A new advance in IVF research triples couples’ chances of having a baby, scientists have claimed.
The Telegraph reports that women undergoing IVF are three times more likely to have a baby through a new technique that scientists are claiming as the biggest fertility breakthrough for 35 years.
The advance means that couples undergoing treatment could have a 78% chance of success, compared with average ‘live birth’ IVF rates of around 25% in Britain, they say.
The technique uses ‘time-lapse imaging’ to take thousands of photographs of developing embryos and pinpoint those least likely to carry chromosomal abnormalities.
Only those most likely to result in a healthy pregnancy are then implanted.
The scientists behind the study claimed it as ‘the most exciting and significant development for all patients seeking IVF’ in at least 35 years.
In much sadder news, The Daily Mail reports of a family’s campaign to encourage teenagers to come forward with cancer concerns after their son waited an agonising eight months before finding the courage to mention he had found a lump - and died of testicular cancer just two weeks later.
Now the heartbroken of family of Michael Rushby, known as Mikey, has urged young men to check themselves after the death of the much-loved 16-year-old. Mikey, the youngest of six brothers and sisters, was having a drink with older brother John, 22, at the family home on April 17 when he finally spoke up.
‘He said he had a problem and showed me one of his testicles,’ said John.
‘The lump was obvious so I took him straight to A&E. The doctor said just by looking at it there was an 80% chance it was cancer.’
But the Mail also brings us some good news (we think?), as Colgate has revealed plans for a toothbrush with a built in caffeine patch to deliver the morning coffee as you brush.
A patent application reveals the firm is even considering flavour patches and even drug delivery using the system.
The patent application from the Colgate-Palmolive Company revealed technology that would allow chemicals to be embedded into the heads of standard toothbrushes and slowly released during use.
The firm showed off plans for everything from mint and apple flavoured patches to a caffeine patch to wake up the weary in the morning.
The firm could also expand the offering to include drugs such as aspirin, and the application even reveals a ‘diet toothbrush’ with a patch that releases an appetite suppressant.
