Sitting for long periods bad for health

Sitting for long periods increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease and death, experts suggest.

Scientists from Leicester and Loughborough universities say harm is done even if people also exercise, the BBC reported Monday.

The study analysed 18 existing studies involving almost 800,000 people.

The researchers say the opportunities for sedentary behaviour in modern society such as watching TV, sitting in a car or using a computer are "ubiquitous".

Many people head to the gym to redress the balance. But the research team, led by Emma Wilmot from the Diabetes Group at the University of Leicester, says going to the gym or pool after work is better than heading straight for the sofa, according to the BBC.

Gene behind skin disease identified

British researchers have identified a gene that plays a key role in causing a type of skin disease.

A team led by the University of Dundee has identified the "p34 gene" that plays a key role in causing punctate PPK, according to the BBC Monday.

The condition causes dots of hard, thickened skin which are painful and uncomfortable.

It is believed the discovery will allow for easier diagnosis of punctate PPK and help developing new therapies.

Higher doses of statins best against cholesterol

Treatment with higher doses of statins is usually the best way of lowering cholesterol levels, suggests a comprehensive review study.

"Statins are proven medications that can reduce heart attacks and strokes by about 30 percent in the patients that need them," said Matt Ito, study author and professor of pharmacy practice at Oregon State University.

"What we looked at here was whether adding other drugs or therapy to the use of statins could further reduce problems, and in most cases the research indicates that they didn't help," added Ito, the journal Annals of Pharmacotherapy reported.

"What did help was increasing the statin dose to higher levels within the range for which they are approved. And there did not appear to be a significant change in side effects based on any approved dosage," said Ito, according to an Oregon statement.

The review examined the range of treatment options for "dyslipidemia", or concerns about LDL cholesterol that is too high; HDL cholesterol that is too low; elevated triglycerides; and other issues that affect millions of people around the world.