Post Archive by Year

Children laugh a lot given the chance. They find everything funny or silly or jokey. Truth is, laughing is good for them. Every time they giggle, their T cells spike. Yes, those protective T cells of the immune system. So, in a … Read More

The brain is amazing. It can learn new tricks and skills whatever the age. Just how clever it is was demonstrated by researchers at Imperial College, London, showing pianists can adapt to using an extra robotic thumb (11 fingers!) after … Read More

We’ve collected a lot of ­evidence showing that the Covid virus can be ­transmitted through the air in tiny droplets. And that applies to hospital wards as much as anywhere else, as most don’t have the tech to change the … Read More

As a child, I hated Brussels sprouts and loathed those evil-tasting mini cabbages on my plate. But growing up, they became one of my ­favourite veggies, especially if served the French way, with tiny ­onions and bacon bits. They belong … Read More

In the 1980s I did an hour-long TV special about the things that might go wrong and spoil your Christmas. It was tongue in cheek, funny and entertaining with jokes, dancers, music and comedy sketches. To get in the mood … Read More

So deep was my relationship with my grandchildren that I wrote two books on that ­miraculous connection. While researching them, I discovered the ­presence of a grandmother helped a mother to have more children, ­enhancing her “evolutionary fitness” – something … Read More

One in three people over the age of 75 have chronic kidney disease – and I’m one of them. It naturally becomes more common as we age, rising from one in seven cases in adults generally. My classification as a … Read More

We all know cigarettes are bad for us, yet more than one in 10 women are still smoking during their ­pregnancy – harming their unborn child as well. So a new anonymous text service that could help mums-to-be quit strikes … Read More

Surely modern medicine can do a better job for the 5.4 million people who have asthma – ­including 1.1 million children? Each year there are around 77,000 ­admissions to hospital for asthma, each admission representing someone whose asthma isn’t under … Read More

My favourite school teachers all had a huge impact. I ­remember them clearly, they made me feel worthwhile, competent, even brave. Could these uplifting relationships mean even more to children who have little else to inspire them in their lives? … Read More