News Articles
A Victorian PhD student has developed wearable technology dubbed "smart socks" for physiotherapists
Date of Posting: 09-04-2018
Physiotherapists may soon be able to treat remote patients with a new form of wearable technology dubbed "smart socks". Developed by University of Melbourne PhD candidate Deepti Aggarwal, the socks send information on weight distribution Read More...
What is pentosan polysulphate sodium (PPS) and why are AFL players using it?
Date of Posting: 09-04-2018
Nial Wheate, University of Sydney and Andrew McLachlan, University of Sydney AFL players are reportedly being treated with injections of the drug pentosan polysulphate sodium (PPS) for knee and bone pain. While PPS is approved for Read More...
Lung Foundation Australia claims stigma stifling lung cancer research
Date of Posting: 06-04-2018
A lack of empathy towards people with lung cancer is stifling investment into lung cancer research, claims Lung Foundation Australia. It's feared prejudice towards lung cancer patients is stifling much needed financial investment into Australi Read More...
Why and how to attend the APNA National Conference
Date of Posting: 05-04-2018
The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association will be holding its tenth annual conference in Brisbane, 10-12 May, with the theme Nurseforce for the Future. With keynote addresses from an array of high-achieving and passionate presenters, t Read More...
Research has shown brussels sprouts good for women's hearts
Date of Posting: 05-04-2018
A study of 950 elderly women has shown those who ate plenty of broccoli and brussels sprouts were less likely to be at risk of cardiovascular disease. Research has shown eating broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and brussels sprouts to be particularly Read More...
An Australian-pioneered drug gives leukaemia patients hope
Date of Posting: 05-04-2018
Patients with blood cancers have new hope after two trials found a drug pioneered in Australia showed dramatic life saving benefits. Research shows when Venetoclax - a drug developed from scientific discoveries made in Melbourne - is combined with Read More...
Marine cone snails might be a weapon in the fight against the opioid epidemic
Date of Posting: 05-04-2018
Australian scientists say they have edged closer to developing new pain relief medication from chemicals found in the venom of sea snails that live on the bottom of the ocean. The news comes as countries search for alternatives to opioids, includi Read More...
Asthma linked to an increased risk of childhood bone fractures for boys
Date of Posting: 04-04-2018
The world's largest study of its kind has found boys with asthma are more likely to break their bones than girls with the lung disease. The study of more than 16,000 Victorian primary school students aged from three to 14, the world's larg Read More...
Australian doctors warned against giving oxycodone
Date of Posting: 04-04-2018
The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) is concerned the community is still being 'flooded' with prescription opioids. Australian doctors, particularly those who work in hospitals, have been warned about the potenti Read More...
Physios integral at Commonwealth Games
Date of Posting: 04-04-2018
More than 25 sports physiotherapists will help keep Australian and international athletes in peak condition at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. For Kylie Holt, deputy head physiotherapist and member of the Australian Physiotherapy Associati Read More...
More young Aussies embracing a vegan diet
Last Updated: 03-04-2018
As more young Aussies - particularly women - jump on the vegan bandwagon they need to know the potential dangers of the "trendy" diet, experts say. "Every man and his dog is interested in veganism," says Sydney dietitian Nicole Read More...
A new policy encouraging NSW hospitals to provide designated waiting rooms for Aboriginal patients
Date of Posting: 03-04-2018
Emergency departments across NSW will be encouraged to provide separate waiting rooms for Aboriginal patients under a new state government policy. The mandatory policy will call for emergency departments to provide a "culturally appropriate s Read More...
Doctors are not prescribing enough exercise as medicine despite all its benefits
Date of Posting: 02-04-2018
Doctors don't prescribe enough exercise to patients despite all the evidence showing its benefits in fighting illness, according to experts, including the chief doctor of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. A doctor's own attitude towards p Read More...
Skin cancer campaigns should target older Victorians
Date of Posting: 02-04-2018
The number of invasive skin cancer cases continues to climb among Victorians aged 55 and over, sparking calls by researchers for a targeted awareness campaign. The research, published in the Medical Journal of Australia, has also revealed a drop i Read More...
Misuse of alcohol and drugs linked to a range of diseases and deaths
Date of Posting: 29-03-2018
A new report shows the misuse of alcohol and drugs are collectively responsible for about one in every 20 deaths in Australia. Alcohol and illicit drugs are collectively responsible for nearly one in 20 deaths reported in Australia every year, acc Read More...
Give blood to help save lives this Easter
Date of Posting: 29-03-2018
Another 1000 Australians are being asked to roll up a sleeve and give blood to help save lives this Easter. Blood wanted.[subscribe] That's the desperate cry from the Australian Red Cross this Easter long-weekend, when at least 1000 donatio Read More...
Drug hoped to treat CFS causes impaired immune function, Griffith study says
Date of Posting: 28-03-2018
Reports that a drug used to treat autoimmune diseases and cancer could also treat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) have been refuted by a new Griffith University study. To be published in BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology, the study by Griffith’ Read More...
DHBs look for middle ground in nurses' pay and workload claim
Date of Posting: 28-03-2018
New Zealand's District Health Boards are working on ways to address nurses’ concerns about their pay and their conditions of work. DHB spokesperson, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, says nurses are critical to providing health services and DHBs are Read More...
Free online course about autism, co-designed and delivered by people with autism
Date of Posting: 28-03-2018
The number of people with autism spectrum disorder has increased significantly in Australia in recent years, with around one in 150 people identified with autism*. Given its prevalence, a free online course is being announced today, on Worl Read More...
Researchers have found vigorous exercise in childhood brings lasting benefits
Date of Posting: 28-03-2018
The impact of vigorous exercise during childhood may have been underestimated, with new research showing it could determine whether or not they survive a heart attack later in life. An Australian study conducted on rats has shown that when exercis Read More...
