'Folic acid may cut premature births by 70%'

Non-prescription cough medicines 'could be a waste of money'

Diabetes drugs may increase the risk of heart failure reported six newspapers (27 July 2007). The newspapers were generally accurate in their reports of a meta-analysis which found an increased risk of heart failure with thiazolidinediones. Methodological and reporting limitations cast doubt on the reliability of the results of the research.

Pumpkin extract may cut need for insulin injection reported three newspapers (9 July 2007). The articles are based on a laboratory study involving rats engineered to have type I diabetes. These findings cannot be applied to people at present.

Antidepressants known as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may increase the risk of osteoporosis reported five newspapers on 26 June 2007 (1-5). The broadly accurate reports were based on two studies (6,7) that found an association between SSRIs and bone loss but were not designed to demonstrate cause and effect.

On 15 May 2007, six newspapers reported that a healthy Mediterranean diet halves the risk of lung disease. These were generally accurate reports of a large, well-conducted, cohort study of 42,971 men, whose results are likely to be reliable, but maybe not generalisable beyond men in the USA or men residing in countries with similar dietary patterns.

A vaccine against two strains of human papillomavirus which causes cervical cancer was almost 100% effective reported the Daily Telegraph (10 May 2007). The report of the research was accurate but further long-term research is needed to ascertain if vaccinated young women do go on to develop cervical cancer during their lifetime.

Scientists have discovered a drug that offers hope of a treatment for people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and cystic fibrosis, and potentially many other genetic disorders, reported two newspapers (23 April 2007). Trials involving people with these conditions are ongoing, so it is not yet clear what the prospects and possible timescales are for a treatment.

Flu increases the risk of coronary death and flu vaccinations may help reduce this risk, reported seven newspapers. Reports were based on a study which found an association between influenza epidemics and increases in coronary death. The effects of influenza vaccinations on coronary death were not investigated in this study.

Newspapers reports, based on a press release, stated that taking fish oil supplements boosted brain development (12 March 2007). Four overweight children showed improved arithmetical and construction skills, memory, concentration, and brain growth, after three months. The results can not be deemed reliable, or generalisable to other young people.

Vitamin pills increase risk of death, reported five newspapers (28 February 2007). The newspapers accurately reported the findings of a generally well-conducted systematic review.

Switching from tamoxifen to the breast cancer drug exemestane after 2-3 years of tamoxifen treatment reduces the risk of death, reported six newspapers (13 February 2007). The newspapers were generally accurate in their reports of a large randomised controlled trial, the findings of which are likely to be reliable.

According to an article recently published in the Journal of Urology, delaying a cystectomy by more than 3 months following diagnosis of bladder cancer can affect outcomes of a patient.

A high-fibre diet can halve the risk of breast cancer in pre-menopausal women, reported four newspapers on 24 January 2007. The reports were based on a large prospective cohort study, however, further research is needed to confirm the study's findings.

 "Antidepressants linked to fractures"  National Library of Health UK Jan 24.2007.