HIV carriers in Malaysia should not be allowed to marry, says government official
One of Malaysia's top politicians has apparently suggested that HIV carriers should not be allowed to marry in order to avoid having sick children.

Lemur virus gives clues to evolution of HIV
A squirrel sized lemur from Madagascar has given scientists new evidence about the origins of the HI virus and opened up promising new avenues for investigation.

So, what makes a child happy?
Researchers look at relationship between spirituality, religiousness and happiness in children.

Doctors say the funniest things
The following quotes were taken from actual medical records dictated by physicians. They appeared in a column written by Richard Lederer, Ph.D. for the Journal of Court Reporting...

Does sugar make kids hyperactive? No
... and while we're about it, this study debunks another six other myths.

Burundi: Striking health staff return to work
Burundian health workers who have been on strike since 24 November have resumed work after an agreement between their trade unions and the government.

People still willing to inflict torture
In a repeat of a notorious experiment, scientists have found that people are still willing to inflict torture on others.

Brits battling to cope with 'killer' Australian flu strain
As doctors and hospitals in the UK struggle to deal with a flu epidemic, Brits are being warned that the current outbreak is expected to intensify in the new year as the potentially fatal Australian strain of influenza spreads across the country. So bear this in mind if you are considering travelling to the UK some time soon.

Study looks at Fatal Familiar Insomnia
Fatal Familiar Insomnia (FFI) is one of the diseases considered as rare - there are fewer than 100 cases described throughout the world.

Vitamin B1 can halt kidney damage
Vitamin B1 can stop kidney damage in those with type 2 diabetes, according to new research.

Medi-Clinic's CSI broadens access to quality health care - Magna Carta
Medi-Clinic Southern Africa will be launching its comprehensive CSI strategy this week with 24 CSI prostatectomies over the course of three days at the Polokwane /Mankweng Provincial Hospital in Limpopo.

Canada leads the way in cold-remedy label warnings
Cough, cold remedies to get warning labels; Canada first country to recommend cold products not be used on children under six.

FDA mandates increased warnings for epilepsy drugs, stops short of issuing black box
The U.S. FDA has increased label warnings for epilepsy drugs, noting the increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours, after a panel review earlier this year.

So, you've joined a gym to lose those kilos you've just gained...
Tips for preventing heel pain, pinched nerves and sore Achilles tendons.

Netcare to sell 50% stake in Ampath - Martina Nicholson Associates
Dr Richard Friedland, Chief Executive Officer of Netcare Limited, announced the sale of a 50% stake held by Netcare Limited in Ampath on 12 December, an organisation providing management services to Ampath Laboratories.

Eradication of measles by 2010 unlikely
Experts say that the planned global eradication of measles by 2010 is unlikely because of high rates of infection in parts of Europe where children are not vaccinated.

Angola/DRC border closed after ebola alert
The authorities in Angola say they have closed part of the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo to prevent the spread of the deadly Ebola virus.

Somalia: Actute diarrhoea kills dozens in Galgadud
Dozens of people have died in central Somalia's Galgadud region after an outbreak of acute watery diarrhoea (AWD), medical personnel said on 23 December.

DRC: Nine die, dozens infected by suspected haemorrhagic fever
An outbreak of a suspected haemorrhagic fever has killed nine people and infected 92 more in Kasai Occidental, according to medical personnel.

Malawi: "Ambulance drivers risk contracting the virus in the line of duty"
The festive season is among the busiest times of the year for Malawi's ambulance drivers, with accidents due to drunk driving common. IRIN spoke to Matthias Kalima, 43, who will be on call over the Christmas period.

Egypt reports first bird flu fatality in six months
Egypt suffered its first bird flu fatality in six months when a girl died on 15 December, bringing the death toll from the disease to 23.

Secrets revealed into devastating 1918 flu pandemic
The secrets of why the 1918 flu pandemic was such a deadly one have been revealed by team of Japanese and American scientists.

Congo: Red Cross sets sights on cholera
The lack of clean drinking water and proper hygiene fuelled the spread of cholera in the south and southwest of the Republic of Congo, says the Congolese Red Cross, which has just completed a campaign to teach people how to recognise and stem the spread of the disease.

Stem cells stimulate the body to repair itself
New research has found a way of stimulating bone marrow to produce new stem cells, which can help the body repair itself.

Novel treatment for obesity
A new study helps to explain why obese people and animals fail to respond to leptin, a hormone produced by fat that signals the brain to stop eating.

Antioxidant supplements again fail to reduce risk of cancer
Further trials on antioxidant supplements have failed to show that they can reduce the risk of cancer.

