Monday 1st February 2016- The World Health Organisation: Films showing smoking scenes should be rated to protect children from tobacco addiction

‘WHO is calling on governments to rate movies that portray tobacco use in a bid to prevent children and adolescents from starting to smoke cigarettes and use other forms of tobacco.

Movies showing use of tobacco products have enticed millions of young people worldwide to start smoking, according to the new WHO “Smoke-free movies: from evidence to action”, the third edition since its launch in 2009.’

‘“With ever tighter restrictions on tobacco advertising, film remains one of the last channels exposing millions of adolescents to smoking imagery without restrictions,” says Dr Douglas Bettcher, WHO’s Director for the Department of Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases.

Taking concrete steps, including rating films with tobacco scenes and displaying tobacco warnings before films with tobacco, can stop children around the world from being introduced to tobacco products and subsequent tobacco-related addiction, disability and death.

“Smoking in films can be a strong form of promotion for tobacco products,” adds Dr Bettcher. “The 180 Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) are obliged by international law to ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.”’

‘Studies in the United States of America have shown that on-screen smoking accounts for 37% of all new adolescent smokers. In 2014, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that in the United States alone, exposure to on-screen smoking would recruit more than 6 million new, young smokers from among American children in 2014, of which 2 million would ultimately die from tobacco-induced diseases.

In 2014, smoking was found in 44% of all Hollywood films, and 36% of films rated for young people. Almost two thirds (59%) of top-grossing films featured tobacco imagery between 2002 and 2014. That same year, the US Surgeon General reported that adult ratings of future films with smoking would reduce smoking rates among young people in the USA by nearly one-fifth and avert 1 million tobacco-related deaths among today’s children and adolescents.’

Related Articles:

Films showing smoking scenes should be rated to protect children from tobacco addiction

Smoking in the Movies- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

WHO calls for adult ratings on films that feature smoking- The Telegraph

Films portraying smoking should get adult rating, says WHO- The Guardian

Tuesday 26th January 2016- The Telegraph: Toddler gets world first adult kidney transplant using 3D printing

‘A three-year-old girl from Northern Ireland has become the first to have a life-saving adult kidney transplant, using 3D printing.

At four months old, Lucy Boucher suffered heart failure which starved her kidneys of oxygen. She was told she would need to have kidney dialysis for life, until surgeons at London’s Guy’s and St Thomas’ and Great Ormond Street Hospital performed the transplant.’

‘To conduct the transplant, for which Lucy’s father Chris, 35, donated his kidney, the surgeons made detailed models of Mr Boucher’s kidney and Lucy’s abdomen with a 3D printer, so they could map out the procedure with precision, hence minimising risks.

The surgery, which took place last November, has now been pronounced a success, with both father and daughter in recovery.’

‘According to Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust: “It is the first time in the world that 3D printing has been used to aid kidney transplant surgery involving an adult donor and a child recipient.”

Mr Boucher said: “My first reaction when I saw the 3D printout of my kidney was surprise at how big it was and I wondered how it could possibly fit into Lucy.

“Seeing the model of her abdomen and the way the kidney was going to be transplanted inside her gave me a clear understanding of exactly what was going to happen.”‘

Related Articles:

Toddler gets world first adult kidney transplant using 3D printing

Kidney transplant: Antrim parents’ gratitude after innovative surgery aided by 3D printing- BBC News

Saturday 23rd January 2016- The Telegraph: New ‘sat nav’ operating technique could double chance of survival from brain cancer

‘A new ‘sat nav’ operating technique for surgeons could double the chance of survival of brain cancer patients by removing tumours which were thought to be inoperable.

Sheffield Children’s Hospital has launched new surgical suite which includes an MRI scanner which can precisely monitor the brain during an operation.

It allows surgeons to work out whether they have managed to remove all of a brain tumour while still in theatre.’

‘”The MRI images mean that we can be sure the tumour has been completely removed and nothing has been left behind before we finish the operation.”

Dr Hesham Zaki, Sheffield Children’s Hospital’

‘They can also work out precisely where a tumour is, thereby ensuring surrounding healthy tissue is not damaged.

Around 10,000 people are diagnosed with brain cancer each year and half will die. If a tumour is completely removed the chance of survival is up to 80 per cent. But if cancerous cells are left behind that falls to just 40 per cent.

Surgeons have already used the suite to carry out operations on two children and they hope to soon offer adults the benefit.’

‘Hesham Zaki, head of the department of paediatric neurosurgery, said the equipment puts the Sheffield hospital at the forefront of increasing survival rates from brain tumours in the UK and worldwide.

He said: “The fact we can use the MRI scanner during the surgery is a real step-change. “Just like a sat nav, it tells me where I need to go.

“We scan the patient that we are operating on with their skull still open and the operation still ongoing.

