Health News

TB-HIV co-infection crisis twice as big as previously thought: WHO

TB-HIV co-infection crisis twice as big as previously thought: WHOWashington, Mar 25 : In recognition of World TB Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released new figures to show that co-infection of TB among HIV patients is nearly twice as big as previously thought.

In 2007, there were at least 1.37 million cases of HIV-positive TB - or nearly 15 percent of the total incident cases. That figure doubles that of the previous estimates, WHO said.

Australian visitors warned to beware of Hong Kong's choking smog

Australian visitors warned to beware of Hong Kong's choking smog Hong Kong - Australian visitors were warned Wednesday about Hong Kong's poor air quality in a travel alert issued by the Canberra government.

The alert warned that levels of air pollution "may aggravate bronchial, sinus or asthma conditions" and says people with heart or respiratory illnesses should take precautions.

It urges visitors with pre-existing conditions to reduce physical activity and outdoor activity on days when air pollution readings are high in the densely populated high-rise city of 7 million.

Singapore allows payment for living organ donors

Singapore allows payment for living organ donors Singapore - Singapore's parliament passed controversial legislation which allows reimbursement of living organ donors, media reports said Wednesday.

After a heated two-day debate, in which some legislators raised concerns that the new law might lead to open organ trading, four of the 84 members of parliament abstained the final vote and one voted against, the Straits Times newspaper reported.

Eighty-two legislators in Singapore's parliament are from the People's Action Party, which has ruled the city-state since independence in 1965.

Oily fish may cut prostrate cancer risk

Oily fish may cut prostrate cancer risk

Spanish woman first to bear twins after ovarian tissue transplant

Spanish woman first to bear twins after ovarian tissue transplant Valencia, Spain - A 39-year-old Spanish former breast cancer patient will become the world's first woman to give birth to twins after receiving a transplant of her own ovarian tissue, officials said Tuesday in the eastern city of Valencia.

Women who are treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy often experience precocious ovarian failure, health official Manuel Cervera explained.

Novel stem cell therapy may treat deafness

Novel stem cell therapy may treat deafnessWashington, Mar 24 : In a breakthrough study, researchers have developed a new stem cell therapy that may help in treating hearing impairment.

Deafness typically involves the loss of sensory receptors, called hair cells, for their "tufts" of hair-like protrusions, and their associated neurons.

Pages