Bits & pieces

Vatican claims condoms don't stop HIV--A BBC1 Panorama programme showed how the Catholic church tells people in countries where AIDS is epidemic not to use condoms. The Vatican claims that condoms do not stop the passage of HIV, despite scientific evidence that proves otherwise. The World Health Organization said, "These incorrect statements about condoms and HIV are dangerous when we are facing a global pandemic."

Pioneers of MRI awarded Nobel prize--The 2003 Nobel prize for physiology and medicine has been awarded jointly to Sir Peter Mansfield, of Nottingham University, and Paul Lauterbur for their discoveries related to magnetic resonance imaging in the 1970s.

Austrian medical faculties to become independent universities--Medical faculties of Austrian universities will become universities in their own right after a new law was passed. Under the new arrangements student fees will go straight to the medical universities giving the medical deans more control.

High heels don't cause osteoarthritis--Wearing high heeled shoes does not increase the risk of osteoarthritis of the knee, new research has shown. An Oxford based survey of 111 women, aged 50-70, awaiting knee replacement surgery and a control group of 82 women with no knee problems showed that heel height had no bearing on risk of osteoarthritis of the knee.

Rock fan to commit suicide on stage--A terminally ill fan of the rock band Hell on Earth is to commit suicide on stage during one of the band's gigs. The band, which has previously sodomised skinned calves and pulverised rats for fans to drink, is adamant that the suicide will happen despite emergency laws that have been passed, making it illegal. The suicide is to be broadcast over the internet.