News Articles
Genes explain why we are sick in winter
Date of Posting: 14-05-2015
Our genes are less active in winter, researchers say, so our immune system could be one of the many mechanisms that are subtly affected by "seasonality". Nearly a quarter of our genes change how active they are according to the season Read More...
Prison time for defying health orders
Date of Posting: 14-05-2015
New biosecurity measures mean Australians suspected of having contagious diseases could be arrested for failing to comply with stay-at-home orders. Anyone suspected of having a serious contagious disease such as Ebola could face five years in pris Read More...
Synthetic skin to help wounds heal faster
Date of Posting: 14-05-2015
Australian scientists are developing a synthetic skin which potentially would instruct the body how to repair itself. Burns and wounds could heal much faster and more effectively with the use of a synthetic skin created by Australian scientists.[s Read More...
Schizophrenia a mystery to many
Date of Posting: 14-05-2015
Many Australians have no or limited understanding of what schizophrenia is, according to a new survey. Patricia Sutton says when some people find out her two sons have schizophrenia, their first question relates to violence.[subscribe] "Bu Read More...
Aust team targets single flu shot for life
Date of Posting: 14-05-2015
Australian researchers say they've discovered cells that memorise flu strains, which could lead to a single vaccine against all forms of the virus. Australian researchers have been part of a discovery that could lead to a single-shot flu vacci Read More...
Budget 2015: Nursing and allied health groups react
Last Updated: 13-05-2015
The 2015-2016 Federal Budget was a give and take health budget prompting a mixed reaction from some of the sector’s key stakeholders. The Abbott Government’s second federal budget rips almost $2 billion from health over the next five y Read More...
Qld Ross River virus outbreak in decline
Date of Posting: 13-05-2015
Queensland has had its highest number of Ross River virus cases in 20 years but the outbreak is now in decline. The worst Ross River virus outbreak in Queensland in 20 years is in decline, the state's health authority says.[subscribe] There Read More...
Oestrogen linked to male cancer risk
Date of Posting: 12-05-2015
A new study says men with high levels of the female hormone oestrogen in their blood are at risk of developing male breast cancer. Men with naturally high levels of the female hormone oestrogen are at greater risk of male breast cancer, a study ha Read More...
$15m boost for tropical health research
Date of Posting: 12-05-2015
The federal government has announced more than $15 million for extra research for tropical health and to support the development of northern Australia. More than $15 million is being injected into tropical health research as part of the federal go Read More...
Drug-resistant typhoid epidemic in Africa
Last Updated: 12-05-2015
Drug-resistant typhoid has become epidemic in Africa, according to a new study which examined bacteria from 63 countries. Drug-resistant typhoid has become an invisible epidemic in Africa, scientists have said after an unprecedented probe into the Read More...
New cervical cancer test funded in budget
Date of Posting: 11-05-2015
This year's federal budget will include funding for a new cervical cancer test, a national cancer screening register and more money for dental health. Funding for a new cervical cancer test will form part of this year's federal budget.[sub Read More...
Vegetarians healthy but unhappy: study
Last Updated: 10-05-2015
Australian vegetarians are physically healthier than meat-eaters but have more mental problems, the Alere Wellness Index suggests. Australian vegetarians might be healthier than meat-eaters but they are unhappier and more prone to mental health di Read More...
Vitamin D helps weight loss, says study
Date of Posting: 08-05-2015
Italian scientists have conducted research which shows taking vitamin D can help obese and overweight people lose weight. Taking vitamin D supplements has been found to aid weight loss in obese and overweight people, Italian researchers have found Read More...
Canberra should 'butt out' of NT hospital
Date of Posting: 07-05-2015
The NT Treasurer says that unless the Commonwealth is prepared to help fund the operational costs of a new hospital, it should "butt out". If the federal government is not going to kick in more funds for the operation of the Palmerston H Read More...
More veterans seeking mental help
Last Updated: 06-05-2015
The number of veterans seeking help for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health problems has increased sharply over the last year. Military charity Combat Stress reported a 26 per cent rise in levels of former services person Read More...
Vic patients can ask for same gender doc
Date of Posting: 06-05-2015
A major Victorian hospital has changed its policy to allow patients to request to see a doctor of the same gender for cultural or religious reasons. A Melbourne hospital has changed its policy so patients can request a doctor of the same gender fo Read More...
Rally a humorous antidote to cancer
Date of Posting: 06-05-2015
A mad band of fundraisers, variously dressed as drag queens, Star Wars characters and beer wenches, is about to tackle the outback for cancer research. When cancer crusader James Freeman raises a toast to his beloved mum on Mother's Day he' Read More...
Many asthma deaths preventable: UK report
Date of Posting: 05-05-2015
Australia should learn from "shocking" findings on asthma deaths in the UK, a conference in Brisbane has been told. Complacency about asthma could be leading to preventable deaths in Australia, a conference has been told.[subscribe] B Read More...
WA mum calls for medicinal cannabis trial
Date of Posting: 04-05-2015
A Perth mother whose nine-year-old daughter suffers from chronic pain is calling on the WA government to take part in medicinal cannabis trials. For chronic pain sufferers like nine-year-old Lily Poulter, life is about numbers.[subscribe] For L Read More...
Cataract blitzes not long-term solution
Date of Posting: 04-05-2015
Surgical blitzes to treat eye disease don't fix long-term problems in Indigenous eye care, say experts. Surgical blitzes to treat cataracts might make investors feel good but indigenous Australians urgently need ongoing eye services, say ophth Read More...
