Health Research: Cocaine changes brains ♦ Deadly dance between nerves, cancer cells ♦ Insomnia linked to impaired work performance in night shift workers

Study links insomnia to impaired work performance in night shift workers A new study of night shift workers suggests that overnight occupational and cognitive impairment is more strongly correlated to insomnia than it is to sleepiness.

Two thirds of the world's population have no access to safe, affordable surgery Millions of people are dying from common, easily treatable conditions like appendicitis, fractures, or obstructed labor because they do not have access to, or can't afford, proper surgical care, according to a major new report. The new estimates suggest that number of people worldwide who are unable to access basic surgery and anaesthesia is more than twice as high as previously thought.

Cocaine changes brains makes relapse more common in addicts Cocaine use causes ‘profound changes’ in the brain that lead to an increased risk of relapse due to stress, according to new research that identifies a molecular mechanism in the reward centre of the brain that influences how recovering cocaine addicts might relapse after stressful events. Importantly, the study identifies a potential mechanism for protecting against such relapses with treatment.

Scientists observe deadly dance between nerves, cancer cells In certain types of cancer, nerves and cancer cells enter an often lethal and intricate waltz where cancer cells and nerves move toward one another and eventually engage in such a way that the cancer cells enter the nerves.

Church-based diabetes education program leads to healthier lifestyles among Latino adults Latino adults with diabetes who participated in a church-based education program reported eating less high-fat food and exercising more following a trial intervention program. The Picture Good Health program, based in the city's South Lawndale/Little Village neighborhood, included an eight-week series of classes led by trained community members. The participants, mostly older Latina women, all had a previous diagnosis of diabetes and were recruited from two Catholic church communities