ScienceAlert - Medical & Health Science

Old drug helps avoid diabetic illness

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:00:00 +0100

A study has found a drug that can help diabetics avoid kidney damage, eye problems, and amputation – and the drug has already been available for thirty years.

Teens' perceptions affect health

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:00:00 +0100

Teenagers who think physical activity is difficult or boring are more likely to lead sedentary lifestyles, which can endanger their health, a researcher has found.

Heavy snoring raises stroke risk

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 10:01:58 +0100

Research has found that heavy snorers have an increased risk of developing cholesterol plaque in their neck arteries, which can lead to a stroke.

Sleep trouble linked to bipolar relapse

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 10:26:18 +0100

Research with monitoring cuffs has suggested that people with bipolar have sleep disturbance in the days, or even weeks, leading up to a bipolar relapse.

Science could aid dog breeding

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:41:44 +0100

Research suggests that genetics could be used to predict and breed for certain dog behaviour – such as being able to cope with high density living.

Absent fathers hasten menstruation

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:05:16 +0100

Girls who have an absent father early in life are likely to have their first period earlier, which previous studies have linked with health problems.

Schizophrenia interrupts growth

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:00:00 +0100

A brain receptor that ensures normal adolescent growth is dysfunctional in sufferers of schizophrenia, new research has revealed.

Exercise stops memory loss

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:00:00 +0100

Australian researchers have found that doing just 20 minutes of exercise a day can prevent memory deterioration in people over 50.

A kiss(peptin) controls fertility

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:00:00 +0100

In a world first researchers have found out that the brain controls a woman's fertility with the help of an appropriately named molecule, kisspeptin.

Hazardous homes cause injuries

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:00:00 +0100

Many houses are filled with accidents waiting to happen, according to New Zealand research that found 40 per cent of homes contain a large number of hazards.

Truckies dangerously depressed

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 10:21:40 +0100

A report has revealed that Australian truck drivers' mental health suffers as a result of their long hours, making them more likely to crash or resort to drugs.

'Crystal ball' cuts hospital waiting times

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 10:00:00 +0100

A new 'crystal ball' like program will help emergency room staff cut down waiting times, by accurately predicting patient numbers and needs in the future.

Don't panic: anxiety drug improved

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:45:38 +0100

Results in animal models have found that a new anti-anxiety drug works for longer than Valium and is safe even at overdose levels.

Farm kids avoid asthma

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 10:00:00 +0100

Researchers have found that farmers’ children are less likely to have allergic problems than other kids, especially if they still live on a farm.

Special milk may help prevent cancer

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 10:00:00 +0100

According to ongoing research, the best way to take selenium – a cancer-prevention supplement – might just be to feed it to a cow and drink the milk.

New drug slows down cancer

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:41:34 +0100

Cancer patients have been given new hope thanks to the development of a drug that slows cancer's growth by activating a brake cable gene.

New distraction leaves pain behind

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:25:47 +0100

A toylike device has been designed to distract children while they undergo painful medical procedures, diminishing the pain they experience.

Nanoparticle protects antioxidants

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:05:28 +0100

A nanopaticle has been developed by researchers that protects healing antioxidants during digestion so they can be taken up better by the human body.

Test singles out lung infection

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:00:00 +0100

A Tasmanian scientist has developed a method of accurately diagnosing lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients, which could lead to more targeted treatments.

Opinion: Malaria vaccine warrants more support

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:00:00 +0100

While Australian scientists have contributed to the science behind the development of a malaria vaccine, there is insufficient local support for the clinical development of promising vaccines, believes Robin Anders.

Damage prevents feeling full

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:00:00 +0100

Research has found that appetite control cells in the brain can be damaged over time by eating, interfering with the brain’s ability to signal when the stomach is full.

More Australians surviving cancer

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 10:00:00 +0100

More Australians are surviving cancer today than 20 years ago, although improvements have been greatest for advantaged population groups, a study has found.

Hormone therapy improves quality of life

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:01:30 +0100

Hormone replacement therapy can help post-menopausal women sleep better, improve their sexuality and ease joint pain, the results of a new study have found.

Eye problems hospitalise thousands

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:00:00 +0100

Between 2005 and 2006 the number of hospitalisations for eye problems rose to a quarter of a million in Australia, according to a new report.

Med students need prescription practice

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:00:00 +0100

Junior doctors need to be taught how to tailor drug dosages and frequency to individual patients in order to reduce prescription errors, research has found.

Rainwater tanks can kill children

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:00:00 +0100

An increase in household rainwater tanks due to the severe drought and accompanying water restrictions across Australia could be a risk for children.

Cattle disease model underway

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:00:00 +0100

Researchers are developing a Foot and Mouth Disease model, which will be able to predict the effects of interventions such as different control efforts and vaccinations.

South Australians fear cancer myths

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:00:00 +0100

Research has found that most South Australians falsely believe pollution and stress are major causes of cancer, ignoring main concerns such as UV exposure.

Ethanol blend petrol not much healthier

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:00:00 +0100

A new study has found that ethanol blend fuelled cars could produce less emissions and cut health costs related to pollution, but only marginally.

Feature: Small-scale technology with large-scale benefits

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:00:00 +0100

The two-photon fluorescence microscope can create high-resolution, 3-D images of tissue deep in the body, and thus can diagnose very early-stage cancer. However, it requires a huge, non-portable machine – or does it? Dr Whitney Macdonald reports.