First-Ever Therapy to Demonstrate Survival Benefit in Progeria
A new study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reports that lonafarnib, a farnesyltransferase inhibitor (FTI), helped extend survival in children with Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS), or Progeria, an ultra-rare and fatal disease that causes premature aging in children. Children with Progeria live an average 14 ½ years, dying from heart…
How to keep happy & healthy in the workplace
Physical and mental health are a growing issue in today’s society, and here at VIVA! we take health seriously. Here are some of our top tips for how to have a happy & healthy workplace! Standing/hot desks We all know that sitting down all day isn’t healthy, so why not incorporate some standing desk spaces!…
Unravelling the genetics of stuttering
VIVA! Communications is today working with researchers from the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Speech and Language to call for 3,000 Australians aged seven and above with experience of stuttering (past or present) to volunteer for the nation’s largest ever ‘Genetics of Stuttering Study’. The study aims to pinpoint the genes that predispose individuals to…
World Parkinson’s Day calls for unity
Yesterday marked World Parkinson’s Day, an international day of recognition for people living with Parkinson’s and the impact it has on their day-to-day lives. Over 70,000 Australian’s live with Parkinson’s Disease. Physical symptoms extend further than muscular shakes, impacting swallowing, blood pressure, and digestion. Mentally, many with Parkinson’s experience depression and anxiety. A global initiative…
Australia sees launch of world-first Olive Wellness Institute
A new research review confirming the ‘health and prolongevity effects’ of the traditional extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)-containing Mediterranean diet coincides with today’s launch of the world’s-first online science repository on the health benefits of olive products. Conducted by US and Italian geriatric and nutritional research scientists, the Health Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet: Metabolic…
Health Hips Week
Walking at one, talking at two – sometimes it ‘s just not that simple. This week is Health Hips Week and Healthy Hips Australia are working to improve infant hip dysplasia support and awareness. Hip dysplasia, or developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), is a condition in which the ball and socket joint of the…
GoodSAM
Ambulance Victoria is rolling out a lifesaving smartphone app, GoodSAM, that connects people who are medically trained or know first aid with patients experiencing cardiac arrest. Performing CPR and defibrillation in the first three to four minutes of suffering a heart attack is critical and every minute this is delayed, chances of survival are reduced…
Australians urged to vaccinate as the flu season approaches
Two days ago, VIVA! Communications teamed up the Pharmacy Guild of Australia to bring about a heightened awareness of flu vaccination, and complacency toward it, to the wider community with the release of the 2018 Flu Vaccination Study results. The Study revealed alarming statistics concerning Australian adults flu vaccination uptake and understanding. Just one-in-two Australian…
2018 World Down Syndrome Day
Today, the United Nations Human Rights Office in Geneva, the Palais des Nations, will host the 2018 World Down Syndrome Day. Down Syndrome International will this year focus on encouraging those with Down Syndrome to speak up about “What I bring to my community”, aiming to highlight the contribution of those with Down Syndrome in political and employment domains, their gifts and strengths and what enables them…
Handwashing: we may be performing this important preventative step incorrectly
Handwashing is ingrained in most individuals from a young age. It acts as an important preventative step against bacteria and viruses. In the lead up to winter, and therefor flu season, it’s even more of a necessity. Handwashing properly and for an adequate amount of time will reduce the risk of germs or pathogens. Most…