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).

Washington, Apr 15 : In a breakthrough study, a group of patients with type 1 diabetes were freed from daily insulin injections for up to four years following a transplant using their own stem cells.

According to the study in the April 15 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on diabetes, majority of patients with type 1 diabetes who underwent a certain type of stem cell transplantation became insulin free with good glycemic control, and also increased C-peptide levels, an indirect measure of beta-cell function.

Richard K. Burt, M. D., of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, presented the findings of the study at a JAMA media briefing at the National Press Club in Washington, D. C.

Washington, Apr 14: Researchers from University of Utah have found that lack of proper nutrition in the womb may cause permanent genetic changes in the offspring.

In the study conducted using rats, the researchers found that fetuses receiving poor nutrition in the womb become genetically primed to be born into an environment lacking proper nutrition. As a result, the rats were likely to grow to smaller sizes than their normal counterparts.