News Articles
Australia is experiencing its worst ever flu season
Date of Posting: 15-08-2017
Experts have blamed poor vaccination rates among children for the record breaking flu notifications and flu-related hospitalisations in Queensland and NSW. Australia is experiencing its worst ever flu season with the total number of cases so far e Read More...
Life and limb could be saved with a device invented by Melbourne medical experts
Date of Posting: 15-08-2017
A device invented by a team of Melbourne medical experts could save thousands of limbs and lives. Life and limb could be saved with a device invented by a team of Melbourne medical experts.[subscribe] Three Monash University clinicians develope Read More...
Dietitians says the average Australian doesn't need protein supplements
Date of Posting: 15-08-2017
Dietitians have backed calls for tighter regulations on protein supplements following the death of Australian bodybuilder Meegan Hefford. Hefford, 25, died in June of Urea Cycle Disorder, a rare genetic disorder that affects the body's ability Read More...
Nurses come together to Make Change Happen in health care
Date of Posting: 15-08-2017
Hundreds of nurses, students and health professionals from around the country will come together next week to discuss how to ‘Make Change Happen’ for the benefit of patients and communities and use their voice to lead change in nursing, h Read More...
Health Check: in terms of exercise, is walking enough?
Date of Posting: 15-08-2017
Megan Teychenne, Deakin University and Clint Miller, Deakin University We all know we need to exercise to stay fit and strong, stave off disease and maintain a healthy weight. Walking is the most popular physical activity undertaken by Australi Read More...
National health target required to reduce respiratory illness
Date of Posting: 15-08-2017
The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ believe the latest findings from the University of Otago study into childhood respiratory illness and primary care reiterate the need for action from the government to introduce a national respiratory health t Read More...
Almonds improve the function of 'good' cholesterol in the bloodstream
Date of Posting: 14-08-2017
There is more evidence eating almonds is good for health, with US researchers finding they improve the function of 'good' cholesterol in the bloodstream. Eating almonds helps the function of 'good cholesterol' in the body to improv Read More...
Queenslanders are being urged to protect themselves against the flu
Date of Posting: 11-08-2017
More than 3500 Queenslanders have been diagnosed with the flu in the past week, the second highest number of reported notifications in the state's history. Queenslanders are being urged to protect themselves against the flu after more than 350 Read More...
A taste of the Territory inspires VIC dental therapist to take the plunge into NT
Date of Posting: 10-08-2017
Victorian dental therapist Natalie Bright is enjoying a 12-month contract with the Northern Territory Department of Health (NT DoH) after completing two, three-week placements with the Australian Government-funded Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC). Read More...
Kids with weight issues at high risk of emotional and behavioural problems: study
Date of Posting: 10-08-2017
A new, in-depth study of New Zealand children and teenagers seeking help with weight issues has found their emotional health and wellbeing is, on average, markedly worse than that of children without weight issues. Researchers found a concerning l Read More...
Disadvantaged kids may be at higher risk for heart disease later in life
Date of Posting: 10-08-2017
Children from socially and economically disadvantaged families and neighbourhoods appear more likely to have thicker carotid artery walls, which in adults may indicate higher risk for heart attack and stroke in later life, according to new research i Read More...
ANU study reveals costs of maternal health
Date of Posting: 10-08-2017
New research from The Australian National University (ANU) has for the first time identified and quantified the factors pushing up maternal health costs in the New South Wales public hospital system, paving the way for better health policy. In the Read More...
Australia-first toolkit helps students prescribe medicines safely and effectively
Date of Posting: 10-08-2017
Prescribing medicines is a common healthcare intervention requiring specific knowledge and skills. Teaching students to safely prescribe medicines is difficult, yet critical. Now, for the first time, a Toolkit is available to help universities teach Read More...
Miscarriages and birth defects can be prevented by taking Vitamin B3
Date of Posting: 10-08-2017
Australian scientists at the Victor Chang Institute have discovered miscarriages and birth defects can be prevented by simply taking a Vitamin B3 supplement. A landmark Australian study has discovered Vitamin B3 can cure critical molecular deficie Read More...
A lack of sleep contributes to multiple deaths on the roads
Date of Posting: 09-08-2017
A lack of sleep contributes to multiple deaths each year on the roads and on industrial sites, a Sleep Foundation report says. Driving while tired is contributing to the deaths of hundreds of Australians every year and should be made illegal, the Read More...
The Australian health system is failing people struggling with obesity
Last Updated: 08-08-2017
A leading expert in obesity management is calling for fairer access to 'highly effective' bariatric surgery in Australia. The Australian health system is failing people struggling with obesity, a conference of physicians will hear this wee Read More...
There's been a three-fold increase in hospital admissions for weight loss surgery
Last Updated: 08-08-2017
The number of hospital admissions for weight loss surgery has more than tripled in the past decade as more Australians become morbidly obese. New data released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) shows there were 22,7000 admis Read More...
Three charts on: Australia's growing rates of weight loss surgery
Last Updated: 08-08-2017
John Dixon, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute Hospital admissions for weight loss surgery more than doubled in the last decade, new data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) show. That may sound like rates a Read More...
