Rare diseases community rallying for earlier & accurate diagnoses
The rare diseases community is joining forces today (Rare Disease Day) to call upon medical professionals for earlier and more accurate diagnoses of rare diseases to help improve, prolong and save Aussie lives. According to Genetics Alliance Australia (GAA) and Gaucher Association Australia & New Zealand (GAANZ), nearly two million Australians are living with a…
Can eating allium vegetables protect against bowel cancer?
New research, released last month, has suggested allium vegetables such as garlic and onions may help to protect us against bowel cancer. A team of scientists from First Hospital of China Medical University investigated whether high amounts of these vegetables could prevent the development of bowel cancer. In results published in the Asia-Pacific Journal of…
Exercise may hold the answer to more diverse gut microbiome
A new study has uncovered the effect of exercise on our health through adjusting the balance of the gut microbiome. The study, Aerobic Fitness and Gut Microbiota, suggests a person’s physical activity levels might affect the bacterial diversity of their gut, and thus influence their overall health. In the paper, appearing in the journal Experimental…
Smartphones driving mental health crisis among young Australians
It’s no coincidence the mental health of young Australians has never been worse at the same time their mobile phone use is at an all-time high, according to 2010 Australian of the Year Professor Patrick McGorry Prof McGorry declared the epidemic in a plea ahead of last week’s Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Community Forum, in Adelaide, on February 7.…
New & expecting fathers to benefit from $26 million Government funding boost
Perinatal support will soon be offered to new and expecting fathers as part of a $26 million Federal Government funding boost aimed at better protecting the mental health of parents. Health Minister Greg Hunt announced this week (Tuesday, February 12) the funding would be available as grants to organisations including the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death…
New research suggests a bacteria may be behind Alzheimer’s disease
Recent research has challenged the leading theory that the amyloid protein, among other proteins such as tau, is behind Alzheimer’s disease. There is mounting evidence that a bacterium involved in gingivitis may in fact be the cause of Alzheimer’s – a potential game-changer for the prevention and treatment of the disease Alzheimer’s is the most…
APNA appoints long-serving board member as CEO
The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) appointed long-serving board member, Ken Griffin as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) today (Friday, February 8, 2019). Mr Griffin has contributed to APNA’s strategic development bringing healthcare, marketing and senior management experience to the role for nearly six years. In an APNA announcement issued today, the…
No response to antidepressants – Hyperactive neurons may be the culprits
A recent study has found a possible reason for why the most popular class of antidepressants has proven ineffective in some patient groups. Each year around six per cent of all adult Australians are affected by a depressive illness.1On average, depressive illness affects one in six women and one in eight men.2 Selective serotonin reuptake…
Myopia – a global epidemic
Myopia also known as short-sightedness, is a refractive error, where the shape of your eye does not bend light correctly, resulting in blurred distant vision. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), myopia already affects about 30 per cent of the world’s population. In Australia and New Zealand, the myopic population is estimated to reach…
Parents staging fundraiser to support for their little “miracle man”
The parents of a two-year-old Sydney boy born with no eyes are appealing to the community for financial help. Northern Beaches couple, Fiona Gould and husband Stevie Innes have their sights set on a new vehicle to help transport their “miracle man”, Archie Innes, in his wheelchair, along with his special needs equipment. In order…