The tragic case of Charlie Gard
- 28 July 2017
- From the section Health
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Featureworld
The protracted and bitter dispute over Charlie Gard began with the breakdown in the relationship of trust between doctors and parents.
When his medical team, with second opinions from several leading centres, decided that his brain damage was irreversible, they believed there was nothing that could help him.
That was six months ago, but they had no power to end Charlie's life support without the backing of his parents.
That meant Great Ormond Street Hospital had to apply to the courts.
A succession of judges ruled it was in Charlie's best interests to die, because he may be suffering and the proposed experimental treatment in the United States was "futile".
Terminally ill man Noel Conway in right-to-die fight
- 17 July 2017
- From the section Health
The High Court has begun hearing the legal challenge of a terminally ill UK man who wants the right to die.
Noel Conway, who is 67 and has motor neurone disease, wants a doctor to be allowed to prescribe a lethal dose when his health deteriorates further.
Read full article Terminally ill man Noel Conway in right-to-die fight
What the brain's wiring looks like
- 3 July 2017
- From the section Health
The world's most detailed scan of the brain's internal wiring has been produced by scientists at Cardiff University.
The MRI machine reveals the fibres which carry all the brain's thought processes.
How lack of sleep affects the brain
- 26 June 2017
- From the section Health
Image copyright
Elenathewise
Scientists in Canada have launched what is set to become the world's largest study of the effects of lack of sleep on the brain.
A team, at Western University, Ontario, want people from all over the world to sign up online to do cognitive tests.
Smoke alarms 'fail to wake children'
- 23 February 2017
- From the section Health
Forensic scientists and fire investigators have warned that smoke alarms may not wake children.
Research by Dundee University and Derbyshire Fire and Rescue found that of 34 children tested, 27 repeatedly slept through smoke detector alarms.
Child gene study identifies new developmental disorders
- 25 January 2017
- From the section Health
A major genetic study has identified 14 new childhood developmental disorders.
Scientists sequenced the genes of thousands of children from across the UK and Ireland with rare, undiagnosed conditions.
Read full article Child gene study identifies new developmental disorders
World's smallest MRI helps tiny babies
- 23 January 2017
- From the section Health
Doctors in Sheffield are pioneering the use of a compact MRI scanner for imaging the brains of premature babies.
The machine, at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, is one of only two purpose-built neonatal MRI scanners in the world.
'I fear being entombed in my body' - suicide legal challenge
- 6 January 2017
- From the section Health
A terminally ill man has begun a legal fight for the right to die.
Noel Conway, who's 67 and has motor neurone disease (MND), says he fears becoming "entombed" in his body as his muscles gradually weaken.
Read full article 'I fear being entombed in my body' - suicide legal challenge
Woman has baby using ovary frozen in childhood
- 14 December 2016
- From the section Health
A woman has given birth in London after doctors restored her fertility using frozen ovarian tissue removed when she was a young child.
The 24-year-old is thought to be the first in the world to have a baby after having an ovary frozen before the onset of puberty.
Read full article Woman has baby using ovary frozen in childhood
Doctors use deep-brain ultrasound therapy to treat tremors
- 9 December 2016
- From the section Health
Doctors in London have used sound waves to successfully operate deep inside the brain.
They treated a man from Cornwall who suffered from uncontrollable tremors in his right hand.
Read full article Doctors use deep-brain ultrasound therapy to treat tremors
