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New rules for aesthetic procedures start today Doctors without good track record must get medical council's approval first.		Illegal sex pills: Death toll now 10 Despite warning, men still popping pills, says HSA.

More Alzheimer's genes found Dr Tanzi's team analysed samples from more than 1,300 families for their study. -Reuters		Sabah milk 'melamine-free' Tests cleared the samples of contamination by the chemical. -NST

Punished for illegal organ trade Three hospitals penalised for illegally selling organs. -AFP		Kidney donors law to change Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan hinted that the sum will be at least five figures. -ST

	We're closed, no refunds Gym was still collecting cash 2 weeks before closing down; angry members call police.		Law amendment to compensate kidney donors Amount won't be so big that it is seen as an inducement but may be at least a five-figure sum. -ST

	HFMD outbreak at childcare centre Upset parents want to know why they weren't told earlier, but branch director of Cherie Hearts at Chevrons says they were.		'Enough to have love and family' Speaking to organ-donation recipients, a woman learns not to ask for so many things in life.

Too much weight in pregnancy can make baby fat Women who gain more than 18 kg during pregnancy have nearly twice the risk of delivering a heavy baby.			You have 2.7% chance to live Help does not get to heart attack victims in Singapore fast enough - 'ugly' people do not give way to rushing ambulances.

Nipah virus threat 'under control' The Malaysian Health Ministry has given an assurance that its Centre for Disease Control and Prevention is always on the alert for the Nipah virus. -NST		Melamine embedded in human food chain The discovery of melamine in eggs has confirmed suspicions that it has infiltrated our basic foods.

	More flock to Batam for 'beauty' Lower prices draw Singaporeans there for treatments such as Botox injections, but doctors here advise caution.		Backroom jobs that went horribly wrong A pus-filled abscess on her breast was what Mdm Asmah got from beauty treatment at a salon in Batam.

Limit coffee for a healthy baby An increase in caffeine intake linked to higher chance of lower birth weight.		Fish may help prevent diabetic kidney trouble Those who ate fish more than once per week less likely to have protein in the urine - an early sign of kidney disease.

Child's sleep linked to adulthood obesity risk Study finds those who got too little sleep as children were more likely to become obese adults.		Four more clinics to offer discreet HIV tests This brings to 7 the number of clinics that offer such tests.

Foods to prevent disease? Eat tomatoes to help prevent cancer, garlic to prevent Aids or drinking fruit juice to ward off Alzheimer's?		Debate refusing life support Should life-support systems be made available to those who are nearing death regardless of cause, asks a reader.

	Letting them go in peace Sometimes, it is best for a terminally-ill patient to die with dignity.	Leaving legacies Why is it important to talk about death, and what makes a good death?

Breast implants may increase risk of rare cancer The results of a new study suggest that silicone breast prostheses may increase the risk of developing a rare form of lymphoma, or cancer of the lymph system. -Reuters		Folic acid, vitamins B6, B12 don't prevent cancer in women: study The study contradicts a prevalent belief in the medical community about cancer prevention through intake of folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12. -AFP

	Autism may be connected to increased rainfall Autism more prevalent in people who experienced more rainfall when they were younger than three years of age. -China Daily/Agencies		Young men hit by libido woes Over 12 per cent of under-45 subjects studied suffer from syndrome, caused by low testosterone levels.

Ok to compensate egg donors Health Ministry backs reimbursement for their loss of time and earnings. -ST			68-year-old donates kidney - and feels fine A former top civil servant is Singapore's oldest living kidney recipient, while his sister is the oldest living donor.

Older healthy donors should be allowed: Doctor Evidence suggests that they are not at higher risk of surgical complications.		I was lucky, but let others buy organs if donors willing to sell Not everyone is so lucky to receive donated organs, says kidney recipient.

