighted three types of confusing outcome measures. Studies about medications published in the most influential medical journals are frequently designed in a way that yields misleading or confusing results, new research suggests. 26 Aug 2011 09:19

Too much kougoed not so good, says SU researcher

If you want to chew the indigenous plant kougoed to calm you or make you feel less depressed, do so in moderation - don't indulge yourself indiscriminately. 15 Feb 2011 09:06

New trial tests surgery for Type 2 diabetes

Study compares gastric bypass to conventional medical treatments and lifestyle modifications in mildly obese and non-obese patients. 11 Feb 2011 12:46

Trained dog sniffs out colon cancer with 98% accuracy

[Dr Ananya Mandal, MD] A new study showed that a Labrador retriever that was trained to sniff out cancer was able to detect colon cancer nearly as accurately as a colonoscopy. 3 Feb 2011 07:21

Common disinfectant degrades water-borne viruses

A simple technique to make a common virus-killing material significantly more effective is a breakthrough from the Rice University labs of Andrew Barron and Qilin Li. Rather than trying to turn the process into profit, the researchers have put it into the public domain. They hope wide adoption will save time, money and perhaps even lives. 13 Jan 2011 10:39

Tips for surviving a bout of 'stomach flu'

Stomach flu is one of those ailments that tends to strike from time to time - and it sees a crush of patients crowding into area physician offices and hospital emergency rooms as individuals of all ages suddenly find themselves laid low by a highly contagious and quick-striking virus. 10 Jan 2011 11:09

Food poisoning - it's so unpredictable

While we are often exposed to bacteria in our food which could cause food poisoning, we don't always become ill - why should this be so? 6 Sep 2010 09:16

AstraZeneca sponsors African Institute for Digestive Diseases

AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals has donated R150 000 to the African Institute of Digestive Diseases (AIDD) headed by Prof Reidwaan Ally. The sponsorship was presented by James Ward-Lilley, regional vice president: AstraZeneca Central, Eastern Europe, Middle East Africa (CEEMEA), during a recent visit to the continent. 5 May 2009 15:05

Antidepressants and psychotherapy effective in irritable bowel syndrome

New research suggests that antidepressants and cognitive behavioural therapy may help people with irritable bowel syndrome. 4 Mar 2009 08:21