Hypodermic needle by Steven Depolo (CC BY 2.0)
International health news
- Botox could be used against cancer – The toxin could be used to fight stomach cancer as studies show it slows tumour growth and improve chemotherapy results.
- Double polio vaccines could speed up eradication – While the oral vaccine is the most widely used, trials show injecting the inactivated virus as well boosts immunity.
- How safe are your medical records? – If your records are stored electronically, and they probably are, how secure are they and what are the benefits?
Health facts
- Five health studies you probably missed this week – Good neighbours are good for your heart, and four other interesting medical studies published this week.
- Breakfast “just another meal”? – The idea that it is the most important meal of the day may not be true, several studies show no ill-effects from not eating breakfast.
Country health updates
- Japan: Ready to offer experimental Ebola drug – Used on several Ebola patients, the ZMapp supply has been exhausted, Japan has offered a new unapproved drug.
- China: Another food scare highlights tracking problems – As Heinz is involved in a product recall, companies worry about the lack of tracing system for food products.
- Sierra Leone: Illegal to hide Ebola patients – People keeping Ebola patients at home as there is no cure could face up to 2 years in prison under the new laws.