Not only the dying want to end life Swiss study finds many seeking euthanasia don't suffer from terminal illness. -Reuters			Patients move out of 'sickly' Sabah hospital About 90 per cent of the patients at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, which was declared unsafe, have been evacuated. -NST

	Euthanasia: Challenge is to help aged sick find hope and meaning in suffering There is a need for open and sensitive communication about death and dying between patients and their families.		Human egg donation: No payment for pain, risks But women donating to research should be reimbursed, says panel. -ST

	In love and clueless Young adults these days are more adventurous when it comes to exploring their sexuality, but their behaviour and lack of sexual health awareness also puts them at risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies. -AsiaOne	Fight the Disease, Fight the Stigma One of the main aims includes developing accepting attitudes towards people infected with AIDS creates a supportive environment for testing and early detection. -Asiaone

Early diagnosis for autism? Babies who were later diagnosed with autism played with toys in unusual ways. -Reuters		Barred Five clinics fail to get Health Ministry's approval to perform liposuction. -ST

Malaysia may ban yoga for Muslims Muslims may be banned from yoga if they engage in Hindu "religious elements" during the exercise.			Doctors upset by Parkway's plans They are unhappy that the hospital group wants to set clinical standards, monitor their work and maybe even take over the management of their patients.

	Male hormone patch increases libido in women Postmenopausal women with low sexual desire levels have shown improved sexual function after using patch.		A cancer patient's genome decoded for first time Series of genes never before linked to cancer now identified in entire genome of cancer patient. -Reuters

	More dairy foods in the diet may boost fat burning People who eat plenty of dairy foods able consume relatively more calories without gaining weight. -Reuters	Kidney donors can be reimbursed, says ethics panel But amount should not be so high as to induce them to donate. -ST

Muis says 'no' to euthanasia Muis is the latest religious body here to take a public stand against mercy killing. -ST		Twins from 13-yr-old sperm A Tawainese has given birth to twins from using the 13-year-old frozen sperm from a former cancer patient. -Reuters

	If condom breaks, what should you do? If the condom breaks during intercourse, don't panic. You can still avoid having an unintended baby. Read this special on Sex Myths Debunked. -AsiaOne		Singapore debates where to draw the line for laws on assisted dying MPs, doctors and churches are among those who have come up to state their opposition to legalising active euthanasia.

Don't let euthanasia kill living wills Emotive topic of 'mercy killing' is clouding talk on AMDs, which are an entirely distinct issue.		Green tea compound may prevent diabetes: study The effects of green tea's predominant antioxidant, known as EGCG, was tested.

Early exposure to peanuts may prevent allergy Current recommendations to avoid peanut in early infancy could be behind the increase in peanut allergy.		S'poreans not ready yet for euthanasia Calls for the Advance Medical Directive (AMD) Act to be amended have engendered a healthy, albeit often emotive, debate, says reader.

Fight to the end, regardless of suffering The idea of euthanasia still sends a chill down the spine of many.		Real change begins with you A doctor was forced to reflect more on the plight of Aids patients after attending an awareness programme.

Energy-dense foods may raise diabetes risk And the link appears to be independent of body weight, total caloric intake, fat intake, and lifestyle factors.			Gerard Ee had colon cancer The NKF chairman realised last November that something was wrong when he had diarrhoea continuously for one and a half weeks.

	Hospital under fungus attack again The second largest hospital in Johor as been plagued with problems since construction began in 1999.	More energy for pacemakers? Researchers develops tiny generator which can harvest excess energy of a beating heart and help power a pacemaker. -AFP

Little sleep? More heart risks, says study Sleeping less than 7.5 hours associated with 33 per cent higher rate of cardiovascular incidents. -AFP		Drinking milk may ease milk allergy Giving children milk gradually can retrain immune system to completely disregard or to better tolerate the allergens.

Antidepressant treatment may reduce male fertility The sperm appears to be damaged by a slowing down of their transport through the body.		Short sleep tied to heart disease risk People with high blood pressure who get less than 7.5 hours of sleep may face an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

Release of China items Easing of the AVA ban applies only to existing stocks in Singapore. -ST			Some China products back on shelves China-made milk products will be gradually made available to the public, starting with "low-risk" items. -myp

	Kidney patients eager for new year Law change to allow compensation for donors may increase their chances of getting a donor kidney.	Compensation: What organ donors get in some countries

Music to your ears? Music for your heart, too Listening to music you like can make the heart stronger, while listening to music you dislike narrows blood vessels.		Get intimate for stress relief Couples who hug, kiss or find ways to get close everyday may have fewer stress hormones coursing through their bodies.

Non-fasting blood test detects stroke risk High non-fasting levels of triglycerides can indicate increased risk of stroke.		Australian public hospitals unsafe, say doctors Overcrowded and underfunded, they are bringing about 1,500 unnecessary deaths a year, say a national doctors group.

