OPERATIONS may be cancelled, depending on patients' blood types, because of a crisis in stocks of the most common Group O, it emerged yesterday.

A RE-EXAMINATION of data on babies that appear to have "cleaned out" HIV from their systems shows that such claims are false. The dramatic finding shows that "transient" infection with the virus that causes Aids is probably a mirage caused by sloppy laboratory practice, according to a team of American scientists.

BRITISH scientists expect to beat American colleagues to be the first to test a new approach to cancer treatment in humans which works by cutting the blood supply to the tumour.

DOCTORS have warned of a big increase in the number of people catching infections from pigeons and other wild birds.

GEORGE HITCHINGS was an outstanding discoverer of medicines which have given benefit to sufferers all over the world. He devised Daraprim for malaria and Zyloric for gout, both exceptional remedies which have stood the test of time; but the main application of his work was in cancer chemotherapy.

Laboratory grown livers and synthetic skin are no longer fantasies from science fiction. Norman Miller on progress highs (and possible ethical lows) in the world of bio-engineering

Ever heard of the "yuk" factor? It's a measure that scientists use unofficially to gauge public reaction to work they're planning. Dolly the sheep? Muted yuk. Richard Seed wanting to clone humans? Big YUK.

During the nine long, hard years Philip Whitaker spent qualifying as a GP he dreamt of becoming a writer - and the dream won. Now his first novel has been nominated for a Whitbread prize.

More than a third of cervical screening laboratories are failing to meet standards set by the health department. Yesterday, the Government's chief medical officer announced an action plan to bring the poor performers up to the mark. Jeremy Laurance reports.

Not a reassuring white-coated boffin - more likely a teenage school- leaver paid around pounds 8,000 a year... Jeremy Laurance reports on the shocki ng crisis in the screening service

One in five cervical cancer screening laboratories deals with too few smears to ensure accuracy. Jeremy Laurance reveals that Government guidelines on the minimum size of labs are being ignored, putting women at risk.

Ever since the mid-1980s when a Labour government under David Lange initiated an extraordinary decade of change in the country's politics, economy and administration, New Zealand has been a sort of Pacific laboratory for free market reformers.

Companies are coming round to the idea that attractive working environments benefit the business. Roger Trapp reports

Government scientists are urging caution about the use of the antimalarial drug, Lariam, which has been linked with mental symptoms such as hallucinations. Baroness Jay tells Jeremy Laurance, about her experiences with the drug.