News Articles
Here's why doctors are backing pill testing at music festivals across Australia
Date of Posting: 08-01-2019
Martyn Lloyd Jones, University of Melbourne and Paul Komesaroff, Monash University For many years experts in the field of drug policy in Australia have known existing policies are failing. Crude messages (calls for total abstinence: “ Read More...
Gene map offers osteoporosis hope
Date of Posting: 08-01-2019
An atlas of genetic markers may hold the key to unlocking new treatments for osteoporosis, thanks to University of Queensland researchers. The team identified more than 500 genetic markers which determine bone mineral density, one of the strongest Read More...
UTS Physiotherapy's Head of Discipline brings new case-based book to Australia
Date of Posting: 08-01-2019
Professor Arianne Verhagen has launched her book “Evidence-based diagnostics of musculoskeletal disorders in primary care” in Australia, a first of its kind for Australian physiotherapists. Professor Verhagen says that the text that br Read More...
Some Australian media have been publishing inaccurate information on sun safety
Date of Posting: 07-01-2019
A study has found some Australian media have been publishing inaccurate and conflicting information about vitamin D and safe sun exposure. Researchers reviewed more than 200 articles published between 2000 and 2017 and found that many journalists Read More...
More than 2500 people have been treated for bluebottle stings in Queensland
Date of Posting: 07-01-2019
Life savers have closed beaches on the Gold and Sunshine coasts with thousands of people stung by bluebottles. More than 2500 people have been treated for bluebottle stings on the Gold and Sunshine coasts in Queensland as the jellyfish swarm beach Read More...
Kidney failure link in young Australians with diabetes
Last Updated: 04-01-2019
Kidney failure is increasing in Australians aged under 50 with type 2 diabetes, a study has found. The study of more than 1.3 million Australians says it is leading to reduced quality of life and greater demand on kidney dialysis and transplantati Read More...
Diseases through the decades - here's what to look out for in your 40s, 60s, 80s and beyond
Date of Posting: 02-01-2019
Stephanie Harrison, South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute; Azmeraw T. Amare, South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute; Jyoti Khadka, South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute; Maria Carolina Inacio Read More...
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas - inside a hospital's trauma unit
Date of Posting: 02-01-2019
Jennifer Jamieson, The National Trauma Research Institute and Simon Hendel, The National Trauma Research Institute As most workers wind down to enjoy the holidays, staff in hospital trauma units are preparing to ramp up. This is because bet Read More...
Staff at Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital were paid incorrectly
Date of Posting: 21-12-2018
Hundreds of thousands of dollars in pay was wrongly distributed to staff at Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital, with some getting too much and others left underpaid. The hospital changed its outsourced payroll system in 2017 but histori Read More...
Authorities say toxic chemicals found in SA firefighters' blood
Date of Posting: 21-12-2018
Authorities say a large number of South Australian firefighters tested for a toxic chemical have above average levels in their blood Blood tests on 300 South Australian firefighters have revealed 126 have above average levels of a toxic chemical u Read More...
The Australian Red Cross launches Xmas "Blood Blitz"
Date of Posting: 20-12-2018
The Australian Red Cross is calling for donors to come forward and give blood to help boost supplies over the festive season. The Australian Red Cross has launched a "Blood Blitz" to drum up extra donations this festive season so life-sa Read More...
Can artificial intelligence help us beat skin cancer?
Date of Posting: 20-12-2018
Cancerous skin lesions are not always easily identified. Currently, visual examinations play a significant role in the diagnosis of skin cancer. However, recent research from the University of Birmingham confirms that visual inspection, even by knowl Read More...
A revolutionary cancer treatment therapy has been approved for use in Australia
Date of Posting: 19-12-2018
Children battling leukemia and adults fighting aggressive lymphoma will have access to a new revolutionary treatment after its approval for use in Australia. A revolutionary therapy that has the potential to cure aggressive blood cancers has been Read More...
