In short

Today's other health stories in brief

Today's other health stories in brief

Grape seed causes cancer cells to die

A supplement made from grape seeds can destroy leukaemia cells, say scientists.

In laboratory experiments, commercially available grapeseed extract forced the cancer cells to commit suicide. Within 24 hours, 76 per cent of leukaemia cells exposed to the extract died through a process of natural self-destruction called apoptosis. Healthy cells were unharmed.

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The US researchers believe the discovery could open the door to promising new treatments. But they warn it is too early to justify recommending that people eat grapes or take grapeseed extract to stave off cancer.

Grape seeds contain a number of antioxidant plant chemicals including resveratrol, which is known to have anti-cancer properties. The findings appear in the January 1st edition of the journal Clinical Cancer Research.

Week-old baby undergoes brain tumour surgery

A British baby is thought to be the world's youngest patient to undergo a surgical procedure for treating brain tumours.

Madison Quartarone was just one week old when she was taken to Great Ormond Street Hospital, in London, with a large benign tumour.

The infant, now eight weeks, underwent three embilisation procedures - a treatment in which arteries are injected with glue to cut off blood supply - to starve the growth of blood. Scans after the operations showed the tumour had shrunk. Madison will return to the hospital in the new year for more scans to check on the tumour.

Prescriptions to cost £3 in North

The cost of prescriptions in Northern Ireland is falling to £3 sterling an item from next month, the health minister, Michael McGimpsey, said yesterday. He plans to scrap charges altogether from April 2010 but ordered the interim reduction.

Mr McGimpsey said: "Healthcare professionals must practise responsible prescribing and the public must play a part by only taking medication if they really need it."