News Articles
Cancer patients will soon get easier access to a new miracle drug
Date of Posting: 31-07-2017
Miracle drug Opdivo, which has an exorbitant price tag, will now be within the reach of all Australian renal and cancer patients when it is listed on the PBS. Thousands of Australians fighting late-stage renal and lung cancer will soon get easier Read More...
Ketamine for depression encouraging, but questions remain around long-term use
Date of Posting: 28-07-2017
A systematic review into the safety of ketamine as a treatment for depression shows the risks of long-term treatment remain unclear. Ketamine as a depression treatment has shown enormous promise but questions around safety remain.[subscribe] A Read More...
Innovative digital collaboration brings the future of patient education to GPs and Pharmacists
Date of Posting: 27-07-2017
An innovative digital collaboration between Healthily and Western Victoria Primary Health Network (WVPHN) will soon give 800 health professionals in Western Victoria access to the GoShare patient education platform. GoShare supports health& Read More...
New mobile platform for young people to access help during tough times
Date of Posting: 27-07-2017
Youth mental health organisation Reach Out has launched a new mobile platform for young people to access help during tough times. Ashleigh Holder intended to die but ended up in hospital. Recovery has been a long journey.[subscribe] Ms Holder, Read More...
Effective treatment prevents the transmission of HIV between gay men
Date of Posting: 27-07-2017
A large Australian study has found effective treatment halts HIV transmission among homosexual couples. Effective treatment prevents the transmission of HIV between gay men, a large Australian-led study has found.[subscribe] The "exciting& Read More...
Study highlights need to improve accuracy in blood pressure measuring
Date of Posting: 26-07-2017
A comprehensive analysis of blood pressure data from the 1950s to the present day has highlighted the need for improvement in the accuracy of blood pressure measuring. Researchers at the University of Tasmania’s Menzies Institute for Medical Read More...
Importance of physical activity for prostate cancer patients prompts new group exercise class
Date of Posting: 26-07-2017
When Christchurch man Clynton Inns was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in February 2016, simply getting through the treatment regime was his main priority. Thirty-seven radiation treatments administered within a short two month period left Read More...
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One in 20 Australian adolescents has a food allergy
Date of Posting: 26-07-2017
Approximately one in 20 Australian adolescents aged between 10 and 14 years have a food allergy. This number suggests that the previously reported rise in food-induced anaphylaxis in adolescence may actually reflect an increasing commonness of food a Read More...
New breed of capsules create potential for artificial organs and diabetes cure
Date of Posting: 26-07-2017
New Curtin University-led research has uncovered a significant advancement in developing better quality nanocapsules – or tiny houses for growing healthy cells, which has the potential to offer new treatments capable of curing diabetes. Read More...
Chronic pain is costing many Australians more than their wellbeing
Date of Posting: 26-07-2017
A new survey reveals Australians living with chronic pain are also carrying a heavy financial burden, with the cost of treatment per month doubling since 2009. Chronic pain is costing many Australians more than their wellbeing. It's also incre Read More...
Australia's first completely gluten-free restaurant opens in Melbourne
Date of Posting: 26-07-2017
People with coeliac disease can now dine out without fear of cross-contamination or illness at Australia's first completely gluten-free restaurant. A Melbourne restaurant has become Australia's first official, completely gluten-free eatery Read More...
Alzheimer's link to high iron levels in the brain
Date of Posting: 25-07-2017
Australian scientists believe they've found an association between high levels of iron in the brain and the progression of Alzhiemer's disease. Australian researchers say they've made a breakthrough in Alzheimer's research that poi Read More...
Calls for manufacturers to declare the amount of added sugar on the packaging
Date of Posting: 25-07-2017
There are calls for food manufacturers to declare on their packaging how much sugar has been added to their products. New analysis has found 70 per cent of packaged foods sold on Australian supermarket shelves contain added sugar.[subscribe] So Read More...
Prescription opioids are killing more middle-aged Australians than heroin
Date of Posting: 24-07-2017
Analysis reveals the rate of accidental prescription opioid overdose deaths among 45 to 54 year-olds is now higher than at the peak of the heroin epidemic. Prescription opioids are killing more middle-aged Australians than heroin, with new analysi Read More...
New statistics show multiple IVF cycles raises baby chances
Date of Posting: 24-07-2017
Nearly nine out of 10 women who begin IVF before the age of 30 will have a baby after the seventh cycle. With infertility affecting about one-in-six Australian couples new statistics will give women a better idea of their chance of having a baby u Read More...
The effects of childhood stroke on motor skills
Date of Posting: 21-07-2017
Stroke is one of the top 10 causes of death in children, yet there is very little research around childhood stroke. Researchers from the Murdoch Children’s Research institute (MCRI) have undertaken a first ever study to systematically evaluate Read More...
Genetic immune deficiency could hold key to severe childhood infections
Date of Posting: 21-07-2017
A gene mutation making young children extremely vulnerable to common viruses may represent a new type of immunodeficiency, according to a University of Queensland researcher. An international study analysed genetic data from previously healthy chi Read More...
Why are nurses sometimes skipping a potentially vital task?
Date of Posting: 21-07-2017
In a high-tech hospital, there’s still one vital sign that nurses should be checking themselves. They can rely on machines to observe their patients’ blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation and pulse rate.[subscribe] However, Read More...
World-first Manuka Honey trial offers sweet relief for dry eye sufferers
Date of Posting: 21-07-2017
In a world first, Queensland-based TGA licensed medical device manufacturer Melcare Biomedical, has announced the results of research undertaken by Queensland University of Technology (QUT) into the use of its Optimel™ Manuka honey product rang Read More...
