Top health stories this week: Measles virus defeats cancer in trials, expensive sunscreens not always the best.
International health news
- Modified measles destroys cancer – A measles virus modified to attack cancer cells has put one patient in remission in early trials.
- MERS ‘not a global crisis’ – Despite a recent spike in cases, WHO has said MERS doesn’t yet constitute a “global public health emergency”.
- Top sunscreens fail SPF test – Several of the most expensive sun-creams on the market offer lower SPF protection than advertised finds consumer watchdog, Which?.
Health advice
- Two meals a day to treat diabetes? – Eating breakfast and lunch may be more effective at managing type 2 diabetes than smaller more regular meals, say scientists.
- Red wine benefits ‘over-hyped’ – Red wine ingredient resveratrol has been linked with good heart health, but scientists now say it might not be as good for you as suggested.
Country health updates
- Brazil: World Cup dengue fever risk – “Early warning system” developed to alert authorities to dengue outbreaks during the world cup.
- India: ‘Polio aunties’ working to keep polio away – Walking miles to reach outlying villages, these health workers deliver polio vaccines to poor families.
- China: Baby hatches overwhelmed – Baby hatches are seeing up to 5 babies a day, all with serious health problems, leading to many being closed.