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Archive for August 2012
Older fathers, higher rates of illness?
From the BBC: An Icelandic company found the number of genetic mutations in children was directly related to the age of their father when they were conceived. The results indicate that a father aged 20 passes, on average, approximately 25 mutations, while a 40-year-old father passes on about 65. The study suggests that for every … Continue reading
Congratulations GCSE 2012 Students!
From the BBC: This year’s results show 69.4% of entries earned grades A*-C, compared with 69.8% last year. There is also a fall in the proportion of pupils receiving the top A* and A grades, down to 22.4% from 23.2%. … The pass rate had steadily risen since the exams replaced O-levels and CSEs in … Continue reading
(Inter)National Health Service?
From the BBC: High-profile NHS hospitals in England are to be encouraged by the government to set up profit-making branches abroad to help fund services in the UK. An agency will aim to link hospitals such as Great Ormond Street with foreign governments that want access to British-run health services. Investment would have to be … Continue reading
Congratulations A-Level 2012 Students!
A-level pass rates have risen for the 30th year in a row to 98%, though the percentage of entries awarded top A/A* grades fell marginally to 26.6% from 27%. It still means a lot of people around the country have received the happy news that they’ve met their offers from the Medical School of their … Continue reading
Grief and Mental Illness
From The Guardian: The revised Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), scheduled for publication in May 2013 by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), proposes that grief reactions of more than two weeks may be diagnosed as depression. And where DSM leads, the rest follow. The World Health Organisation’s international classification of diseases group … Continue reading
Travel Sickness
From the BBC: Elite athletes who travel across more than five timezones to compete, more than double their risk of illness, a BMJ study has suggested. The researchers argue the different germs and allergens of a new environment affect the athletes. Air travel does not seem to play a part as on returning home the … Continue reading
Holistic Nurse sought by HM
From The Telegraph: … an advertisement has been placed on the royal website, seeking applicants for the £16,500-a-year role at Windsor Castle. “The post-holder is expected to develop, monitor and manage an effective and competent level of holistic nursing care to the Royal household, guests at royal functions and, at times, the Royal family in … Continue reading
Cancer Stem Cells
From the BBC: Three separate studies on mice appear to have confirmed the view that the growth of tumours is driven by so-called cancer stem cells. The researchers claim to have resolved one of the biggest controversies in cancer research and say their work marks a “paradigm shift” in the field. Areas to think about: … Continue reading
