Just a spoonful of water: doctors find best method for swallowing pills

Researchers recommend tablespoon full of water and either ‘pop bottle method’ or ‘lean forward’ technique, depending on the pill

Dalai Lama enlightens and enraptures contemplative scientists in Boston

James Kingsland: Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, was given a rapturous reception by mindfulness researchers, but tactfully avoided the controversial question of applications in the military

Sugary soft drinks may be linked to accelerated DNA ageing – study

Research finds that people who reported drinking 350ml of fizzy drink per day had DNA changes typical of cells 4.6 years older

Trust Me, I’m a Doctor; Curing Cancer review – debunked health myths v extraordinary medical science

Bognor Regis’ Italian contingent proving that pasta can, in fact, be good for you is no match for the moving – and fascinating – story of cancer patients’ journey to recovery, writes Sam Wollaston

We need public health heroes – can Hollywood help?

Tania Browne: Public health and epidemiology have produced many dramatic stories, ripe for the Hollywood treatment

The lab-grown penis: approaching a medical milestone

After decades of research, scientists are bioengineering penises in the lab, writes Dara Mohammadi

Womb transplant birth worth the risk, says mother

First woman to give birth from transplanted uterus says pregnancy option was perfect idea despite lack of guarantees

Your nose knows death is imminent

Mo Costandi: Losing the sense of smell predicts death within five years, according to new research

Amputee hails new prosthetic: ‘It’s like they’ve given me my leg back’

Implant attached to bone in pioneering technique that helps prevent infection and discomfort

Expanding waistlines will cause 3,500 more cancers each year, study finds

Scientists hope that linking 12,000 cancers each year to people being overweight will spark more action against obesity