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	Seniors in Sweden 'stayin' alive' with exercise A growing group of pensioners are determined to stay in shape and remain active as they age. -AFP			Struck by stroke, stuck in S'pore Lack of medical insurance leaves family from India with huge hospital, medically-assisted return bills. -tabla!

	US panel urges protection of humans in research The United States last year was engaged in 55,000 research projects, mostly for health and medical purposes. -AFP			Brazil bans smoking in public places nationwide The new text will make Brazil the largest country in the world to go smoke-free. -AFP

	Many surgeons don't discuss end-of-life care Some surgeons just don't discuss advance directives because they think it's so irrelevant. -Reuters			US agrees to limit medical research on chimpanzees Effective immediately, the NIH will stop accepting any applications for research grants using chimpanzees. -Reuters

	Anti-suicide app aims for US soldiers Suicides in the National Guard have risen 450 per cent since 2004. -Reuters			Breathing exercises may help soothe heartburn The study found, people in the breathing-exercise group showed a drop, on average, in the amount of acid reaching the esophagus. -Reuters

	Study finds death penalty use in decline			92% don't take fruit and greens with meals Malaysia's Health Minister says unhealthy eating habits had caused increase in obesity and chronic diseases over the years. -NST

	Surgical team begins work on Hui Linn The 19-year-old underwent surgeries on her eye frame, especially her right eye which was totally deformed from acid burns. -The Star/ANN			In vitro 'octuplets' become cause celebre: China They hired two surrogate mothers, one to carry two and the other three of the test-tube babies. -China Daily/ANN

	Fake-tan lotion users tend to stay out of sun: study Getting a tan out of a bottle is incredibly safe, whereas getting tanned from tanning beds and lying out is not. -Reuters			Surviving quints get to go home The four still have unstable gastrointestinal function, though that has improved. -China Daily/ANN

	Feast without going overboard During the holidays and in the midst of celebration, one is often confronted with a serious dilemma. Feast or fast? - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN			France to order 30,000 women to remove implants: report The breast implants were defective and uses a non-authorised silicone gel. -Reuters

	Lower asthma risk in chubby tots who slim down Children who were overweight or obese at age seven were more likely to have asthma than their thinner peers. -Reuters			US asks journals to censor bird flu studies Advisory board fears data could potentially be used to make a weapon. -Reuters

	Beware the holiday hangover Having some drinks is fine but you may end up paying for the excess. -TNP			Moms' pesticide exposure tied to infection in kids Babies exposed to high levels of DDE in the womb grew up to have higher rates of pneumonia and bronchitis. -Reuters

	Blood pressure meds extend long-term life expectancy:Study Researchers found that those who had taken chlorthalidone lived several months longer than those who had taken the placebo. -AFP			'Clip away' heart ops blues The National Heart Institute yesterday announced a new technique to treat coronary heart disease. -NST

	J&J pulls 12 million Motrin bottles from shelves The company found out that coated caplets may not dissolve as quickly as intended when they near their expiration dates. -Reuters			Early help may improve preemies' behavior later Children born prematurely tend to have higher rates of behavioral problems than peers born full term. -Reuters

	Targeted drug side effects add to cancer costs The average cost of treating each cancer patient who came into a dermatology clinic was almost S$2592. -Reuters			Antidepressant, talk therapy fail to beat placebo There were hints that the effects varied based on people's sex and race, researchers report. -Reuters

	Acid attack girl doing well Malaysian teen who was blinded and disfigured in the attack has reconstructive plastic surgery in South Korea. -The Star/ANN			No need to fear bird flu here, says D-G Health Ministry and the Veterinary Services Department had not detected any infections in humans or chickens in Malaysia. -The Star/ANN

	French breast implant fears spread around world The company that made the silicone gel implants was shut down in 2010 appeared to have an unusually high rupture rate. -Reuters			High lead exposure linked to hearing loss in youth About one in five teens showed evidence of hearing loss. -Reuters

