Top health headlines

Diabetes nasal spray
MELBOURNE researchers are a step closer to developing a vaccine for type 1 diabetes after showing that a nasal spray can stop the body’s immune system from attacking insulin-producing cells, The Age reports. The research from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, published in Diabetes provides the first proof the treatment works in humans. The spray is not intended as a treatment for patients who have diabetes, but is being tested in young people with a family history of type 1 diabetes and who have developed antibodies for the disease.

HPV vax impact
RESEARCH shows the introduction of the human papilloma virus vaccine may have led to a significant drop in the number of women being diagnosed with early stage cervical cancer, ABC Science reports. Dr Julie Brotherton, of the Victorian Cytology Service, said there was a 38% decrease in the rates of pre-cancerous cervical lesions in the 2 years after the vaccine was introduced. The research, published in The Lancet, found there was a decrease in high-grade cervical abnormalities  in girls aged 17 years and younger.

New sunscreen rules
TERMS like “sunblock,” “waterproof” and “sweatproof” will be banned on sunscreen labels under new rules from the US Food and Drug Administration, the New York Times reports. Sunscreens must protect equally against two kinds of UVB and UVA radiation to earn the coveted designation of offering “broad spectrum” protection. Sunscreen manufacturers will be able to claim in minutes the time in which the product is water resistant, depending on test results.

Stillbirth risk
PREGNANT women who sleep on their back or right side the night before giving birth are twice as likely to have a stillborn baby compared with those who sleep on their left side, The Canberra Times reports. The research, published in the BMJ, showed no link between snoring or daytime sleepiness and the risk of late stillbirth. One limitation of the study was that women who experienced stillbirths were, on average, asked to recall their sleeping position about 25 days after the event.

Swine flu mutation
A NEW mutant form of swine flu resistant to currently available anti-viral drugs has been discovered by scientists, the International Business Times reports. The mutations were discovered in Darwin and Singapore by the World Health Organization. The new strain can still be treated by anti-viral drugs but recovery takes longer.

Posted 20 June 2011