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Researchers create a DIY smear test kit for cervical cancer

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have developed a home smear DIY kit for cervical cancer tests.

The kit allows women to take a vaginal swab or urine sample at home and send it into a lab, where it will be tested for chemical changes.

The NHS aims to get around 80% of women tested, but last year only 70% of people attended their cervical cancer smear tests last year.

If successful the kits will be available in three years time.

10 November 2019

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One-minute World News

Country home blanketed in snow

Snowy Saturday as Storm Bert sweeps the UK

With some travel disruption, children and dogs have been enjoying the cold weather

Watch: Scotland under a blanket of snow from Storm Bert

Science & Environment

BBC Middle East correspondent Hugo Bachega at scene of destroyed building in Beirut, Lebanon

Beirut strike 'so powerful it was felt across the city'

BBC Scotland's Judith Ralston says snow will extend into northern Scotland over the next few hours.

The latest weather forecast for Scotland as Storm Bert hits

90s boy band Damage in a black and white promotional photo

Watch: Boy band Damage on their journey to stardom

Phone footage of a skate surfacing out of grey waves to a rigid inflatable boat.ttack the side of a inflatable

Watch the moment a skate attacks a fisherman's boat off Shetland

NE, Orkney & Shetland

People in high-vis jackets walk next to a car submerged in floods on the left of a split screen with a snowy road on the right

Atmospheric river dumps snow and record rain on California

Science & Environment

Smoke billows from house fire.

Video shows flames and thick smoke at house fire

A view from an EasyJet plane window as it flies above and to the side of an erupting volcano

Plane passengers film Iceland volcano lava from above

BBC News

East of England weather forecast

Composite image of Sir Keir Starmer and BBC Radio WM presenter Kath Stanczyszyn, who is pictured wearing headphones and speaking into a purple microphone

Will there be a Birmingham pub bombings inquiry?

Birmingham & Black Country

A huge Christmas tree on a flatbed lorry in font of the US Capitol building

US Capitol Christmas tree arrives in DC

Blurred still image from video clips shows people being taken out of a car

Migrants asked to rate trip in smuggler review videos

John Darvall sat on the left of a composite image, in a purple studio with a microphone in front of him. On the right is Keir Starmer with grey hair and brown glasses.

PM challenged on West's councils facing bankruptcy

BBC Newsline

BBC Newsline signed summary

BBC Scotland weather presenter Christopher Blanchett in front of a weather map of Scotland showing snow warnings.

Watch the Storm Bert weather forecast for Scotland

Mural of The Smiths bassist Andy Rourke unveiled

Parts of West Burton A power station being demolished

Power station demolition captured by drone

Man clinging to a cliff being rescued

Moment person clinging to cliff is rescued by helicopter

The world's smallest playing card being held against a normal size card

Watch: Man creates world's smallest playing cards

Rob Hallifax has achieved a Guinness World Record creating the world's smallest playing cards.

Actor Jeff Goldblum with a thumbs up while sat at a piano in St Pancras station

Jeff Goldblum plays piano at London rail station

As part of the release of movie Wicked, actor Jeff Goldblum performed Christmas songs for commuters.

Roy Castle OBE parasailing under Charing Cross Bridge. The houses of parliament can be seen in the background.

World record set parasailing under London bridges

In 1986, Record Breakers' Roy Castle parasailed under 10 London bridges in a world record time.

A performer spitting fire infront of an audience

Watch: La Clique returns to London's West End

The show of cabaret and circus has returned to the London stage for the festive period.

A man moving sacks of vegetables

Watch: Fifty years of New Covent Garden Market

The market supplies flowers, fruit and vegetables to institutions across London, such as Claridge's.

A blue car reversing into a Metropolitan Police motorbike

Watch: Met Police officer rammed off motorcycle

David Doyle has been jailed for more than five years following the attack in May.

An aerial image of The Shard with white Christmas lights shining

Gareth Malone turns on The Shard's Christmas lights

TV choirmaster Gareth Malone conducted a special choir performance to mark the occasion.

A man dressed as a baked bean

Man dressed as baked bean rides first Eurostar

We spoke to passengers taking part in the first Eurostar journey from Waterloo on 14 November 1994.

Children performing at The Habbit Factory

London sisters to star in Children in Need choir

Two sisters from east London will perform as part of a choir made up of children from around the UK.

A man places the final gold bauble on the Covent Garden Christmas tree

Watch: How Covent Garden gets its Christmas tree

The journey of this year's tree from the West Midlands to the West End ahead of tonight's switch on.

A boy in a Kung Fu class

The Kung Fu classes helping kids with confidence

Shaolin Temple Cultural Centre has been able to expand classes thanks to BBC Children in Need.

BBC Radio London's Shay Kaur Grewal

BBC Radio London team finish swim challenge

BBC Radio London's team of swimmers have completed their part of the 1,000-mile challenge.

Black liquid pours from with fluid collected from Tube seats into bucket

Watch: London cleaners reveal dirt in Tube seats

A viral video stunt has revealed how much dirt could be in some seats on the underground.

Aerial view of Oxford Street in central London showing the twinkly stars over the street with a double decker bus and cars driving with their lights on

Watch: Oxford Street Christmas lights switched on

The famous shopping street becomes the first major London display to switch on for Christmas.

Black ballet dancers performing in black trousers and silver tops

Celebrating 21 years of black British ballet

Classically British & Co recently put on a special performance for young Londoners.

A meerkat playing with a carved pumpkin

Dracula the meerkat enjoys Halloween pumpkin at London Zoo

Asiatic lions and meerkats at the zoo in central London receive a taste of Halloween with their own pumpkins.

A dog and a cat

How to keep pets safe during fireworks season

The experts at Battersea Dogs & Cats home have come up with some advice for pet owners.

Person dressed as a witch standing next to a cauldron. She is surrounded by fog which is illuminated by red and green light.

Watch: Kew Gardens gets spooky Halloween makeover

Kew Gardens has swapped plants for poltergeists in a new light trail for Halloween.

A man pruning roses in a community garden

Crowdfund saves at-risk community garden

Forest Hill Library Community Garden was fighting to stay open after funding ran out.

Presenter, Kate Kinsella smiles whilst immersed in river water. She is surrounded by ten other swimmers

‘I took on London’s most unforgiving swim challenge’

BBC weather presenter Kate Kinsella took on the Serpentine swimming challenge for Children in Need.