	Four ex-players sue NFL alleging brain damage The suits are the latest in a series filed against the NFL in recent months by former players. -Reuters			Dismal pollution survey prompts Taiwan's doctors to take action Health advocates urging once again to scrap the controversial No. 6 Naphtha Cracking Project. -China Post/ANN

	Where's the Beef: US beef consumption in decline At the height of the recession, the beef industry saw a decline in high-end steak consumption. -Reuters			Bristol-Myers liver cancer drug fails trial Bristol-Myers said three other trials, to evaluate brivanib in different liver cancer patient groups, will continue as planned. -Reuters

	Breast implants brought joy then pain to UK woman The silicone gel implants, made by Poly Implant Prothese (PIP), appear to have an unusually high rupture rate. -Reuters			No surgery for now on two-headed baby in Brazil: doctors The two-headed newborn is actually a set of conjoined twins sharing one body because of a rare birth defect. -AFP

	US retailers pull Enfamil cans after baby died Shares of the formula's manufacturer, Mead Johnson Nutrition Co, fell 10 per cent on Thursday. -Reuters			HIV trial is 'breakthough' of 2011 The magazine said the trial will have "profound implications for the future response to the AIDS epidemic." -AFP

	Qigong for health and longevity Some people say Qigong, the ancient Chinese meditative exercise, is the key for a long and healthy life. -NST			Third infant infected as US probes baby formula The baby, less than a month old, has been treated and discharged from the hospital. -Reuters

	Bulk of company's implants used subpar silicone Lawyer for the company says most of the protheses sold since 1991 were produced using a non-approved silicone. -Reuters			Venezuela offers free removal of PIP breast implants A large number of PIP implants entered Venezuela illegally, putting patients at risk. -Reuters

	France tries to calm women over scandal-hit implants Its government recommends removing the implants to avoid a rupture. -Reuters			Breast implants need lifetime of care: Experts Most women with implants were likely to need additional surgery within 10 years to address complications. -Reuters

	Want a pet cat? Think again, researchers say If you've never had a cat before you may want to think again, especially if you have other allergies, researchers warn. -Reuters			Getting a cat ups allergy risk in adults Having a cat as a kid may protect against future allergies, getting one in adulthood doubles the chances of developing an immune reaction to it. -Reuters

	Stressed workers get relief in pillow fights Pillows filled the air, with many combatants opting for throwing rather than using them to whack opponents. -Reuters			Teen obesity tied to poor mom-child relationship:study Toddlers who have poor relationships with their mother are more likely to pack on extra weight as they grow up. -Reuters

	Coloured contact lenses can damage eyes Four types of coloured lenses with prints of smiley face, pink leopard, stars and cat's eye can damage the eyeballs. -The Star/ANN			British heart group calls for plain tobacco packs Health campaigners urged the government to follow Australia?s lead and ban all designs and branding from cigarette packs. -Reuters

	Elderly who eat better stay mentally sharp: Study Researchers noted the positive effects of high levels of vitamins B, C, D and E, as well as the healthy oils most commonly found in fish. -AFP			Exercise doesn't prevent pregnancy-related diabetes Women with gestational diabetes are also at greater-than-normal risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. -Reuters

	Targeting school and home helps cut risky behaviors These programs often lasted for a few years. -Reuters			Source of tainted milk still a secret: China "The reason for the incident has been identified as moldy cattle feed, which led to excessive aflatoxin in the raw milk," Mengniu Dairy Group said in a statement. -China Daily/ANN

	US to give states $390 million for child health coverage The payments are designed help offset costs states incur when they enroll lower income children in Medicaid. -Reuters			Condoms for porn shoots to be on June LA ballot Despite facing fines, most major porn companies continue to shoot without condoms. -Reuters