New hope for insulin cell transplant
Scientists are one step closer to pancreas cell transplants.

Is Celine a cure?
Researchers reckon heavy-metal music fans could avoid head-banging injury by switching to Celine Dion.

Stem cell research will boom under Obama
Embryonic stem cells could provide a new way of testing drugs for dangerous side effects, according to a leading British researcher.

Something we share with the amoeba - the reason we age
[David Cameron] Researchers have uncovered what may be a universal cause of aging, one that applies to both single-cell organisms such as yeast and multicellular organisms, including mammals.

Cancer cells pull off 'Houdini' escape to evade chemotherapy
Scientists have revealed for the first time that cancer cells can reverse a process which irrevocably commits normal cells to die, in a study published in the British Journal of Cancer.

New technique to view labelled tumour cells in 'real' time
A breakthrough technique that allows scientists to view individually labelled tumour cells as they move about in real time in a live mouse may enable scientists to develop microenvironment-specific drugs against cancer, researchers report at the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) 48th Annual Meeting, Dec. 13-17, 2008 in San Francisco.

Finding the right tech model for patient care management
As the number of diabetes patients grows, doctors will increasingly turn to technology to help manage care. This creates an opportunity for vendors to provide technology that can transform the industry to make care more effective, more personal and more convenient, writes Parks Associates' Harry Wang.

Tellumat-developed SIMpill SMART takes world by storm - DUO Marketing + Communications
Enhanced medication management system enters new markets

Yes, you CAN spread a little happiness
[David Cameron] Harvard researchers in the US have found that happiness spreads through social networks like an emotional contagion, according to a study that looked at nearly 5,000 individuals over a period of 20 years.

Immune cells may contribute to Parkinson's disease
New research suggests that rogue immune cells that enter the brain could contribute to the development of Parkinson's disease.

'Detox' is a myth
There is no evidence that widely used 'detox' products have any benefit.

New guidelines for malignant melanoma
The German Cancer Society has worked out new guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of malignant melanoma - a disease with unfavourable prognosis and of particular interest in countries such as South Africa, with strong sunlight most of the year.

Why extra-virgin olive oil is so good for you
Good quality extra-virgin olive oil contains health-relevant chemicals, ‘phytochemicals' that can trigger cancer cell death.

Good news for young male cancer patients
"Young men undergoing treatment for cancer often want to know how the disease and its treatment affect their chances of fathering healthy children. Our large-scale study shows that there is a slightly higher risk of deformities, but the actual risk of having a child with deformities is nevertheless extremely low. I think this is good news!"

Nitric oxide monitoring does not help most children with asthma
The level of nitric oxide (NO) in an asthmatic's exhaled breath can portend worsening asthma symptoms, and may even signify an imminent attack linked to underlying airway inflammation.

South Africa: Children of fire
A few months ago, Tapera Jani, a three-year-old Zimbabwean boy who lived with his parents on a farm outside Bulawayo, walked into a fire. The fire left severe burn injuries on his feet.

Women less physically active than men
New research has found that women are less physically active than men at both ends of their lives.

Kenya: Hiding from the cruellest cut
Hundreds of girls between seven and 17 are seeking refuge in church compounds in western Kenya to avoid the ritual removal of their clitorises, a practice that remains common despite its illegality.

Zimbabwe: Hunger greater than thought
The number of Zimbabweans requiring food assistance in the first quarter of 2009 has been revised upwards to 5.5 million people.

Sun Smart fun in the sun
In the new South Africa, we are proud of our rainbow nation and as much as we enjoy carefree summer days we all need to take caution when spending time outdoors.

Lack of trained personnel hampers Sudan's efforts to offer a health service
Sudan is finding that it is unable to rebuild its health services because it lacks healthcare workers.

Can you believe what the label tells you?
A US survey found that trusting labels in that country is not always wise.

Ten New Year's tips to end the smoking habit - Redline
It's that time of year when millions of people around the world make New Year's resolutions.

Adding protein improves recovery time in athletes
A supplement containing carbohydrate and protein improved recovery time in cyclists.

Lancet examines use of text messaging technology to increase TB treatment adherence
Disease control and technology specialists are examining the use of cellular phone text messaging to monitor tuberculosis patients in remote locations, the Lancet reports.

Female foetus first to be scanned for breast cancer gene
A baby girl due to be born soon will be minus breast cancer causing gene.

Having dense breasts increases breast cancer risk
Having dense breasts - areas that show up light on a mammogram - is strongly associated with increased breast cancer risk, but "why" remains to be answered.