Scientists in Britain may find cure for viral infections

There has been a lot of excitement about a discovery made by a team of researchers in Cambridge.

The scientists have found a way in which the body's defences attack infections. This may be very useful in treating illnesses caused by viruses, which cannot be cured using antibiotics. Illnesses caused by viruses include influenza, the common cold, stomach upsets, chickenpox, Aids and some forms of cancer.

The scientists have found that the body's defences, called antibodies, stick to viruses as they travel inside cells. The cell then helps to attack the virus. Before this discovery it was thought that antibodies only worked outside the cells.

UK has one of the world's top travel destinations

The Shetland Islands have been chosen among the top 10 places in the world to visit for tourists who want to explore the world's unspoilt places.

The Lonely Planet guide says the islands were one of the most beautiful parts of the UK. The Shetlands are more than 230 miles north of Aberdeen in Scotland. Local sights include whales, otters, seals and puffins.

Other places in the world recommended by the Best in Travel 2011 publication included the Egyptian region of Sinai, Albania and New York.

Women's favourite women

Women have been asked to vote for the women they think have made most difference to the world. Top of the list was former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who left power 20 years ago.

Next was Florence Nightingale, who transformed nursing more than 150 years ago. After that came the nun Mother Teresa, who worked with street children in Calcutta, the Queen, and US chat show host Oprah Winfrey.

In joint sixth place were US First Lady Michelle Obama and Scottish Harry Potter author JK Rowling.

World's oldest twins

Ena Pugh and Lily Millward, aged 100, have been officially named as the oldest twins in the world.

The pair were born on January 4 1910, and were brought up on a farm in Wales. Lily said the secret of their long life was "laughter and having a joke with each other."

The twins ring each other every night, and go shopping together every Friday. Both women still look after themselves, even collecting wood for their fires.

Ena and Lily have taken the record from two French sisters who are just 98 years old.

by Susan Young
susan@englishuk.com