Medical conditions

Long-acting insulin ‘probably superior’ to intermediate-acting insulin

New research favours long-acting insulin over intermediate-acting versions due to the greater reduction in haemoglobin A1c, less weight gain and lower incidence of severe hypoglycaemia.…

HIV returns to baby who had once been clear, Italian researchers find

Intensive antiretroviral therapy of a baby born to an HIV-infected mother does not prove to be a cure.…

Viagra could damage vision in people with an inherited eye disease

Sildenafil has direct effects on both the inner and outer retina, say researchers writing in Experimental Eye Research.…

Gene therapy: a treatment coming of age

A decade ago many people had written off gene therapy altogether but now there are dozens of trials in progress around the world.…

Antibiotic use linked with childhood obesity

Exposure to four or more courses of broad-spectrum antibiotics was associated with an increased risk of childhood obesity, new research suggests.…

Annual national flu vaccination programme kicks off in England

Four-year-old children in England are being offered a free influenza vaccination on the NHS for the first time as part of the annual national programme.…

Case of Middle East respiratory syndrome confirmed in Europe

A new case of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus has been confirmed in Europe after a 29-year-old Saudi Arabian sought treatment for an upper respiratory tract infection in Vienna two days after arriving from Doha, says WHO.…

Doctors call for improvement of inflammatory bowel disease services

Doctors are calling for a national strategy for inflammatory bowel disease so that it receives the same attention as other chronic conditions such as diabetes.…

Research reveals 15% failure rate for antibiotics prescribed for common infections

Antibiotics prescribed by GPs in 2012 for four common infections failed in 15% of cases, according to an analysis of data in the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink.…

Researchers find HPV vaccination provides long-term protection

New research suggests that vaccination against the high-risk human papilloma virus types 16 and 18 offers long-lasting protection.…