	Dongfang Billy wears adult diapers as precaution His body weakend by a relapse of leukaemia, the popular artiste suffers from frequent bouts of diarrhoea.	China recalls 'Zhixue' capsules There are fears the haemorrhoid medicine is to blame for liver problems, said state media.

Do people know enough about euthanasia to make right choice? Value the sanctity of human life and act responsibly, says reader. -myp		Waist-hip ratio key to predicting health risk Simple measurements of the waist and hips may offer a better way of predicting obesity-related death than using the BMI.

Bone marrow transplant may have cured HIV Seeking treatment for leukaemia, a HIV-positive man received bone marrow from donor with a protective gene variant.		Stiffer organ trading penalty This is among changes to human organ transplant act, which govt is seeking public views on.

	'I panicked when treadmill went haywire' A woman's treadmill sped out of control, causing her to fall onto her face.		His nipple turns purple Man suspects the sore was caused by one of two gold needles inserted in his chest as part of a "spiritual" treatment.

"Condom condom" boosts contraceptive sale An acapella mobile ringtone ups condom sale by 85 million in six months.		Buddhist Federation: We don't encourage this It is not a Buddhist practice, but more of a Thai tradition: Ven Seck.

	He has it done to control temper Man gets 9 gold needles, 4 talismans inserted in him by a monk for "spiritual reasons".	Risk of allergy, infection: docs But like tatooing, it is "relatively harmless", says prominent plastic surgeon Woffles Wu.

Contraception use among males dismal 0.1 percent: Official The prevalent mindset among Indonesian men is that family planning is the woman's responsibility.		Even seven-year-olds get Type 2 diabetes Children with a propensity for this type of diabetes are usually the youngest in the family.

4 proposed amendments to Human Organ Transplant Act			Most say: Pay organ donors But they can't agree on who should pay, and how much.

MOH wants your views on the following How should the Human Organ Transplant Act be amended?		Despite failures, search for obesity drugs still looks golden Designers of anti-obesity drugs have suffered three major setbacks. -AFP

A skin cancer vaccine soon? Tests on animals have proven successful and that human trials could begin as soon as next year. -AFP			Bad breath blues Don't let this problem get you down. Treatment and oral hygiene can nip it in the bud.

Deputy minister has dengue Malaysia's Deputy Information Minister Datuk Tan Lian Hoe has been hospitalised.		Heavier organ trade penalties alone are not enough One of the amendments to the Human Organ Transplant Act (Hota) proposed last week will go some way, but not all the way, in assuaging misgivings over compensating organ donors.

Relax rules to allow more organ transplants Behind the brokering of organs abroad is the fact that it is very difficult to get a transplant operation in Japan.		12,000kg of melamine-tainted biscuits destroyed Tests were conducted on the six types of biscuits and four tested positive for melamine.

Debate on end-of-life issues MPs question Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan in parliament on the controversial subject. -ST		Mineral water recalled The case is the latest food scare in Japan. -Reuters

Deadly hospital superbug A deadly drug-resistant germ is becoming increasingly common in hospitals and other settings, says a study.		First US FDA office opens in Beijing FDA will open 3 offices in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai to help ensure export safety. -China Daily

Accept Singapore melamine tests: Malaysian official Health ministry should accept tests by Singapore labs on Malaysian biscuits, said Dr Chua Soi Lek.		Plagued by fungus? Bacteria? Try copper socks Copper ions separate on contact with bacteria and cause irreversible damage to the bacteria's cells.

Bon mots about flu and cold US President George W. Bush once insisted that Mr Barack Obama disinfect his hands before handling refreshments.		Postponing doc visits worsened my flu It took three visits to a doctor to shake off her lingering flu.

Means testing: Subsidy for medicine cost Singapore's Health Minister replies on how means testing will affect the cost of drugs.		Death shouldn't be taboo subject Health Minister calls for greater openness on end-of-life issues among squeamish S?poreans.

Too little sleep tied to increased cancer risk Those who slept less than seven hours nightly had a 47 per cent higher risk of cancer.		GP suspended for 3 mths He admitted lax prescription of sedatives to his patients.

Magnesium impacts calcium's anti-cancer effect Dietary ratios of calcium to magnesium intake have been found to modify the effect of calcium treatment on adenoma recurrence.		Indigo plant may treat chronic skin disease A dark blue plant used in traditional Chinese medicine, it appears to be effective in treating psoriasis.

