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Doctors call for increase in 'acceptance of donor lungs'
More cystic fibrosis patients would live for longer if the NHS accepted more donor lungs and directed them to "those most in need", according to a specialist doctor.
Professor Andrew Fisher from the Institute of Transplantation, Freeman Hospital and Newcastle University, explained:
– Professor Andrew FisherSuccessful lung transplantation can transform the life of someone with very severe lung disease due to cystic fibrosis.
By increasing the acceptance of donor lungs that are currently available and directing them to those most in need, we will have the chance to make sure all those with cystic fibrosis who need a lung transplant get the opportunity to benefit from it.
Read: Experts call on NHS to develop 'lung allocation system'
Experts call on NHS to develop 'lung allocation system'
Changes should be made to the way lung transplants are allocated on the NHS, so more cystic fibrosis sufferers are prioritised, a charity has said.
The Cystic Fibrosis Trust called on NHS Blood and Transplant to develop a new "lung allocation system" that balances the needs to medical urgency and long-term outcomes.
– The Cystic Fibrosis TrustThere is concern across the cystic fibrosis community about equity in lung allocation.
There is a perception that the likelihood of getting a lung transplant, and the time frames for this vary according to where an individual is listed.
A donated organ will not currently necessarily reach the most in-need candidate anywhere in the country.
Read: Death rate on lung transplant waiting list 'a scandal'
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Aircraft inspect oil slick in search for missing flight
Aerial view of oil slick at sea on March 9 from Vietnamese military helicopter in search of missing Flight MH370 http://t.co/hxVQZYz8jB
A crew member searches sea surface on March 9 for missing Flight MH370 from a Vietnamese military helicopter http://t.co/ScjGDNbkTx
Death rate on lung transplant waiting list 'a scandal'
The mortality rate of cystic fibrosis sufferers who die waiting for a lung transplant is a "scandal", a health charity has warned.
Read: From the Heart: Life on the transplant waiting list
The Cystic Fibrosis Trust criticised the "transplant lottery" as it emerged one in three with the lung disease die while waiting for a transplant.
Sufferers on the transplant list wait on average, for more than a year - 412 days, the charity said.
More than 10,000 people from across the UK suffer from the life-shortening condition which is caused by a faulty gene.
It leads to a sticky mucus clogging the lungs and digestive systems which makes it hard for sufferers to breathe and eat.
Watch: Patients says lung transplant is 'best Christmas present'
Rebekah Brooks cross-examination set to resume
Cross-examination will resume today of Rebekah Brooks in the phone-hacking trial at the Old Bailey.
Former New of the World Editor Rebekah Brooks and David Cameron's ex-Director of Communications Andy Coulson are standing trial on phone hacking and other charges.
Brooks faces charges of conspiracy to intercept communications conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Coulson has pleaded not guilty to one count of phone hacking and 2 counts of bribery. Brooks and Coulson deny conspiring to intercept communications.
More: Brooks denies 'cooking books' to hide hacking contract
Vietnamese vessels resume search for missing plane
UPDATE - Vietnamese forces resume search 50 miles south-southwest of Tho Chu Island, where fragments were found, possibly linked to MH370.
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Nuns held by Syrian rebels released after three months
A dozen nuns held in Syria for more than three months have been released and are on their way to Damascus via Lebanon, a Lebanese security source has told Reuters.
The nuns went missing in December after Islamist fighters took the ancient quarter of the Christian town of Maaloula north of Damascus.
Oscar Pistorius trial enters day six
The trial of Olympic and Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius continues in Pretoria later this morning.
He is accused of the murder of his girlfriend Reena Steenkamp. He admits killing her but says he shot her through a locked bedroom door after mistaking her for an intruder.
More: Ex-girlfriend reveals incident when an angry Oscar Pistorius 'fired a gun through car sunroof'
Live video coverage begins at 07:00 GMT.
Cameron calls for UN probe into Sri Lanka 'atrocities'
David Cameron is pushing for an independent, international investigation into alleged atrocities during the Sri Lankan civil war to begin within a year as pressure mounts on the regime in Colombo.
The Prime Minister has personally sought the support of several fellow leaders for a United Nations Human Rights Council resolution authorising a UN-led probe.
As many as 40,000 civilians are estimated to have died in the final months of the Sri Lankan government's 26-year fight with Tamil Tiger separatists - which ended in 2009.
Both sides in the brutal conflict are accused of widespread human rights abuses - including executions and rapes of prisoners by state troops.
Farmed salmon 'should be sterilised'
Farmed salmon should be sterilised to prevent them breeding with wild fish and introducing genetic weaknesses, experts have urged.
Millions of salmon escape from fish farms each year, and can get into wild spawning populations where they can reproduce and introduce negative genetic traits.
"Farmed salmon grow very fast, are aggressive, and not as clever as wild salmon when it comes to dealing with predators.
"These domestic traits are good for producing fish for the table, but not for the stability of wild populations". Lead researcher Professor Matt Gage said.