	Red meat lovers have more kidney cancer Eating red meat in large amounts increases the risk of a host of health problems. -Reuters			Scientists discover new susceptibility genes for kidney disease The disease is prevalent among Asians but less common in Caucasians. -AsiaOne

	'Obesity kills, ups cancer risk too' No one tends to rationalise that a jolly, plump person would never get cancer. - The Statesman/ANN			Milk intake in teens tied to later prostate cancer Among 463 men who recalled drinking milk less than once a day in their teens, one per cent developed advanced prostate cancer. -Reuters

	Insight: Breast implant scandal shows regulators in dark on risk The registry would give a better idea of the number of complications over time, such as rupture or infection regarding breast implant. -Reuters			British heart group calls for plain tobacco packs Australia is preparing to become the first nation to introduce "plain" packaging on tobacco products by the end of 2012. -Reuters

	Estrogen helps nighttime hot flashes, not sleep About a third of the women who took estrogen no longer had any nighttime hot flashes rousing them. -Reuters			Obesity tied to older adults' risk of falls: study Obese older adults may be more likely than their thinner peers to suffer a potentially disabling fall. -Reuters

	Italy orders list of women with French firm's implants Italy will tell hospitals and clinics to compile a list of women who received breast implants from a French firm. -AFP			'Asian flush' red flag for risk of cancer Whilst many Asians are familiar with the flush, too few realize that it is more than just an inconvenience to their outlooks, but also a red flag for one of the deadliest cancers worldwide. -AsiaOne

	Chinese man critical with bird flu He was hospitalised with a fever earlier this month and tested positive for the H5N1 avian influenza virus. -AFP			Cancer of the spine Quality of life counts when it comes to this painful and debilitating condition. -The Star/ANN

	'Secretive' Arab world faces HIV epidemic: experts The number of people needing treatment in the region has spiked. -AFP			More nursing care facilities take no-diaper approach: Japan The new approach aimed at reducing their employees' workload and making life more pleasant for the senior citizen under their care. -Yomiuri Shimbun/ANN

	New therapy for heart patients may cut costs The treatment, known as aquapheresis, uses an ultrafiltration technique to remove unwanted salt and water content in a patient's body. -myp			In mice, a step towards a vaccine for HIV Genetically modified mice fought back HIV after they had been injected with genes to make antibodies. -AFP

	When cameras are watching, more doctors wash up Study found that when cameras were installed, the staff was continuously informed about rates of hand-washing compliance. -Reuters			Funding crunch imperils progress on AIDS Report says HIV that causes AIDS has proven a "formidable challenge" for scientists and public health experts. -Reuters

	China says HIV/AIDS cases are soaring The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention issued figures showing 48,000 new cases in China in 2011. -Reuters			Yoga may ease insomnia, menopause problems After four months, women in the yoga group reported fewer menopause problems than those who did nothing. -Reuters

	More fruits and veggies don't help lung disease The lung disease is one of the most common causes of death in the US, with a yearly death toll of more than 100,000. -Reuters			Arsenic levels in fruit juice spark concern: study Reports found that five samples of apple juice and four samples of grape juice had total arsenic levels exceeding federal limits. -Reuters

	Forceps delivery tied to lower brain injury risk In recent years, forceps have fallen out of favor when it comes to aiding a difficult childbirth. -Reuters			Pakistan's shunned HIV victims fight pariah status Pakistani couple who have struggled for years to win their lives back spread a message of respect for fellow victims. AFP

	Children with HIV in Asia suffer resistance to AIDS drugs While more people in Asia now have access to basic AIDS drugs, improved medicines remain out of reach and patients still suffer from inadequate care. -Reuters			HIV drives families into 'irreversible poverty': UN Regional governments to do more to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the disease, which drives many families into debt traps, locking their children into a lifetime of poverty. -AFP

	Children with HIV in Asia suffer resistance to AIDS drugs While more people now have access to basic AIDS drugs, improved medicines remain out of reach and patients. -Reuters			HIV drives families into 'irreversible poverty': UN This mean that many HIV-positive households across the region are in "rapid socio-economic decline. -AFP

