Key to longer life may lie in keeping fit from the age of 70, says study
Scientists home in on secrets of longevity in study of thousands of pensioners who live to 90 and beyond
British study finds genetic link to child obesity
A study of more than 5,000 pairs of twins has found that a child's risk of becoming overweight is mostly down to nature, not nurture
Detailed gene map will lift lid on diseases
An ambitious project to create the most detailed picture of human genetic variation yet has been launched by British and American scientists
Back from the dead
After a swimming accident, John Deeks was reportedly 'clinically dead' for between 40 and 60 minutes. Yet, after a few days in hospital, he has made a full recovery. How is this physically possible, asks Alice Wignall
Cancer drugs at risk as plant species die off
Medicines for HIV and cancer could be lost because plants used in their preparation are facing extinction, experts have warned
Coco loco
Lucy Atkins: Jennifer Aniston uses it and the England rugby squad swear by its metabolism-boosting qualities. Coconut oil is being touted as the health food of 2008 - but is this just more 'superfood' hype?
Obesity may harm immune system
Obesity can weaken the body's immune system and reduce its ability to fight off infections, according to scientists
Obese women told to slim before fertility treatment
· New guidelines for clinics to help with weight loss · Problem linked with birth defects and miscarriage
Sleepless nights linked to obesity in children
Scientists have found that getting a good night's sleep reduces a child's chances of being obese.
New hope in search for Huntington’s cure
Scientists have made a breakthrough in the search for a cure for Huntington's disease. Hope for a future treatment has been raised by the discovery of a chemical that slows damage to the brain caused by the genetic disease.