BBC News

The plant that's been used as a medicine and a murder weapon

What are the best ways to fight memory loss?

The British Medical Association says a 20% tax on sugary drinks should be introduced to tackle obesity.

The European Medicines Agency begins a review of HPV vaccines, looking into possible rare side-effects.

NHS workers in Wales have made more than 10,000 complaints about staff shortages since 2012, according to research by the Liberal Democrats.

A case of H7N7 bird flu has been confirmed at a poultry farm in Lancashire, the government says.

Dr Ann Hoskins of Public Health England and 'Green Goddess' and cancer survivor Diana Moran urge older women to be more aware of the symptoms of breast cancer.

The world's longest health study of its kind, which has run for nearly seven decades, is helping shape NHS treatments for the young to the elderly.

A survey by Public Health England warns that older women's lives are at risk for failing to recognise the early signs of breast cancer.

Eating disorders and Ramadan

A blast of ultrasound may help stubborn chronic wounds heal more quickly, a study suggests.

An extra 20% tax on sugary drinks should be introduced to tackle the obesity crisis, the British Medical Association says.

Many older women are unaware of some of the early warning signs of breast cancer, according to a survey.

Doctors call for urgent action to reduce the number of children needing to have rotten teeth removed under general anaesthetic in hospital.

Is sport more dangerous than ever?

As the Millennium Development Goals become Sustainable Development Goals, how much progress has been made?

My sick little boy and the great gluten-free diet fad

Nearly two months after Liberia was declared Ebola-free, five new cases have raised questions about the programme to eradicate the disease. The BBC's Anne Soy reports from the medical facility where they are being treated.

An epilepsy charity criticises Twitter for uploading two online videos that feature a looping, rapid succession of flashing colours.

A £10 fine for patients who frequently miss NHS hospital appointments in Wales would be introduced by the Conservatives if they win power at next year's assembly elections.

Fresh guidelines are produced for doctors in the UK caring for women who have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM).

Smoking may play a direct role in the development of schizophrenia, researchers suggest.

Two firms are fined a total of £550,000 following the death of a diabetic hospital patient injected with insulin syringes containing no insulin.

Cardiff's University Hospital of Wales becomes the UK's first to offer a new treatment for patients with chest deformities thanks to a pioneering surgeon.

More than a third of overweight teenagers do not regard themselves as too heavy and think they are about the right weight, a study in England shows.

A cheap oral vaccine has prevented cases of deadly cholera in a huge trial in Bangladesh.

A cheap and safe drug could help half of women with breast cancer to live longer, scientists suggest.

Scientists say they have taken a significant step towards treating some forms of deafness after restoring hearing in animals.

New research suggests pregnant women who defecate in the open are more likely to have a premature delivery or give birth to a baby with low weight than those who use toilets.

Science closing in on link between nature and well-being

An extra 34.5 million drugs and other prescription items were given out in 2014 compared to the year before, the latest snapshot for England shows.

The Ebola crisis proves the World Health Organization (WHO) lacks the "capacity and culture" to deal with global health emergencies, says a damning independent report, commissioned by the WHO itself.

A patient considered not well enough to swallow solid food choked to death after he was mistakenly given lunch, a court is told.

Doctors' life-saving role after 7/7 bus bombing

The world's oldest man, Japanese supercentenarian Sakari Momoi, dies in a Tokyo care home at the age of 112.

A study of people born in the same year has uncovered a huge difference in the speed at which their bodies age.

The Scottish Secretary hints that the UK government may be willing to devolve abortion law to Holyrood, during a debate on the Scotland Bill.

Doctors have raised fresh concerns about the level of support people with dementia and their carers get from the NHS and social services in the UK.

Final decisions about changes to the health service could be taken out of the hands of politicians under new proposals.

Journalist Sue Lloyd-Roberts, who has an aggressive form of leukaemia, tells her video diary that she has found a stem cell donor.

Patchy support for people with dementia is failing patients and their carers, doctors warn.

BBC journalist Sue Lloyd-Roberts, who has an aggressive form of leukaemia, says she has found a stem-cell donor following a public appeal.

More than 3,000 patients are sent a letter of apology by the NHS after sensitive personal information is found by a member of the public.

Clubfoot used to mean a life of unemployment and illiteracy for children born in developing countries - but now effective treatments mean they have a better chance at a full life.

Renewed efforts are needed to vaccinate dogs against rabies, health experts warn.

Helping children with clubfoot

A beauty blogger who was born with a facial disfigurement is hoping to inspire others to overcome their obstacles.

A leading researcher says industry must "wake up and invest more" in urinary catheters

Catheter use 'needs a rethink'

Trials suggest a new gene therapy treatment for cystic fibrosis patients could be available within five years.