Behind the Headlines

Your guide to the science that makes the news

Meningitis B jab to be added to NHS child vaccine schedule

Monday Mar 30 2015

New meningitis B vaccine approved for UK use

"Britain will become the first country in the world to offer a nationwide vaccination programme against meningitis," The Independent reports. A vaccine against the potentially life-threatening bacterial infection will be provided later this year...

Parents fail to spot that their kids are obese

Monday Mar 30 2015

Parents failing to spot that their kids are obese

"Parents hardly ever spot obesity in their children, resulting in damaging consequences for health," BBC News reports after a new study found a third of UK parents underestimated the weight of their child…

Do antibiotics in pregnancy cause cerebral palsy and epilepsy?

Thursday Mar 26 2015

Antibiotic use in pregnancy linked to cerebral palsy and epilepsy

"Antibiotic used in pregnancy linked to risk of epilepsy and cerebral palsy," The Guardian reports. The results of a new study suggest women who take macrolide antibiotics were slightly more likely to give birth to a child with one (or both)…

'4D' ultrasound shows effects of smoking on unborn babies

Tuesday Mar 24 2015

'4D' ultrasound studies effects of smoking on unborn babies

"Unborn baby shown grimacing in womb as mother smokes," is the somewhat misleading headline in The Daily Telegraph after researchers released dramatic images of babies in the womb taken using 4D ultrasound scanners...

Are half of all children's teeth really rotten?

Friday Mar 20 2015

Regular dental checks can help spot tooth decay

"Rotten teeth are secret reason why teens don't smile," revealed The Times today. The Daily Mirror expressed shock over revelations that...

Damage to 'heart health' may start in childhood

Wednesday Mar 18 2015

"Children are suffering damage to their hearts as early as 12 due to poor diets, a study has warned," the Mail Online reports. A US study suggests that an unhealthy diet in childhood can quickly lead to a deterioration in "heart health"…

Breastfed babies 'grow up to be brainier and richer'

Wednesday Mar 18 2015

"Breastfed babies grow up smarter and richer, study shows," The Daily Telegraph reports. A study from Brazil that tracked participants for 30 years found a significant association between breastfeeding and higher IQ and income in later life...

All teens should be vaccinated against rare strain of meningitis

Monday Mar 16 2015

All teens should be vaccinated against new strain of meningitis

"A vaccination for meningitis is to be offered to all 14-18 year-olds in England and Wales, after a spike in a rare strain of the disease," The Guardian reports. The strain – meningitis W (MenW) – is described as rare, but life-threatening…

Is education the best form of teen contraception?

Monday Mar 9 2015

"Getting a good education could be the best form of contraception for teenagers," The Independent reports after a study of recent data from England found an association between improved GCSE results and lower rates of teenage pregnancy…

Over two hours screen time a day may raise a child’s blood pressure

Thursday Feb 26 2015

Over two hours screen time a day ups a child’s blood pressure

"Watching TV for more than two hours a day increases the risk of raised blood pressure in children," The Daily Telegraph reports. A large study, involving more than 5,000 children who were followed up over two years…