3 Things Teenagers Need to Know About Sleep
Date of Posting: 19-12-2018
Many Australian teens and young adults underestimate the importance of sleep. “We’ll sleep when we’re dead,” they tell us. They need to be made aware that a growing body of research points to the importance of sleep for avoidi Read More...
Trials of a new technique against dementia will begin on humans next year in Queensland
Date of Posting: 18-12-2018
Australian dementia sufferers could have their memories restored if a Queensland trial of a breakthrough ultrasound technique proves successful in humans. The technology removes toxic plaques from the brain and has successfully reversed Alzheimer& Read More...
Alcohol was linked to one-in-five admissions at 30 of the hospitals
Date of Posting: 18-12-2018
Emergency doctors are calling for better drinking habits after alcohol-related harm was related to one in seven ED admissions at one stage over the weekend. One-in-seven people in Australian emergency departments on the weekend were there because Read More...
Victorians are dropping the ball on skin protection from harmful UV rays, a study reveals
Date of Posting: 17-12-2018
Victorians need to lift their game on sun protection with most people found not to be covering up their skin enough during summer, a new study reveals. Five per cent of people observed over six weekends in January and February covered their arms a Read More...
Funding for research and development is decreasing
Date of Posting: 14-12-2018
Universities Australia has launched a campaign to highlight the importance of research and development, as it faces dwindling levels of federal funding. What do a vaccine to help prevent cervical cancer, the origins of wireless internet and using Read More...
Survey shows sugar tax wins support from young Aussies
Date of Posting: 14-12-2018
Most young people would support a tax being slapped on sugary drinks if the money was used to subsidise fruit and vegetables or exercise facilities, a study has found. Deakin University researchers surveyed 1793 young people aged 18 to 30 and foun Read More...
Pharmacists are being urged to stop selling homeopathic products
Last Updated: 13-12-2018
Pharmacists are being warned not to supply homeopathic or "alternative" medicines if they lack medical evidence showing they are effective treatments. Australia's peak body representing pharmacists is urging members to stop selling h Read More...
Official data shows Sydney hospitals wait times still too long
Date of Posting: 13-12-2018
New data shows 43 per cent of those requiring almost-immediate care aren't seen on time in major Sydney hospitals. Two in five people presenting to major Sydney hospitals with the second-most critical needs aren't being seen on time, offic Read More...
One of NSW's major rehab services Odyssey House sees spike in meth addicts
Date of Posting: 13-12-2018
One of NSW's major rehab services Odyssey House says record numbers of people with methamphetamine-type drug problems are seeking help. The number of people seeking help with their addictions to methamphetamine-type drugs such as "ice&quo Read More...
New data shows an increase in NSW emergency department visits
Date of Posting: 12-12-2018
There has been an increase in the number of people being treated within the clinically recommended time frame at emergency departments in NSW public hospitals. A milder flu season this winter meant fewer people presented themselves to emergency de Read More...
Alcohol tax is the most cost-effective way to tackle worrying rates of obesity in Australia
Date of Posting: 12-12-2018
A tax on the alcoholic content of drinks has topped a Deakin University list of the most cost-effective ways to tackle obesity. Analysis by health economists at Deakin University found a levy based on alcoholic content, of 84 cents per standard dr Read More...
Authorities are investigating the SA fire station for toxic chemical
Date of Posting: 11-12-2018
Authorities are working to find the source of a potentially dangerous chemical found in the blood of firefighters at an Adelaide station. Testing is underway at an Adelaide fire station after staff were found to have concerning blood levels of a c Read More...
Aussie scientists have made a poo breakthrough that should help people battling chronic gut disease
Date of Posting: 11-12-2018
Aussie researchers have worked out a way to identify ideal poo donors in a promising breakthrough that should help people with chronic gut disease. Researchers have finally identified which bacteria are good and which are bad when it comes to poo Read More...
A medication used for autoimmune diseases could be given to treat patients with high-blood pressure
Date of Posting: 10-12-2018
A Victorian-led study has found people with high-blood pressure could be given medication used for autoimmune diseases to treat their condition. The research found inflammation-suppressing drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and gout, reduced Read More...
