Behind the Headlines

High-dose painkiller heart risk: small but significant

Thursday May 30 2013

"Study links painkillers to increased risk of heart attack," The Independent reports. This major study found that high doses of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) type of painkiller increased the risk of serious conditions...

No proof coffee causes obesity and diabetes

Wednesday May 29 2013

'Is your caffeine fix making you fat?' is the compelling question posed by the Mail Online website, which goes on to report that a study 'shows five cups of coffee a day could cause obesity.' But the study in question…

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End of week surgery 'has higher death risk'

Wednesday May 29 2013

The Daily Mail's front page warns that there's “82% more chance of dying in surgery at weekend”, after a major study examined whether death rates following planned surgery changed depending on what day of the week the patient had their operation…

Molecule limits heart attack damage in mice

Tuesday May 28 2013

"Heart attack drug may reduce tissue damage," says the BBC. This headline was based on new research in mice. The research showed that a molecule called MitoSNO may be able to reduce the tissue damage that can occur...

Stem cell stroke treatment trial results 'show promise'

Tuesday May 28 2013

'Stroke patients see signs of recovery in stem cell trial,' BBC News reports. The news, which has saturated the media, is based on a press release from the University of Glasgow. This press release reports further positive early findings…

Breast cancer enzyme may slow tumour growth

Friday May 24 2013

"Cancer cell enzymes shown to act as 'good cops'," is the headline on the BBC News website. The BBC reports on laboratory research into an enzyme called MMP-8 and its effects on breast cancer…

Could open plan offices be bad for your health?

Friday May 24 2013

Open plan offices make employees “less productive, less happy, and more likely to get sick” reports the Mail Online website. The article is actually based on a number of studies…

Research could lead to 'universal' flu vaccine

Thursday May 23 2013

“Scientists create new flu vaccine that works against many different strains of the virus,” The Independent reports. This headline, and several others like it, is based on early stage research into the development of alternative flu vaccine technologies…

Do iPads and electric lights disturb sleep?

Thursday May 23 2013

"Terrible night's sleep? Blame your mobile phone" is the advice on the Mail Online website, as "exposure to artificial light 'fools' the brain into staying awake." This – and similar headlines in the Daily Express, The Guardian and Metro…

Cold weather may increase blood pressure

Wednesday May 22 2013

'Bad weather could raise your blood pressure and even kill you,' is the unnecessarily alarmist headline in the Daily Mail. It reports on a large, complex study that looked for any association between changes in weather and blood pressure…