News Articles
Leading sports cardiologist say cardiac death risk no greater in athletes
Date of Posting: 08-09-2017
A leading Australian sports cardiologists says there is no conclusive evidence well-trained athletes like ironman champion Dean Mercer are more likely to suffer sudden cardiac death. Associate Professor Andre La Gerche, head of Sports Cardiology a Read More...
A faster way to screen for endometriosis soon
Date of Posting: 08-09-2017
A new diagnosis for endometriosis could soon be found thanks to research at the University of Sydney. Endometriosis is slowly getting the recognition from health professionals in Australia it deserves but unfortunately the painful and debilitating Read More...
A new and more effective HPV vaccine cuts the rate of cervical cancer
Date of Posting: 07-09-2017
A new more effective HPV vaccine cuts the rate of cervical cancer by a further 23 per cent, a global clinical trial has shown. The eradication of cervical cancer is on the horizon after the development of a far more effective HPV vaccine, an Austr Read More...
Fewer than five per cent of people in Australia are trained in first aid
Date of Posting: 07-09-2017
Most Australians don't have the first aid training required to save the life of a loved one in an emergency. The Red Cross says fewer than five per cent of people in Australia are trained in first aid, one of the lowest rates in the world.[sub Read More...
Maltreated children are three times more likely to have developmental vulnerabilities
Date of Posting: 06-09-2017
The stress caused by maltreatment greatly impacts the developing brain of very young children, leading to calls for improved early intervention. Children exposed to abuse and neglect from a very young age are already at a severe disadvantage when Read More...
Victorian public hospitals face exodus of health professionals
Date of Posting: 05-09-2017
VAHPA Members at Regional Imaging Gippsland will rally at Latrobe Regional Hospital dressed in tutus this Thursday lunchtime. The Union say they have adopted tutus to symbolise the “silly dance” employees are required to perform to get Read More...
New diagnostic tool spots first signs of Parkinson's disease
Date of Posting: 05-09-2017
Researchers have developed the first tool that can diagnose Parkinson’s disease when there are no physical symptoms, offering hope for more effective treatment of the condition. There are currently no laboratory tests for Parkinson’s a Read More...
Hope of a potential new treatment for osteoporosis
Date of Posting: 05-09-2017
The genetics underlying bone thinning disease osteoporosis is being examined by Australian and Canadian researchers in the hope of finding improved treatments. Scientists have discovered a gene strongly implicated in osteoporosis, raising hope of Read More...
World Physiotherapy Day highlights the role of physio in stroke recovery
Last Updated: 05-09-2017
September 8, 2017 marks World Physiotherapy Day which, this year, falls within National Stroke Week (September 4 - 10), highlighting the increasingly important role physiotherapy plays in stroke recovery. Specialist physiotherapy treatment i Read More...
Experts warn against gluten-free diets
Date of Posting: 05-09-2017
A research review suggests just 16 per cent of people who report gluten intolerance actually suffer symptoms when challenged in placebo blind study. Only a small proportion of Australians who claim to be gluten intolerant may actually display symp Read More...
People with dementia and carers feel socially disconnected, survey finds
Date of Posting: 04-09-2017
People living with dementia and carers experience embarrassing situations, feel strongly disconnected, feel less competent and sometimes feel useless, a new survey has found. In a survey conducted by Alzheimer’s Australia, 94 per cent of res Read More...
Australians are being urged to learn CPR
Date of Posting: 04-09-2017
More Australians are being urged to learn CPR, with a new survey showing one in five wouldn't know how to recognise a cardiac arrest. A person having a cardiac arrest is more than twice as likely to survive if someone intervenes using CPR in t Read More...
Tackling deadly disease earns researchers Eureka Prize
Date of Posting: 01-09-2017
Deadly rheumatic heart disease has almost halved worldwide, but the condition persists in areas of Australia where its prevalence is on par with some of the world’s poorest regions, according to a Heart Foundation researcher and Eureka Prize wi Read More...