Qld leads nation for expanding waistline
Date of Posting: 04-05-2015
Queensland is home to half the nation's fattest, laziest regions - and unless that changes, the state can expect a heart disease epidemic. Forget beer - Queenslanders could soon be more famous for the four Xs on their clothing tags than their Read More...
Medicare review must deal with 'elephant in the room' incentives
Last Updated: 01-05-2015
Jane Hall, University of Technology, Sydney; Kees Van Gool, University of Technology, Sydney; Michael Woods, University of Technology, Sydney; Rosalie Viney, University of Technology, Sydney, and Stephen Goodall, University of Technology, Sydney F Read More...
Australians eating less core grain foods
Last Updated: 01-05-2015
Nutritionists are lamenting the decrease in Australians' consumption of beneficial whole grains as a result of new dieting trends. Australians are increasingly giving up whole grains as part of new dieting fads, despite their health and weight Read More...
Last Updated: 01-05-2015
Pain specialists are calling for an end to over-the-counter sales of medicines containing codeine. Panadeine, Nurofen Plus and other medicines containing codeine should be banned from over-the-counter sales, say top pain medicine experts.[subscrib Read More...
Concern over salt levels in cheese
Last Updated: 01-05-2015
Cheese is unnecessarily loaded with salt, campaigners have said after new research found the majority of cheese sold in Britain has a high salt content. Researchers found halloumi and imported blue cheese have the highest amount of salt, while cot Read More...
Alzheimer's drug reverses damage
Last Updated: 30-04-2015
Researching a new drug compound on mice, Yale School of Medicine researchers were able to reverse the effects of Alzheimer's on learning and memory, the school says. Yale School of Medicine psychiatry professor Paul Lombroso and others studied Read More...
Breastfeeding cuts cancer risk
Date of Posting: 30-04-2015
Breastfeeding has a protective effect, especially with particular types of tumour, including the most common hormone-sensitive strain, researchers say. Women with breast cancer who breastfed their babies are significantly less at risk of the disea Read More...
Costs vary across Aust hospitals: report
Date of Posting: 30-04-2015
Some public hospitals charge twice as much as others for similar procedures to similar patients, a new report by the health monitoring agency says. Surgical procedures could cost twice as much depending on the public hospital you attend.[subscribe Read More...
3D printing cures childhood airway disease
Date of Posting: 30-04-2015
Three babies who were on the brink of death from an incurable windpipe disorder have been saved by airway splints created on a 3D printer. In a new medical breakthrough for 3D printing, US doctors have saved the lives of three children with a fata Read More...
Most want DNA testing for disease
Date of Posting: 30-04-2015
Most people polled in 75 countries say they would like to be told if their DNA indicated they could develop a serious preventable or treatable disease. Many people around the world would like to be told if their genetic data indicates serious prev Read More...
WHO draws up plan to eradicate Ebolac
Date of Posting: 29-04-2015
The World Health Organisation has unveiled a plan to eradicate the deadly Ebola virus, aiming to identify and isolate the dwindling number of new cases by the end of May. In its new plan, the UN health agency stressed the importance of maintaining Read More...
SA urged to join cannabis trials
Date of Posting: 29-04-2015
The opposition says SA needs to participate with the other states on a focused regime covering the use of medicinal marijuana. The South Australian opposition has called on the state to join the national research effort on medicinal cannabis.[subs Read More...
Campaign targets health risks and costs
Date of Posting: 29-04-2015
The Choosing Wisely campaign is set for launch, with a list of healthcare issues clinicians and consumers should be questioning. Doctors are being urged to question the necessity of a string of tests and procedures in a bid to protect patients and Read More...
Subsidised nannies for nurses, midwives and paramedics
Date of Posting: 28-04-2015
Shift-working nurses, midwives and paramedics can apply to access subsidised nannies for childcare at home, under a new Federal Government trial. The $246 million two-year project, set to be funded in the upcoming Federal Budget, will extend subsi Read More...
Swollen neck glands 'cancer fear'
Date of Posting: 28-04-2015
New research shows persistently swollen neck glands could be an indication of cancer, and GPs should refer patients with such symptoms to a specialist. Patients who have persistently swollen neck glands should be referred for specialist investigat Read More...
Workforce hit hard by diabetic eye disease
Date of Posting: 28-04-2015
Diabetics are being urged to have regular eye checks, as a new report shows the huge cost to Australia of diabetic eye disease. Experts are calling for urgent action on diabetic eye disease, as a new report estimates it will cost Australia $2.07 b Read More...
Parental link to childhood diabetes
Date of Posting: 28-04-2015
Children born to parents with diabetes have a far higher risk of developing type 1 diabetes, research shows. Children born to fathers with diabetes are around five times more at risk of developing type 1 diabetes as those without it.[subscribe] Read More...
Hundreds of nurses and midwives keen to combat Ebola
Last Updated: 24-04-2015
Hundreds of Australian nurses and midwives want to join the fight against the deadly Ebola virus sweeping West Africa. An Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) survey has revealed more than 350 nurses and midwives, out of 1375 respond Read More...
Clinical trial for Ebola drug starts
Last Updated: 24-04-2015
A clinical drug trial is under way in Liberia to determine if a medication could help those suffering from Ebola. A clinical drug trial is now under way at a major health centre in Liberia's capital to determine if a medication already used to Read More...
New Zealand nurse cleared of Ebola
Last Updated: 24-04-2015
A New Zealand nurse who recently returned from Sierra Leone has been officially cleared of the Ebola virus. The nurse, who is in a stable condition in Christchurch Hospital, has tested negative for the deadly disease twice, and her partner has als Read More...