Funding boost for Australian-first trial of a potential new treatment for pancreatic cancer
Date of Posting: 28-03-2018
Australian researchers will lead a world-first trial of a potential new treatment for pancreatic cancer, offering a glimmer of hope to patients and their families. Pancreatic cancer is too often fatal and claimed the lives of Apple co-founder Stev Read More...
Exploring the legacy and shaping the future of rural and remote health research
Last Updated: 27-03-2018
The 6th Rural and Remote Health Scientific Symposium: Outback Infront is taking place in Canberra from 11-12 April 2018. With more than 200 of Australia’s leading rural and remote health researchers registered to attend, the Symposium is gea Read More...
Zero tolerance for violence against health care professionals
Date of Posting: 27-03-2018
While working as a nurse on health’s frontline I was sworn at, hit, threatened and even once forcibly kissed. None of these events were particularly extreme, but for health workers every shift the threat of violence is so regular it becomes fam Read More...
Embryo's growth captured with time lapse digital imaging technology
Date of Posting: 27-03-2018
The EmbryoScope allows scientists and clinicians to carefully monitor and review the development of embryos at any point in time. Australia's first pregnancy has been achieved from embryos that have been monitored and filmed using next generat Read More...
Flu vaccination is a must for kids with asthma
Date of Posting: 27-03-2018
There are concerns current efforts to prevent flu in children with chronic lung conditions such as asthma are ineffective. Children with asthma and other chronic lung conditions like cystic fibrosis are five times more likely to be admitted to hos Read More...
Study shows birth interventions linked to kids' health
Date of Posting: 26-03-2018
There is new evidence that birthing interventions such as forceps and caesarean sections are linked to long-term health outcomes for young children. Children born by caesarean section are more susceptible to eczema and metabolic disorders includin Read More...
Queensland youngsters get free flu vaccines
Date of Posting: 23-03-2018
Children under five can be vaccinated against influenza for free under a Queensland government initiative to stop the spread of the virus. Queensland youngsters will be vaccinated against the flu for free for the first time to try to prevent a rep Read More...
Rural maternity ward not possible without Federal Government-funded program
Last Updated: 22-03-2018
Imagine not having a maternity service available in your local area, forcing you to travel to the next town to receive adequate maternity care? This was a very real possibility for Moruya Hospital had they not engaged the Rural Locum Assistance Pr Read More...
Call to action to halt the soaring rates of low back pain
Date of Posting: 22-03-2018
The global burden of low back pain has reached 'tipping point' and action is needed, warn researchers. Australian experts are leading an international call to action to halt the soaring rates of low back pain, the number one cause of disab Read More...
New data shows childhood immunisation rates have continued to rise right across the Australia
Date of Posting: 22-03-2018
Childhood immunisation rates have reached such high levels in Australia that 'herd immunity' would now be providing protection against a range of diseases for children who can't be immunised, says a leading expert. New data released on Read More...
Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy linked to autism behaviours
Date of Posting: 21-03-2018
An Australian study has added to a growing body of evidence linking vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism. Low levels of vitamin D during pregnancy and breastfeeding have again been linked to the deve Read More...
Too many teenagers unaware of 'social' smoking dangers
Date of Posting: 20-03-2018
Alarming research released by Cancer Council Victoria has found too many teenagers are not aware that every cigarette does damage. Research has found two in three teenagers wrongly believe 'social' or occasional smoking is harmless, prompt Read More...
Health group hopes food companies will learn from Heinz ruling
Date of Posting: 20-03-2018
A health group hopes food companies will learn from a federal court ruling that found Heinz had misled health claims on a product aimed at toddlers. All food manufacturers should beware of making misleading health claims on their products after a Read More...
Stem cell technology: hope for babies born with a cataract
Date of Posting: 19-03-2018
Stem cells are being used to regenerate human eye lenses, offering hope of better vision outcomes for children born with a cataract. A team of Australian researchers are using human stem cells to develop light-focusing eye lenses that could signif Read More...
Calls for a new federally funded sun-protection campaign
Date of Posting: 19-03-2018
Australians are unknowingly increasing their risk of skin cancer because they don't know when they need sun protection the most, the findings of a national survey suggests. The latest National Sun Protection Survey, released by Cancer Council Read More...
ANMF commits to waste reduction and sustainability
Date of Posting: 16-03-2018
Members of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation will reinforce their commitment to waste management and sustainability at the union's annual Health and Environmental Sustainability Conference, next month. The conference will be head Read More...
Researchers have made a breakthrough that leads to an effective treatment of multiple myeloma
Date of Posting: 16-03-2018
Researchers have discovered an important biomarker in patients with a hard-to-treat form of blood cancer that could improve patient outcomes. Australian cancer researchers have made a breakthrough that could lead to an effective treatment of multi Read More...
Study shows super-fit middle-aged women are much less likely to develop dementia
Date of Posting: 16-03-2018
It really could be the survival of the fittest for women wanting to avoid dementia in old age. A Swedish study, published in journal Neurology, found very physically fit women were nearly 90 per cent less likely to develop dementia compared to tho Read More...
A safe and effective hormone-free male contraceptive pill a step closer
Date of Posting: 15-03-2018
Australian researchers are developing a hormone-free male contraceptive pill that wouldn't impact libido or fertility, and believe it could be available in the next five to 10 years. The hormone-free pill, being developed by researchers at Mon Read More...
Platypus might hold the answer to the world's superbug woes
Date of Posting: 15-03-2018
CSIRO scientists have found a curly protein in platypus milk that they believe could one day help in the fight against antibiotic-resistant superbugs. Scientists have pin-pointed a curly protein in the native animal's milk - dubbed the "S Read More...
