Behind the Headlines

'Lab-grown' rat kidney successfully transplanted

Monday Apr 15 2013

“Scientists have grown a kidney in a laboratory and shown that it works when implanted into a living animal”, The Guardian reports. As this story suggests, early stage research has shown that rat kidneys can be…

Report finds children's units lack 24/7 care

Friday Apr 12 2013

The Mail Online website warns that children’s hospital services are “not providing 24/7 care”, while The Guardian argues that “child services are spread too thinly”. The Independent makes the point that “Children [are] at risk until NHS units close”…

E-cigarette 'vapers' using them to quit smoking

Friday Apr 12 2013

“Electronic cigarettes have helped almost nine out of ten smokers quit tobacco completely” the Metro reports. The claim is based on the results of an online survey on e-cigarette use and their effects on tobacco consumption…

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Scientists map structure of brain disease molecule

Thursday Apr 11 2013

"A major breakthrough has been made by researchers seeking treatments for…illnesses such as Parkinson's disease," is the exciting news on the Mail Online website. This headline is based on early stage research into the structure of an enzyme...

Today's adults 'unhealthier than their parents' were

Thursday Apr 11 2013

"Today's adults are so unhealthy they are 15 years 'older' than their parents and grandparents at the same age," reports The Daily Telegraph. This gloomy message is based on...

No credible evidence that people are 'born lazy'

Wednesday Apr 10 2013

"Laziness may be written into our DNA, say scientists," the Mail Online website suggests. The claim is actually based on a study that selectively bred 'lazy rats' and then compared their genetic make-up to similarly bred 'active rats'…

Hard times in Cuba linked to better national health

Wednesday Apr 10 2013

"The Cuban diet – eat less, exercise more – and preventable deaths are halved," is the advice in The Independent. This is not a new Latin diet and dance fad, but news based on research into how Cuba’s rollercoaster economic history...

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Alcohol has no effect on breast cancer survival

Tuesday Apr 9 2013

'A glass of wine a day will not affect a woman's chance of beating breast cancer' the Mail Online website reports. A new study suggests that while alcohol increases the chances of developing breast cancer it does not affect the chance of dying from it…

Study examines penis size and male attractiveness

Tuesday Apr 9 2013

‘[Penis] Size does matter, study finds', The Daily Telegraph reports with almost identical headlines in the Daily Mail and The Independent. The news is based on a study in which researchers asked a small group of women…

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Red meat chemical link to heart disease

Monday Apr 8 2013

'A nutrient abundant in red meat… could raise the risk of heart disease,' the Mail Online website warns. Researchers have found that the chemical L-carnitine, found in red meat, is broken down by bacteria into a waste product that damages blood vessels…

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