British researchers have developed a reliable new non-invasive blood test, which can detect whether or not an unborn baby has Down’s syndrome during the first trimester of pregnancy. The syndrome is a genetic disorder characterised by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome in cells. Instead of 46 chromosomes usually present in each cell, people with Down’s syndrome have 47. The syndrome, which is not hereditary, is not a disease and occurs by chance at conception and is irreversible. It is also known as trisomy 21. The syndrome is affects people across the world and for every 1,000 babies born, one will have Down’s syndrome. Down’s syndrome is currently tested for between the 11th and 13th weeks of a pregnancy.
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‘Flu does not spread by Public transport use’
London: Myth Busted! Contrary to popular belief, people who use public transport are no more likely to catch flu than those who drive or cycle, doctors say.
In fact, people who do not take public transport are slightly more likely to catch it than those who are crammed into trains and buses every morning, according to research.
A survey of nearly 6,000 British people undertaken by doctors from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that there was “absolutely no indication” that buses and trains are the hotbed of viruses they are often thought to be, The Independent reported.
The discovery was made by analysis of this year’s annual Flusurvey report in UK. Participants were asked to record whether or not they experienced flu-like symptoms and to give information about their lifestyles. — PTI