	Experts: TCM can help to fight AIDS China started to give AIDS patients free TCM therapy in a pilot project carried out among 2,300 patients in five provinces in 2004. -China Daily/ANN			Study finds Greater Taipei has most HIV cases Taipei and Kaohsiung cities had the greatest number of "HIV-positive" homosexuals and "HIV-positive transmissions via needle injections." -China Post/ANN

	Threat of HIV infection lingers: S Korea 56 per cent of the surveyed couldn't give the right answer to the question of whether HIV positive people can survive for more than 20 years. -Korea Herald/ANN			A father's fight for awareness Lee Yee Seng is on a mission to ensure every child suffering from lysosomal storage diseases gets the medical treatment they need and rightly deserve. -NST

	HIV and the gentler sex What women need to know about HIV and infant feeding. -The Star/ANN			It begins with you The number of HIV-positive people continues to increase, signaling a dire need for education. -The Star/ANN

	4 reasons to wake up to morning sex Sexperts say there are endless reasons why morning sex is good for you, your partner and your relationship. -Simply Her			Young execs among those with attention disorder Experts say ADHD can persist into adulthood for up to 60 per cent of young patients. -myp

	Seniors to get health checks costing as little as $5 New national health-screening programme offers tests, follow-up services to tackle decline in the functional abilities of seniors. -myp			Banned from school Despite a worldwide campaign, discrimination against HIV patients and their families still continue. -TNP

	Spine op gives new lease of life She was born with Adolescent Idiopathic Scolioisis, a condition which afflicts two to four per cent of children between the ages of 10 and 16. -NST			Rumours of HIV-infected drinks untrue, says Pepsi Pepsi's marketing vice-president urged people not to believe such claims.

	All work and no play According to a survey, Malaysians are spending too much time at work.			S'pore, China researchers identify genes for spine disease Singapore and China scientists have identified two new genes that are associated with the spine disease ankylosing spondylitis. -AsiaOne

	Singapore scientists develop system to accurately reconstruct DNA GIS researchers have developed a first-of-its-kind computational tool that accurately reconstructs DNA sequences. -AsiaOne			Telling children about parents' cancer Honesty, explanation of the disease and treatments are keys to understanding. -The Yomiuri Shimbun/ANN

	LET'S SET A HEALTHY EXAMPLE Healthy habits start from young. Show your loved ones the way with fun physical activities and healthy meals. Take the pledge to set a healthy example now at www.facebook.com/HPBsg. -Advertising feature			So poor, mum refused painkillers in skin graft op The child suffers from a rare congenital disease that occurs annually in three or four children from every 10,000. -China Daily/ANN

	TB patient still looking for a delivery room in Nanjing Hospital explained that it didn't even have an isolated ward to put up an infected patient. -China Daily/ANN			Exposure to smog is severe hazard Experts are worried that particulate matter may lead to respiratory diseases including lung infections and cancer. -China Daily/ANN

	If you can't get it fresh, get it frozen Leading American natural food brand Amy's Kitchen comes to Manila-and lets you get all that sealed-in nutrition at the supermarket. -PDI/ANN			Does chocolate help you to grow? An EU committee approved more than 200 food product health claims such as calcium containing products promote normal bone growth in children. -Reuters

	Insight: Stem cell therapy poised to come in from the cold Dozens of adult stem cell treatments are moving through clinical trials and showing early success. -Reuters			Apple's Siri irks abortion rights advocates But Apple said Siri's inability to pull up information was not intentional. -AFP

	Why people gain weight during the holiday season Rewarding oneself with too much rest and food at year's end is an unhealthy mindset. -PDI/ANN			Behavioral therapy may ease kids' fibromyalgia Because of their pain, these teens have trouble going to school, going out with friends, participating in social activities. -Reuters

