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BioDiem announces new vaccine research collaboration with French-based VIVALIS

Australian vaccine development company BioDiem Ltd (ASX: BDM) today announced that it has begun a research collaboration with France-based VIVALIS (Euronext code: VLS), a biopharmaceutical company with expertise in vaccine production technologies.

9 May 2012

Overweight girls with body satisfaction less likely to gain unhealthy weight

In a study that examined the relationship between body dissatisfaction, body mass index (BMI) and binge eating in overweight and obese adolescent girls, Kendrin R. Sonneville, ScD, RD, researcher at Boston Children's Hospital, discovered that the less satisfied a girl is with her body, the more unhealthy weight she is likely to gain and the more likely she is to develop a pattern of binge eating.

9 May 2012

Obese women more likely to have children with lower cognitive function

Women who are obese before they become pregnant are at higher risk of having children with lower cognitive function - as measured by math and reading tests taken between ages 5 to 7 years - than are mothers with a healthy prepregnancy weight, new research suggests.

9 May 2012

New measurement tool for clinical trials to help children with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

An international study led by the University of Sydney and published in the Annals of Neurology has the potential to improve the design of clinical trials for the treatment of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a disorder which affects the peripheral nervous system.

8 May 2012

Call for cookery lessons in schools to reduce childhood obesity

Health professionals, charity leaders and celebrities, including Steven Gerrard and Jamie Oliver, are calling for cookery lessons to be introduced to schools for all children aged between 4 and 14 years old.

8 May 2012

More teenagers and young adults diagnosed with skin cancer

With summer just around the corner, pediatricians at Johns Hopkins Children's Center are sounding the alarm on a disturbing trend: A growing number of teenagers and young adults diagnosed with skin cancer.

8 May 2012

Ritalin use in ADHD rises four-fold over a decade

According to latest figures prescriptions for Ritalin for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have quadrupled in a decade. This has raised concerns that it is being given to children at the expense of alternative treatments and without appreciation of long-term effects.

8 May 2012

Innovative program in Bangladesh causes large reductions in child malnutrition

An innovative program in Bangladesh that caused unusually large reductions in child malnutrition will come to life May 9 at an event featuring experts from the poverty-fighting organization CARE and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

8 May 2012

TV viewing linked to unhealthy eating habits in U.S. adolescents

Television viewing and unhealthy eating habits in U.S. adolescents appear to be linked in a national survey of students in the fifth to 10 th grades, according to a report published in the May issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, a JAMA Network publication. The study is part of the Nutrition and the Health of Children and Adolescents theme issue.

8 May 2012

PAR releases latest edition of Parenting Stress Index

PAR, Inc. has released the latest edition of its popular Parenting Stress Index.

8 May 2012

Mothers of overweight toddlers less likely to accurately perceive their child's body size

A study of mothers and their toddlers suggests that mothers of overweight toddlers often had inaccurate perceptions of their child's body size, according to a report published in the May issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, a JAMA Network publication. The study is part of the Nutrition and the Health of Children and Adolescents theme issue.

8 May 2012

Repeating trinucleotide a strong predictor of Fuchs' dystrophy

Mayo Clinic and University of Oregon researchers have confirmed that a genetic factor called a repeating trinucleotide is a strong predictor of an individual's risk of developing the eye condition Fuchs' dystrophy. The findings were being presented today at the annual conference of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology in Orlando, Fla.

8 May 2012

Oral zinc treatments may shorten duration of common cold symptoms in adults

Oral zinc treatments may shorten the duration of symptoms of the common cold in adults, although adverse effects are common, according to a study published in CMAJ.

8 May 2012

Newsweek examines Melinda Gates' focus on family planning issues

"In an exclusive interview with Newsweek," Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, discussed how "she has decided to make family planning her signature issue and primary public health a priority."

8 May 2012

Autism Speaks launches automated M-CHAT tool

Autism Speaks is pleased to announce the launch of an automated version of the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, or M-CHAT.

8 May 2012

Schoolyard can become therapeutic landscape for children with autism

A Kansas State University graduate student is creating a schoolyard that can become a therapeutic landscape for children with autism.

8 May 2012

Humanitarian groups call on G8 to address food security at upcoming summit

Several humanitarian groups say that despite the G8's pledge made at the 2009 L'Aquila Summit to provide $22 billion over three years to improve agriculture and food security, "the commitment is about to expire" and "much more needs to be done to end hunger," VOA News reports.

8 May 2012

Meningitis B vaccine on the horizon

Meningitis B is particularly dangerous for children, leading to 120 deaths in the UK every year. There are around 1,200 new cases of meningitis B every year. Around 1 in 10 victims die and another 15 per cent are left with permanent disabilities - often limbs have to be amputated due to blood poisoning. The infection causes inflammation of the membranes surrounding the spinal cord and brain. Symptoms include a severe headache, vomiting, a rash, sensitivity to light and a stiff neck.

8 May 2012

Over $300 million set aside in the budget for dental assistance

The move was announced by federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek at the weekend. It is claimed to provide $345.9m over three years to reduce the long waiting lists for public dental treatment. This could benefit 400,000 people. Ms Plibersek also announced that the Voluntary Dental Graduate Year Program will be increased from 50 to 100 placements per year by 2016 at a cost of $35.7 million over three years. “This funding boost will provide practice experience and professional development opportunities, including in under-serviced areas, to additional dental graduates,” she said.

8 May 2012