How nutrition in early life affects adult bone health
Date of Posting: 01-09-2017
We have all heard that a high-fat diet raises your risk for heart disease and metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes in adulthood. Now new research shows it also compromises your bone health, especially if you were born small or early, or if your Read More...
Immunotherapy giving lung cancer sufferers a second chance
Date of Posting: 01-09-2017
Cancer drugs that have been used successfully in the treatment of melanoma are now entering the lung cancer space with doctors reporting groundbreaking results. Nivolumab is one of the new generation immunotherapy drugs, also known as checkpoint i Read More...
New screening test could help identify pregnancy complications
Date of Posting: 01-09-2017
A new screening test could help expecting parents find causes for serious pregnancy complications including miscarriage and fetal death. Researchers from the Victorian Clinical Genetics Services at the Murdoch Children’s Research Instit Read More...
Damning report shows gaping holes in government's medicare argument
Last Updated: 01-09-2017
A damning independent report by Deloitte Access Economics has exposed gaping inequality in the treatment of radiology in Australia, finding a massive $711 million shortfall in funding for patient rebates. The report, obtained by The Australian und Read More...
Urgent action needed to improve the mental health of trans children in Australia
Date of Posting: 01-09-2017
The government, health professionals and general public have been urged to take urgent action to improve the mental health of trans children in Australia. Transgender young people are at a extraordinarily high risk of suicide and are about 10 time Read More...
Study shows hallucinations increase risk of self-harm
Date of Posting: 31-08-2017
Children who experience hallucinations may be at a five-fold risk of suicidal behaviour, a large international study has found. Hallucinations among otherwise healthy people are more common than first thought and have been linked to a significant Read More...
People with dementia brought low by stigma
Date of Posting: 31-08-2017
Many people with dementia and carers are feeling socially disconnected and stigmatised, according to a new survey. Social prejudice still exists towards people living with dementia, causing many patients to feel socially disconnected, research sho Read More...
Australian researchers examine the impact of sitting on pregnancy
Date of Posting: 30-08-2017
Australian researchers are conducting a trial to examine the impact prolonged sitting has on a pregnant woman's chances of developing gestational diabetes. Sitting has been dubbed by many as 'the new smoking' because of the dangers ass Read More...
High salt intake linked to heart failure risk
Date of Posting: 30-08-2017
Australians are again being warned about the health risks associated with consuming too much salt. A high salt intake is associated with a two-fold risk of heart failure, new international research has found.[subscribe] With the average Austral Read More...
Study shows high carb diet is worse than high fat
Date of Posting: 30-08-2017
Fat goes from zero to hero while carbs are the new villain, according to a large international medical study. Health experts have controversially called for an overhaul of dietary guidelines after a large international study found a diet high in c Read More...
Lung cancer patients die sooner in Australia than Taiwan
Last Updated: 29-08-2017
Australians with advanced lung cancer are unlikely to survive longer than two years after they commence treatment, according to new research which has highlighted the limitations of chemotherapy as a front-line defence against the nation’s lead Read More...
Drug study implicates benzodiazepines in accidental overdoses
Date of Posting: 29-08-2017
Common anti-anxiety drugs including Xanax and Valium have been implicated in half of all non-fatal injected drug overdoses in a new study. The University of Queensland’s Professor Jake Najman said benzodiazepines appeared to be a greater con Read More...
An increase on heart attacks without any obvious risk factors
Date of Posting: 29-08-2017
There's been a dramatic increase in the number of Australians having heart attacks without any obvious risk factors. The heart attack that killed Dean Mercer has shocked many who believe the 47-year-old Ironman champion was a healthy lifestyle Read More...
Older people are encouraged to get vaccinated to prevent shingles
Date of Posting: 29-08-2017
Australians aged 70-79 are being encouraged to get vaccinated to prevent serious conditions like shingles. Older Australians are being warned of their high risk of developing painful shingles, as a survey reveals the over 70s are failing to priori Read More...
