Starring: Kenichi Matsuyama, Rinko Kikuchi, Kengo Kôra

There is no good evidence to show that the prescriptions of herbalists do more good than harm

A man whose partner is accused of murdering their two children is facing jail after using hypnotism and violence to sexually abuse a girl.

Flying from India to attend the Battle of Ideas festival last month, I spoke on the panel of a lively debate entitled “Alternative medicine: the pros and cons”, where I outlined the reasons why I oppose alternative and complementary medicine.

Treatments still funded on NHS despite lack of proof that they work

To sceptics of alternative medicine, it will come as a surprise. Applying magnets to the brains of Alzheimer's disease sufferers helps them understand what is said to them. The finding by Italian scientsts, who conducted a randomised controlled trial of the treatment, suggests that magnets may alter "cortical activity" in the brain, readjusting unhealthy patterns caused by disease or damage. The study was small, involving just 10 patients, and the results are preliminary.

Scientists have identified a mechanism which explains why acupuncture can be effective at relieving pain. Researchers found that adenosine, a natural compound with painkilling and anti-inflammatory properties, is produced in tissues where needles are inserted.

Sometimes we are duped by charlatans who make us believe they can relieve or cure illnesses

A javan rhino, one of the world's rarest large mammals, has been found shot dead with its horn chopped off in a national park.

Comment

People who are terrified of the dentist could be helped by acupuncture, research published today suggests.

For more than half her life, Charlotte Philby has been devoted to cigarettes, even after watching her father die of lung cancer. Then a friend persuaded her to see a hypnotherapist – and something extraordinary happened

Medical Life

Tales of the City