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New advances in Alzheimer's disease research

Advancing age is a major risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and is associated with build- up of the peptide amyloid β in the brain. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Fluids and Barriers of the CNS shows that removal of amyloid β from the brain depends on vitamin D and also on an age-related alteration in the production of transporter proteins which move amyloid β in and out of the brain.

8 Jul 2011

Periodontal disease can affect woman's chance of conceiving

Professor Roger Hart told the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology that the negative effect of gum disease on conception was of the same order of magnitude as the effect of obesity.

5 Jul 2011

Mobile phone text messages help smokers to beat addiction

Mobile phones could hold the key to people giving up smoking after a programme involving sending motivational and supportive text messages to smokers doubled quit rates at six months.

30 Jun 2011

Video consultation initiative great opportunity for patients and GPs

With the new video consultation MBS items being available from 1 July 2011, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is committed to supporting the profession during the telehealth rollout and highlights the value of the GP in this healthcare model.

29 Jun 2011

Anticholinergic drugs might increase risk of cognitive impairment, death in older people

A side effect of many commonly used drugs appears to increase the risks of both cognitive impairment and death in older people, according to new research led by the University of East Anglia.

24 Jun 2011

RACGP welcomes Senate Inquiry into mental health funding cuts

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has welcomed the move yesterday to hold a Senate Inquiry into the Federal Government’s decision to cut the Medicare patient rebates for GP mental health services in the 2011‐2012 Federal Budget. The Senate Inquiry comes after strong and consistent lobbying on the issue by the RACGP and our colleagues within United General Practice Australia (UGPA).

23 Jun 2011

Is it safe to give babies and toddlers cough medicines?

Consumer health website, www.itsmyhealth.com.au reports that over-the-counter cold remedies can do more harm than good.

20 Jun 2011

Study shows high increase in healthcare costs associated with falls

During the winter of 2009-2010 the average temperature for the UK was 1.6 degrees centigrade, making it the coldest recorded winter in the last 30 years. Using winter data from 2005 to 2010, new research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Environmental Health demonstrates an inverse relationship between temperature and the number of falls on snow and ice, which result in emergency admission to hospital, and looks at the cost of these falls.

18 Jun 2011

Pearl advances PT003 dual combination drug candidate into Phase 2 studies for treatment of COPD

Pearl Therapeutics Inc. today announced the advancement of its dual combination product candidate, PT003 and its individual components, PT001 and PT005 into a series of planned Phase 2 studies in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD.

17 Jun 2011

Study shows deprivation leads to cancer inequality in England

MORE than 2,600 deaths in England from some of the most common types of cancer could be avoided each year if all cancer patients had the same chance of survival as the most affluent section of society, a new piece of research suggests.

17 Jun 2011

Increase in admissions and hospital visits due to falls

According to the latest figures, women over the age of 80 are at the highest risk of falling and need home care. Figures released from the NHS Information Centre ahead of Falls Awareness Week revealed that women over the age of 80 accounted for 30.9 per cent of all fall-related admissions.

16 Jun 2011

The Lancet publishes final 3-year data from landmark HORIZONS-AMI clinical trial

Data from the landmark HORIZONS-AMI clinical trial demonstrated that the administration of the anticoagulant medication bivalirudin enhanced survival compared to the use of heparin plus a glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitor in heart attack patients undergoing angioplasty after 3 years. Use of a drug-eluting stent was also shown to be more effective than a bare-metal stent, with equivalent safety.

14 Jun 2011

Study explores age differences in barriers to cervical cancer screening attendance

Older women are too embarrassed to go for smear tests, and fear pain, while younger women are too busy, according to a Cancer Research UK study, published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology today.

14 Jun 2011

Patients with multiple sclerosis can benefit from group therapy sessions

Offering Multiple Sclerosis sufferers emotional support through group therapy sessions could improve their quality of life and save the NHS almost £500 per patient, a study at The University of Nottingham has discovered.

13 Jun 2011

Being a young man is risky business for health

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is highlighting that young Australian men have higher rates of risky behaviours than young women and that this can put their health at immediate and long term risk. This warning comes as International Men’s Health Week takes place from 13 – 19 June 2011.

9 Jun 2011

New NCIN report: Poorer women more likely to die from breast cancer

Poorer women from deprived areas are less likely to survive breast cancer as they are diagnosed at a later stage which means the best available treatments won't be as effective according to a new report out today (Thursday) by the National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN).

9 Jun 2011

Drug that makes the failing heart heal itself

Researchers have found that a drug can heal heart muscles in mice. Earlier it was considered that this damage to the heart is permanent but this new findings refutes earlier beliefs.

9 Jun 2011

GP journal focuses on mental health

Australian Family Physician, the flagship journal of The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), features a range of clinical, viewpoint and research articles focusing on key issues in general practice today. The June 2011 edition focuses on mental illness and includes the following feature articles.

6 Jun 2011

QMUL synchronisation technology helps detect heart disease at early stage

Innovative UK technology is contributing to the development of a revolutionary digital stethoscope that could make it easier for GPs to spot the first signs of heart disease.

3 Jun 2011

Flu cases rise by 50% in Queensland: Residents alerted

According latest reports, flu cases in Queensland have increased by more than half since last year, causing concern among doctors about an early on-set of flu season. The Australian Medical Association Queensland has revealed close to 1600 cases of flu have been reported across the state this year, with as many as 460 cases reported over the last five weeks alone. They add that that as many as 30 per cent of the flu cases reported were the H1N1 virus, more commonly known as swine flu.

2 Jun 2011