Scientists are working to develop a test that will allow doctors to screen for multiple cancer types from a single blood sample.

All cancers produce compounds that end up in the bloodstream, so it is feasible that such blood markers could form the basis of a general screening test for many different forms of cancer.

Cancer cells often start shedding blood markers long before many of the signs and symptoms of tumors begin to emerge, so earlier diagnosis can generally mean treatment is more effective, which, in turn, improves survival.

Our genes influence whether we are fat or thin by shaping which types of microbes thrive in our gut, scientists are now suggesting.

A recent discovery is pointing towards healthy bacteria one day being used to treat obesity and by studying human twins, scientists have found a type of bacteria that was not only associated with being thin but also seemed to run in families.

When the researchers treated mice with a specific member of this bacterial family, isolated from the twin study, the animals gained less weight than mice that did not get this treatment.

They are now working to identify which genes seem to influence the presence of the bacteria and why it would have an effect on weight and hope to be able develop these findings to create a probiotic to regulate weight.

If the answer to either is yes,  here are some tips on how to prevent illnesses or other health complications while travelling.

Be Selective About Your Meals
Try to find out how your food was prepared. By eating or dining in well-established restaurants, which to be fair are usually a little more expensive, your food is likely to have been better prepared and stored in more hygienic conditions.

Avoid uncooked food
Fruit or salad shouldn’t be part of your diet while traveling, nor should uncooked vegetables but if you can’t avoid them make sure that they are thoroughly washed in clean water and fruit and salad is completely dried before you eat it.

Avoid ice and straws
Typhoid is normally transmitted through contaminated water and although most people usually remember to avoid drinking tap water when travelling, many forget that the ice in their cocktails is more often than not made from tap water.

Seek out local foreigners
Having a friend who is a ‘local’ can be helpful in identifying places which serve food that is free from disease and unhealthy bacteria.

Bottled water
Always carry your own bottled water and ensure that you use bottled water when brushing your teeth and keep your mouth closed when showering.

Be cautious of the dairy
Whilst delicious, these foods often harbor harmful bacteria.”

Last year over nine million people developed TB around the world, according the World Health Organisation, having risen by almost 500,000 during the past 12 months, although the number of people dying from the condition continues to decline.

None the less, campaigners say that one of the biggest problems in tackling the deadly disease was gauging how many people were affected. About 1.5 million people died from TB in 2013 and it remains the second biggest killer disease from a single infectious agent.