Vision loss a devastating problem in rural and remote communities
Last Updated: 10-12-2018
Vision loss is a growing problem in rural and remote Australian communities, and blindness among Indigenous Australians is three times the rate of non-Indigenous Australians, said Dr Angus Turner, Director of Lions Outback Vision. The need for hig Read More...
Aboriginal scholarship program to support mental health in remote communities
Date of Posting: 10-12-2018
Curtin University and Managing Director of Indigenous Psychological Services Dr Tracy Westerman have launched a unique scholarship program to support Indigenous students to study psychology. The Dr Tracy Westerman Aboriginal Psychology Program wil Read More...
Investigation on anaesthetic gas given to patients undergoing cancer surgery
Date of Posting: 10-12-2018
A Melbourne-led study will examine whether anaesthetic gas being used on cancer patients having surgery could increase the odds of the disease recurring. A Melbourne-led study will investigate whether anaesthetic gas given to patients undergoing c Read More...
A breakthrough drug trial to give hope to women with advanced breast cancer
Date of Posting: 07-12-2018
Victorian researchers have successfully used two drugs to give hope to women with advanced breast cancer. For Victorian Julie Baulch, a breakthrough drug trial to treat her breast cancer has given her a new lease on life.[subscribe] Ms Baulch, Read More...
APA calls for protection of the term 'physio'.
Last Updated: 06-12-2018
The Australian Physiotherapy Association has called on the Government to protect the term ‘physio’, in the same way ‘Physiotherapist’ and ‘Physiotherapy’ are already protected, ensuring that practitioners usi Read More...
Council of Australian Governments to consider suicide prevention system
Date of Posting: 06-12-2018
Suicide prevention will be raised as a priority with the Council of Australian Governments following an emergency mental health summit. A national suicide and self-harm monitoring system could be established in the aftermath of an emergency mental Read More...
Top Melbourne venues where alcohol consumption has led to hospital emergency visits revealed
Date of Posting: 06-12-2018
Crown Casino and the MCG are among top Melbourne venues where alcohol consumption has led to hospital emergency department visits, a new study shows. Crown Casino and MCG are among the top Melbourne venues behind rising alcohol-related hospital ad Read More...
Many diseases increase the risks of hip fracture surgery
Date of Posting: 06-12-2018
Parkinson's disease, osteoarthritis, rheumatic diseases, alcoholism and mental health disorders increase the risk of surgical complications after a hip fracture surgery, a new Finnish study analysing nationwide registers finds. 4.6% of all hip su Read More...
Home detox - supporting people to overcome alcohol addiction
Date of Posting: 06-12-2018
Alcohol detox at home is an excellent option for most people with alcohol addiction, according to Sydney GP Dr Chris Davis in the December edition of Australian Prescriber. Dr Davis says the majority of dependent drinkers can detox safely an Read More...
A third of hospitalised adolescents with life-threatening anorexia are not thin
Date of Posting: 06-12-2018
Health workers are being urged to closely monitor adolescents losing weight after a study of patients with anorexia nervosa found 31 per cent had all the cognitive features and physical complications of the disease without being underweight. Dieti Read More...
Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain
Last Updated: 06-12-2018
Plantar fasciitis is a common complaint, characterised by pain in the sole of the foot that is at its worst first thing in the morning or upon getting back up after a period of rest. Pain can be localised to the arch of the foot or under the heel. Read More...
Queensland scientists developed a test they hope could be "the holy grail" for diagnosing cancer
Date of Posting: 05-12-2018
Queensland researchers have developed a quick and cheap test that can detect cancer in any tissue, including blood. The test has been developed by University of Queensland researchers who have discovered a unique DNA nanostructure that appears to Read More...
New reports shows Australia's high demand for transplants is helping the black market trade
Date of Posting: 05-12-2018
Australia's demand for organ transplants is far outstripping the supply and it's forcing desperate people to turn to the black market, a new report reveals. Australia's high demand for transplants is helping the black market trade in o Read More...
