DVD players and discs could soon be used as affordable diagnostics for diseases such as HIV, say researchers.

A candidate vaccine against Chagas disease elicited high immunity in mice, and proved to be safe and simple to produce.

WHO researchers have pinned chronic kidney disease in Sri Lanka on heavy metals in agrochemicals.

After a lengthy court battle, India has rejected a major cancer drug patent bid — meaning lifesaving drugs will remain cheap and accessible.

Scientists from leading cancer centres are calling for the exchange of research findings as one recommendation for cutting cancer deaths.

Saudi researchers say they have discovered a cancer-curing compound in camel urine, but further trials are needed to test the claims.

While life expectancy worldwide has risen since 1990, Sub-Saharan Africa continues to lag far behind in key health areas, says a study.

In the last two decades, policies for tobacco control in Brazil have reduced smoking rates by nearly half and saved 420,000 lives, says a study.

Researchers in Malaysia and Ohio are investigating silvestrol, a potentially effective anti-cancer agent derived from indigenous trees.

A new urine test for lymphatic filariasis is expected to help Sri Lanka eliminate the mosquito-borne disease.

Research capacity in infectious and non-infectious diseases, which affect millions of Africans, has been boosted by a multi-million dollar fund.

The global mortality and incidence rates of tuberculosis are dropping, but slow response to drug resistance and funding gaps threaten progress.

Not all rice types increase the risk of diabetes, say researchers who have identified a rice gene that could help develop healthier varieties.

Researchers in Uganda and the US have discovered that secondary HIV infections among Ugandans are more common than thought.

The International Council for Science plans to launch a ten-year initiative next year to study urban health across the developing world.

The WHO takes action on global vaccinations, disease control and child mortality, with the adoption of a ten-year plan.

A new WHO strategic plan aims to tackle the problem of mosquito insecticide resistance in malaria-affected regions.

Qatar Science and Technology Park has developed the country's first health care technology to be exported to Europe.

Researchers say they have identified whooping cough in previously vaccinated children, a finding rejected by health officials.