The brain microbiome: could understanding it help prevent dementia?

Long thought to be sterile, our brains are now believed to harbour all sorts of micro-organisms, from bacteria to fungi. How big a part do they play in Alzheimer’s and similar diseases?

Irregular sleep pattern raises risk of stroke and heart attack, study finds

Variations in time a person goes to sleep and wakes up ‘strongly associated’ with higher risk of negative impacts

Australian women to get home self tests for chlamydia and gonorrhoea – but experts urge caution

People with genital or pelvic symptoms may feel a sense of false reassurance with a negative result, sexual health expert warns

Exercise in a pill: have scientists really found a drug that’s as good for you as a 10km run?

Just how excited should we be about LaKe, the substance discovered by researchers at Denmark’s Aarhus University?

Intermittent weekend exercise has same brain benefits as regular workouts, study finds

Research reveals positive cognitive health impacts of exercising once or twice a week are much the same as exercising more often

Psychedelic Outlaws by Joanna Kempner review – a compelling case for the use of magic mushrooms in pain relief

The US sociologist’s study of psychoactive fungi to treat little-known medical conditions such as cluster headaches is well researched and wide ranging

Standing desks do not reduce risk of stroke and heart failure, study suggests

Researchers say people who sit or stand for long periods should schedule regular movements throughout the day

‘Weekend warrior’ workouts may be as effective as daily exercise, study shows

Scientists say total amount of physical activity people get is more important than how frequently they train

Scans capture sweeping reorganisation of brain in pregnancy

MRIs taken from before conception until two years after birth show some short-lived changes and some lasting years

New screening trial could save thousands from prostate cancer

The £42m Transform project aims to find the best way to catch the disease in men in its early stages