	Arsenic in water tied to breathing issues Studies suggest that arsenic may not just be a carcinogen, but could do other kinds of damage to organ systems. -Reuters			Lots of pregnancies linked to a healthier heart Study shows that women who had been pregnant at least four times were less likely to die from cardiovascular disease. -Reuters

	Chinese herb mix may cool hot flashes a bit There's also some lab research suggesting that the trio of herbs used in the mixture has estrogen-like activity. -Reuters			Obese people use more meds: Study More than a third of US adults are obese, putting them at increased risk of several medical conditions. -Reuters

	Low "good" cholesterol doesn't cause heart attacks The results indicate that just having low HDL is not what raises the likelihood of a heart attack. -Reuters			Patient sues dentist who charged him for bad reviews The dentist began sending Lee invoices charging him $100 for each day the review was online. -Reuters

	Even low pollen levels can trigger kids' asthma Researchers found that pollen-sensitive kids had fewer symptoms when ragweed pollen was at high levels. -Reuters			Hormonal prostate cancer therapy tied to blood clots Researchers found that those who received hormonal therapy had double the rate of blood clots. -Reuters

	Gender inequality persists in multitasking: Study Findings suggests that working mothers are doing two activities at once more than two-fifths of the time they are awake.- Reuters			China says Coca-Cola drinks deliberately poisoned Government said no other contaminated drinks had been discovered after products have been pulled from store shelves. -AFP

	Cesium found in milk powder made by Japan's Meiji Meiji said it was recalling 400,000 cans of the infant formula, which is sold only in Japan. -Reuters			LET'S SET A HEALTHY EXAMPLE Healthy habits start from young. Show your loved ones the way with fun physical activities and healthy meals. Take the pledge to set a healthy example now at www.facebook.com/HPBsg. -Advertising feature

	Hospitals in Malacca out of medicine Seet blamed the shortage on "several inevitable factors" but said the state was in constant touch with the Health Ministry. -The Star/ANN			SMS on HIV-tainted drinks a hoax It claimed a worker from the company has added his blood contaminated with HIV to the drinks. -myp

	Runner, 22, dies after marathon Friends are shocked at sudden death of man they describe as fit. - TNP			Stem cell therapy may reach market in 5 years Dozens of adult stem cell treatments are moving through clinical trials and showing early success, raising hopes that some could reach the market within five years. -Reuters

	Disarming dengue The search and wait for the elusive dengue vaccine may soon bear results, but ongoing dengue prevention efforts must continue. -The Star/ANN			Apple's Siri irks abortion rights advocates Apple said Siri's inability to pull up information was not intentional, blaming the flaw on the fact it was still in beta, or testing, phase. -Reuters

	Behavioral therapy may ease kids' fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia treatments can include painkillers, antidepressants, cognitive-behavioral therapy and exercise. -Reuters			Arsenic in water tied to breathing issues Researchers explained that arsenic has been tied to inflammation and widening of the airways, which may lead to breathing problems. -Reuters

	Lots of pregnancies linked to a healthier heart Researchers said that could be due to the protective effects of pregnancy-related hormones as well as the extra social support that comes with having more children. -Reuters			Chinese herb mix may cool hot flashes While the new study suggested some benefits, it had enough limitations that the true effects of the herbs are still unclear. -Reuters

	Obese people use more meds Roughly a third of obese adults over the age of 20 used at least one drug to lower blood pressure and one in five used a cholesterol-lowering drug. -Reuters			Low "good" cholesterol doesn't cause heart attacks Until the real mechanisms are sorted out, it's still important for people to try and raise their "good" cholesterol by exercising and losing weight. -Reuters

	Patient sues dentist who charged him for bad reviews Dozens of negative reviews have been posted since the lawsuit was filed, many of them criticizing what they say is unethical censorship. -Reuters			Even low pollen levels can trigger kids' asthma Asthma affects more than 22 million Americans, nearly six million of them children, and the condition most often begins in childhood. -Reuters