“The MRI images mean that we can be sure the tumour has been completely removed and nothing has been left behind before we finish the operation.

“This is important because some types of brain tumour can look like normal brain. This is a sea-change. Tumours that were inoperable can now be operated on.”‘

See:

New ‘sat nav’ operating technique could double chance of survival from brain cancer

Tuesday 19th January 2016- BBC News: ‘Natural’ fertilisation device for IVF

‘A private UK fertility clinic is offering couples a new form of IVF treatment that lets conception occur in the womb rather than in the lab.

Doctors hope that making fertilisation more natural will mean healthier pregnancies.

The Complete Fertility clinic in Southampton is first in the UK to use the AneVivo device method.

It is a tiny tubular capsule that is loaded with the sperm and egg before being placed into the uterus.

Prof Nick Macklon, head of the clinic, insisted it was not a gimmick.’

Related Articles;

‘Natural’ fertilisation device for IVF

New IVF treatment could make babies healthier, experts believe- The Independent

Sunday 17th January 2016- BBC News: Brazil Zika outbreak: New test kits for mosquito-borne viruses

‘The Brazilian Health ministry says it’s developed new testing kits to rapidly identify the presence of three viruses – Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya – all carried by the same mosquito.

Health Minister Marcelo Castro said priority for testing would be given to pregnant women.

Brazil has the largest known outbreak of Zika, which has been linked to a sharp spike in birth defects.

Mr Castro also announced extra funds to speed up finding a vaccine for Zika.

He said that the goal was to develop a vaccine “in record time”.

At the moment the only way to fight Zika is to clear standing water where mosquitoes breed.

The aim is that the tests will speed up diagnosis and ensure patients get correct medical treatment fast.’

‘Since October around 3,530 babies have been born with microencephaly, which can lead to small heads and under-developed brains.

Fewer than 150 cases of microencephaly were seen in Brazil throughout 2014.

The US State Department confirmed its first case of a baby born with brain damage because of infection by the Zika virus.

The baby was born in a hospital in Oahu, Hawaii.

The Hawaii State Department of Health said the mother was believed to have contracted Zika while living in Brazil in May 2015 and that the baby was most likely infected in the womb.

The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention issued an alert on Friday advising pregnant women to avoid travelling to Brazil and other Latin American and Caribbean countries where outbreaks of Zika have been registered.

The travel alert applies to Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela and Puerto Rico.

Zika virus is transmitted by the Aedes species mosquito.’

See:

Brazil Zika outbreak: New test kits for mosquito-borne viruses

Friday 15th January 2016- The Independent: Down’s syndrome test which is ‘safer and highly accurate’ approved for pregnant women on NHS

‘A simple new blood test which identifies Down’s syndrome has been recommended for high-risk women on the NHS, reducing the need for examinations which complications.

The highly accurate, non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) reduces the need for expectant mothers to undergo invasive amniocentesis, which carries a 1 per cent risk of miscarriage and a one in 1,000 risk of serious infection.

The method, which can be processed in five days, also detects Patau’s and Edwards’ syndromes, which all occur when cells carrying an extra chromosome.

While most people with Down’s syndrome have learning difficulties, many babies with Edward’s and Patau’s die before or shortly after they are born.

Currently, women who are at 10 to 14 weeks are offered a blood test and ultrasound to check the foetus for abnormalities.

Government advisers at the UK National Screening Committee have now recommended that women with at least a one in 150 chance of their baby having Down’s, Patau’s or Edwards’ syndromes take the new test.

The examination uses the mother’s blood, which contains the foetus’ DNA, to screen for diseases. Studies show it has a 99 per cent accuracy for identifying Down’s.

Ministers must now approve the recommendations before they can be rolled out.

A study involving 2,500 high and medium risk women at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) last year showed that the test was safe and 99 per cent accurate.

However, Dr Anne Mackie, director of screening at Public Health England, said that while evidence suggest that NIPT is more accurate than current tests, questions remain about its use in real-life.

“We don’t know how good the test is for other genetic conditions – Edwards’ and Patau’s syndromes – that are currently part of the programme, and the evidence review also found that up to 13 per cent of the NIPTs carried out didn’t give any result at all.”

The tests will be introduced out across England to enable experts to alter the screening programme if necessary.  ‘

Related Articles:

Down’s syndrome test which is ‘safer and highly accurate’ approved for pregnant women on NHS

Non-invasive test for Down’s syndrome recommended for high-risk women- The Guardian

Hundreds of babies could be saved after Down’s Syndrome blood test is approved for NHS- The Telegraph

Safer Down’s test backed for NHS use- BBC News

Tuesday 5th January 2016- BBC News: Bionic eye changing woman’s life after losing sight

‘A woman who has gradually been losing her sight for years has been describing the joys of being able to see again after being fitted with a bionic eye.

