Investment in health systems — not just in specific health intervention projects — is key to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on maternal and child health, say experts. (SciDev)

No matter how hard you try, your mind can’t bend a spoon or channel the powers of a Jedi knight. Thanks to a new headset under development by neuroengineering company Emotiv Systems, however, you may soon be able to do this and more via the magic of video games. (Scientific American)

With little fanfare, a small number of prominent academic scientists have made a decision that was until recently all but unheard of. They decided to stop accepting payments from food, drug and medical device companies. (New York Times)

The state funded the procedures for two young illegal migrants. But when they hit 21, coverage passed to L.A. County, which doesn’t have the resources to implant the new organs they both needed again. (Los Angeles Times)

The government began an unprecedented effort Friday to give vaccine critics a say in shaping how the nation researches safety questions surrounding immunizations. (Wired)

Health insurer WellPoint Inc said on Tuesday it is developing a system that will use its 35 million-member database to monitor and help to more quickly identify potential safety problems of approved medicines. (Reuters)

A mother and daughter’s sad tale: we should be allowed to give our organs to those we love. (Times Online)

Politicians have been warned not to block scientific inquiry into subjects such as stem cells and embryo research just because there is a difference of opinion on the ethics or morality of the work. (The Independent)