News Articles


Study shows genes won't affect weight loss
Date of Posting: 21-02-2018
A new US study shows there is probably no such thing as a diet that is right for a person's particular genetic make-up. The amount and quality of food and not a person's genetics will lead to weight loss, a US study has found.[subscribe] Read More...




The first treatment to help prevent serious allergic reactions to peanuts may be on the way
Last Updated: 21-02-2018
An American pharmaceutical company claims daily capsules of peanut flour can help prevent serious allergic reactions to peanuts, in a major study. A company said on Tuesday that its daily capsules of peanut flour helped children tolerate nuts in a Read More...




A leukaemia trial offers drug-free remission
Date of Posting: 20-02-2018
A trial has shown remission from chronic myeloid leukaemia is possible without additional treatment following therapy using a drug called nilotinib. Australian medical researchers have made a breakthrough in the treatment of a chronic form of leuk Read More...




Research shows placenta cells new hope for stroke victims
Date of Posting: 20-02-2018
A world-first Australian study has found injections of placenta cells can reduce brain injury and aid recovery in stroke victims. Giving stroke victims an injection of placenta cells could help heal the brain, according to researchers who are prep Read More...




An Australian study has found a link between gut and type 1 diabetes
Date of Posting: 19-02-2018
A person's genetics contribute to an 'unhealthy gut' which is linked to type 1 diabetes, an Australian study has found. Treatments targeting the gut could potentially help treat and even prevent type 1 diabetes in the future, Australia Read More...




Call for more streamlined guidelines in administering and supplying medical cannabis
Date of Posting: 19-02-2018
Researchers are calling for stronger and more streamlined guidelines in administering and supplying medical cannabis. Doctors have been warned against rushing to prescribe medical cannabis despite Australians' acceptance of its use.[subscribe] Read More...




Scientists have discovered that ovarian cancer is passed on by dads
Date of Posting: 16-02-2018
A 30-year study found women whose paternal grandmothers were affected by ovarian cancer were at the highest risk of developing the disease. Women can inherit a genetic mutation that causes ovarian cancer from their fathers as well as their mothers Read More...




Australian scientists discovered a new hope for better flu vaccines
Date of Posting: 15-02-2018
Melbourne researchers have revealed why flu vaccines work better in some people and not others. Australian scientists have discovered three specific white blood cells which play a key role in determining whether a person responds well to flu vacci Read More...




New research shows single parenting pose greatest risk to the health of fathers
Date of Posting: 15-02-2018
A study of 40,000 Canadians has found single fathers are at the greatest risk of dying prematurely, compared to single mothers and partnered parents. Single parenting appears to pose the greatest risk to the health of fathers rather than mothers, Read More...




A study has found opioid use linked to serious infections
Date of Posting: 14-02-2018
People who regularly use opioids are 60 per cent more likely to develop pneumonia or meningitis caused by Steptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, a study has found. Opioid use not only increases the risk of sudden death but is associated with developing Read More...




Benzodiazepines will not help low back pain
Last Updated: 14-02-2018
Australians seeking relief from low back pain are being urged not to use benzodiazepines (minor tranquilisers) as part of their treatment, according to recommendations released today by Choosing Wisely Australia. Five new recommendations around pa Read More...




Research shows new hope in battle against brain tumours
Date of Posting: 13-02-2018
A new immunotherapy treatment to help tackle brain cancer is being developed by Melbourne scientists. Adapting a successful blood cancer therapy could be the answer to treating notoriously difficult brain tumours, new Melbourne research shows.[sub Read More...




Study shows arthritis drug could reduce dementia risk
Date of Posting: 13-02-2018
A UK study suggests arthritis drugs could significantly reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis could halve the risk of patients developing dementia, a study suggests.[subscr Read More...




Australian researchers developing a test to predict premature labour
Date of Posting: 13-02-2018
Researchers will test more than 3000 pregnant women in Melbourne in a bid to develop a test to predict who will give birth prematurely. Australian researchers are hoping to develop a swab test to predict which women will give birth prematurely.[su Read More...




Third hand cigarette smoke not cause for panic
Last Updated: 13-02-2018
An Australian National University (ANU) researcher is warning against undue alarm as the concept of health concerns from third-hand-smoke – lingering residue from cigarettes – is starting to build momentum in Australia. Professor Simon Read More...




Treating mental illness - how healthcare workers can really make a difference
Last Updated: 13-02-2018
The enduring stigma associated with mental illness, along with the depth of competence required to effectively help those who need it, has resulted in a shortage of much-needed mental health workers. “The mental health workforce is lacking i Read More...




Call for a national strategy to help women maintain a 'normal' weight before pregnancy
Date of Posting: 12-02-2018
Medical experts are calling for a national strategy to help women maintain a 'normal' weight before they conceive a baby to avoid serious complications. A steady increase in the rate of overweight and obese first time mums is to blame for Read More...




3 in 5 women wanting water births achieve their aim
Last Updated: 09-02-2018
A Western Australian study published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in January has reported that of the 502 women surveyed who were intending to have a water birth, 303 (59 per cent) were able to labour in wat Read More...




Research shows drug resistant sepsis is killing newborns
Date of Posting: 09-02-2018
It is estimated around 700,000 people a year globally die from drug-resistant bacterial infections. Newborn babies are among those at greatest risk of dying from bacterial infections resistant to antibiotics and Australians are being reminded to u Read More...




Experts say food protein linked to cancer spread
Date of Posting: 09-02-2018
A new international study adds to a growing body of evidence that what you eat may influence the spread of cancer. An amino acid found in a variety of foods including asparagus has been linked to the spread of breast cancer.[subscribe] A team o Read More...




