Study reveals ancient fossil fish had abs
Palaeontologists have made the surprising evolutionary discovery that ancient Australian fish may have had abdominal muscles, previously thought to have only developed in land animals.
HIV regimen prevents infection among drug users
Giving injecting drug users a daily pill against HIV nearly halved their risk of infection by the AIDS virus.
More than 9m in China with dementia
Around 9.19 million people in China had dementia in 2010, compared with 3.68 million 20 years earlier, according to a study on Friday that throws a spotlight on an emerging health crisis.
Chile observatory discovers 'comet factory'
A "dust trap" surrounding a young star could help explain how planets are formed.
Hiring a smoker costs US firms $6,000 a head
An employee who smokes costs his or her employer nearly $6,000 (4,500 euros) more per year than a non-smoker.
No benefit from double dose of Tamiflu for flu: study
Tamiflu, the frontline treatment for influenza, offers no benefit for patients if it is administered in double the normal dose.
High doses of common pain drugs can cause heart attack: study
High doses of some commonly used pain drugs like ibuprofen can increase heart attacks, strokes and related deaths by about a third.
Vaccine hopes for hand, foot, mouth disease
Researchers in China said Wednesday a trial vaccine provided "significant" protection against a virus that can cause potentially deadly hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in children.
Think twice about surgery on the weekend: study
People who undergo weekend non-emergency surgery in English public hospitals have an 82 percent higher chance of dying within a month than those treated on a Monday.
Women more at risk than men of smoking, drinking: study
Women who smoke and drink heavily are at a higher risk of early death than men who do the same.
170,000 living in subdivided flats in Hong Kong: study
More than 170,000 people in Hong Kong are living in cramped subdivided flats, a government-commissioned study has found, underlining the scale of the city's housing crisis.
Moon may harbour alien minerals: study
Minerals found in craters on the Moon may be remnants of asteroids that slammed into it and not, as long believed, the satellite's innards exposed by such impacts.
US report urges action on 'unprecedented' IP theft
A high-powered commission said Wednesday that intellectual property theft was costing the United States the equivalent of all its exports to Asia and urged a tougher approach to China.
Shrinking glaciers behind a third of sea-level rise: study
Water from the world's shrinking glaciers was responsible for almost a third of the rise in sea levels between 2003 and 2009.
Gene clues for testicular cancer, heart defect
Separate studies of the human genome have found tantalising clues to the inherited causes of testicular cancer and non-inherited causes of congenital heart disease.
Two teens take lives over unfinished homework: media
Two teens in eastern China committed suicide after "failing to complete homework assignments" state-run media said on Friday, in an extreme case highlighting the immense pressure schoolchildren can face.
US studies find genetic links in aggressive cancers
Some of the most devastating forms of cancer have genetic similarities even though they strike different body parts.
US study sees China 'coercive power' on Japan
China will likely use its growing power to try to force its way with Japan but it is doubtful that Beijing will enter a Cold War-style confrontation with the United States.
Videogames slow, reverse 'mental decay': study
Playing videogames can prevent and even reverse deteriorating brain functions such as memory, reasoning and visual processing.
Young obesity doubles death risk before 55: study
Men who are obese in their early 20s are twice as likely as peers of average weight to die before reaching the age of 55.
