Routinely checking to see if babies can respond to their name at the age of one could help detect autism earlier than other tests, US experts believe. The disorder is usually not diagnosed until a child is three or four, as the symptoms are variable.
There are wide variations in the care provided for people with bowel disease, a national audit has found. The expert bodies who carried out the work said there were significant differences in the resources given to services and the care people receive. Three quarters of UK hospitals took part in the audit, which found 44% did not have a dedicated nurse specialist.
People who are overweight have a 50% higher risk of developing asthma, scientists have said. US researchers reviewed seven studies involving over 330,000 adult patients, the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine reported.
A drug given to help people with diabetes may also slow thickening of the artery walls that can lead to heart disease, research suggests. Pioglitazone helps improve the body's sensitivity to the hormone insulin, often lacking in type 2 diabetes.
A Blind adventurer attempting a charity flight from London to Sydney has appeared in newspapers in India in a bid to reach his £1m target.
A Dedicated dog has been shortlisted for a national Hero Hound award. Rosie, the hearing dog for Debs Rolley-Parnell, has reached the final 25 of a competition, organised by Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. The competition was set up to find the nation's most heroic dog as part of the charity's 25th anniversary celebrations.
