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Health News from the BBC and the NHS

BBC Health

Time spent frail in old age 'doubles'
More care homes are needed as an ageing population puts pressure on services, researchers suggest.
Maternity 'must improve' at baby-deaths hospital trust
Progress is made at the Shrewsbury and Telford trust but maternity services must improve, the CQC says.
Meningitis jab uptake 'worryingly low'
School-leavers are being urged to be immunised against the highly aggressive strain.
Bowel cancer test: 'No health minister' means NI people must wait
A new screening test for bowel cancer in NI is on hold because there is no Stormont health minister.
Japanese fungus spreading in UK hospitals
More than 200 patients have been infected, but none has died, Public Health England confirms.
Plants 'hijacked' to make polio vaccine
A breakthrough could lead to easier, faster and cheaper vaccines.
'Fat but fit' still risk heart disease
Even if medical tests don't show up any problems, being overweight is bad for the heart, experts say.
Apology over Indian blood donation 'embarrassment'
A "communication breakdown" meant 100 members of the Indian community were not allowed to give blood.
Anger and hatred can make us feel happy, says study
People have higher life satisfaction if they feel emotions they desire - even if they are unpleasant.
Breast cancer helpline founder paid herself £31,000
Wendy Watson, who was awarded an MBE in 2012, has resigned as a charity trustee over the "error".

NHS Choices Behind the Headlines

People who regularly groom their pubic hair at risk of injuries
"A quarter of Americans are injured and hospitalized by tidying up 'down there'," the Mail Online reports. The...
'Alternative cancer therapies' may increase your risk of death
"Cancer patients who use alternative medicine more than twice as likely to die," is the stark message...
'Fat but fit' people may still be at risk of heart disease
"Concept of being 'fit but fat' is a myth, researchers say," ITV News reports after a Europe-wide study...
Reports that antibacterials in pregnancy are 'harmful' unfounded
"Warning to pregnant women, don't use antibacterial soap! Chemicals in the products can make children...
Gene editing brings pig organ transplant closer
"Gene editing to remove viruses brings transplant organs from pigs a step closer," The Guardian reports...
Vitamin B3 found in Marmite not proven to prevent miscarriage
"Like it or loathe it, but Marmite could help prevent millions of miscarriages and birth defects around...
Saliva 'may speed healing' but 'kissing it better' probably won't
"Kissing it better really works: Saliva found to have properties that help speed up the healing process,"...
'Exercise pill' could potentially help people with heart failure
"Pill that mimics effects of going to the gym could transform lives of heart failure patients," the Daily...
Software used to screen social media photos for depression signs
"The images you put up on Instagram could be used to diagnose if you're depressed," the Mail Online reports. Researchers...
Alcohol linked to an increased risk of skin cancer
"Drinking just one glass of beer or wine a day could give you skin cancer, scientists have warned," the...