Antidepressants for chronic back pain could do more harm than good: study

Date of Posting: 31-01-2021

Antidepressants are commonly prescribed to treat pain, but new Australian research has revealed they offer little to no help for people suffering from chronic back pain and osteoarthritis – and may even be causing them harm “The use of Read More...

Victoria allows quarantine-free travel from NSW

Last Updated: 29-01-2021

Victoria will ease its travel restrictions with NSW from 6pm on Friday, eliminating "red zones" and allowing quarantine-free travel from all areas of NSW. Victoria is allowing quarantine-free travel from all areas of NSW, with the elimin Read More...

Queensland reopens border and calls for JobKeeper extension

Last Updated: 28-01-2021

Queensland will reopen its border to Greater Sydney, but the state government wants JobKeeper extended for the struggling tourism sector. Queensland's premier is calling for JobKeeper to be extended for tourism operators as the state prepares Read More...

The Australian government lengthens New Zealand travel ban

Last Updated: 28-01-2021

Quarantine-free trans-Tasman travel to Australia will be on hold for another 72 hours. Australia won't allow quarantine-free travel from New Zealand for at least another three days after two more community cases of COVID-19 were discovered acr Read More...

Researchers found out immune cell decay curbs antiviral response

Date of Posting: 27-01-2021

Australian researchers believe a decay in specific immune cells found in the lung could partly explain why older people struggle to overcome viruses. Older people's struggle to fight off respiratory infections could be linked to the decay of s Read More...

The Northern Territory alcohol abuse hospital admissions fall

Last Updated: 27-01-2021

Alcohol-related intensive care admissions in Alice Springs have plunged by 38 per cent following the introduction of harm minimisation policies in 2018. The number of patients admitted to Central Australian intensive care units due to alcohol abus Read More...

Oxfam says COVID-19 set to increase global inequality

Date of Posting: 25-01-2021

An Oxfam report says Australia's 31 billionaires have boosted their wealth by $85 billion during the pandemic, with COVID-19 set to increase global inequality. Coronavirus will increase global inequality according to an Oxfam report which foun Read More...

Study shows that smoking kills many Indigenous

Date of Posting: 25-01-2021

Smoking has killed at least 10,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in the last decade, an Australian National University study shows. One in two Indigenous Australians over the age of 45 are dying due to smoking, a new study show Read More...

Australia is still on track to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from February

Date of Posting: 25-01-2021

High immunisation rates of children suggest Australians more broadly will be keen to take their COVID-19 jab when it becomes available. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg insists Australia is still on track to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from Febru Read More...

People with autism over 3 times more likely to attempt suicide

Date of Posting: 25-01-2021

A new study has found that people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are over three times more likely to attempt and to die by suicide than the rest of the population, as a leading expert calls for improved support for people with ASD in adulthood. Read More...

Victoria-Tasmania's new quarantine deal won't fix farmer's labour shortages

Last Updated: 22-01-2021

The Victorian Farmers Federation says a new deal between Victoria and Tasmania to quarantine farm workers will provide limited relief from labour shortages. Farmers say the Victorian government's new quarantine deal for harvest workers is a st Read More...

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Prince Harry launches mental health tool

Last Updated: 22-01-2021

Prince Harry has joined Prime Minister Scott Morrison in urging frontline workers to look after their mental health following an incredibly difficult year. Australia's frontline workers have had an incredibly difficult year, battling the Black Read More...

Queensland Premier eases Brisbane virus restrictions

Last Updated: 21-01-2021

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will ease coronavirus restrictions in Greater Brisbane, but the recent outbreak is likely to remain a mystery. Coronavirus restrictions such as the mandatory wearing of masks will be eased in Brisbane, but Read More...

Victoria will lift cap on overseas arrivals soon

Last Updated: 21-01-2021

Victoria will lift its cap on overseas arrivals in the coming weeks, as the state records its 15th consecutive day with no locally acquired coronavirus cases. Victoria will lift its cap on overseas arrivals in the coming weeks, though fewer intern Read More...

South Australia has moved to ease some local measures in time for Australia Day

Date of Posting: 21-01-2021

South Australian authorities are not ready to lift border restrictions with NSW but have moved to ease some local COVID-19 restrictions. South Australia will keep its COVID-19 border restrictions with NSW in place but has moved to ease some local Read More...

South Australia Commissioner warns against QR complacency

Last Updated: 20-01-2021

South Australia's police commissioner has urged all people to use QR codes when checking into businesses and other venues to aid the fight against COVID-19. South Australians have been urged not to skip checking in at businesses and other venu Read More...

Listeria has been found in a brand of ham produced locally in South Australia

Last Updated: 20-01-2021

SA Health says Listeria has been found in a brand of ham produced locally, prompting a warning to consumers and efforts to remove affected products from supply. Listeria has been found in ham produced in South Australia, prompting a warning to con Read More...

Australian Open linked to more COVID-19 cases

Date of Posting: 19-01-2021

Victoria has had no local cases of coronavirus for a 13th consecutive day, although there are four in hotel quarantine, three linked to the Australian Open. Victoria has recorded no new locally acquired cases of coronavirus for a 13th consecutive Read More...

Time to act on autism diagnosis deficiencies

Date of Posting: 19-01-2021

Identification of autism, followed by appropriate intervention, has the potential to improve outcomes for autistic individuals – but Flinders University experts say that presently not enough qualified people can diagnose. Professor Robyn You Read More...

Scientists are a step closer to developing 'smart' stem cells - and they're made from human fat

Date of Posting: 19-01-2021

These new, adaptive stem cells can lie dormant until needed, a new animal study using human cells shows. A new type of stem cell – that is, a cell with regenerative abilities – could be closer on the horizon, a new study led by UNSW Sy Read More...

