Researchers have found for the first time a key step in how the body controls blood pressure and so how the process sometimes goes wrong.
By targeting the mechanism they can stop it from malfunctioning and so prevent the condition, known as hypertension, that affects millions of people in Britain and is a major cause of heart disease and stroke.
Heart patients with a personality "concerned", the so-called Type D, may be at increased risk for cardiovascular problems in the future, according to a study by the University in the Netherlands Tiburg in the journal Circulation of the American Association Heart.
Scientists have discovered that the hormone oxytocin might help wallflower overcome embarrassment in social situations. The chemical nicknamed "the hormone of love" is known to increase empathy and loyalty - especially parents and their children. But now researchers have found, it improves the social skills of shy - but has little effect on those who are naturally confident. The finding could have implications for people with severe social deficits that are often significantly under conditions such as autism.
