Pigs show potential for 'remarkable' level of behavioral, mental flexibility in new study

Pigs will probably never be able to fly, but new research is revealing that some species within the genus Sus may possess a remarkable level of behavioral and mental flexibility. A study published in Frontiers in Psychology tested the ability of four pigs to play a simple joystick-enabled video game. Each animal demonstrated some conceptual understanding despite limited dexterity on tasks normally given to non-human primates to analyze intelligence.

More deaths in England and Scotland may be due to obesity and excess body fat than smoking

Obesity and excess body fat may have contributed to more deaths in England and Scotland than smoking since 2014, according to research published in the open access journal BMC Public Health.

Jeremy Hunt: 'I was too slow to boost the NHS workforce'

With the COVID-19 pandemic exposing an already stretched NHS workforce to new levels of stress, burnout, and trauma, Jeremy Hunt says he regrets not acting earlier to expand numbers of doctors and nurses during his time as health secretary.

No links between opioids or certain antibiotics in pregnancy and major birth defects

Two studies published by The BMJ today find no links between prescription opioids or macrolide antibiotics taken during pregnancy and risk of major birth defects.

Scientists propose three-step method to reverse significant reforestation side effect

While deforestation levels have decreased significantly since the turn of the 21st century, the United Nations (UN) estimates that 10 million hectares of trees have been felled in each of the last five years.

Function identified of 'mystery protein' that kills brain cells of people with Parkinson's

A study published in Nature Communications today presents a compelling new evidence about what a key protein called alpha-synuclein actually does in neurons in the brain.

Rabies treatment demonstrated as safe and effective for use in children in first pediatric trial

A treatment, known as KEDRAB (Rabies Immune Globulin [Human]), currently used in the prevention of rabies has been demonstrated to be safe and effective for patients age 17 and under.

How research on chronic illnesses will improve COVID-19 treatment

A new paper in Oxford Open Immunology, published by Oxford University Press, examines prior findings in the field of neuroimmunology that suggest potential treatment strategies for patients suffering long-term symptoms from COVID-19.