Dietitians trump internet and celebrities for nutrition advice
Last Updated: 08-02-2018
Despite an overload of nutrition information from the internet, social media, celebrities and wellness gurus, a new survey shows most Australians strongly back the advice of a qualified nutrition professional. The Omnipoll survey of more than 1,20 Read More...




Physiotherapy helping children's brains as well as their bodies
Date of Posting: 08-02-2018
Physical activity in children has been linked to improved scholastic performance, following two separate studies conducted to analyse the impact of exercise in children and youth. The Copenhagen Consensus Statement and the Active Brains study, bot Read More...




Study shows acne linked to higher risk of depression
Date of Posting: 08-02-2018
A Canadian study has found patients with acne are at a significantly greater risk of developing major depression within the first five years of being diagnosed. Acne is not just a 'skin issue', it can lead to serious mental health concerns Read More...




Here are ways to reduce osteoarthritis pain
Date of Posting: 08-02-2018
Exercise and a healthy weight are the best ways to manage osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage inside a joint breaks down causing pain and stiffness but there are ways to manage the chronic condition without surgery.[subscribe] Read More...




What genetic testing information to expect when you're expecting
Date of Posting: 07-02-2018
Experts have recommended greater support and choice of information for pregnant women who decide to have genetic testing of the fetus. The latest research from the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI), published in the Europe Read More...




Antibiotics during pregnancy linked to increased hospitalisation of children with infection
Date of Posting: 07-02-2018
A new study by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) has revealed children born to mothers who were prescribed antibiotics during pregnancy may have up to a 20 per cent higher risk of being hospitalised with infection. T Read More...




Australian first research targets Aboriginal stroke survivors
Date of Posting: 07-02-2018
Helping Aboriginal people live well after stroke is at the heart of a new research project, made possible by a Stroke Foundation grant. The project will assess and address risks and opportunities involved in implementing Australia’s first la Read More...




Virtual reality, the brain and pain free exercise
Date of Posting: 07-02-2018
A LA TROBE University researcher has found a way for people with knee pain to exercise – pain free. Dr Ebonie Rio has been awarded a $286,891 National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grant to undertake research on the use of virt Read More...




Researchers found out that a molecule link may prevent diabetes
Date of Posting: 07-02-2018
Finding a way to replenish levels of the molecule, coenzyme Q10, in human cells may help to prevent pre-diabetes, Australian researchers say. Australian researchers have established a link between insulin resistance and low levels of a key molecul Read More...




Arthroscopic knee surgery is ineffective in treating osteoarthritis
Date of Posting: 06-02-2018
The evidence shows arthroscopic knee surgery is relatively ineffective in treating osteoarthritis, says Australia's peak rheumatology body. Arthroscopic knee surgery to treat osteoarthritis is of "low value" and doctors are being tol Read More...




Study shows crash diets can reduce heart function
Date of Posting: 05-02-2018
UK researchers says anyone with an underlying heart condition should be cautious about going on a 'crash' diet. Crash diets such as popular meal replacement programs can cause short term deterioration in heart function, a UK study has foun Read More...




Must we deprive ourselves of all pleasure to stay healthy?
Date of Posting: 05-02-2018
Laurent Chambaud, École des hautes études en santé publique (EHESP) – USPC In 2018, I’ll quit smoking, really. And I’ll stop drinking alcohol, at least for a while… The first month Read More...




What is CRISPR gene editing, and how does it work?
Date of Posting: 05-02-2018
Merlin Crossley, UNSW You’ve probably read stories about new research using the gene editing technique CRISPR, also called CRISPR/Cas9. The scientific world is captivated by this revolutionary technology, since it is easier, cheaper a Read More...




Five supplements that claim to speed up weight loss - and what the science says
Date of Posting: 05-02-2018
Clare Collins, University of Newcastle; Lee Ashton, University of Newcastle, and Rebecca Williams, University of Newcastle When you google “weight loss” the challenge to sort fact from fiction begins. These five supplements clai Read More...




Fixing pain management could help us solve the opioid crisis
Date of Posting: 05-02-2018
Meredith Craigie, Flinders University Australia is facing a critical public health issue of poorly managed pain. The combination of poor health outcomes, inappropriate prescribing for pain and non-prescription use of opioids has resulted in op Read More...




New study shows ibuprofen risk to babies' fertility
Date of Posting: 02-02-2018
Mothers who take ibuprofen in the first trimester of pregnancy could be dramatically hurting the future fertility of their daughters, a new study suggests. Women who take the common painkiller ibuprofen for even short periods during early pregnanc Read More...




Funding supports Australia's best and brightest dementia researchers
Date of Posting: 01-02-2018
The use of song-writing to improve the relationships between people living with dementia and their families is just one of 17 new projects that will share in more than $1 million in grants to conduct ground-breaking dementia research. Dr Imogen Cl Read More...




Diabetes doubles risk of sudden, unexpected heart death
Date of Posting: 01-02-2018
New report reveals chilling link between type 2 diabetes and heart disease The 1.5 million Australians living with type 2 diabetes are twice as likely to suffer a sudden cardiac death, where the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops working, compa Read More...




Abstract idea? Showcase your solution to reduce unnecessary healthcare
Last Updated: 01-02-2018
Choosing Wisely Australia is inviting abstracts that showcase innovations to address unnecessary healthcare for its second annual National Meeting in May. The Choosing Wisely Australia 2018 National Meeting will be held at the National Convention Read More...




All sensation is not lost in thoracic spinal cord injuries
Last Updated: 01-02-2018
Researchers from Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), The University of Sydney, and HammondCare have found surviving sensory nerve connections in areas of no sensation in 50% of people living with complete thoracic spinal cord injuries. The br Read More...