Rhian Lewis, from Cardiff, Wales, was given the retinal implant as part of a trial which could go on to benefit thousands of people suffering from sight loss.

The 49-year-old had an operation to implant a tiny 3x3mm chip into her right eye.’

See:

Bionic eye changing woman’s life after losing sight

Monday 4th January 2016- The Guardian: Children aged four to 10 ‘have equivalent of 5,500 sugar cubes a year’

‘Children aged between four and 10 consume 22kg in sugar every year, according to a public health campaign urging parents to take control of their offspring’s diet.

The 22kg is equivalent to 5,500 sugar cubes – with soft drinks, biscuits, buns, cakes, breakfast cereals, confectionery, fruit juices, pastries and puddings the main culprits.

As part of its “Sugar Smart campaign”, Change4Life has launched a free app that allows people to scan the barcode of a product to reveal the amount of sugar it contains in cubes and grams. It warns that obesity and tooth decay are among the consequences of children consuming three times as much of the substance as they should.

Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist for Public Health England, said: “Children are having too much sugar. This can lead to painful tooth decay, weight gain and obesity, which can also affect children’s wellbeing as they are more likely to be bullied, have low self-esteem and miss school.

“Children aged five shouldn’t have more than 19 grams of sugar per day – that’s five cubes, but it’s very easy to have more. Our easy-to-use app will help parents see exactly where the sugar in their children’s diet is coming from, so they can make informed choices about what to cut down on.”

The maximum added sugar intake for seven- to 10-year-olds is 24g, or six sugar cubes; for anyone aged 11 or older, it is 30g or seven sugar cubes.’

‘Last July, the UK’s official nutrition advisers said dietary sugar should account for no more than 5% of daily calories consumed, half the previous recommended limit.

Obesity costs the NHS £5.1bn per year and is projected to rise to £9.7bn by 2050, with wider costs to society estimated to reach £49.9bn per year.

In 2013, almost a third (31%) of five-year-olds and almost half (46%) of eight-year-olds had tooth decay. It was the most common reason for five- to nine-year-olds to be admitted to hospital. Evidence suggests high sugar intake is linked to deprivation.’

Related Articles:

Children aged four to 10 ‘have equivalent of 5,500 sugar cubes a year’

Children aged five eat their bodyweight in sugar, experts warn- The Independent

Children aged five eating own weight in sugar each year as parents urged to check products with free app- The Telegraph

Parents urged to get free sugar app to check products- BBC News

Sunday 3rd January 2016- BBC News: New laws on e-cigarettes to be introduced across EU

‘To some, they are the perfect way to quit smoking. For others, they are a new health risk.

Laws on electronic cigarettes will change across Europe this year, with new health warnings and controls on how they are sold.

In some parts of the EU, e-cigarettes are currently banned.’

See:

New laws on e-cigarettes to be introduced across EU

Saturday 2nd January 2016- The Guardian: Street lamps tackle dengue by luring mosquitoes with fake human scent

‘It’s a Venus flytrap for the streets – a solar- and wind-powered lamp that attracts and captures mosquitoes, aiming to reduce rates of mosquito-borne diseases while illuminating roads.

Developed by researchers at Malaysia’s University of Malaya, the Eco-Greenergy outdoor lighting system consists of an LED street lamp that produces low levels of carbon dioxide to lure mosquitoes.

Head researcher Chong Wen Tong says the smell of CO2, produced by combining ultraviolet light with titanium dioxide, is irresistible to mosquitoes. He says the level of CO2 emitted by the light is relatively low, and the benefits of the clean energy it provides outweigh the emissions.

“The mosquito trap takes advantage of the mosquito’s sensory abilities by tricking them with features that mimic the odours associated with humans,” Chong says.

“Decoyed mosquitoes enter the trap through the capture windows on the upper part, and then are strongly sucked into the capture net in the lower part by a suction fan. Once they are sucked into the capture net, they cannot fly away.”

The light was developed primarily to fight dengue fever, the mosquito-borne viral disease that has increased 30-fold in the past 50 years. The disease has taken particular hold in Asia-Pacific countries, where 1.8 billion people are at risk. Malaysia experienced an unprecedented outbreak of dengue fever in 2015, which killed more than 200 people. In Asia, the economic cost of the disease is estimated at $2bn a year.

Chong says the light’s ability to function on wind and solar energy makes it a viable option in developing countries. “For remote areas with no access to the electrical grid, this system can serve as a stand-alone, self-sustained renewable energy source to supply basic electricity needs. It is scalable to match the energy demand,” he says.

Eight street lamps have been installed at the University of Malaya campus and other sites in Kuala Lumpur as part of a pilot programme. The research team says the first version of the light is ready for market and a licensing agreement with one private company has already been signed.’

See:

Street lamps tackle dengue by luring mosquitoes with fake human scent