AFP
Health - AFP

Belgian patient Rom Houben, seen here using a specially-adapted computer to type messages at the Weyerke institute near Liege. Houben, who was wrongly diagnosed as being in a coma for 23 years, has revived the debate on care for those considered in a vegetative state, with the astonishing case far from unique according to a recent study.(AFP/Stringer)

Conscious but paralysed: Belgian 'coma' case not unique

32 minutes ago

BRUSSELS (AFP) - The story of a Belgian patient wrongly diagnosed as comatose for 23 years revives the debate on care for those considered in a vegetative state, with the astonishing case far from unique according to a recent study.

  • City workers walk through London's Canary Wharf. Men who bottle up frustrations about unfair treatment at work are twice as likely to have a heart attack, a study suggests.(AFP/File/Shaun Curry)
    Bottling up work woes increases heart risk: study 29 minutes ago

    LONDON (AFP) - Men who bottle up frustrations about unfair treatment at work are twice as likely to have a heart attack, a study published on Tuesday suggests.

  • A person receives a A(H1N1) flu vaccine in Paris. The WHO says an unusual number of severe allergic reactions to swine flu vaccinations have been recorded in Canada, where a batch of the vaccine from GlaxoSmithKline has been recalled.(AFP/Lionel Bonaventure)
    Severe reactions to swine flu vaccine: WHO Tue Nov 24, 7:44 AM ET

    GENEVA (AFP) - An unusual number of severe allergic reactions to swine flu vaccinations have been recorded in Canada, where a batch of the vaccine from GlaxoSmithKline has been recalled, the WHO said on Tuesday.

  • A Zimbabwean orphan displays the anti-retroviral drugs he obtained by walking across a mountain range and crossing into Mozambique. AIDS has killed 25 million people worldwide but new infections are slowing sharply, the UN said in an annual report on the crisis that mixed hope with a warning against complacency.(AFP/Alexander Joe)
    AIDS death toll passes 25 mln: UNAIDS 51 minutes ago

    SHANGHAI (AFP) - AIDS has killed 25 million people worldwide but new infections are slowing sharply, the UN said on Tuesday as it issued its annual report that mixed hope with a warning against complacency.

  • Belgian patient Rom Houben is helped by an assistant as he uses a specially-adapted computer to type messages and communicate, at the Weyerke institute in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium.(AFP/Stringer)
    Conscious but paralysed; patient's case not unique 1 hour, 2 minutes ago

    BRUSSELS (AFP) - The story of a Belgian patient wrongly diagnosed as comatose for 23 years revives the debate on care for those considered in a vegetative state, with the astonishing case far from unique according to a recent study.

  • A box of doughnuts at the Snapple Theatre Rehearsal Studio in New York City. A high-fat, high-sugar diet could have the same effect on brain chemistry as mood-altering drugs, giving scientific support to the craving for "comfort food", Australian researchers say.(AFP/Getty Images/File/Andrew H. Walker)
    'Comfort food' relieves stress: Australian study Tue Nov 24, 5:46 AM ET

    SYDNEY (AFP) - A high-fat, high-sugar diet could have the same effect on brain chemistry as mood-altering drugs, giving scientific support to the craving for "comfort food", Australian researchers said on Tuesday.

  • An ampulla containing the flu vaccine Pandemrix at a chemist in Berlin. A leading association of clinicians has accused an "anti-vaccination movement" of breeding suspicion about the (A)H1N1 swine flu vaccine in Europe and declared public health and lives were at risk.(DDP/AFP/Philipp Guelland)
    Swine flu: doctors blast anti-vaccination sceptics Mon Nov 23, 9:21 AM ET

    PARIS (AFP) - A leading association of clinicians on Monday accused an "anti-vaccination movement" of breeding suspicion about the (A)H1N1 swine flu vaccine in Europe and declared public health and lives were at risk.

  • Healthcare workers at a hospital. A Belgian man thought to have been in a coma for 23 years has told of his "second birth" after doctors realised he was in fact conscious, a German weekly reported Monday.(AFP/File/Simon Maina)
    'Second birth' for mistaken coma victim in Belgium Mon Nov 23, 2:57 PM ET

    BERLIN (AFP) - A Belgian man thought to have been in a coma for 23 years has told of his "second birth" after doctors realised he was in fact conscious, a German weekly reported Monday.

  • A man loads drywall into his truck outside a home improvement store in California in 2008. US authorities expanded a probe Monday into health impacts of drywall imported from China, saying an initial study found a "strong association" with indoor pollution in homes using the product.(AFP/Getty Images/File)
    US to expand health probe into Chinese drywall Mon Nov 23, 3:28 PM ET

    WASHINGTON (AFP) - US authorities expanded a probe Monday into health impacts of drywall imported from China, saying an initial study found a "strong association" with indoor pollution in homes using the product.