Birth defect risk raised by in vitro fertilization Even with the increased risk, however, the defects remain rare in these babies and the cause of the increased risk remained unclear.		Older people more likely to have unprotected sex The high rate of unprotected sex identified, especially in casual partnerships is "worrisome".

Pine tree extract may ease jet lag It also reduces problems associated with air travel such as swelling and blood clotting.		Low vitamin D linked to sudden cardiac death The risk increases five-fold when compared with optimal vitamin D levels.

Ginkgo biloba not useful in preventing dementia Use of the herbal product was in fact tied to higher risks of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.			Kidney middleman fails appeal, goes to jail Wang Chin Sing sold kidney to ailing retail magnate Tang Wee Sung. -ST

Big breasts not a health problem: German court Operation to reduce breast size therefore not covered by state health insurance. -AFP		1 in 4 women here don't use birth control Sxually active young women not prepared for motherhood still avoid using birth control. -ST

	Teen lives 118 days without a heart She was kept alive by a custom-built artificial blood-pumping device until she was able to have a heart transplant.	A brisk walk may curb chocolate cravings Just 15 minutes may be enough to beat that craving.

Cancer drug Avastin raises risk of blood clots: study The risk was 33 per cent greater in patients treated with the drug than in those who were not, said doc.			Is a living will the same as euthanasia? Answer: No. But more than 70 per cent of 50 people polled don't know the difference.

Drug combo may help curb bedwetting Therapy resulted in a 66 per cent reduction in the risk of bedwetting.		Ad shows people laughing at couple having sex in public Hard-hitting campaign targets young Aussie binge drinkers. -AFP

	Hospital leaves screwdriver in leg overnight Woman had to sleep a night with the tool embedded in her calf.	Singaporeans need not worry about health costs Health Minister Khaw says S'poreans have enough Medisave savings. -AsiaOne

New hospital in eastern Singapore It will serve growing towns of Pasir Ris, Punggol and Sengkang. -ST		Japanese therapeutic robots to be employed in Denmark The robots will work in 40 welfare facilities for the aged. -Yomiuri Shimbun

	Yoga is banned, says KL Islamic body Fatwa Council deems ancient form of exercise from India 'haram', Muslims are banned from practising it. -The Star	Mixed reactions to yoga ban Yoga practitioners in Malaysia expressed disappointment; maintain it is just a form of exercise. -The Star

Yoga will not erode faith in Islam Devotees of yoga and moderate Muslim groups criticised the ruling to ban the hugely popular exercise. -AFP		No yoga for Muslims in Perak It will abide by the National Fatwa Council's edict to disallow Muslims from practising yoga.

HIV patients to be forcibly tagged This will allow their movements to be tracked and is one way to protect healthy people, says a doctor.		Woman found dead after alternative medication Her husband said she had been suffering from a nerve dysfunction for two years.

	Babies stressed by forward-facing buggies: Study Lack of face-to-face contact with the parent pushing them leads to higher heart rates and mental stress.		Health ambassador Felicia leads by example Don't look down on her age, Ms Felicia Chua may be only 19 but she's already an active health advocate. The aspiring doctor says fast food and fried food are no-nos in her diet.

Getting tough on drug firms Foreign drug companies can quit Indonesia if they do not like new rules requiring them to have local production facilities. -AFP			Yoga fatwa on hold Implementation of fatwa banning practice of yoga by Muslims put on hold in two states, Selangor and Perlis. -The Star

	Confusion over yoga edict Selangor cannot implement the yoga ban since the fatwat has not gone through 'several procedures'. -The Star	Give alternative version of yoga, says Perlis Mufti Many other sports activities like tai chi, judo and taekwondo were picked up from other cultures. -The Star

Group: No consensus on edict 'A national fatwa in Malaysia is not legally binding unless the states adopt and gazette it.' -The Star			Yoga ban may take time to be gazetted Malacca Chief Minister hopes that no one will dispute the National Fatwa Council's decision.

	Stop the bias This cancer doc recalls a cancer patient who lied about having no medical problems in the hopes of finally landing a job.	Be careful of drug info from Wikipedia Entries were often missing important information like potentially harmful drug interactions and adverse effects.

