The blood vessels of obese teenagers look more like those found in middle-aged people, say Canadian researchers.

A study of 63 children, whose average age was 13, found signs of “stiffening” in the aorta – the largest artery in the body.

The British Columbia Children’s Hospital team said it was an early indicator of heart disease. Read the rest of this entry »

WANT to lose weight? There’s an app for that. In all the things your mobile phone can help you with, healthy eating is now among them.

• Not just an apple a day: The app is also available on average mobiles

Scottish researchers have developed the DietPhone application to help make it easier to collect detailed information and monitor food intake. Read the rest of this entry »

Children who spend longer than two hours a day in front of a computer or TV are more likely to suffer psychological difficulties than other youngsters, a UK study suggests.

Researchers said they also found that physical exercise did not make up for too much screen time.

The University of Bristol study, published in Pediatrics, involved more than 1,000 children aged about 10. Read the rest of this entry »

People who work with a laptop computer resting on their legs have been warned that they could be permanently damaging their skin.

A medical report has found that placing the devices next to skin for long periods of time can lead to “toasted skin syndrome,” an unusual-looking mottled skin condition caused by long-term heat exposure. Read the rest of this entry »

The “once in a generation” finding could allow scientists to create a new generation of drugs that can simply turn down up the theshold at which the body fells pain.

The international study, including scientists at Oxford University, found that a gene called TRESK appears to be fundamental in causing migraines. Read the rest of this entry »

Researchers have identified 76 “excess” deaths which occurred at four centres for paediatric heart surgery in England. Patients’ groups described the findings as “deeply alarming” and called for an investigation.

A report into death rates at all 11 of England’s paediatric heart surgery units reveals that Guy’s and St Thomas’ Trust in London had 24 excess deaths over an eight year period to 2008. Read the rest of this entry »

Children should learn first aid skills to help friends who become dangerously drunk, the British Red Cross has said.

Its survey of 2,500 11 to 16-year-olds found 10% had been left with a drunk friend who was sick, injured or unconscious and 14% said they had been in an alcohol-related emergency.

The Red Cross wants to promote a broad range of first aid skills, but says the effects of alcohol are a key concern. Read the rest of this entry »