Researchers at Sheffield University are looking for people aged 18-30 with Asperger syndrome or less severe autism, to take part in a project looking into the lives of those with the conditions.
The study is being carried out in partnership with Research Autism which is the only charity in the country dedicated to funding research into interventions for people with autism.
Those taking part will be asked to complete a record
of their ac
tivities during a week and what they eat throughout the period.
They will also be asked to complete a short questionnaire about their thoughts and feelings.
Anyone interested should contact research assistant Jenna Williams at the School
of Health and Related Research at the university on 0114 222 6387.
New website for cancer patientsCancerbackup, the information and support charity, has launched the first online cancer social network in the UK at www.whatnow.org.uk
Called What Now? because that's the first question you ask when diagnosed with cancer, the website provides people affected by cancer with an unprecedented ability to connect, communicate and exchange information with one another. The new site allows users not only to access the high quality information provided by Cancerbackup, but to add their own stories, experiences, comments and pictures to the site and share them with other users.
To join What Now? visit www.whatnow.org.uk
Truth behind the cravings
Cate Blanchett is apparently experiencing cravings for pickles and ice cream, making her one of the estimated 68 per cent of pregnant women experiencing similar unusual food hankerings.
But these cravings can reveal a lack of certain nutrients, such as olives potentially indicating a lack of sodium, and cheese a common sign of calcium, phosphorous and aluminium deficiency.
Among other such desires, some pregnant women experience irrepressible cravings for chocolate and
this could mean that they may be slightly anaemic (lacking
in iron).
Dark chocolate, in particular, can be a useful source of magnesium and iron, whereas milk chocolate actually tends to inhibit the absorption
of iron.
There is a resource available for pregnant women to sort the nutritional facts from the fiction – the Guide to Healthy Eating in Pregnancy.
The free guide is available to download at www.spatone.com, by calling 0800 7311740 or e-mailing your name and postal address to info@spatone.com
The full article contains 395 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