CQUni professor leads team identifying increased violence against nurses
Date of Posting: 21-07-2017
Queensland nurses and midwives are experiencing increased violence in public, private and aged care facilities. Around half of those surveyed had experienced workplace violence in the previous three months; up from levels around 40% reported in 2001. Read More...
Cancer patients compromising treatment due to financial issue
Date of Posting: 21-07-2017
New analysis has found that up to half of all Australian cancer survivors experience financial stress. Half of all Australian cancer patients experience financial stress and money problems often impacts their treatment decisions, new analysis has Read More...
Type 2 diabetes linked to early menopause
Date of Posting: 21-07-2017
Women who reach menopause before the age of 40 are nearly four times as likely to develop type 2 diabetes, according to new research. The younger a woman is when reaching menopause the greater their risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D), resear Read More...
Pregnant women need to exercise regularly to avoid C-section
Date of Posting: 21-07-2017
Experts recommend pregnant women do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise each week to help reduce the risk of a C-section and diabetes. Pregnant women who have a healthy diet and participate in regular moderate exercise are less lik Read More...
To the Bone: creating eating disorder awareness or doing harm?
Last Updated: 20-07-2017
Joanna Doley, La Trobe University and Susan J Paxton, La Trobe University To the Bone – a film about a turning point in a young woman’s battle with anorexia nervosa – has attracted comment from mental health professionals and Read More...
An Australian-first safety guide has been launched to combat childhood injury
Date of Posting: 20-07-2017
Child safety and health experts have launched the Child Safety Good Practice guide, aimed at reducing childhood injury and death. An Australian-first safety guide has been launched to combat childhood injury, the number one cause of death and hosp Read More...
Influenza has been linked to a deadly brain disease in Australian children
Date of Posting: 20-07-2017
University of Sydney researchers have established a link between influenza and "devastating" brain diseases in children. Influenza has been linked to a deadly brain disease in Australian children, prompting calls for a universal flu vacc Read More...
UK trial shows social interaction improves dementia care
Date of Posting: 20-07-2017
A UK trial has shown just one social hour a week in dementia care improves lives and saves money. Just a simple chat and some social interaction may be all it takes to improve the wellbeing of patients living with dementia.[subscribe] A large s Read More...
Australia's national superbug alert system has detected the new bugs
Date of Posting: 19-07-2017
Australia has a new detection system in it's fight against unstoppable bacteria known as super-superbugs. More than a thousand cases of unstoppable "super-superbug" bacteria have been found in Australia in the past year, with experts Read More...
How obesity causes cancer, and may make screening and treatment harder
Date of Posting: 18-07-2017
Today, almost two in every three Australian adults are overweight or obese, as is one in four children. Obesity is a disease itself and a risk factor linked to ischaemic heart disease (the leading cause of premature deaths today in Australia), stroke Read More...
Acupuncture can help combat period pain in sufferers
Date of Posting: 18-07-2017
Researchers in Australia and New Zealand have found that acupuncture can significantly reduce the severity and duration of period pain. Acupuncture can help combat period pain in sufferers, as well as relieve associated headaches and nausea, a stu Read More...
AFL players encourage Australians to sign up as donors
Date of Posting: 14-07-2017
Organ donations in Australia are rising but still very low. Now the AFL has come on board to encourage Australians to sign up as donors. The AFL and all 18 clubs will urge fans to sign up as organ donors in a new campaign to lift donor rates invol Read More...
Australian HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Clinical Guidelines
Last Updated: 13-07-2017
The new ASHM Australian HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Clinical Guidelines have been published in the Journal of Virus Eradication (Journal of Virus Eradication 2017; 3: pp168–184). Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexu Read More...
New research points to treatment breakthrough for viruses
Date of Posting: 13-07-2017
RMIT scientists in Melbourne have led an international collaboration that potentially unlocks better treatment of viral diseases, including the flu and common cold. The results are published today (12 July) in the prestigious scientific and medica Read More...
NZ research shows potential for first gonorrhoea vaccine
Date of Posting: 13-07-2017
New Zealand-led research has shown a link between the meningococcal group B vaccine (MeNZB™) used here between 2004 and 2008 and a reduction in cases of gonorrhoea. The research, led by Dr Helen Petousis-Harris of the University’s Facu Read More...
Medical students more likely to 'go rural' with background and training combination
Date of Posting: 13-07-2017
The combination of a rural background and rural undergraduate training has a multiplier effect on the likelihood of medical graduates practicing outside metropolitan areas, a study has found. University of Queensland-led research found medical gra Read More...
Supporting older people with diabetes to stay independent
Date of Posting: 13-07-2017
A new project to identify community nursing clients with diabetes who are at risk of falls - and train staff to help with prevention strategies - is expected to help people stay independent for longer. The RDNS Institute project, which started thi Read More...
New projects to challenge risky drinking cultures
Date of Posting: 13-07-2017
Health promotion foundation VicHealth will provide almost $1 million in funding to four creative new projects to help reduce risky drinking across Victoria. The projects, funded under VicHealth’s Alcohol Culture Change initiative, will look Read More...
Asthma warning issued as winter sets in
Date of Posting: 13-07-2017
Australians with asthma are being warned to act as the winter cold and flu season kicks in to avoid becoming a statistic. Around 40,000 Australians are hospitalised and 400 die each year from asthma, with a spike in hospital admissions d Read More...
Discovery of brain-like activity in immune system promises better disease treatment
Date of Posting: 13-07-2017
The Australian National University (ANU) has led the discovery of brain-like activity in the immune system that promises better treatments for lymphoma, autoimmune diseases and immunodeficiency disorders, which collectively affect millions of people Read More...
Research shows people who think optimistically will recover faster from illness
Date of Posting: 12-07-2017
Research conducted by the University of Sydney suggests people who think optimistically will recover faster from illness. People who think positively have a better chance of recovering from serious illness than those who don't, research sugges Read More...