Blood tests may show inherited diseases in foetuses Until now, prenatal diagnoses have been possible only through invasive procedures, which carry a risk of foetal miscarriage.		Fertility declines with shorter menstrual cycles Increasing age was also associated with a subtle shortening of average menstrual cycle length.

High-protein meals may help overweight burn fat Other studies have suggested that is because protein suppresses appetite better than fat or carbohydrates do.		Scientists shed light on causes of epilepsy A breakdown in a reaction between immune cells and blood vessels in the brain appears to play a key role.

	Women who smoke more likely to get PMS Up to 20 per cent of smoking women have PMS severe enough to affect their relationships and interfere with their normal activities.	Open verdict on 5 deaths The five men could have taken illegal sex drugs.

Health news in brief: Long life thanks to good genes Short takes on the secret to longevity, sleeping your way to creativity and X'mas shopping stress.		Britons with HIV at record high More than a quarter unaware that they have the infection. -Reuters

	Some breast cancers may naturally regress: study Some tumours found with mammograms might otherwise naturally disappear on their own if left undetected.	Cancer incidence falls in US The continuing fall in mortality from cancer reflected 'gains in prevention, early detection and treatment'. -AFP

	Chinese prostitutes shun condoms More than half of Beijing's prostitutes do not use condoms though sex is the main way through which HIV is transmitted.	'Don't make it a religious debate': Dr M "It is like saying Muslims should not eat pork and it is not an insult to the Chinese," he says of yoga fatwa.

Up to states to decide on yoga ban Malaysian state religious authorities may accept, reject or modify fatwa issued by top Islamic body.		Jakarta won't follow move Muslim council official says he is does not know if it is proven that yoga can destroy a Muslim's beliefs.

U.S. finds traces of melamine in baby formula The chemical was behind the deaths of several children in China earlier this year.		Low birth weight ups risk of infant skin tumours These tumours can grow rapidly during infancy, but usually resolve by 9 years of age.

Philippine family planning bill headed for defeat: Church International aid agencies, economists say it is necessary to control population growth, but face strong opposition from Roman Catholic church.			Dad couldn't pull plug on son As a doctor, he knew his son had only a 4 per cent chance to live and would be a vegetable if he survived.

Web searches trigger anxiety It often leads people to mistakenly believe that they are suffering from rare illnesses, says a study.		Up to rulers to accept yoga ruling Jakim director-general said the power to decide on such religious matters lies with these heads of state. -NST

	Malaysia backs down from yoga ban amid backlash The decision drew a sharp rebuke from many Muslims and even Malaysia's sultans. PM Abdullah said that Muslims could carry on doing yoga but minus the chanting. -Reuters	Institute for men's health Institute to raise awareness of men's health issues is a first for Singapore.

Indigo extract effective treatment for psoriasis Known as qing dai in TCM, 31 of 42 patients experienced clearance or near-clearance of psoriasis lesions after using it for 12 weeks.		Influenza vaccine effective in young children Vaccine gives significant protection even when it does not match the circulating strains of influenza.

Eating fish may prevent kidney decline in diabetics Fish may prevent kidney damage by enhancing blood sugar control or improving lipid profiles.		Indonesian Muslims told to hold off on yoga Indonesia's top clerical body will study whether yoga includes rituals, actions or teachings that are against Islamic teachings.

Author Terry Pratchett in UK Alzheimer's plea He will deliver a petition to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown calling for an urgent increase in funding for dementia research.		Nepalese twin fine after op She is now deemed out of danger. -ST

Oops, I did it again Aso apologises for new gaffe: saying the elderly don't try to stay healthy. -AFP			Stories to chase away blushes Free book chronicles 7 true sexual experiences of Singaporeans to educate the public on protected sex.

Sabah to adopt yoga edict The state fatwa com?mittee was expected to discuss the matter soon. -The Star		S.Korea allows euthanasia A court told doctors to take a brain-dead woman off life support at her family's request.

10m Aids cases by 2010 There could be 500,000 new cases each year as infection rates rise among men having sex with other men. -AFP		Wheat biscuits recalled It contains high peroxide value. -ST

	Silent killer still at large Have attitudes towards the HIV situation in Singapore changed for the better?	At least five doctors to suffer from mental woes every month They are unable to cope with housemanship as they may have been pressured by their parents to take up medicine.

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