News Articles
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...
Scientists have developed a blood test that offers hope for Alzheimer's
Date of Posting: 01-02-2018
Australian and Japanese scientists have developed a blood test they say can predict with 90 per cent accuracy who will develop Alzheimer's disease. Scientists are closer to rolling out a revolutionary blood test for Alzheimer's after disco Read More...
A new medical approach to 'transform' Australia's health care system
Date of Posting: 31-01-2018
A new report details a medical approach which has helped save the life of a four-year-old boy, and could transform Australia's health care system. Four-year-old Louis, born with a debilitating neurological disorder, owes his life to a medical Read More...
Study shows pregnancy changes women's genes
Date of Posting: 31-01-2018
Pregnancy changes women at the molecular level, affecting one of the systems that tells genes what to do, Aussie researchers have found. It's long been said that motherhood changes a woman and Australian scientists now have the proof.[subscrib Read More...
Oncologists request to raise the age anyone can buy cigarettes from 18 to 21
Date of Posting: 30-01-2018
Oncologists across the country are backing a campaign to raise the age anyone can buy cigarettes from 18 to 21. Cancer specialists across the country want to make it illegal for anyone below the age of 21 to purchase cigarettes.[subscribe] The Read More...
Report shows Tasmanians are waiting longer for ambulances
Date of Posting: 30-01-2018
Tasmanians are waiting longer for ambulances than people in any other state or territory, with the average response time ballooning to more than half an hour. The Northern Territory at 25 minutes had the second longest wait for an ambulance during Read More...
Low levels of vitamin D have been found to impact lung function
Date of Posting: 26-01-2018
Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to impaired lung function and could worsen symptoms of asthma and other respiratory disease symptoms in adults, a study has found. Researchers from the University of Western Australia and Sir Charles Gairdner H Read More...
Torrens University, a pioneer in Public Health
Date of Posting: 25-01-2018
Torrens University Australia is quickly proving itself to be a game changer in the field of public health. Earlier this year, the Public Health Information Development Unit (PHIDU) at Torrens University Australia pioneered the first national Atlas Read More...
El Camino for the Kids supports the families of seriously ill children
Date of Posting: 24-01-2018
The El Camino for the Kids provides an exciting twist on traditional challenge fundraising events, by taking participants on an overseas adventure to Spain to trek the iconic El Camino trail between 10 – 19 May 2018. A team of dedicated supp Read More...
'Superhero' doctors inspire USC's first medical science students from Moreton Bay
Date of Posting: 24-01-2018
Life-changing encounters with doctors have inspired two high-achieving students from Moreton Bay to sign up for the University of the Sunshine Coast’s new Bachelor of Medical Science. Mark Yakoub of Griffin and Akhil Singh of North Lakes bot Read More...
A new caesarean study highlights long-term risks
Date of Posting: 24-01-2018
A new study involving Australian researchers has linked caesareans with a range of long-term risks, including miscarriage. Women who have caesareans appear to have an increased risk of future miscarriages, stillbirths and placenta problems, scient Read More...
Australians with severe food allergies are at risk from pre-packaged foods
Date of Posting: 24-01-2018
Australians who suffer severe allergic reactions are rolling the dice when they eat pre-packaged foods, a new study suggests. Researchers from the Murdoch Children's Research Institute have uncovered 14 cases in Australia and New Zealand in ju Read More...
Hope for people with multiple sclerosis
Date of Posting: 24-01-2018
A molecule with a name so long it's almost impossible to spell holds great promise for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), Australian researchers say. Australian researchers are about to begin a large-scale test of a drug that could thwart th Read More...
Free meningococcal vaccine for WA children
Date of Posting: 23-01-2018
The West Australian government is funding a free meningococcal vaccine for children aged one to four after six people died following a spike in cases last year. A free meningococcal vaccine is being offered by the West Australian government for ch Read More...
Royal Flying Doctor Service warns a mental health crisis in rural and regional Australia
Last Updated: 22-01-2018
The Royal Flying Doctor Service is warning there is a mental health crisis in rural and remote parts of the country. The service's chief executive Martin Laverty says five times as many people in cities are accessing mental health services com Read More...
An international survey has found NSW patients skip medical care due to cost
Date of Posting: 18-01-2018
Fourteen per cent of NSW patients aged over 65 are skipping medical care because it's too expensive, an international survey has found. More than one in 10 people aged over 65 in NSW have skipped medical care due to the cost, an international Read More...
Health Minister insists lowest rise in premiums in more than 15 years
Date of Posting: 17-01-2018
Health Minister Greg Hunt wants health insurers to deliver the lowest premium rise in more than 15 years but families could still have to pay $200 a year more. Australians will have to reach further into their pockets for private health cover from Read More...
Dad's reading is new chapter of child language development
Date of Posting: 17-01-2018
Fathers, as well as mothers, are being encouraged to read to their kids after new research has shown the impact dads can have for their child’s language development. The latest research from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institu Read More...