VU responds to maternity challenges with innovative dual degree
Last Updated: 29-08-2017
As the health profiles of women having babies continue to change, the complexity of the care requirements undertaken by midwives is increasing, prompting a surge of interest in Victoria University’s innovative dual degree in midwifery and nursi Read More...
Moderate coffee intake can reduce risk of premature death
Date of Posting: 29-08-2017
Moderate coffee intake can be part of a healthy diet and may actually reduce your risk of premature death, according to new research. Up to four cups of coffee a day is not harmful to health, in fact it may even be beneficial, new research suggest Read More...
New study shows pre-eclampsia risk remains years later
Date of Posting: 28-08-2017
Pregnant mothers with pre-eclampsia may encounter health challenges later in life, a new study suggests. The pregnancy complication pre-eclampsia poses a risk to a mother's heart that can exist for decades, a US study says.[subscribe] Resea Read More...
Breast implants linked to a rare form of lymphoma
Date of Posting: 28-08-2017
Australian women with breast implants are encouraged to consult their surgeon about the risk of a rare form of lymphoma. The number of Australian women diagnosed with a rare but deadly form of blood cancer linked to breast implants has risen, lead Read More...
Helping to make a difference truly is the greatest reward
Date of Posting: 25-08-2017
Nat Luxton is a Registered Nurse (RN)/midwife and has been registered with Rural LAP since 2011. She was originally from Brisbane but now resides at Corindi Beach on the Northern NSW coast. Working for Aspen Medical since 2007, Nat heard about Rur Read More...
Free in-home midwife visits help new mums
Date of Posting: 25-08-2017
New mums are being given extra care and support outside their hospital stay through Gold Coast Private Hospital's program that provides two free in-home visits from a midwife. The Gold Coast's newest maternity ward, which has been fitted w Read More...
Private hospitals ready to answer AMA call for more training places
Date of Posting: 25-08-2017
Australia’s private hospital sector stands ready to answer the Australian Medical Association’s call for more training places for early career doctors, with the sector already investing about $170 million in training doctors, nurses and a Read More...
AIM BRAIN trial could potentially save lives
Date of Posting: 25-08-2017
Researchers say a fast-tracked clinical trial of childhood brain cancer will improve treatment and potentially save lives. A "groundbreaking" clinical trial experts believe will transform the way childhood brain cancer is treated has bee Read More...
Eating a colourful diet is the best way to get Vitamin C
Date of Posting: 24-08-2017
The importance of Vitamin C has been thrown back into the spotlight with new research linking a deficiency to blood cancer. For decades it's been widely known that eating fresh fruit and vegetables is essential to prevent scurvy, a disease cau Read More...
Nurses burnt out & fatigued by workplace grief and loss
Last Updated: 23-08-2017
Nurses, health and aged care staff are overwhelmingly impacted by grief and loss in the workplace, with nearly 70 percent stating it was an issue for them at work, according to a new survey. Karuna, a charity providing in home palliative care serv Read More...
Self harm and suicidal behaviour among Australian teenagers rate increased
Date of Posting: 23-08-2017
One in 10 teenagers surveyed as part of a national study said they had self-harmed and one in 20 reported having attempted suicide. Research has uncovered worrying rates of self harm and suicidal behaviour among Australian teenagers.[subscribe] Read More...
Some tomato-based products contain high levels of salt
Date of Posting: 23-08-2017
Public health experts are calling for greater awareness around the amount of salt "hidden" in popular cooking sauces. Australians are being urged to check the salt content of their family's favourite cooking sauces, with new analysis Read More...
Cracking the genetic code of clinical depression
Date of Posting: 22-08-2017
More than two-thirds of Australian study participants have had to rely upon multiple antidepressants to treat their clinical depression – a trial and error approach that remains a major challenge in delivering more effective mental health care. Read More...
