News Articles
Birth methods 'affect disease risk'
Date of Posting: 02-10-2014
A documentary examines the link between diseases linked to the immune system, such as Type 1 diabetes and asthma, and modern birth methods. A major documentary film being shown around the world examines how modern birth practices could be making o Read More...
Weight factor behind diabetes in pregnancy
Date of Posting: 01-10-2014
Researchers say the strongest individual risk factor in women who develop gestational diabetes is being overweight or obese before pregnancy. Nearly half of all cases of diabetes during pregnancy can be prevented if young women eat well, exercise Read More...
Smoking during pregnancy affects fertility
Date of Posting: 01-10-2014
Researchers say women who smoke during pregnancy may be jeopardising the future fertility of their sons. LONDON, PAA - Mothers who smoke during pregnancy could damage the future fertility of their sons, new research has found.[subscribe] Expert Read More...
Ambulance Victoria CEO resigns
Date of Posting: 30-09-2014
Ambulance Victoria's chief executive Greg Sassella is resigning from his job of 12 years to spend more time with his family. Ambulance Victoria chief executive Greg Sassella has resigned.[subscribe] Mr Sassella, who oversaw the merger of th Read More...
Smaller pay rise for Queensland nurses and midwives
Date of Posting: 30-09-2014
More than 33,000 Queensland public sector nurses and midwives will receive a 2.2 per cent pay rise from April next year, less than the three previous years’ pay rises at 3 per cent. The April 1 pay rise comes alongside a $500 productivity bo Read More...
Antibiotics at early age ups obesity risk
Date of Posting: 30-09-2014
The risk of obesity in children rises if they are given antibiotics before the age of two, a US study says. Kids treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics before age two face a higher risk of childhood obesity, a US study says.[subscribe] The res Read More...
Girls lack iron due to energy drinks
Date of Posting: 30-09-2014
A British food industry body says teenage girls are showing increasing iron deficiency because of high-caffeine energy drinks. Rising levels of iron deficiency among teenage girls may be linked to an increase in the amount of high-caffeine energy Read More...
Mosquito-borne illness hits The Americas
Date of Posting: 29-09-2014
Chikunganya, a disease which emerged in Africa is sweeping through South America, causing devastating illness, although only few fatalities. SANTO DOMINGO, AP - An excruciating mosquito-borne illness that arrived less than a year ago in the Americ Read More...
Cervical cancer check 'delays' revealed
Date of Posting: 29-09-2014
Young woman are delaying seeing doctors when they have symptoms of cervical cancer, according a UK study. Young women with cervical cancer "frequently" delay seeking help from their doctors, experts have said.[subscribe] When women no Read More...
Severe malaria risk in the genes: study
Date of Posting: 29-09-2014
A large international study has identified five genes that play a role in whether people develop severe malaria or not. Five genes that play a role in either protecting or making people more susceptible to severe malaria could be used to identify Read More...
Green light for critical blood drug
Date of Posting: 29-09-2014
A drug to battle a rare killer blood disease will be immediately available through the PBS after nearly two years of negotiation gridlock. Australians battling a killer blood disease will be granted immediate access to life-saving and prolonging t Read More...
Breast cancer drug extends life: study
Last Updated: 29-09-2014
A study has shown that a new drug has extended the lives of some patients with advanced breast cancer by almost 16 months. A drug developed by Swiss giant Roche to treat an aggressive form of breast cancer has been shown to extend patients' li Read More...
Paracetamol increases ADHD risk
Last Updated: 26-09-2014
News that taking paracetamol during pregnancy increases the risk of children having ADHD is "alarming", says an Auckland University researcher. UPDATE: click here to read the research paper referenced in this article.[subscribe] Read More...
Calcium levels in blood warning of cancer
Date of Posting: 26-09-2014
Higher levels of calcium in the blood can be a warning sign of cancer, potentially opening the door to a simple blood test to aid early detection. Calcium in the blood could provide an early warning of certain cancers, especially in men, research Read More...
Dye offers hope in removing tumours
Date of Posting: 25-09-2014
Two surgeons have come up with dyes that make tumours glow, making it easier to identify their margins and ensure no traces are left behind during surgery. A third of patients who undergo surgery to remove cancerous tumours end up with microscopic Read More...
Implanted sensor tracks heart patient
Date of Posting: 25-09-2014
A sensor implanted in patients with serious heart conditions does away with clinic visits, with the doctor able to monitor them even when they are at home. It used to be that Susan Beck had to go see her doctor to get a check on her heart failure Read More...
Boost for easy breath test to diagnose TB
Date of Posting: 25-09-2014
The quest for a breath test to diagnose tuberculosis has been boosted by a new technique that could determine what strain of the infection the patient has. A simple breath test may one day show whether someone has a strain of tuberculosis that wil Read More...
Asthma in the elderly: a study of the role of vitamin D
Date of Posting: 25-09-2014
Background: Asthma in the elderly is poorly understood and vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are very common in older individuals. We studied the role of vitamin D in elderly asthmatics. Methods: Asthmatics subjects, age 65 and olde Read More...
Dietitian awarded for childhood obesity research
Last Updated: 24-09-2014
A New South Wales dietitian has been recognised for her research into child obesity, dietary assessment and food addiction. Dr Tracy Burrows, an Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian and University of Newcastle (UoN) researcher, recently receiv Read More...
Livestrong cancer charity head quits
Date of Posting: 24-09-2014
The CEO of Livestrong, the cancer charity started by disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong, is leaving after 14 years. AUSTIN, AP - The chief executive of the cancer charity Livestrong is leaving after 14 years, a period in which the small local chari Read More...
