Post Archive by Year

Early in my career I remember one of my professors describing some research as “beautiful”. Up to that point beautiful wasn’t a word I would have used in research. But some studies are truly beautiful in the way they search … Read More

Recently I wrote about a test that could spot Parkinson’s disease before symptoms become obvious. To add to our understanding of this complex neurodegenerative condition there’s now been a study saying gradual worsening of Parkinson’s can be tracked by a wearable sensor. … Read More

Sigmund Freud was the first ­person who proposed the idea that suppressing negative thoughts was bad for your mental health. His belief led to a school of thought that dredging up trauma from your past was good for you. Well, … Read More

The placenta is the connection between mum and baby. A developing baby depends wholly on mum for everything, via the placenta. Without a healthy placenta the unborn baby could be in jeopardy, so I’m not surprised that Yale University researchers looked to … Read More

Recently I was called to have my sixth Covid booster and I had the most profound reaction in my arm– much greater than before. This big, red, sore lump must have lasted around five days. Wow, I thought, my immune … Read More

Since we already have virtual surgery to train surgeons in mastering intricate robotic ­techniques, the arrival of ­scalpels with built-in sensors to streamline training for surgeons doesn’t seem that far fetched. Honestly, it’s mind-boggling. ­UK researchers studied data captured by this smart … Read More

Not surprisingly, children who have warm, loving relationships with their parents not only tend to have fewer mental health problems during early childhood and adolescence, but are kind, empathetic, helpful and generous – all so-called pro-social habits. Conversely, children whose early parental … Read More

We have all experienced it – tablets getting stuck at the back of your throat, tasting ­horrible. Not only that, the taste, usually hideously bitter, can ­remain there for hours. It puts many people off taking medication. Well, help may … Read More

For decades men have been ­sensitive about baldness – and some have resorted to those ­embarrassing comb overs. But with new treatments, comb overs may soon be a thing of the past. Male pattern baldness affects 85% of men by the age … Read More

You don’t need to convince me that kids need their dads. I’ve ­written about it many times. Now here’s some great news for fathers. They can personally give their children a head start at primary school and all they have to do … Read More