  • These photos taken in August show the Bangladeshi set of twins Trishna (L) and Krishna. Bangladeshi twins Trishna and Krishna are out of intensive care and seeing each other for the first time as they make an "amazing" recovery from surgery to separate their conjoined heads, doctors said Tuesday.(AFP/HO/File/Royal Childrens Hospital)
    Bangladeshi twins out of intensive care, playing Tue Nov 24, 2:51 AM ET

    MELBOURNE (AFP) - Bangladeshi twins Trishna and Krishna are out of intensive care and seeing each other for the first time as they make an "amazing" recovery from surgery to separate their conjoined heads, doctors said Tuesday.

  • Breathing in fumes from petrol made lab rats more aggressive, a finding that has wide implications for urban pollution, according to a study published on Tuesday.(AFP/File/Behrouz Mehri)
    Petrol inhalation causes road-rage rats Mon Nov 23, 7:04 PM ET

    PARIS (AFP) - Breathing in fumes from petrol made lab rats more aggressive, a finding that has wide implications for urban pollution, according to a study published on Tuesday.

  • The US Senate and Capitol Dome where key Democratic allies in the US health care battle warned that a Senate bill required major changes if it was to earn their support and give President Barack Obama a crucial victory on his top domestic priority.(AFP/Tim Sloan)
    Key senators seek changes on US health care bill Sun Nov 22, 8:42 PM ET

    WASHINGTON (AFP) - Key Democratic allies in the US health care battle warned that a Senate bill required major changes if it was to earn their support and give President Barack Obama a crucial victory on his top domestic priority.

  • A person is seen being vaccinated against the flu. Swine flu vaccines are still effective despite reported cases of mutations in the A(H1N1) virus, health experts in Europe and North America said Saturday.(AFP/Getty Images/File/David Greedy)
    Swine flu vaccine effective despite mutations: experts Sat Nov 21, 5:25 PM ET

    PARIS (AFP) - Swine flu vaccines are still effective despite reported cases of mutations in the A(H1N1) virus, health experts in Europe and North America said Saturday.

  • Muslim pilgrims touch a holy pillar on top of the Mount of Mercy (Jabal al-Rahma) in the plain of Arafat, southeast of the holy city of Mecca. Days before a forecast three million Muslim pilgrims pack Mecca to begin the holy ritual of the hajj, the spectre of a possible outbreak of swine flu seems to be fazing few of them.(AFP/Mahmud Hams)
    Hajj pilgrims in Saudi unfazed by swine flu Sat Nov 21, 3:18 PM ET

    MECCA, Saudi Arabia (AFP) - Days before a forecast three million Muslim pilgrims pack Mecca to begin the holy ritual of the hajj, the spectre of a possible outbreak of swine flu seems to be fazing few of them.

  • These photos taken in August show the Bangladeshi set of twins Trishna (left) and Krishna. The twins appeared on Sunday to have beaten the odds with their miracle story of survival, both awaking from landmark separation surgery happy and well.(AFP/HO/File/Royal Childrens Hospital)
    Separated twins beat the odds Sun Nov 22, 12:29 AM ET

    MELBOURNE (AFP) - Bangladeshi conjoined twins Trishna and Krishna appeared on Sunday to have beaten the odds with their miracle story of survival, both awaking from landmark separation surgery happy and well.

  • A nurse administering a vaccine. Women should not get their first cervical cancer screening before age 21, according to the leading US group of women's health care professionals who also recommended less frequent subsequent tests.(AFP/File/Thierry Zoccolan)
    US backs new start date for cervical cancer tests Fri Nov 20, 10:40 AM ET

    WASHINGTON (AFP) - Women should not get their first cervical cancer screening before age 21, the leading US group of women's health care professionals said Friday, also recommending less frequent subsequent tests.

  • An employee works on a sample analysis on May 2009 in a high-security lab at the CHU Pellegrin in Bordeaux, south western France. The World Health Organisation said Friday that a mutation had been found in samples of the swine flu virus taken following the first two deaths from the pandemic in Norway.(AFP/File/Nicolas Tucat)
    Mutation found in swine flu virus: WHO Fri Nov 20, 2:55 PM ET

    GENEVA (AFP) - The World Health Organisation said Friday that a mutation had been found in samples of the swine flu virus taken following the first two deaths from the pandemic in Norway.

  • A scientist prepares a DNA test for the swine flu virus. The World Health Organisation said around 6,750 people have died from the swine flu pandemic -- about 500 more than a week ago.(AFP/File/Leon Neal)
    Swine flu toll climbs by around 500: WHO Fri Nov 20, 11:13 AM ET

    GENEVA (AFP) - Around 6,750 people have died from the swine flu pandemic, World Health Organisation data showed Friday, about 500 more than a week ago.

  • This undated illustration shows the DNA double helix. Beaten or sexually abused children are more likely to show accelerated ageing of cells later in life, a condition linked to higher rates of cancer and heart disease, according to a study released Friday.(AFP/HO/File)
    Child abuse may shorten cell lifeline: study Fri Nov 20, 2:31 PM ET

    PARIS (AFP) - Beaten or sexually abused children are more likely to show accelerated ageing of cells later in life, a condition linked to higher rates of cancer and heart disease, according to a study released Friday.

