Researchers have published in the BMJ Open their work attempting to quantify the effects of medications and changes in health on mortality from coronary heart disease. They report that reductions in blood pressure and cholesterol levels across the population contributed to reducing mortality, and that statins also played a part but that this effect was more pronounced in higher socioeconomic bands. read more

A study published in the journal of Clinical Pharmacology has looked at the use of hormonal contraceptives and a link with brain tumours. The researchers report an association between ever using these contraceptives and incidence of glioma, which increase with duration of use, though they recognise potential confounding factors. read more

In a paper published in the Lancet Psychiatry, a group of researchers have studied the effects of using a video-based intervention for infants with familial risk of autism. The research team report that the intervention produced positive outcomes in terms of behaviour, developmental, and and brain function. read more

The government is set to bring forward a vote on legislation to introduce plain packaging for cigarettes sold in the UK, to before the general election in May. read more

In a letter to The New England Journal of Medicine, a group of researchers has analysed the levels of various chemicals in the vapour produced when smoking e-cigarettes, and gives estimates of levels of formaldehyde-releasing agents which are higher than other previous studies. read more

A paper published in the European Heart Journal has examined the effects of alcohol consumption on levels of heart failure, reporting that having up to seven drinks a week was associated with lower levels of heart failure in both men and women. read more