London, April 15 : Thrilling concerts often leave heavy metal fans with headaches, but a sham medicine may be all that is needed to ease their pains.

Well, this suggestion is based on a study by McGill University researchers Montreal, Canada, which has shown that thrill-seekers enjoy a stronger placebo response than people with more restrained personalities.

Neuroscientist Petra Schweinhardt has revealed that this conclusion was arrived at after testing 22 male university students.

Washington, Apr 15 : Male circumcision reduces the risk of contracting HIV in heterosexual men, concludes a new study.

"Research on the effectiveness of male circumcision for preventing HIV in heterosexual men is conclusive. No further trials are required to establish that HIV infection rates are reduced in heterosexual men for at least the first two years after circumcision," says lead researcher Nandi Siegfried, Co-director of the South African Cochrane Centre at the South African Medical Research Council.

Washington, Apr 15 : Drugs and radiotherapy given to fight cancer can lead to nausea and vomiting, mouth sores and dermatitis. Now, Cochrane Researchers claim that homeopathic medicines can help reduce these unpleasant side effects.

In a systematic review of randomised controlled trials, scientists examined recent evidence for the safety and effectiveness of homeopathic medicines used in this way.

London, April 15 : Scientists at the Sahlgrenska Academy have found out why touching the skin relieves pain.

The researchers have revealed that the skin has specialised nerve fibres called called CT nerves (C-tactile), which travel directly to the areas in the brain that are important in the emergence of feelings.

Washington, Apr 15 : Do you suffer severe stress and anxiety associated with having and undergoing treatment for coronary heart disease? Well, then bring on the iPod.

A Cochrane Systematic Review has suggested that music can be good for heart disease patients.

According to researchers, listening to music could decrease blood pressure, heart rate, and levels of anxiety in heart patients.

Washington, Apr 15 : An Australian researcher says that a new treatment, called the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment, may prove effective in curing speech disorder in people who have suffered a stroke or brain injury.

Dr Rachel Wenke, from University of Queensland (UQ), has shown that the treatment may be helpful for dysarthria patients suffering from stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI).