A round-up of this week's other health news in brief ....
New hope for nut allergy sufferers
People whose lives are at risk because of severe allergic reactions have been given new hope as a result of new research by Scottish scientists.
Researchers at Glasgow University have discovered a way of turning down the strength of serious reactions – known as anaphylactic shock – which can affect allergy sufferers.
Foods including peanuts and fish, as well as wasp or bee stings can in some cases lead to anaphylactic shock – a severe allergic reaction.
International Down Syndrome meeting
Dublin will host a major International Congress on Down Syndrome next month. Over 2,000 delegates will attend the 10th World Down Syndrome Congress from August 19th to 22nd at The Helix in DCU.
Topics that will be covered include sexuality, mental wellness, independent living and health management.
For the first time, the Congress will run an International Synod of people with Down Syndrome. Over 100 adults and young people with Down syndrome from around the world will debate and discuss issues that affect their daily lives, including employment and living in the community.
Further information can be found at www.wdsc2009.com or contact Siobhan at Keynote PCO on 01-400 3626.
Why girl with half a brain is able to see
Scientists have discovered how a 10-year-old girl born with half a brain is able to see normally through one eye. The girl, from Germany, has both fields of vision in one eye and represents the only known case of its kind in the world. University of Glasgow researchers used Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to reveal how the girl’s brain had rewired itself in order to process information from the right and left visual fields in spite of her not having a whole brain. The right hemisphere in the girl’s brain failed to develop in the womb.