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NIH funds two new centers for imaging technology for neurodegenerative disorders and software for protein analysis

The National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), announced today it will provide up to an estimated $11 million over the next five years to create two new Biomedical Technology Research Centers (BTRCs) that will provide researchers nationwide with access to specialized research tools, training and state-of-the-art equipment.

15 Oct 2008

Brits get tough on alcohol

A proposed code of behaviour regarding the sale of alcohol in the United Kingdom could see offers of free drinks for women banned and restrictions introduced on pub "happy hours".

13 Oct 2008

A decade of change in general practice

It's not only the patients in GP surgeries who are getting older, according to two new reports released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and the Australian General Practice Statistics and Classification Centre, an AIHW collaborating unit located at the University of Sydney.

5 Oct 2008

Kill the tobacco industry, or it will keep killing

This month in Rio de Janeiro, the global tobacco industry's annual conference features a special session on what many are seeing as its Armageddon: plain, generic packaging. All packs are identical except for the brand name, printed in standard font. No colours, no logos, no box variations. Nothing but the brand and the health warning.

2 Oct 2008

Public hearing on ways of reducing harmful use of alcohol

Each year, more than two million people die from alcohol-related causes. WHO was asked by its Member States in May at the World Health Assembly to develop a global strategy to combat the harmful use of alcohol. All parties with an interest in reducing the harmful use of alcohol are now invited to share their views in a public hearing being organized by WHO. The one-month web-based hearing will run between 3 and 31 October.

2 Oct 2008

Obesity linked to repeated miscarriages

Research carried out by specialists in Britain has found that women who have experienced a number of miscarriages are more likely to continue to miscarry if they are obese - they say obesity significantly increases the risk of further miscarriages.

23 Sep 2008

Cosmetic surgery in Britain under fire for misleading women

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) says they are "increasingly concerned" with regard to some of the standards in the advertising of popular cosmetic procedures.

22 Sep 2008

One million pounds to improve access to physiotherapy

Providing timely access to physiotherapy is a long-standing problem for the NHS, with more than 4 million new referrals each year and waiting times of several months in many areas. A Bristol-led study to improve access has been given £1.06 million by the Medical Research Council (MRC).

15 Sep 2008

AP/Houston Chronicle examines telepharmacies in North Dakota

The AP/Houston Chronicle on Saturday examined telepharmacies -- virtual pharmacy systems located in rural drug stores -- in North Dakota.

10 Sep 2008

Should nurses replace GPs as frontline providers of primary care?

Should nurses be the frontline providers of primary care, taking the place of general practitioners as the first point of patient contact? Two experts debate the issue on bmj.com.

7 Sep 2008

Public backs tougher tobacco control to protect the young

More than 8,000 people have written to the Department of Health calling for tougher tobacco control to protect young people and put tobacco out of sight and out of mind.

7 Sep 2008

Innovative mobile dental service offers help to those struggling to find dental care

While controversy abounds in Australia regarding government plans to dramatically change how Medicare will manage dental care, in the UK an enterprising group of dentists from Hungary and Germany are offering a unique dental service.

3 Sep 2008

New Zealand Ministry of Health increases funding to the very low cost access and zero fees for under sixes schemes

The New Zealand Ministry of Health has further increased the amount invested into the primary health care sector to support the over 800 general practices/health centres charging very low fees and free healthcare to children under six.

25 Aug 2008

Researchers examine safety of internet prescriber service providing erectile dysfunction medications

Online Internet shopping today offers many benefits. You can research a product in the privacy of your own home and purchase most anything by clicking a mouse. But should we be allowed to buy prescription drugs via the Internet, bypassing a traditional office visit or conversation with a physician?

12 Aug 2008

Launch of new codes of ethics and professional conduct for Australian nurses and midwives

Today has seen the launch of new national codes of ethics and professional conduct for nurses and midwives.

11 Aug 2008

Small changes can make big health solutions

We shouldn't be emphasising expensive high tech vaccines and dazzling miracle drugs at the expense of more low tech ways improve people's health, particularly in the face of climate change, a young health researcher writes.

8 Aug 2008

Telemedicine could have a profound impact on the treatment of stroke patients throughout the world

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego Medical Center say that their first-of-its-kind study of a telemedicine program which transports stroke specialists via computer desktop or even laptop to the patient's bedside, using highly sophisticated video, audio and Internet technology, could have an immediate and profound impact on the treatment of stroke patients throughout the world.

3 Aug 2008

Cancer patients not given enough information about survival benefits of palliative chemotherapy

Two thirds of cancer patients receive little or no information about the survival benefits of having palliative chemotherapy before making a decision about treatment, according to a study published today on bmj.com.

31 Jul 2008

What do doctors tell patients about the survival benefits of palliative chemotherapy?

Two thirds of cancer patients may receive little or no information about the survival benefits of having palliative chemotherapy before making a decision about treatment, according to a study by researchers at Bristol University published today on bmj.com.