Battling the heat on Australia Day
Many Australians will be spending the day outdoors, but with temperatures set to surge into the 30s, the thousands heading to the beach or public pool will need to be extra careful to avoid heat-related illnesses. Australia Day celebrations normally go hand-in-hand with drinking, playing cricket and picnicking by the beach – sounds fun, but…
Landmark study offering new hope for the treatment of people living with peanut allergies
Allergies are commonly believed to have no cure. Given a large percentage of the population experiences various allergies, with peanut allergy the number one cause of allergy-induced fatalities, it was only a matter of time before scientists chose to explore ways to treat the serious health problem. Aimmune Therapeutics-funded study (PALISADE) involved almost 500 participants…
Five take home lessons from the immune system
There are many lessons we can learn from the many efficient and well-orchestrated systems of the human body. Cell differentiation occurs very early on in the development of the human embryo, allowing for cells to perform highly specialised functions. The immune system serves as a wonderful analogy of how cell specialisation, collaboration, team work, diversity…
VIVA! Communications external planning workshop 2019
Team VIVA! set off early Thursday, January 17, for our annual workshop at Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & Spa, positioned at the edge of Echo Point, in the picturesque town of Katoomba. We arrived ready to begin what would prove an intensive two-day learning experience, capped off with fantastic food, a touch of wine and…
Stop asking the wrong questions about lung cancer
“Were you a smoker?” Did you know that 40 per cent of Australians admit to asking this question to someone who has been diagnosed with lung cancer, before expressing concern? Each hour, an Australian watches a loved one die from lung cancer. According to the Cancer Council, it’s Australia’s biggest cancer killer – yet it…
Tips for beating the heat
In the heat of summer, it’s important to make sure you’re taking extra good care of your health, especially on the scorching hot days. Too much sun can not only be detrimental to your skin, but can cause heatstroke and in the worst instance, death. These are crucial steps all Australians can take to lower…
Australian-developed coeliac disease vaccine fast-tracked by the FDA
A vaccine for coeliac disease could soon be made available with the Australian-developed immunisation gaining fast-track designation from America’s Food and Drug Administration. ImmusanT’s Nexvax2, developed at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) in Victoria, is set for a prompt review at the completion of its trial phases. Currently phase two, involving 150 patients…
New class of hypnotics found to be “safer” than popular sleeping pills
Researchers have uncovered a new class of hypnotics which enable the sleeping brain to respond to danger signals, unlike the most widely used sleeping aid, Benzodiazepine. The newly discovered class of hypnotics, dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs), has been dubbed a potentially safer option, as it would alert the brain to smoke detectors. In the…
Unstable income linked with higher rates of death and cardiovascular disease
Research has found an unstable income can have widespread negative health implications, from impairing one’s mental health to affecting their diet. A new study has suggested personal income could even be associated with an increased risk of heart disease and death. Ongoing research which has been tracking the health of young people living in four…
Cervical Cancer Awareness Month: ladies, it’s time to have your screening test!
With January being Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, women across the nation are being encouraged to make this the year to get on top of their screening tests. Changes to the National Cervical Screening Program came into place on December 1 mean women aren’t recommended to have a test completed until they turn 25. Previously, women were…