News Articles
Medical students go 'rural' to learn about health in Tasmania's regions
Last Updated: 10-04-2017
More than 120 medical students from the University of Tasmania are on rural placements this week, through an immersive program preparing them to become doctors. Facilitated annually, Rural Week (3 – 7 April) allows medical students in Read More...
Making a real difference in closing the gap, GP from Victoria wins Indigenous health award
Last Updated: 10-04-2017
The Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC) awarded Dr Margaret Niemann, a General Practitioner (GP) from Bairnsdale, Victoria, the organisation’s annual Annette Walker Award for 2016. The award recognises health professionals who exceed the require Read More...
Calls for preventive mental health programs to be taught in schools
Date of Posting: 07-04-2017
As depression and anxiety rates continue to increase among young Australians, there are calls for preventive programs to be taught in schools. Universal mental health programs, much like sex education, should be implemented in schools as depressio Read More...
Study suggests mother's voice may help stabilise preterm babies
Date of Posting: 07-04-2017
A new French study suggests a mother's voice may play an important role in stabilising a premature baby. A mother's voice plays a crucial role in early child development, particularly for the health of premature babies, suggests the findin Read More...
Regular exercise key to stroke recovery
Date of Posting: 07-04-2017
US researchers have found a person's body mass index is not a factor in predicting their level of disability after stroke. Regular exercise may not always prevent a stroke but it could determine how well a person recovers from one.[subscribe] Read More...
Health groups tackle physical health of people with mental illness
Last Updated: 07-04-2017
Increasing access to dietary and exercise interventions coupled with psychological and medical treatment is vital for people with mental health illness. That’s the message from three key health professional organisations, the Dietitians Asso Read More...
A promising new approach to treating pancreatic cancer
Date of Posting: 06-04-2017
It's hoped a new 'two-step' approach to treating pancreatic cancer will help increase survival rates of this deadly disease. Australian scientists have uncovered a promising new approach to treating pancreatic cancer that makes tumours Read More...
Overuse of antibiotics could increase a persons risk of developing bowel cancer
Date of Posting: 06-04-2017
Long-term antibiotic use may increase the risk of abnormal growths in the colon and rectum, US research reveals. The overuse of antibiotics could increase a persons risk of developing bowel cancer, suggests the findings of a US study.[subscribe] Read More...
Australian researchers say ultrasound holds promise for Alzheimer's
Date of Posting: 05-04-2017
Ultrasound can improve the delivery of a therapeutic antibody that targets Alzheimer's disease and could also help treat Parkinson's and motor neuron disease. Australian researchers say they have made a promising step in the future treatme Read More...
Australians treated for clinical depression take part in the world's largest genetic investigation
Date of Posting: 04-04-2017
Australians who've been treated for clinical depression are needed for a large study designed to detect genetic factors that contribute to the mental illness. Scientists are seeking 20,000 Australians who have been treated for clinical depress Read More...
Study shows pregnancy weight can increase risk of childhood epilepsy
Date of Posting: 04-04-2017
A study of almost 1.5 million children has found the risk of epilepsy almost doubled among those born to severely obese mums. Being overweight during the first trimester of pregnancy has been linked to an increased risk of childhood epilepsy.[subs Read More...
Healthcare Technology - Latest Developments
Last Updated: 04-04-2017
Innovation and entrepreneurial activity in the Healthcare Technology sector is leading to rapid advancements and the delivery of major improvements in the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery. A list of the latest and most exciting health Read More...
Australian researchers say PTSD treatment must get physical
Date of Posting: 03-04-2017
Australian researchers say PTSD treatments need to change from solely psychological assistance to include a variety of physical symptoms as well. The mind and body are intimately linked, which is why there needs to be a change in the way post-trau Read More...
Free glucose monitoring devices for people with type 1 diabetes
Date of Posting: 03-04-2017
The federal government will provide free continuous glucose monitoring devices to eligible children and those under the age of 21 with type 1 diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes will have access to free glucose monitoring devices under a federal Read More...
Bipolar sufferers need more help to quit smoking
Date of Posting: 31-03-2017
Psychiatrists say people who are bipolar need more help to quit smoking but the Cancer Council rejects the idea switching to e-cigarettes is a healthier option. The rate of smoking among Australians with bipolar disorder is unacceptably high and i Read More...
Psychological barriers to insulin therapy may delay timely treatment
Date of Posting: 30-03-2017
For many Australians with diabetes being told they need to start injecting insulin is scary. But delaying its use is risky to long-term health, experts warn.[subscribe] New research released by Diabetes Australia shows that one in four Australi Read More...
HPV immunisation rate have significantly improved
Date of Posting: 30-03-2017
The Immunisation Coalition says it's important parents grasp the importance of having their boys immunised against the human papillomavirus (HPV). Australia is winning the immunisation battle against the human papillomavirus (HPV), the cause o Read More...
A new, potent form of radiation therapy for prostate cancer halves treatment time
Date of Posting: 30-03-2017
An international study has shown a four-week high-dose radiation therapy for prostate cancer is just as good as the standard eight-week treatment regimen. A new, potent form of radiation therapy for men with prostate cancer halves treatment time, Read More...
Early childhood the key to improving Indigenous health
Date of Posting: 30-03-2017
A major study into the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children has found programs and policies to promote healthy weight should target children as young as three. Lead researcher Katie Thurber from The Australian National Universi Read More...
Stress of running a marathon can cause short-term kidney injury
Date of Posting: 29-03-2017
According to a new Yale University study, the physical stress of running a marathon can cause short-term kidney injury. Your muscles aren't the only things that hurt after running a marathon; your kidneys do too.[subscribe] A US study has f Read More...
