A large international study has revealed several genetic variants which are linked to people with asthma. In all, more than 500,000 tests were performed on the genes of 10,000 children and adults with the condition, and 16,000 non-asthmatics. The Imperial College-led research, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, could point to new targets for drugs. Experts said gene testing could not predict who would get the condition.
A motion of no confidence in the leadership of a multiple sclerosis (MS) charity over the closure of respite care centres has failed. The residential centres in York, Surrey (Brambles in Horley), Warwickshire and East Lothian (Leuchars) face closure if they are not taken over by other organisations. The MS Society says its reviews aims to give patients and carers "more choice and control".
New research from the Dyspraxia Foundation reveals that children and young people with dyspraxia are being denied access to sport and leisure activities because of poor awareness of the condition.
Elderly people who get about by walking are less likely to suffer mental decline or even dementia, a study says. Brain scans revealed that older people walking between six and nine miles a week appeared to have more brain tissue in key areas.
Some people with a mental health problem are having to wait up to three years to talk to a counsellor, depending on where they live. Mental health charity Mind says three quarters of sufferers first start to get problems when they're under 25.
Disabled people will be hit with more than £9bn in welfare cuts over the next five years, a think tank has warned. Demos suggests the government's plans will see 3.6m disabled people and carers lose about £9.2bn by 2015. It said moving those on incapacity benefit who were reassessed as fit to work to jobseeker's allowance would account for half of the losses.