Fahroni/Shutterstock Most antibiotics are natural products of bacteria and other microorganisms from the environment. They are part of a silent chemical warfare among microorganisms in soils, rivers and seas right now. The fact that they are natural products that have been around for millions of years means that even asContinue Reading
Krakenimages.com/Shutterstock Choosing which sunscreen to use can be mind-boggling. Should you choose one with the highest sun protection factor (SPF) or another with “reef-safe” or “coral-friendly” credentials? Is it best to opt for a spray or a lotion? What’s the difference between a mineral or chemical-based formula? On my venturesContinue Reading
Junior doctor strikes could end following the offer of a 22% pay increase – and our community have been having their say on the proposals. When we asked, many Independent readers expressed dissatisfaction with how the Tories previously managed the NHS, criticising the former government for underfunding, mistreating doctors, andContinue Reading
Left unchecked, oral disease can lead to many serious health problems. My Ocean Production/ Shutterstock Oral diseases, such as tooth decay and gum disease, are among the the most widespread chronic illnesses globally – affecting an estimated 3.5 billion people. They pose a significant problem not just because of howContinue Reading
GPs across England have voted overwhelmingly in favour of unprecedented strike action which could last for months. More than 8,500 GPs took part in a vote, the British Medical Association (BMA) said, with 98.3 per cent backing collective action. Strike action will begin on Thursday and doctors have said itContinue Reading
A seven-year-old boy has become the first patient in the UK to undergo robotic surgery for a kidney condition. Reece Wilton, from Gosport, Hampshire, underwent the “pioneering” operation involving the Versius Surgical Robotic System at Southampton Children’s Hospital (SCH), part of University Hospital Southampton (UHS). The youngster was diagnosed withContinue Reading
Swapping certain items on a fry-up can reduce your risk of developing dementia, a new study has suggested. A large new research project analysed the links between processed red meat consumption and a person’s risk of developing dementia. It said replacing bacon and sausages for beans and tofu could potentiallyContinue Reading
At least 16 nurses have taken their own lives while under investigation by the UK’s scandal-hit nursing regulator, it has been revealed. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has faced criticism after a review found its “toxic” was putting the public and those it regulates at risk. The review, promptedContinue Reading
The NHS’s chief executive has warned cash-strapped trusts to live within their means after Rachel Reeves laid bare a £22bn “black hole” in the country’s finances. On Monday the chancellor outlined cuts including plans to pause and review the previous government’s hospital building programme – and to drop a proposedContinue Reading
blackday/Shutterstock Many studies have suggested that psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, might be useful in treating a variety of mental health conditions. But we don’t really know what’s going on at the level of “functional brain networks” – the communication pathways that connect different regions of the brain.Continue Reading
