The number of people in Scotland diagnosed with alcoholic liver disease has doubled in a decade. Information released to the Scots Tories in response to a parliamentary question, showed figures in some areas had trebled and even quadrupled.

Scientists in Dundee carrying out research into asthma believe they have made a breakthrough which could alter the treatment of the condition. The University of Dundee team announced last year that they had identified the gene producing the protein filaggrin which causes asthma and eczema.

More than 90,000 children in Scotland live in “severe poverty”, according to a study by Save the Children (STC). The charity has classified that just under 10% of the country’s one million youngsters as living in its worst poverty bracket.

Fife Council’s social work staff have suffered more than 1300 physical assaults in the past five years. According to figures from the local authority, staff working in the service have reported 1304 acts of violence by service users since 2002.

The man leading Scotland’s fight against organised crime is investigating Scandinavian-style get-tough policies on drugs.

More than 20 pupils with special needs have been told they must leave their dedicated school and transfer instead to a mixed campus, a council has announced.

The Scottish Parliament will be asked this week to support a charity that cares for sufferers of one of nature’s cruellest diseases.

Women in Scotland are choosing to go into prison – and stay there longer – because their lives on the outside are so chaotic, according to a new EU-funded report.

Rapists are almost ten times more likely to be found guilty in some parts of Scotland than in others. A conviction rate of less than 1 per cent in the Grampian area has sparked questions over the way some police forces are investigating the crime.

More than 90% of children with learning disabilities are bullied, according to a report from Enable Scotland. The charity said most of these children faced a lonely summer holiday in their homes, afraid to venture out to the park or even go out in the street.