	Hormonal prostate cancer therapy tied to blood clots Hormone therapy can improve survival when given along with radiation therapy to men with "high-risk" prostate cancer that is likely to progress. -Reuters			Gender inequality persists in multitasking Whether it is housework, cooking or childcare, women do about 10 hours more multitasking in the home each week.- Reuters

	Central registry for sleeping pills proposed MOH has proposed that all doctors be required to enter the details of patients they prescribe benzodiazepine drugs to. -AsiaOne			Post-natal depression linked to partners' abuse: Study Women who suffer depression after childbirth are abused either physically or emotionally by their partners. -AFP

	MOH central registry to weed out drug abusers Other general practitioners also support the idea of having a registry, but hoped that it would not create a hassle for them. -myp			Convenient HIV testing on the move The first-of-its-kind vehicle is equipped with clinical facilities to administer tests for HIV, as well as syphilis, with a 97 per cent accuracy rate. -myp

	New chairman heads Health Sciences Authority Professor John Wong will take over as the Board of the Health Sciences Authority's (HSA's) new chairman starting from Jan 1, 2012. -AsiaOne			Child "sexters" uncommon: study Nearly four out of ten cases led to an arrest, including when the sexting had been "romantic" or "attention-seeking." -Reuters

	Drug combo boosts breast cancer survival: Study Anastrozole and Fulvestrant are currently used to treat breast cancer but administered separately, not together. -AFP			Study finds how child abuse changes the brain Childhood maltreatment is known to be one of the most potent environmental risk factors linked to later mental health problems. -Reuters

	Vow of chastity and the pill may keep nuns healthy Lack of pregnancy and lactation means childless women have more menstrual cycles, which increases cancer risk. -Reuters			Smartphone addicts starting to feel the pain Health experts in Britain have warned that strain injuries stemming from long periods spent staring at small screens. -AFP

	All in the family: Inbreeding key to bedbug spread A team of entomologists studied the genes of bedbugs infesting three multistory apartment buildings and found very low genetic diversity, meaning most of them were very close relatives. -Reuters			Obese pregnant women can safely diet Research has suggested that when obese women maintain or lose a bit of weight during pregnancy, it may curb the risk of having a larger-than-normal newborn. -Reuters

	Eating fish boosts heart health in young women Women who rarely or never ate fish faced a 90 per cent higher risk of heart problems than those who do. -AFP			Steroids help very young babies survive: Study The research suggests that may benefit from the boost in lung power and organ growth from exposure to steroids. -AFP

	Biological weapons threat is growing, US warns Clinton said countries must strengthen their ability to detect and respond to suspicious outbreaks of infectious disease that could be caused by pathogens falling into the wrong hands. -Reuters			Aging in office: US presidents often outlive peers A few years in the White House do not appear to cut short the lives of US presidents, and most live longer than their peers. -Reuters

	Japan hospital worker jailed for toenail pulling Akemi Sato, who worked as an assistant at a Kyoto hospital, peeled off the nails of four patients with dementia. -AFP			Second iCJD case reported in Korea Authorities said that the disease is not ordinarily transmittable through and assured that the public was safe. -The Korea Herald/ANN

	Diabetes in pregnancy more likely if obese Studies show that overweight women had a 1.58 times as much chance of suffering from gestational diabetes. -The Korea Herald/ANN			Leather pants can cause varicose veins Wearing leather trousers that tightly stick to the legs for a long period of time could lower blood circulation. -The Korea Herald/ANN

	Vitamin D doesn't prevent heart attack or cancer There were no differences in deaths from cancer or heart disease either. Calcium also proved unhelpful. -Reuters			Gynecologist expects 'dragon' baby boom Those who get impregnated before May 15, 2012 will have the chance to give birth to "dragon" babies. -China Post/ANN

