News Articles
Sufferers of spinal muscular atrophy will have access to a life-saving drug
Date of Posting: 07-05-2018
The Turnbull government has found money to list a drug for spinal muscular atrophy on the PBS, roll out a free whooping cough vaccine and help Lifeline. Sufferers of spinal muscular atrophy will have access to a life-saving drug for a fraction of Read More...
Research shows eating more oily fish can reduce risk of MS
Last Updated: 04-05-2018
There is emerging and promising evidence showing a link between eating more oily fish could help protect against multiple sclerosis. Eating oily fish like salmon and tuna regularly every week is said to help protect against cardiovascular disease, Read More...
Study shows backpacks not to blame for kids back pain
Date of Posting: 03-05-2018
A review of published studies has found no evidence carrying schoolbags is causing back pain in children and adolescents. Carrying a schoolbag does not cause back pain in children and adolescents, a systematic review of all the evidence has conclu Read More...
A new blood test breakthrough for pre-eclampsia
Date of Posting: 03-05-2018
A new blood test is being hailed as a breakthrough in the diagnosis and treatment of pre-eclampsia in pregnant women. A world-first blood test that can help predict the potentially deadly pregnancy condition pre-eclampsia is being introduced at Me Read More...
Australian oncologists have been told they can do better to help cancer patients quit smoking
Date of Posting: 02-05-2018
New research shows oncologists can do more to encourage cancer patients to quit smoking during treatment in order to improve their outcomes. A survey of 700 Australian medical and radiation oncologists found that only half regularly ask about smok Read More...
Monash findings offer hope for new lung disease drug
Last Updated: 02-05-2018
Monash University researchers have identified a critical role for a protein known as G-CSF in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an incurable lung disease often referred to as emphysema. COPD is the third most common cause of death worl Read More...
Historic mental health budget means more nurses and more access to treatment
Date of Posting: 02-05-2018
More Victorians will have access to treatment for drug and alcohol addiction and mental illness under the Andrews Government’s historic $705 million mental health budget. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (Victorian Branch) has Read More...
New research shows indigenous eye health 'sadly neglected' across the world
Date of Posting: 02-05-2018
The world’s indigenous populations experience significantly higher rates of avoidable vision impairment and a striking lack of support for research to address this major health issue, according to a review of eye health led by the Centre for Ey Read More...
According to new estimates, multiple sclerosis on rise in Australia
Date of Posting: 01-05-2018
There are now more than 25,000 Australians living with multiple sclerosis, according to new estimates. Multiple sclerosis is on the rise in Australia - with more than 10 people being diagnosed with MS every week.[subscribe] New estimates releas Read More...
Research shows immune cells in eye linked to vision loss
Date of Posting: 01-05-2018
Australian researchers believe they've uncovered a reason why macular degeneration affects some people at a much younger age. Immune cells found in the eye could be controlling why some people lose their vision younger than others.[subscribe] Read More...
Australia's first institute for eating disorders will soon launch
Date of Posting: 30-04-2018
Australia's first institute for research and clinical excellence in eating disorders will be launched by Federal Minister for Health Greg Hunt. Treating eating disorders is on the verge of being turned inside out, with the launch of Australia& Read More...
Infectious disease experts warn about a new virus 'epidemic' making kids very ill
Date of Posting: 30-04-2018
Infectious disease experts warn rates of the human parechoviruses (HPeV) have reached "epidemic" levels in Australia, causing severe complications among babies. The number of babies suffering severe complications from an emerging infecti Read More...
Research shows exposure to general anaesthesia linked to poor childhood learning
Date of Posting: 27-04-2018
Researchers at the University of Sydney have discovered a link between exposure to general anaesthesia and poor childhood learning. Young children who have been exposed to general anaesthesia don't perform as well in literacy and numeracy test Read More...
