Behind the Headlines

Snorers 'have higher cancer risk'

Monday May 21 2012

“Snoring 'can raise cancer risk five-fold'”, according to The Daily Telegraph. Its story reported that scientists believe low blood oxygen levels seen in some snorers may encourage the growth of tumours, and that stopping snoring could...

Dysentery drug shows early promise

Monday May 21 2012

A cheap drug already prescribed for arthritis “could fight amoebic dysentery”, reported the BBC. Amoebic dysentery is a parasitic infection that causes diarrhoea containing blood or mucus. Although...

'Parenting and pregnancy tips by text'

Friday May 18 2012

“Parents will receive text message and email advice on how to bring up their children after David Cameron said it was ‘ludicrous’ that people get more training in driving a car,” the Daily Mail has reported...

Weight control in pregnancy reviewed

Friday May 18 2012

“Dieting in pregnancy is good for you,” according to The Independent, while the Daily Mail has warned pregnant women not to eat for two since “piling on the pounds during pregnancy” increases the risk of complications...

'Good cholesterol' theory challenged?

Friday May 18 2012

“Good cholesterol” doesn’t lower heart attack risk, the Daily Mail has reported. A great deal of research has previously suggested that higher levels of “good” HDL cholesterol reduce your risk coronary heart disease, while higher levels...

Statins may help healthy adults

Thursday May 17 2012

Everyone over the age of 50 should be given statins because the “cholesterol-busting” drugs reduce the risk of a heart attack even in healthy people, according to the Daily Telegraph and many other newspapers...

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'A glance will show if someone is gay'

Thursday May 17 2012

The Daily Telegraph boldly and erroneously reports that “women really do have a 'gaydar' which allows them to tell someone's sexuality 'in the blink of an eye'”, while the Sun informs us that “most people have a ‘gaydar’”. This story is based on...

Prostate cancer drug abiraterone set for NHS use

Thursday May 17 2012

“NHS ban on pill to treat prostate cancer is lifted,” the Daily Express has said, while the Daily Mail has warned that a “prostate cancer wonder drug” was set for approval...

'Nerve bypass' helps paralysed man move arm

Wednesday May 16 2012

Revolutionary surgery has given a paralysed man the ability to move his arms and hands again, it has been widely reported. The surgery, which made global news, has shown that rewiring nerves may...

MRSA 'spread by patient transfers'

Wednesday May 16 2012

New research has mapped the way that MRSA “superbug” bacteria spread, BBC News has reported. The results suggest that antibiotic-resistant bacteria may often spread from large, inner-city hospitals to smaller regional ones...