Women whose mothers are victims of stroke are at a far higher risk of a heart attack. Women may be more at risk of inherited forms of heart disease. In men, it tends to be triggered by lifestyle factors such as diet, drinking and smoking. Oxford University researchers looked at more than 2,200 female patients who had suffered a stroke, heart attack or angina, the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Genetics reports. They found that a far higher … full story

Raspberry extract has been found to kill stomach and colon cancer cells. Researchers from Clemson University in the US said that 90 percent of these cells were destroyed when exposed to an extract of red Meeker raspberries, a popular variety in the US. Anti-oxidants in the fruit were also shown to kill breast cancer cells, the Daily Mail reports. Researchers say that while the anti-oxidants in the red fruit explain some of the effects, other as … full story

Scientists have identified a protein that halts growth of prostate cancer cells and even drives them to commit ’suicide’. A drug that boosts levels of the protein, called FUS, could stop the disease from spreading, saving many of the thousands of lives claimed by the disease every year. The breakthrough at Imperial College London, could also help doctors more accurately distinguish the more common, slower-growing forms of prostate cancer from the … full story

Having a baby may make a woman more intelligent. Research shows that a woman’s grey matter – brain cells that crunch information – grows in the weeks and months after she has given birth. And it’s the most doting mothers who experience the biggest burst of brain cells. Such changes usually only occur after intense periods of learning or a brain injury or illness. It is thought that the hormonal changes associated with having a baby ‘supercharge’ … full story

Curcumin, an extract of root turmeric, could destroy chemotherapy-resistant cancer cells and help fight the disease. This could improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy and also help prevent the condition from returning. Researchers at the University of Leicester in Britain have been using curcumin to target chemo-resistant cells. The aim is to use the extract in colorectal tumour tissue, which kills far more than 600,000 people every year and … full story

Over-the-counter cough and cold remedies could make you drowsy, similar to being drunk, and unsafe on the roads, warn doctors. Over-the-counter medication, as well as prescription drugs, can lead to drowsiness which is similar to being drunk, says a medical expert. Warnings on packets of cough and cold medicines are often hard to find, say experts, with some calling for a traffic light scheme to alert users to potential driving hazards. These … full story

People who are fit and active are far less likely to get coughs and sniffles. And even if sporty types get colds, they are milder and don’t last as long, says a new research. The research found the severity of common cold symptoms fell by 41 percent in those who were the fittest and by 31 percent among those who were the most active, the British Journal of Sports Medicine says. People who were physically active five or more days a week suffered … full story

More than three million women have received medical attention or been rushed to hospital because of their passion for killer heels. Researchers say that a fifth of women have gone to such extreme lengths to wear trendy shoes that they have ended up twisting their ankle or tearing a tendon. And a third have fallen flat on their face as a result of their heels, with many damaging their teeth and breaking their wrists. The poll of 3,000 women, published … full story

A cup of coffee activates attentiveness and memory if it is taken with sugar. University of Barcelona scientists found that taking caffeine and sugar together boosts the brain’s performance – more than taking them separately. Researchers now believe each one boosts the effect of the other on brain functions such as attention span and working memory, the Daily Mail reports. The findings come from brain scans carried out on 40 volunteers who were … full story

Working out can help you look and feel younger – or at least that’s what most of us who regularly work out fondly hope. Now scientists have discovered why exercise can hold back the years. A study found an endurance exercise like a jog or spinning class increases the number of stem cells in our muscles, helping rejuvenate them, reports the journal PLoS ONE. Tests showed that rats running on a treadmill for just 20 minutes a day could increase stem … full story