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Older Aussies busy in bed

A global study on the sexual attitudes and behaviours of 27,500 men and women from 29 countries has revealed a few surprises.

28 Aug 2008

Doctor's job in jeopardy after he prescribed sleeping tablets to a suicidal patient

The job of a Scottish doctor is under jeopardy after he prescribed sleeping tablets to a suicidal patient who then took her own life.

27 Aug 2008

The challenge of an ageing population

Worldwide many developed nations are facing the challenges presented by an aging population in terms of an increased burden on health systems.

26 Aug 2008

Significant long-term benefit for low back pain revealed by major study

A major study led by a Southampton researcher has found significant evidence that the Alexander Technique can provide long-term benefit for people with chronic or recurrent low back pain.

20 Aug 2008

Alexander Technique shows long-term benefit for low back pain

A major study - one of the first of its kind - has found significant evidence that the Alexander Technique can provide long-term benefit for people suffering from chronic or recurrent low back pain. The study by researchers at the Universities of Bristol and Southampton is published today in the BMJ.

19 Aug 2008

Chlamydia antibiotic available over-the-counter in the UK

For the first time sufferers in the UK from the common sexually transmitted infection (STI) chlamydia will be able to buy an antibiotic to treat the infection over-the-counter (OTC), without a prescription from a doctor.

5 Aug 2008

Scientists find structure of critical Ebola virus protein

Scientists at the Scripps Research Institute have uncovered the structure of a critical protein from the Ebola Virus that allows viral entry in human cells.

23 Jul 2008

Defining healthcare needs for chronic illness

A research paper in the latest issue of Medical Journal of Australia has provided the first insight into the prevalence and patterns of multimorbidity in Australia. About three in 10 people who saw a GP in 2005, and one in four Australians have multimorbidity (two or more types of chronic conditions).

22 Jul 2008

How are homeopathic products used in childhood?

Despite recent questions concerning the efficacy of homeopathic medicine, it continues to be one of the most popular forms of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in use today. Jackie Bishop of the Children of the 90s study looks at the use of homeopathic products in the early years of life.

13 Jul 2008

Lord Darzi's final vision for primary care is positive though undermined by previous announcements

While many of the ambitions within the government's Vision for Primary and Community Care are welcome, previously announced government proposals will undermine the positive in this report, the BMA said today (Thursday 3 July 2008).

3 Jul 2008

Brits told to boil tap water

Britons living in the north of England have been warned that they must boil tap water before using it because the water is contaminated with a potentially serious stomach bug.

25 Jun 2008

Prostate cancer deaths double in men with BRCA2

Men with prostate cancer caused by a faulty BRCA2 gene are more than twice as likely to die from the disease than those carrying the faulty BRCA1 gene - reveals a study published in the British Journal of Cancer today (Tuesday).

25 Jun 2008

Health Minister accuses the AMA of being protectionist

Relations between the Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon and the Australian Medical Association (AMA) do not appear to be improving.

24 Jun 2008

Australian Medical Association says aged care residents the victims of 'inertia' by the government

According to the Australian Medical Association, the Federal Government is guilty of "policy inertia" when it comes to addressing the needs of aged care residents.

23 Jun 2008

Concerns over placebo pill for kids

Responding to reports in the media that Obecalp, a placebo pill for children, is due to be made available on the UK market, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain's (RPSGB) Chief Scientist, Jayne Lawrence said:

16 Jun 2008

Australian Government oddly excludes AMA again on health plans - AMA negative about plans to ease GP shortage

Government plans to expand the roles of health professionals such as nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists and dieticians, to help address the shortage of doctors, has not surprisingly evoked a negative response from the Australian Medical Association (AMA).

11 Jun 2008

Improving cancer diagnosis and support services for Asian patients

There is a need to remove the major ethnic inequalities which still exist in access to cancer services and outcomes, according to the latest edition of Science & Public Affairs.

2 Jun 2008

University of Bristol to test effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy

A team of researchers, led by Dr Nicola Wiles at the University of Bristol, has been awarded £1.2 million by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment (NIHR HTA) programme for a clinical trial to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for patients with depression who do not respond to treatment with antidepressants.

30 May 2008

Lack of dental care may have life-threatening implications

New research from the University of Bristol shows that admissions for the surgical treatment of dental abscess have doubled in the last ten years despite the fact that these serious infections are preventable with regular dental care.

29 May 2008