Warning on promotion of sports drinks
Date of Posting: 24-09-2014
Two Australian experts have raised concerns that the promotion of supplements and sports drinks gives them an "unwarranted credibility". Sporting bodies' promotional ties with nutritional supplement and sports drinks manufacturers co Read More...
Lung cancer funding rises but still low
Last Updated: 24-09-2014
Lung cancer receives only five per cent of tumour-specific cancer funding, yet the cancer is the biggest killer. Only five per cent of tumour-specific research funding is spent on investigating lung cancer, yet it kills more Australians than any o Read More...
The Quiet Leader and the Graduate
Last Updated: 24-09-2014
There are many people involved with the transition from university student to health professional, and it is at this time of the year that preceptors, mentors, educators and managers reflect on the achievements and areas for improvement for their gra Read More...
Last Updated: 23-09-2014
The tragic events in Lockhart in early September will remain with many of us for a very long time. A family tragedy shocked families, a local community and indeed our community of Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD). Two years ago whil Read More...
Peanut allergy trigger 'identified': study
Date of Posting: 23-09-2014
Researchers believe dry roasted peanuts, which undergo chemical changes at high temperatures, may be more likely to lead to allergy than raw nuts. Dry roasted peanuts may be more likely to trigger allergic reactions than those that are "raw&q Read More...
Health spending growth slowest in decades
Date of Posting: 23-09-2014
Health spending increased by just 1.5 per cent to $147bln in 2012/13 compared to 5.1 per cent a year over the past decade. Health spending has grown as its slowest rate in almost 30 years, new figures show.[subscribe] Expenditure on health reac Read More...
Health report disproves Abbot govt claims: AMA
Date of Posting: 23-09-2014
The AMA says a new health report makes a mockery of the Abbott government's claims that health expenditure is out of control. A report showing health spending has grown at its slowest rate in almost 30 years makes a mockery of the Abbott gover Read More...
Psychologists concerned at growing income inequality
Last Updated: 20-09-2014
Psychologists are concerned at increasing levels of income inequality contributing to poorer mental health and well-being among disadvantaged Australians. The Australian Psychological Society (APS), the peak professional organisation for psycholog Read More...
Courageous young nurse honoured
Date of Posting: 19-09-2014
Katrina Coleman is triaging more than the nursing needs of some of New Zealand’s most disadvantaged families. From preventing power disconnection to linking isolated families and advocating to move families into better housing, the 27-year-o Read More...
Vic ambulance dispatches slip below target
Date of Posting: 19-09-2014
Dispatch times for Victorian ambulances have slipped below target and are worse than the previous year, a report reveals. Victorian ambulances aren't being dispatched to emergencies as quickly as they should be, a report from the state's t Read More...
Victoria ready if Ebola strikes
Date of Posting: 19-09-2014
Victoria's health department has launched a statewide plan aimed at containing Ebola, though officials say the risk is very low. Authorities say the risk of Ebola reaching Victoria is very low but have still rolled out a statewide plan aimed a Read More...
Syphilis diagnoses hit all-time high
Date of Posting: 18-09-2014
Syphilis and gonorrhoea rates are up and the number of people dying from liver disease related to hepatitis C has more than doubled in a decade. Syphilis has reached its highest level ever recorded in Australia, with the increase almost exclusivel Read More...
Artificial sweeteners may cause diabetes
Date of Posting: 18-09-2014
New research suggests artificial sweeteners could cause glucose intolerance and diabetes. Artificial sweeteners could increase the risk of developing diabetes and glucose intolerance, new research suggests.[subscribe] Researchers say non-calori Read More...
Salt levels in bread, cereals still high
Date of Posting: 18-09-2014
Bread and cereal manufacturers have reduced the salt content of their products but levels still remain high, according to the latest research. The salt content of many bread and breakfast cereals sold in Australian supermarket has been reduced, bu Read More...
Govt called to act on hepatitis death rate
Date of Posting: 17-09-2014
A peak body representing hepatitis sufferers says governments need to act to prevent a "tidal wave" of life-threatening liver disease. Hepatitis-related liver diseases are killing 1000 Australians a year and the burden is increasing, the Read More...
Ebola fight will cost $US1b: UN
Date of Posting: 17-09-2014
The UN has warned that 20,000 people could be infected with Ebola by the end of 2014, and that the world is facing a huge funding challenge. Nearly $US1.0 billion ($A1.1 billion) is needed to fight the Ebola outbreak raging in west Africa, the Uni Read More...
Child mortality drops in 2013: UN
Date of Posting: 17-09-2014
Last year, more than six million children died before reaching the age of five, around 200,000 fewer than the year before, the UN says. The child mortality rate around the world has dropped by nearly half since 1990, the United Nations says in its Read More...
Former nurse applauds clinical trials of medical cannabis
Date of Posting: 16-09-2014
It’s the announcement retired nurse Lucy Haslam and her family has been waiting to hear. The New South Wales' government has announced plans to establish a clinical trial of medical cannabis for patients suffering from a range of debilit Read More...
Dairy food 'lowers diabetes risk'
Date of Posting: 16-09-2014
Eight or more portions of high-fat dairy produce each day can reduce the risk of developing diabetes, claims study. People who take eight or more portions of high-fat dairy produce each day are at a lower risk of developing diabetes than those who Read More...
NY bid to halt Alzheimer's drug
Date of Posting: 16-09-2014
Schemes to block drug competition, without considering the consequences to patients, are a growing trend in the health care industry, US AG says. New York's attorney-general has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to stop a manufacturer from disco Read More...