New data shows most lung cancers diagnosed too late
Date of Posting: 26-04-2018
Three of the five most common cancers diagnosed in Australia are diagnosed early but this is not the case for lung or bowel cancer, new data shows. Most Australians diagnosed with colorectal and lung cancers are catching the disease when its in th Read More...
An Australian-led research of epilepsy breakthrough to help families
Date of Posting: 26-04-2018
Researchers have discovered a genetic link to devastating epilepsies, which could help families prevent having a second child with the disease. Parents of children with severe epilepsies may be able to prevent having a subsequent child with the de Read More...
Proximity to fast food outlets has been linked to a higher risk of developing heart disease
Date of Posting: 25-04-2018
People who live within 500 metres of one or more fast food outlets are more likely to end up with heart disease, according to a new study. Proximity to fast food outlets has been linked to the development of heart disease in a research paper publi Read More...
Not getting enough sleep is linked to suicidal thoughts in teens
Last Updated: 24-04-2018
Australian teenagers are missing out on crucial sleep at great cost to their mental health, with screen time, caffeine and stress keeping them awake at night, warn public health experts. Researchers at the Sleep Health Foundation were commissioned Read More...
Australian scientists may have discovered a new way to treat deadly stomach cancer
Date of Posting: 24-04-2018
A surprise discovery has raised hopes a particular type of immunotherapy may be an effective treatment for stomach cancer. Australian scientists may have discovered a new way to treat deadly stomach cancer, a disease that strikes down twice as man Read More...
An alarming rise in serious knee injuries among teenagers
Date of Posting: 23-04-2018
The rate of ACL knee injuries among Australians younger than 25 has risen by 70 per cent over the last 15 years. There are calls for a greater focus on agility training in kids sports to curb an alarming rise in serious knee injuries among teenage Read More...
Cyberbullying victims are at greater risk of self-harm and suicide
Date of Posting: 23-04-2018
Young cyberbullying perpetrators are also at greater risk of self-harm and suicide, according to an international study. Alarming research shows teenage and young adult victims of cyberbullying are more than twice as likely to self-harm and attemp Read More...
Harms and benefits of changing high blood pressure guidelines
Date of Posting: 20-04-2018
Recent recommendations from the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) to lower thresholds defining hypertension and treating higher risk patients are sparking debate and could put people at risk, says a new repor Read More...
UQ launches Regional Training Hub in Central Queensland
Date of Posting: 20-04-2018
The first of three University of Queensland Regional Training Hubs supporting junior doctors to undertake specialist training in regional Queensland will be launched on Thursday 19 April. The University’s Central Queensland Regional Training Read More...
Health of Australian mums and their bubs varies depending on where they live
Date of Posting: 19-04-2018
Infant death rates and the rate of women smoking during pregnancy has declined since 2009, but this trend is not seen in all areas of Australia. A new report shows babies born to mothers living in regional towns are 1.4 times more likely to die th Read More...
Super vaccines now available for free to older Australians
Date of Posting: 19-04-2018
Health Minister Greg Hunt says two 'ground-breaking' influenza vaccines are now available to older Australians. Two ground-breaking flu vaccines are now available for free to Australians aged 65 and over.[subscribe] Health authorities i Read More...
A new ambulance coordination centre to help with flu response
Date of Posting: 18-04-2018
The Queensland government says a new ambulance coordination centre at a major Brisbane hospital will help ease pressure on the health system during flu season. A new ambulance coordination centre at Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital will Read More...
More young Australians are being diagnosed with cancer
Date of Posting: 18-04-2018
A report reveals two to three teens and young adults are diagnosed with cancer every day. An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report reveals two to three 15 to 24 year-olds are diagnosed with cancer in Australia every day on average, wit Read More...
Study suggests coffee is ok for arrhythmia patients
Date of Posting: 18-04-2018
Australian research suggests drinking a few cups of coffee everyday is safe for people with abnormal heart rhythms. Drinking coffee and tea every day may actually benefit people with heart troubles.[subscribe] New Australian research has linked Read More...
