News Articles
'No evidence' of placenta health benefits
Last Updated: 12-08-2015
There is no evidence that there are any health benefits related to eating the placenta post birth, a review says. Eating one's own placenta after giving birth may be trendy but there is no scientific evidence that women derive any benefits fro Read More...
Midwives support calls for breastfeeding friendly workplaces
Last Updated: 12-08-2015
The Australian College of Midwives (ACM) is one of about 120 organisations and companies across Australia accredited as a ‘breastfeeding friendly workplace’. “With midwifery being a female-dominated profession, having a breastfee Read More...
Protein key to diabetic heart diease
Date of Posting: 12-08-2015
New Zealand scientists discover the reason why heart disease kills so many diabetics with a key protein to blame. Heart disease has long been the biggest killer of diabetics, but a group of New Zealand scientists has solved the mystery as to why.[ Read More...
"Skinny" pill could stop obesity and diabetes
Last Updated: 11-08-2015
Australian scientists have discovered the gene behind obesity and type 2 diabetes in steps toward preventing the disease. Australian scientists have isolated the gene behind obesity and type 2 diabetes, which could lead to a "skinny" pil Read More...
RSV vaccine could be a "major breakthrough"
Date of Posting: 11-08-2015
In a few years biotech company Novavax Inc's jab could become the first vaccine approved in the US against respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. Early research in older adults found an experimental vaccine prevented nearly two-thirds of serious Read More...
Early diagnosis triples cancer survival rates
Date of Posting: 10-08-2015
Early diagnosis of cancer can increase the chance of survival more than three times and also significantly reduce the cost of treatment, experts say. Cancer experts have spoken of the importance of diagnosing the disease as early as possible, with Read More...
Music in the OR causes safety risks
Date of Posting: 07-08-2015
More than 50 per cent of surgical operations are performed against a backdrop of music, but its safety has been questioned in a new study. A surgeon on the job is five times more likely to repeat a request when music is playing in the operating th Read More...
Low income families less likely to vaccinate
Last Updated: 07-08-2015
A university says children from poorer families are less likely to be fully immunised, but not because of parents' anti-vaccination attitudes. Anti-vaccination beliefs aren't the main reason almost 10 per cent of Australian children remain Read More...
FODMAPS diet "largely ineffective" for IBS
Date of Posting: 07-08-2015
A study has found that an Australian IBS diet is largely ineffective, and could cause some to suffer nutritional deficiencies. There is very little evidence a Australian diet for those with irritable bowel syndrome works, a new study has found.[su Read More...
Australian-first transplant shows perseverance pays off
Date of Posting: 06-08-2015
A young boy has received an Australian-first transplant to prevent him developing diabetes, thanks to the urging of his mother. A mother's determination has saved her young son from a lifetime of pain and cut his risk of developing diabetes.[s Read More...
SA Gov launches inquiry into chemo bungle
Last Updated: 06-08-2015
The South Australian government has launched an inquiry into a chemotherapy bungle where some cancer patients were given incorrect doses. The South Australian government has launched an independent inquiry into a chemotherapy bungle that resulted Read More...
Mental health funding wasted, commission says
Last Updated: 06-08-2015
Renowned economist Allan Fels says billions of dollars pumped into mental health is a payment for failure and reforming the sector would boost the economy. The federal government is wasting billions of dollars funding a mental health system that d Read More...
Nano-capsule treatment to beat blood clots
Date of Posting: 05-08-2015
A drug-loaded nanocapsule which seeks out and removes life-threatening blood clots has been created in Australian laboratory Australian researchers have used nanotechnology to create a blood clot-busting treatment for people suffering a heart atta Read More...
Research fund could be hijacked for pet projects
Date of Posting: 05-08-2015
An inquiry into the federal government's $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund has been warned funds could be hijacked by special interest groups. The federal government is being urged to ensure its $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund Read More...
Birth control pill cuts cancer risk
Date of Posting: 05-08-2015
About 200,000 cases of endometrial cancer have been prevented in the past decade by the use of the pill, research shows. The pill dramatically changed women's lives, not least through saving many from early death or disease by providing protec Read More...
Nurses and midwives vow to safeguard penalty rates
Date of Posting: 05-08-2015
Public sector surgical nurse Ellen McRae works most Sundays. In fact, Ms McRae works 10 shifts a fortnight and all fall outside the traditional 9am-5.30pm working day, with starts at either 7am, 1pm or 9pm.[subscribe] “Three weekends ago Read More...
Natural breech birth low risk for babies
Last Updated: 03-08-2015
A new study shows the risks associated with the natural vaginal delivery of breech position babies is very low but doctors still encourage caesareans. The risks of a baby dying or suffering complications during a natural breech birth are "ver Read More...
Menopause therapies deemed 'ineffective'
Date of Posting: 03-08-2015
Alternative menopause therapies are used by 13 per cent of women with hot flushes despite no clinical evidence of benefits, say researchers. The estimated 490,000 Australian women using alternative medicines for menopausal symptoms are wasting the Read More...
Dialysis urged for remote communities
Date of Posting: 03-08-2015
Delivering dialysis services within remote indigenous communities can help reduce chronic kidney disease and keep communities intact, doctors say. For Yalmay Yunupingu, moving to Darwin for five years so her husband, the Yothu Yindi frontman and r Read More...
Vic donors told 'talk to loved ones'
Date of Posting: 03-08-2015
As part of DonateLife Week Victorians are being urged to discuss with their families decisions to donate organs and tissue. More than 200 kidneys, 64 livers, 53 lungs, 31 hearts, 13 pancreases, one heart-lung and five pancreas islets were donated Read More...
