An increased risk of diabetes was also linked to drinking artificially sweetened soft drinks, but this disappeared when body mass index was taken into account.

BBC: Diabetes warning over soft drinks

Commenting on the results, Dr Matthew Hobbs, head of research at Diabetes UK, said the link between sugar-sweetened soft drinks and Type-2 diabetes persisted even when body mass index was taken into account.

BBC: Diabetes warning over soft drinks

The one was on his index finger was shattered and is now gone, nothing now but a soft patch of skin.

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Still, the index is a further indication that the U.S. economy remains in a soft patch.

FORBES: Commerce Index Up 1% In June, More Sluggish Growth To Come