Australian children are being exposed to as many as 1,000 junk food TV ads
Date of Posting: 17-04-2018
New research confirms Australian children are being bombarded with hundreds of TV ads promoting unhealthy foods. This "conservative" estimate equates to approximately five hours of continuous viewing, according to the research released b Read More...
Gas stoves and damp houses are contributing to the high rates of childhood asthma in Australia
Date of Posting: 17-04-2018
Experts are calling for greater awareness about the impact gas stoves and damp houses have on the lung health of children. Research published in the Medical Journal of Australia investigated the links between the common indoor exposures and asthma Read More...
A flesh-eating bug is on the rise in regional Victoria
Date of Posting: 16-04-2018
Medical experts say government funding is urgently needed to address the spread of a flesh-eating ulcer in Victoria. A flesh-eating bug is on the rise in regional Victoria and researchers don't know how it's spreading.[subscribe] Expert Read More...
People are too busy to participate in the national bowel screening program
Date of Posting: 16-04-2018
Australians aged 50-74 are being encouraged to use the bowel cancer screening test as soon as they receive it in the mail. People are too busy to participate in the national bowel screening program even though the three-minute test could save thei Read More...
What we know about the epidemic of flesh-eating bug
Date of Posting: 16-04-2018
As medical experts warn urgent funding is needed to tackle a worsening epidemic of a flesh-eating infection in Victoria, here is a look at the Buruli ulcer. WHAT IS A BURULI ULCER?[subscribe] * It's a skin infection caused by a bacteria kno Read More...
Australian scientists found the silent army' of immune system
Date of Posting: 13-04-2018
Australian scientists have just made a big leap in the understanding of how the immune system works to fight disease. Scientists have discovered that a large population of cells, once discarded as the 'bad apples' of the immune system, cou Read More...
National study looking at the impact of a family history on heart disease
Date of Posting: 13-04-2018
The Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute is leading the largest national study looking at the impact of a family history on heart disease. Cycling commentator Matt Keenan's intricate knowledge of the sport has him in full control when behind the Read More...
This year's flu vaccine will protect against four types of influenza, including the Brisbane virus
Date of Posting: 11-04-2018
Australians are again being urged to protect themselves ahead of this year's flu season. The Brisbane virus is one of four strains included in this year's vaccine.[subscribe] Australian Medical Association president Michael Gannon said Read More...
Red Nose launches Safe Sleeping eLearning program for early child care educators
Date of Posting: 11-04-2018
Red Nose is proud to announce the launch of its Safe Sleeping eLearning program for early child care industry educators. The eLearning program has been developed to enable all early childhood education and care services to meet new regulations tha Read More...
New study warns Australians to protect brain health
Date of Posting: 11-04-2018
Middle-aged Australians need to treat their brain health like they do their superannuation to avoid the risk of dementia, says a leading expert. A lack of awareness and widespread apathy is putting Australians at risk of damaging their brains as t Read More...
Heart screen could protect hundreds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders from stroke
Date of Posting: 11-04-2018
Testing Aboriginal, Torres Strait Island, Māori and Pacific people for an irregular heartbeat earlier could spare hundreds of people from stroke each year, a Sydney Heart Research Institute study has found. The research, a collaboration betwe Read More...
Sport-related concussion linked to an increased risk of both dementia and Alzheimer's disease
Date of Posting: 11-04-2018
People who suffer a traumatic brain injury are more likely to develop dementia later in life compared with those who don't, a study has found. Suffering concussion just once in a lifetime has been linked to an increased risk of both dementia a Read More...
Counsellors are leading the way in supporting people with their mental health challenges
Last Updated: 11-04-2018
Kris Rao discusses the important role of counselling in today’s society. Counselling today provides clients with a wide range of options for addressing and resolving specific problems, making decisions, coping with crisis, working through fe Read More...
