June 13, 2018
A new study out today has found residents with dementia in aged-care facilities that provide a home-like model of care have a better quality of life and fewer hospitalisations than those living in more standard facilities. We also found the benefits of a home-like model were provided without an increase …
June 06, 2018
Based on an interview with Melbourne urologist, Dr Caroline Dowling conducted in March, 2018
Australia was the first country to ban vaginal mesh products used surgically via transvaginal implantation for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse.
Australia was also a leader in evaluating the complications of these implant, through large scale research.1
On …
Surviving childhood cancer is a major win in anyone’s language.
However, it is well-known, that even as adults these survivors are at an increased risk of dying before the age of their cancer-history-free peers.
Now, it would appear, these people can do something about managing that Damocles sword.
According to a recent study …
May 30, 2018
Almost three quarters of men with low grade prostate cancer may not be being adequately monitored, a recent Victorian study suggests.
According to data from the Prostate Cancer Outcomes Registry – Victoria, only 26.5% of over 1600 men who had low risk prostate cancer had follow-up investigations consistent with standard active …
Melanoma is rare in childhood, representing no more than 2% of all skin melanomas.
Diagnosis is often delayed because melanoma is unsuspected, partly due to differences in presentation and its rarity. The diagnosis is made with trepidation by pathologists, since the vast majority of childhood skin lesions are benign.
Establishing the true …
May 23, 2018
ON THE PILL: In this seven-part series we explore the history, myths, side-effects and alternatives of the pill, and why it’s the most popular form of contraception in Australia.
The female contraceptive pill has helped millions of women take control of their fertility and reproductive health since it became available in …
In what will be seen as a blow to cryptic crossword compilers the world over, it appears wealth is a better determinant of whether you keep your marbles than education.
In a UK prospective study of over 6000 adults aged over 65 years, researchers found those people in the lowest quintile …
May 16, 2018
Markers of bone turnover, measured in blood or urine, correlate with changes in the metabolic activity of bone.
The rate of bone remodelling is important. With ageing, the quantum of bone removed/ resorbed and the amount replaced/ formed becomes increasingly imbalanced. Consequently, the more bone remodelling units that are active at …
Resistance exercise training significantly reduces depressive symptoms, a new meta-analysis has found.
According to international researchers who looked at over 30 randomised clinical trials on the subject, resistance exercise training including activities such as weight lifting reduced depressive symptoms by an average of a third. In fact, the meta-analysis findings suggested …
May 09, 2018
In the last few months of 2017, over 200 Australian infants were hospitalised due to infection with the little known human parechovirus, say Australian public health experts in the latest issue of the MJA.
The infected infants were admitted with conditions such as severe sepsis and meningoencephalitis. Less common presentations included …
The winners of this year’s health budget are aged care, rural health and medical research.
The government has announced A$1.6 billion over four years to allow 14,000 more older Australians to remain in their home for longer through more high-level home care places. For those in aged care, an additional A$82.5 …
May 02, 2018
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 and 2 are closely related to each other and more distantly related to Varicella Zoster virus (VZV), which causes Varicella (chicken pox) and Herpes Zoster (shingles). Traditionally HSV1 causes most oral herpes and HSV2 causes most genital herpes. But this is no longer so and …