Health Research: How language shapes our ability to process information ♦ Advance toward more effective, long-lasting flu vaccine ♦ Antibiotic use linked to type 2 diabetes diagnosis

Bilingualism and the brain: How language shapes our ability to process information In an increasingly globalised world, there are many practical benefits to speaking two languages rather than one. Even in the US, which is largely monolingual, more than 20 percent of the population is now thought to speak a second language

Major advance toward more effective, long-lasting flu vaccine Medical researchers have found a way to induce antibodies to fight a wide range of influenza subtypes -- work that could one day eliminate the need for repeated seasonal flu shots.

Flu vaccinations make sense for elderly, study suggests Amid debate about whether flu vaccination really helps the elderly, a new study provides fresh evidence that it does. Researchers found vaccines well matched to the year's flu strain significantly reduce deaths and hospitalizations compared to when the match is poor, suggesting that vaccination indeed makes a difference. They project that well-matched vaccines saves thousands of lives every flu season.

Blood vessel cells help tumors evade the immune system A new study is the first to suggest that cells in the tumor blood vessels contribute to a local environment that protects the cancer cells from tumor-killing immune cells. The results can contribute to the development of better immune-based cancer therapies.

Antibiotic use linked to type 2 diabetes diagnosis People who developed type 2 diabetes tended to take more antibiotics in the years leading up to the diagnosis than people who did not have the condition.