* Several studies have been noted, showing that a foetus undergoing ultrasound scan hears the waves, much like a helicopter going overhead.
These effects would be most pronounced when the "transducer" which aims the ultrasound, is pointed at the baby's head.
* The first birth defect of a baby possibly as a result of being exposed to the abortion drug mifepristone has been recorded. A pregnant French woman who decided to take the drug at 5 weeks of pregnancy changed her mind and refused administration of the second drug which actually sets off the abortion. Later, the foetus was found to have deformedlower limbs and many organs.
* A Royal College of Radiologists study of over a million patients of five district hospitals found that one in five X-rays ordered by doctors in unnecessary.
* Amid plans to launch a vaccination of all children at age 12 against Hepatitis B, the Lancet reports at least three reactions to the thiomersal in the vaccine a preservative used in this and the DPT vaccines.