New research has suggested that having uncommonly long ring fingers could indicate a person is at greater risk of developing osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. A study of more than 2,000 people, published in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism, suggests that people whose index finger is shorter than their ring finger are up to twice as likely to suffer from OA.
Having too little vitamin D has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, a US study has found. The Harvard Medical School team said the risk was particularly high for those who also had high blood pressure.
Up to three million people with disabilities in the UK could be trapped in poverty, a report has suggested. The study by campaigning group Leonard Cheshire Disability says disabled people are more likely to live in hardship now than a decade ago.
The library of a classical scholar is being auctioned in Dorset to raise money for disabled children. Duke's auctioneers in Dorchester said funds from Dr David Vessey's 8,000-book collection will help to start the charity Advocates for Children.
Gordon Brown today attacked critics of the government's handling of the Northern Rock crisis, but was unable to guarantee that the £26bn of taxpayers' money loaned to the bank will definitely be recovered. The prime minister insisted that the decision to support Northern Rock was correct, as it had prevented wider panic in the financial markets. The Treasury is currently negotiating with two potential purchasers, Virgin Group and Olivant. Both their proposals involve the government continuing to offer billions of pounds in support for several years.
Local Liberal Democrats have praised new party leader Nick Clegg's decision to set up an independent Commission on Social Mobility.