	Some depressed people do worse on medications: Study Researchers found that some patients who did not improve with treatment may have suffered side effects. -Reuters			Study finds impotence risk higher in men taking several drugs Researchers found a link between medication use and ED. -Reuters

	Distracted driving "major problem" Distracted driving deaths totaled 3,092 last year. -Reuters			Obama backs teen contraceptive ruling The decision was criticized by women's rights advocates as a "stunning betrayal" but delighted conservatives. -AFP

	Malaysian acid attack survivor to undergo plastic surgery in S. Korea JK Plastic Surgery Centre is one of the country's largest plastic surgery centres. -The Star/ANN			Australian health exec wanted over missing $20 million It could be the most serious case of fraud ever in Queensland's public administration with the government tipped off after a departmental officer noticed a discrepancy in payments. -AFP

	Medicine shortage due to allocation delay Mohd Ali said the situation worsened as the number of patients who sought treatment at Malacca Hospital had increased. -The Star/ANN			NUH probes woman's death after successful surgery One doctor has resigned while another has decided against specialisng in surgery. -AsiaOne

	Deadly Tasmanian Devil cancer found in 'clean' area Estimates suggest that some 70 per cent of devils have already been lost to the infectious disease. -AFP			Young Filipinos resort to soda-soap mix contraceptive Sexually-active youths tend to experiment with household products to prevent pregnancy. -PDI/ANN

	Scientists kick off debate over barefoot running A surge of interest in barefoot training has seen runners try to feel the ground beneath their feet. -Reuters			Have we been taking too many supplements? The habit of taking supplements should be monitored as it could have negative effects. -NST

	Don't let the flu spoil your holidays Stay vigilant this flu season. Whether you're staying home or travelling, learn the 5 ways to FIGHT flu for an enjoyable festive season.			'Some supplements raise odds of death' Vitamins should be taken only with prescriptions to avoid health complications. -NST

	Philippines becoming int'l healthcare hub The Philippines wanted to grab a bigger share that is now being enjoyed by countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. -PDI/ANN			The 'holiday heart syndrome' Let's make sure the season of joy does not turn into a season of mourning. -PDI/ANN

	Smoking can make your nipples fall off Women with breast implants should take care not to smoke - they face the risk of becoming nipple-less. -AsiaOne			US focus on birth control may raise new concerns The health secretary refuse to make the morning--after pill available to users of all ages without a prescription. -Reuters

	Gallbladder and appendix surgery safe in pregnancy He added that it's still wise to push off elective procedures until after the pregnancy is over. -Reuters			Ancient human bedding used for pest control The find is 50,000 years older than any previous prehistoric beds discovered. -Reuters

	Get tailored phone alerts with blood donation app Red Cross has launched an app where donors receive tailored notifications alerting them to donate when the blood bank needs their blood type. -AsiaOne			Chinese physicians more digitally savvy than expected: Study Ninety-eight per cent of physicians in China use the Internet, and they spend 5.1 hours a week on activities related to their practice. -AsiaOne

	Barefoot workouts gain ground With barefoot running all the rage, the unshod workout is gaining ground across the exercise spectrum. -Reuters			Vaccine attacks breast cancer in mice: Study "This vaccine elicits a very strong immune response," said study co-senior author Geert-Jan Boons. -AFP

	World vigilant after Dutch lab mutates deadly bird flu virus The H5N1 strain of bird flu is fatal in 60 per cent of human cases. -AFP			Plan to give HPV vaccine to girls at earlier age "We should be concerned as boys are reportedly becoming sexually active from as young as 15," she said." -The Star/ANN

	Orangutans shed light on obesity in people Apes gorge when food is abundant, adding stores of fat. -Reuters			Handphones found to carry bacteria linked to food poisoning Handphone users do not wash their hands properly after using toilets: study. -The Star/ANN