NSW government is considering barring those who decline the COVID-19 vaccine

Last Updated: 18-01-2021

NSW may permit private venues to bar those not vaccinated for COVID-19, while the state has recorded zero new local cases of the virus. NSW has recorded no new locally acquired cases of COVID-19, as Premier Gladys Berejiklian suggests the governme Read More...

Australia investigates Norway Pfizer concerns

Last Updated: 18-01-2021

Health Minister Greg Hunt is investigating concerns in Norway over the Pfizer vaccine after some elderly people died after being inoculated. Australia is investigating reports Norwegian authorities are concerned about the safety of the Pfizer COVI Read More...

Dangers in vaping e-liquids confirmed

Date of Posting: 15-01-2021

A new study has confirmed fears that over-the-counter, flavoured e-liquids contain nicotine and other harmful chemicals, sparking renewed calls for tighter regulation of these increasingly popular products. CEO of Lung Foundation Mark Brooke said Read More...

Western Australia is considering easing border restrictions for Victoria

Last Updated: 15-01-2021

Western Australia could soon welcome back Victorian travellers, with the government to consider easing restrictions at an emergency committee meeting. Western Australia is close to easing border restrictions for Victoria after the state extended i Read More...

Study shows low carbs may put diabetes in remission

Last Updated: 15-01-2021

An international study suggests a low carbohydrate diet could help put type-two diabetes into remission. Low carbohydrate diets could help put type-two diabetes into remission, an international study suggests.[subscribe] After a six month perio Read More...

COVID-19 generally 'mild' in young children

Date of Posting: 15-01-2021

Babies and asymptomatic cases account for up to half of COVID-19 infections in the under-five age group, which has implications for vaccination programs, a new UNSW study has found. A systematic review and meta-analysis of international COVID-19 l Read More...

New service keeps families together during high risk pregnancies

Date of Posting: 15-01-2021

A new Gold Coast Health maternity service is allowing expectant mothers who need extra care to remain in their homes instead of spending days or even weeks in hospital. In the Maternity Hospital in the Home model of care, midwives attend the homes Read More...

In Victoria workplaces will return and mask rules eased

Last Updated: 14-01-2021

With Victoria recording no new COVID-19 cases for an eighth day, Premier Daniel Andrews has announced details of workplace returns and an easing of mask rules. The Brisbane hotel quarantine scare has Victorian health authorities on high alert, eve Read More...

NSW not moving hotel quarantine from Sydney to the regions

Last Updated: 14-01-2021

NSW will not consider shifting its hotel quarantine venues from Sydney to the regions, with the state's health minister saying such a move would not be logical. The NSW government has shot down suggestions it follow Queensland's lead by co Read More...

South Australia will lift coronavirus restrictions from regional NSW

Last Updated: 13-01-2021

South Australia has moved to lift some virus restrictions for travellers from regional NSW but will keep other measures in place. South Australia will lift COVID-19 restrictions for travellers from regional NSW but continue to block visitors from Read More...

Queensland Premier called for a quarantine review after outbreak

Last Updated: 13-01-2021

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says an outbreak of the highly contagious UK strain of coronavirus in a quarantine hotel has grown to six cases. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has called for a review of Australia's quarantin Read More...

How medicinal cannabis may benefit an increasing number of Australians

Date of Posting: 13-01-2021

At the end of last year, the Australian Department of Health Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) announced they would down-schedule low-dose medicinal cannabis products. This change will allow approved products to be sold to customers without a pr Read More...

3 things we can do now to help people with disability prepare for disaster

Last Updated: 13-01-2021

People with disability are disproportionately affected by disasters, but have fewer choices when emergencies unfold. Our previous research showed how, for people with disability, natural hazard disasters can mean:[subscribe] los Read More...

NSW supports virus suppression strategy than elimination

Date of Posting: 12-01-2021

NSW has recorded five new local COVID-19 cases as the state's premier reiterates her support for a virus suppression strategy, rather than elimination. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says West Australian counterpart Mark McGowan should reacqua Read More...

Northern Territory lifted coronavirus measures for some in Sydney

Date of Posting: 12-01-2021

The Northern Territory has lifted coronavirus restrictions on some people coming from Sydney. The Northern Territory has reduced the areas in Sydney covered by its coronavirus hotspot declaration.[subscribe] The order covering Greater Metropoli Read More...

Victoria will reopen to regional NSW

Last Updated: 11-01-2021

Victorians in regional NSW will be able to return from Monday night, with the government introducing a new "traffic light" system for interstate travel. Victoria will reopen to regional NSW, with the introduction of a new "traffic l Read More...

Rules in place for Brisbane after lockdown

Last Updated: 11-01-2021

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has lifted Brisbane's three-day coronavirus lockdown, but people will have to carry and wear face masks for another 10 days. Greater Brisbane's lockdown will end on Monday night, but face masks will remain man Read More...

South Australia balances vaccine speed and safety

Last Updated: 11-01-2021

South Australian Premier Steven Marshall says the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines is a balancing act between speed and ensuring its safety. Rolling out COVID-19 vaccines in Australia is a matter of balancing speed with safety, South Australian Premie Read More...

Exercise for low back pain beneficial but no one agrees on why

Date of Posting: 11-01-2021

A new UNSW evidence review has found there is still no consensus between researchers about why exercise works for low back pain patients – despite decades of studies on the topic. Exercise is scientifically proven to provide relief from chro Read More...

Breaking the cycle of elder abuse with a frontline response

Date of Posting: 11-01-2021

Researchers at the University of Queensland are working with social workers and international experts to develop a national, unified framework for identifying victims of elder abuse who present to hospitals. Project leader and social worker, Profe Read More...