Daily digest August 7 2015

Handwashing does cut infection rates

Conclusive proof that handwashing reduces the spread of infection has emerged, The Guardian reports.

A study involving 20,000 adults shows that washing hands led to a 15% to 25% drop in the incidence of acute respiratory illnesses, flu and gastrointestinal problems.

Lead researcher Paul Little, professor of primary care research at the University of Southampton, said: ‘I think one of the striking things is that you don’t only protect yourself, you also protect your family members, and presumably your colleagues as well.’ 

Read more on The Guardian website

Lung cancer patients face delay in accessing new drug

A new treatment for lung cancer has been given a medical licence by European regulators, but NHS patients may not be able to access it for at least a year.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is not expected to decide on whether nivolumab is fit for NHS use until May next year at the earliest, and there will be delays in developing a policy on how the NHS pays for the drug, the Mail Online reports.

The drug is being marketed as more effective than conventional chemotherapy and leading to fewer side effects.

Read more on the Mail Online website

Children with higher IQs more likely to 'grow out' of ADHD, new research shows

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who have higher IQs are more likely to ‘grow out’ of the condition as teenagers than those with average IQs, The Independent reports.

It is thought the results could help scientists understand the best ways to help the development of interventions for those with ADHD, according to research by King’s College London.

Around one in 20 children have ADHD and the condition persists into adolescence and early adulthood for around two-thirds of individuals.

Read more on The Independent website