	Study endorses HPV testing for all women over 30 Researchers say the new DNA tests can prevent more cases of cancer than smear tests alone. -Reuters			Kids' leukemia risk tied to dads' smoking The importance of tobacco exposure and children's cancers has been overlooked until recently. -Reuters

	Coal ash taints 20 US sites Coal ash is left after coal is burned at power plants and has concentrations of heavy metals and salts. -Reuters			Heart attack rates were up three years post-Katrina Patients were also less likely to be taking their prescription medications as directed. -Reuters

	Chinese fume over honour to tobacco academic China is the world's largest cigarette maker and the tobacco industry provides a big share of tax revenues. -Reuters			Teen smoking at historic lows but marijuana use high Daily marijuana use is at a 30-year peak level among high school seniors. -Reuters

	Progesterone helps cut risk of pre-term birth The treatment cuts the rate of breathing problems and reduced the need for placing the baby on a ventilator. -Reuters			Facebook launches tool to report suicidal behaviour Nearly 100 Americans die by suicide every day, according to the Surgeon General of the United States. -Reuters

	Orangutans shed light on obesity in people Orangutans make interesting models because they are potentially the only nonhuman primates that store fat deposits. -Reuters			Is texting really worth the pain? Doctors urge caution in use of smartphones and even tablets, as they may cause arthritis and neck pain. -NST

	Rare birth defects tied to mom's painkiller use The babies' risk of amniotic band syndrome was three times higher among women who used painkillers. -Reuters			US transportation board proposes sweeping ban on road handphone use More than 3,000 people were killed in distracted driving crashes in the United States in 2010. -Reuters

	Experimental diet drug keeps weight off for 2 years The drug is a combination of the appetite suppressant phentermine and the anti-seizure drug topiramate. -Reuters			Sexual violence affects one in five US women Federal agency said 18.3 per cent of women have been raped at some time in their lives. -AFP

	Elite athletes at greater risk for arthritis: Study There was a doubled risk in soccer and handball players, and a tripled risk in ice hockey players. -Reuters			'Black ambulances' tap patient demand Few vehicles are equipped with proper facilities or trained attendants, which poses a serious danger to vulnerable patients. -China Daily/ANN

	Stillbirth often linked to placenta: US research Stillbirth happens in one of 160 pregnancies, at a higher rate than other developed countries. -AFP			Children given free operations to correct cleft lips, palates: Thailand 100 surgeries were performed on such children free of charge in Tak's Mae Sot district recently. -The Nation/ANN

	Indonesia probes Bali tattoo HIV infection report Health authorities said a patient diagnosed with HIV probably contracted it while being tattooed on the island. -AFP			Vaccination: The gambling game Different health conditions may result in different responses. -Jakarta Post/ANN

	Moving on after losing only child The couple had only managed a single Christmas celebration with Nisha before she went missing on June 4 last year. -The Star/ANN			MOH exploring ways to reduce drug cost Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said the aim is to encourage patients to seek treatment at GP clinics, following feedback from 300 GPs at the Primary Care Seminar held two months ago. -myp

	Patients may be their own best blood donors Autotransfusion eliminates the introduction of undetected disease and is an effective and economical way to manage blood loss. - China Daily			China's Mengniu says destroys tainted milk Milk found to be contaminated with a cancer-causing substance. -Reuters

	Doctors split on vaccine strategy to shield babies Dr. Danuta Skowronski says we have to be wise about how we use our finite resources. -Reuters			Women's lung cancer risk not tied to childbirths Some scientists had thought hormonal changes during pregnancy might protect against the disease. -Reuters

	Mead Johnson says retesting shows Enfamil is safe A federal investigation is under way and so far no link has been found between the infant's illness and the formula. -Reuters			PIP implants sold to Dutch firm under new name The Dutch firm sold them in the Netherlands rebranded as 'M-implants'. -Reuters

	Latin American women fret over scandal-hit implants Fear and anger are growing among women with breast implants in Latin America. -Reuters

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