Australian-first trial will give leukaemia and lymphoma sufferers hope
Date of Posting: 08-08-2017
A new medical trial at Westmead hospital will use gene-altering therapy to treat leukaemia and lymphoma patients no longer responding to chemotherapy. An Australian-first trial will give leukaemia and lymphoma sufferers access to a costly, potenti Read More...
Experts warn cancer survivors of using opioid
Date of Posting: 08-08-2017
Doctors should carefully consider the reasons for continuing opioid use among cancer survivors, say Canadian researchers. Cancer survivors should be cautious about inappropriate or unnecessary use of opioids well after their diagnosis, warn expert Read More...
Animal robots show significant benefits for dementia sufferers: Griffith study
Last Updated: 07-08-2017
Using animal robots in the care of people with dementia has a modest but significant benefit, a new Griffith University study has revealed. Published this week in The Journal of American Medical Directors Association (JAMDA), the study follows on Read More...
Yoga has been shown to lessen the symptoms of depression
Date of Posting: 07-08-2017
People who suffer from depression may want to take up yoga as a complement to traditional therapies, with studies showing it lessens symptoms of the disorder. Yoga has been shown to lessen the symptoms of depression, psychologists meeting in the U Read More...
Australia scores poor report card on mental health
Date of Posting: 07-08-2017
Conventional approaches to managing mental health are expensive, time-consuming and inaccurate, according to the nation’s largest, proactive mental health check report card set for release today. ‘Australia’s Biggest Mental Healt Read More...
New genetic analysis approach could improve diagnosis for mitochondrial disease
Date of Posting: 07-08-2017
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) scientists have shown a new approach to genetic analysis could greatly improve diagnostic rates for children with baffling and often fatal mitochondrial diseases. Mitochondrial diseases are devast Read More...
Elevating private practice physiotherapists through Facebook
Last Updated: 07-08-2017
A Queensland physiotherapist is helping hundreds of physiotherapists connect, build their leadership skills, and boost their professional development through two private Facebook groups. Scarborough Physio and Health director Nick Schuster, a phys Read More...
Doctor says, Yunupingu's death preventable
Date of Posting: 07-08-2017
The loss of Australia's most prominent indigenous musician Dr G Yunupingu to kidney disease has shone a light on the "largely preventable" renal health nightmare afflicting remote communities, his doctor says. The 46-year-old blind Y Read More...
An existing diabetes drug offers hope for Parkinson's
Date of Posting: 04-08-2017
Scientists in the UK have shown that an existing diabetes drug has the potential to slow the progression of Parkinson's disease. An international "landmark" study has shown it may be possible to safely slow the progression of Parkins Read More...
RACP: Drug testing dole recipients harmful
Date of Posting: 04-08-2017
Physicians are concerned proposed plans to drug test welfare recipients will have considerable consequences for those battling addiction. Plans to drug test Australians on welfare won't work and could seriously harm those battling addiction, s Read More...
Spread of antimicrobial resistance is a growing problem for Australian hospitals
Date of Posting: 03-08-2017
A national report on the spread of antimicrobial resistance has highlighted specific types of bacteria as major emerging problems for Australian hospitals. A bacteria that commonly causes infection among vulnerable surgical and cancer patients is Read More...
A drug compound hope for breast cancer
Last Updated: 03-08-2017
Australian scientists hope the drug compound S63845 will supercharge the treatment of some of the most aggressive types of breast cancer. A new class of drugs that target the "Achilles heel" of cancer cells has the potential to superchar Read More...
Hendra virus has been detected in an unvaccinated horse in the north of NSW
Date of Posting: 03-08-2017
The presence of the often-fatal Hendra virus has been confirmed in an unvaccinated horse in the north of NSW. The Department of Primary Industries has urged horse owners to remain vigilant after the virus was detected in an animal at Murwillumbah. Read More...
New study finds fat 'switch' may hold key to weight loss
Date of Posting: 02-08-2017
A switch in the brain that regulates when fat is burned or stored is always on in obese people, new research shows. Obese people aren't able to regulate the way body fat is stored or burned because a "switch" in their brain stays on Read More...
NSW residents can now register for organ donation online in just a few minutes
Date of Posting: 01-08-2017
An updated online tool now allows NSW residents to register for organ donation in just a few minutes. The updated Australian Organ Donor Register unveiled in July is both quicker and easier to fill out and can be accessed via mobile phone, tablet, Read More...
Breaking down barriers to health for refugees
Date of Posting: 31-07-2017
Newly arrived refugees will get a better understanding of Australia’s health system and the services they can access thanks to a new program starting soon in Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs. Commissioned by North Western Melbo Read More...
MERS advice for health workers
Date of Posting: 31-07-2017
Australian health professionals are being warned of the continued risk of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) infection for workers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, especially during times of mass gatherings like the Hajj. MERS is a viral respi Read More...
Australia has one of the highest rates of babies being treated with antibiotics
Last Updated: 31-07-2017
Half of all Australian infants have been treated with at least one course of antibiotics in the first year of life, suggests research. Australia has one of the highest rates of babies being treated with antibiotics, research shows.[subscribe] A Read More...
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...