Call to increase Omega-3 fatty acids
Last Updated: 28-03-2017
About 8 in 10 Australians may not be getting enough long-chain omega-3 acids in their diets, putting them at risk of health issues, including cardiovascular disease, depression and chronic inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and asthma, accordi Read More...
Date of Posting: 28-03-2017
Scientists have uncovered 13 new genetic errors associated with an increased risk of developing glioma, the most common form of brain cancer. For far too long little has been known about who's at risk of brain cancer, a rare yet deadly disease Read More...
Researchers identified new genetic drivers of ovarian cancer
Date of Posting: 28-03-2017
A major international collaboration has identified new genetic drivers of ovarian cancer that could one day lead to the prevention of the disease. A dozen new genetic variants that increase women's risk of ovarian cancer have been discovered b Read More...
A diet high in resistant starch provides protection against diabetes
Date of Posting: 28-03-2017
Australian researchers say a diet yielding high amounts of short-chain fatty acids acetate and butyrate protects against type 1 or juvenile diabetes. A specialised diet high in resistant starch found in many foods including fruit and vegetables pr Read More...
New MediTracker app keeps your patients safe
Date of Posting: 28-03-2017
A next generation smartphone app for patients to view their medical summary has finally been created, overcoming issues that have plagued previous online patient management systems. An Australian first, developed by Precedence Health Care, Me Read More...
Date of Posting: 28-03-2017
The Stroke Foundation and Heart Foundation today brought together Members of Parliament from both sides to urge national action on one of Australia’s biggest killers – cardiovascular disease. Hearts and Minds – Effectiv Read More...
On the verge of a Malaria vaccine
Date of Posting: 27-03-2017
Medical scientists have worked in vain for many years to develop a vaccine for Malaria, which kills hundreds of thousands of people every year. In 2015, 429,000 deaths from Malaria were recorded. And in Sub-Saharan Africa, children under the age of 5 Read More...
A drug used to treat a form of Hodgkin lymphoma is now part of PBS
Date of Posting: 27-03-2017
A drug used to treat a rare form of cancer now widely available through the national pharmaceutical benefits scheme will act as a lifesaver. Brentuximab vedotin, sold as Adcetris, was one of several medicines added to the PBS by the federal govern Read More...
Scientists are a step closer to anti-ageing drug
Last Updated: 25-03-2017
Australian scientists hope they might soon be able to repair the damaged DNA of astronauts and children with cancer using a compound found in fruit and vege. Scientists are a step closer to unlocking the mystery of how to reverse the ageing proces Read More...
Mental health within the walls
Last Updated: 24-03-2017
Working in mental health within a prison setting is an often overlooked yet extremely fulfilling career pathway in mental health nursing. Correctional nursing offers rewarding and stimulating opportunities for nurses wanting to advance their mental h Read More...
Scientists solve mystery of immune cells in the liver
Date of Posting: 24-03-2017
In a discovery that could aid malaria vaccine research, scientists led by The Australian National University (ANU) have tracked immune cells and discovered a key molecule that helps them to find and kill microbes that infect the liver such as malaria Read More...
Updated specialised Contraception Handbook for best-practice delivery
Date of Posting: 24-03-2017
Family Planning NSW announces the launch of Contraception: An Australian Clinical Practice Handbook, fourth edition, developed in partnership with Family Planning Victoria and True Relationships and Reproductive Health. Contraception: An Australia Read More...
What to do in a disaster: new must-have guide for health professionals
Date of Posting: 24-03-2017
A world-first grass-roots guide for doctors, nurses, paramedics and other health professionals will give them a much-needed common language to deal with the growing number of natural and man-made disasters worldwide. Edited by Professor Gerry Fitz Read More...
Helping hospitals to help nursing mums
Date of Posting: 24-03-2017
A La Trobe University researcher will work with major hospitals to improve the management of a painful condition that affects one in five breastfeeding women. Associate Professor Lisa Amir from La Trobe’s Judith Lumley Centre is Read More...
No drugs proven to work for people with sciatica
Date of Posting: 23-03-2017
A commonly prescribed painkiller for sciatica nerve pain has been found no better at providing relief than a placebo in a study by Australian researchers. People suffering from sciatica nerve pain spreading down their legs aren't necessarily a Read More...
Flu shot demand expected to soar
Date of Posting: 23-03-2017
A survey by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia has found that an extra two million Aussies are expected to receive a flu vaccine this year. About an extra two million Australians are expected to get a flu shot this year as more pharmacies gear up to Read More...
More work needed in keeping nurses safe from harm
Date of Posting: 23-03-2017
On the first anniversary of the death of outback nurse Gayle Woodford, those involved in the health industry say more needs to be done to keep workers safe. More remains to be done to better protect nurses working in isolated and remote communitie Read More...
Medical abortion will soon be legal in Northern Territory
Date of Posting: 22-03-2017
The NT parliament has passed laws decriminalising abortion and legalising medical termination, bringing the Territory in line with the rest of Australia. Northern Territory women will soon have the same right to an abortion as others across Austra Read More...
Nasal spray may reduce the risk of postpartum haemorrhage
Date of Posting: 22-03-2017
Australian researchers have developed an inhalable form of the 'love' hormone oxytocin which they believe could prevent thousands of pregnant women dying. A nasal spray based on the "love drug" oxytocin and developed by Australia Read More...
Taking fish oil supplements during pregnancy will not guarantee a smart baby
Date of Posting: 22-03-2017
An Australian study suggests there is no real need for pregnant women to take fish oil supplements in a bid to make their child smarter. Taking fish oil supplements during pregnancy will not guarantee the child will go on to be a Rhodes scholar la Read More...