Nasal balloon can help treat glue ear
Date of Posting: 30-07-2015
Children with a common middle-ear problem can be helped with a simple nasal balloon avoiding the need for antibiotics, a study shows. A simple, cheap nasal balloon can help heal glue ear, a common childhood middle-ear problem that can affect heari Read More...
New dependent drug guide for GPs
Date of Posting: 30-07-2015
A new guide has been created for Australian GPS prescribing benzodiazepines to improve patient care. GPs prescribing benzodiazepines can now use an Australian-first guide aimed at reducing patient harm and misuse of the sedatives. [subscribe] Read More...
Eating for two causes pregnancy weight problems
Date of Posting: 29-07-2015
Pregnancy causes hormone-driven growth of the intestines that allows more energy to be extracted from the same amount of food, a study shows. Eating for two during pregnancy may lead to a weight problem because of changes to the digestive system, Read More...
Preparing for the war on viruses
Date of Posting: 29-07-2015
A world health and law expert in Brisbane for a conference on biosecurity has warned the first world cannot assume it's safe from future viral outbreaks. The Western world must learn from its disastrous response to the Ebola epidemic and prepa Read More...
Work bans in WA to affect patient services
Date of Posting: 29-07-2015
Patient services in WA public hospitals such as meal delivery and cleaning will be affected by industrial action this week, a union has warned. Work bans to be rolled out at Western Australia's public hospitals this week will affect patient se Read More...
Lilli's death preventable: Qld family
Date of Posting: 29-07-2015
The family of a six-year-old girl who died after surgery say her treatment in a Brisbane hospital was incorrect. The family of a young Queensland girl who died after she underwent surgery to address a hereditary blood disease say they hope the cor Read More...
Diabetics at greater risk of TB: study
Date of Posting: 28-07-2015
Diabetics should all be screened for tuberculosis because they are seven times more likely to develop TB, a Queensland study has found. People with diabetes are up to seven times more likely to catch tuberculosis, Queensland scientists say.[subscr Read More...
Rural Australian's health suffering
Date of Posting: 28-07-2015
The health of Australians in rural and remote areas is generally poorer than that of people in cities, a new report shows. Suicide rates are 66 per cent higher in the country than in Australian cities, while deaths from all causes in remote areas Read More...
Italy doctors held amid baby milk 'bribes'
Last Updated: 27-07-2015
Italian police suspect doctors have been promoting baby milk formula over breastfeeding in exchange for kickbacks. Italian police have placed 12 doctors under house arrest on suspicion of promoting baby milk formula over breastfeeding in exchange Read More...
Dementia kills more Aussies than strokes
Last Updated: 27-07-2015
Dementia is now Australia's second biggest killer, overtaking stroke and other cerebrovascular diseases. The Australian Bureau of Statistics says Alzheimer's disease and other dementia accounted for about 11,000 deaths in 2013, an increase Read More...
Nurse to patient ratios vital in aged care
Last Updated: 24-07-2015
Nurse to patient ratios in Australia’s aged care facilities will improve residents’ care and bolster the sector as a more attractive career path for nurses, according to the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF). The ANMF Read More...
OVA systems fail nurses, midwives and paramedics
Last Updated: 24-07-2015
The systems and processes designed to protect health care workers are not as robust and comprehensive as those in place for patients, according to the Victorian Auditor-General’s report. Auditor-General John Doyle, in his Occupational Violen Read More...
More graduate nurses employed in New Zealand
Last Updated: 24-07-2015
An extra 163 graduate nurses have been employed in New Zealand compared to the same time last year. Ministry of Health figures show a total of 868 graduates, or 59 per cent, have been employed while another 571 graduates are still looking for work Read More...
Hunt for HIV cure boosted by new research
Date of Posting: 24-07-2015
Scientists at an international conference have called for continued funding for research to find a cure for AIDS as the disease continues to kill millions. A cure for HIV remains elusive, but scientists say the hunt is more hopeful than ever, base Read More...
New chemo guidelines needed for terminal patients
Date of Posting: 24-07-2015
A US medical study has suggested guidelines for chemotherapy use in patients with terminal cancer should be revised. Giving chemotherapy to people with terminal cancer who are near the end of their lives is likely to cause more harm than good, acc Read More...
Women with Alzheimer's face swifter decline
Date of Posting: 23-07-2015
US research has revealed a gender-gap in patients with Alzheimer's with women facing a swifter mental decline than men. Women with Alzheimer's may face a swifter mental decline than men with the same condition, but researchers are not sure Read More...
Surround sound blood pressure treatment
Date of Posting: 23-07-2015
A new high blood pressure treatment called renal denervation, which uses surround sound technology, is being trialled in Britain. High blood pressure is to be treated with a new surround sound system which sends ultrasound waves to the kidneys.[su Read More...
Vic salmonella outbreak hits 44 people
Date of Posting: 22-07-2015
It could take weeks to trace the source of a major salmonella outbreak at a Melbourne luxury hotel, the health department says. Opulent high tea at a luxury Melbourne hotel has left 44 people with salmonella poisoning.[subscribe] Health authori Read More...
New ECT has fewer side effects: study
Date of Posting: 22-07-2015
Severely depressed people can have fewer side effects with an ultra-brief electroconvulsive therapy, research shows. A newer treatment for severe depression is almost as effective as standard electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) but with far fewer side Read More...
Diabetes drug may prevent Parkinson's
Date of Posting: 22-07-2015
New research suggest patients who take a class of drugs for type 2 diabetes are 28 per cent less likely to develop Parkinson's disease. A class of drugs used to treat Type 2 diabetes may offer protection against Parkinson's disease, resear Read More...