  • China has ordered more accurate reporting of swine flu deaths after Zhong Nanshan, pictured in 2005, a doctor renowned for helping expose the scale of the 2003 SARS outbreak, claimed the true number of fatalities was being covered up.(AFP/File/Goh Chai Hin)
    China demands more accurate swine flu reporting Fri Nov 20, 11:39 AM ET

    BEIJING (AFP) - China has ordered more accurate reporting of swine flu fatalities after a doctor renowned for helping expose the scale of the 2003 SARS outbreak said deaths were being deliberately underplayed.

  • According to a poll more than one in 10 people don't realise that a woman can still get pregnant if she has sex standing up.(AFP/File/Nicolas Asfouri)
    British poll reveals sexual ignorance Fri Nov 20, 11:05 AM ET

    LONDON (AFP) - More than one in 10 British people don't realise that a woman can still get pregnant if she has sex standing up, according to a poll Friday.

  • HIV kills 25 million, infects 60 million: UNAIDS Tue Nov 24, 5:50 AM ET

    GENEVA (AFP) - Almost 60 million people have been infected by HIV and 25 million people killed by causes related to the virus since the epidemic started, according to new data published by UNAIDS on Tuesday.

  • A nurse draws blood from a patient for an HIV test in Johannesburg. New HIV infections have fallen by 17 percent over the past eight years, UNAIDS said Tuesday, noting that prevention programmes were having an impact.(AFP/File/Paballo Thekiso)
    New HIV infections down 17%: UNAIDS Tue Nov 24, 5:00 AM ET

    GENEVA (AFP) - New HIV infections have fallen by 17 percent over the past eight years, UNAIDS said Tuesday, noting that prevention programmes were having an impact.

  • Separated Bangladeshi twins out of intensive care: hospital Mon Nov 23, 7:59 PM ET

    SYDNEY (AFP) - Bangladeshi twins Trishna and Krishna have left intensive care as they continue their remarkable recovery from surgery to separate their conjoined heads, the hospital said.

  • US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada speaks to senators who will appear on the Sunday morning talk shows in his Senate office in Washington, DC. President Barack Obama's planned overhaul of the US health care system is heading for another major political battle after it cleared a key Senate hurdle that allows for debate on the proposal.(AFP/Nicholas Kamm)
    Obama health drive clears key Senate hurdle Sun Nov 22, 7:47 AM ET

    WASHINGTON (AFP) - President Barack Obama's planned overhaul of the US health care system headed Sunday for another major political battle after it cleared a key Senate hurdle that allows for debate on the proposal.

  • US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada speaks to senators who will appear on the Sunday morning talk shows in his Senate office in Washington, DC. President Barack Obama's planned overhaul of the US health care system is heading for another major political battle after it cleared a key Senate hurdle that allows for debate on the proposal.(AFP/Nicholas Kamm)
    US Senate votes to start Obama health drive debate Sat Nov 21, 8:54 PM ET

    WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US Senate, torn along party lines, voted to formally launch debate on historic legislation to enact President Barack Obama's signature drive to remake US health care, handing him a win for now.

  • US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada speaks to senators who will appear on the Sunday morning talk shows in his Senate office in Washington, DC. President Barack Obama's signature drive to remake US health care was on track to clear a key Senate hurdle Saturday, as the last wavering Democrats agreed to vote to formally open debate on the bill.(AFP/Nicholas Kamm)
    Obama health drive set to clear first test Sat Nov 21, 5:40 PM ET

    WASHINGTON (AFP) - President Barack Obama's signature drive to remake US health care was on track to clear a key Senate hurdle Saturday, as the last wavering Democrats agreed to vote to formally open debate on the bill.

  • A doctor examines his patient at the Broward Community and Family Health Center in Pompano Beach, Florida in April 2009. President Barack Obama's signature drive to remake US health care faced a critical Senate test vote, amid bitter 11th-hour debate and behind-the-scenes wrangling on a century-old policy feud.(AFP/Getty Images/File/Joe Raedle)
    US Senate gears up for key health vote Sat Nov 21, 6:16 AM ET

    WASHINGTON (AFP) - President Barack Obama's health reform faces a landmark first test in the US Senate Saturday as Democratic leaders strive to lock down support for a vote that would allow them to launch a formal floor debate on the proposal.

  • These photos from the Melbourne Royal Children's Hospital taken in August show Trishna (left) and Krishna (right), the Bangladeshi set of twins joined at the head. Krishna -- the weaker of the two Bangladeshi twins separated from her conjoined sister in landmark surgery in Australia -- has woken fully from a coma and blew her guardian a raspberry.(AFP/HO/File/Royal Childrens Hospital)
    Second Bangladeshi twin wakes, blows raspberry Sat Nov 21, 4:50 AM ET

    MELBOURNE (AFP) - The weaker of two Bangladeshi twins separated from her conjoined sister in landmark surgery in Australia woke fully from a coma Saturday -- and blew her guardian a raspberry.