Mechanisms of acquired chemoresistance in ovarian cancer identified

PHILADELPHIA, USA: The presence of multiple ovarian cancer genomes in an individual patient and the absence or downregulation of the gene LRP1B are associated with the development of chemoresistance in women with the high-grade serous cancer subtype of ovarian cancer whose disease recurs after primary treatment. These study results are published in Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. 16 Aug 2012 16:35

Delay in publication of medical, dental tariff guidelines

The President of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) Professor Mochichi Sam Mokgokong has announced a delay in the publication of the new Guideline Tariffs. 16 Aug 2012 15:08

Research in the News: In epileptic seizures, Yale researchers see the neurology of consciousness

[Bill Hathaway] Yale researchers studying epileptic seizures have shed new light on the neurological origins of consciousness. 15 Aug 2012 17:30

National Assembly approves health amendment bill

The National Health Amendment Bill, which aims to improve the country's health system, has been approved by the National Assembly. 15 Aug 2012 16:32

New look for Diabetes Focus

Diabetes Focus, launched 17 years ago, now has a fresh new look in line with international publishing trends and publications focusing on diabetes. 15 Aug 2012 11:44

Medical services guideline tariffs to benefit the public

The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) says the implementation of the new Guideline Tariffs for medical and dental services will serve to protect the public and guide healthcare practitioners on the rendering of accounts in terms of the prescribed ethical guidelines. 15 Aug 2012 07:27

Doctors up in arms over council's tariff guidelines

Private sector doctors and dentists have criticised tariff guidelines published by the Health Professions Council of SA last week as unscientific and out of kilter with the reality of running a healthcare business. 14 Aug 2012 12:23

Medical Aid rules re: late joining, further legislation may be needed

[Sylvester Appasamy] As four medical schemes have been taken to task over the application of late joiner penalties and waiting periods, it is important to understand the rationale behind the medical aid societies' rules. However, these four schemes are not alone in the industry to be applying late joiner penalties and waiting periods. 14 Aug 2012 10:13

Yale team discovers how stress and depression can shrink the brain

[Bill Hathaway] Major depression or chronic stress can cause the loss of brain volume, a condition that contributes to both emotional and cognitive impairment. Now a team of researchers led by Yale scientists has discovered one reason why this occurs - a single genetic switch that triggers loss of brain connections in humans and depression in animal models. 13 Aug 2012 15:00

Silent stroke symptoms kill millions

South Africa has joined the worldwide movement to educate the public on the symptoms and dangers of atrial fibrillation (AF), an under-diagnosed, under-treated and potentially life threatening condition. 13 Aug 2012 13:41

AHP - Africa Health Placements

The South African Nursing Council and Africa Health Placements sign cooperation agreement

[Issued by AHP - Africa Health Placements] The South African Nursing Council (SANC) and Africa Health Placements (AHP) recently signed a memorandum of understanding to work together to bring more nurses to South Africa. This agreement will assist in solving the country's shortage of nurses, which is especially severe in our rural areas. 13 Aug 2012 11:56

TRPM7 protein key to breast cancer metastasis in animal models

The protein transient receptor potential melastatin-like 7 (TRPM7) is a critical determinant of breast cancer cell metastasis, according to study results published in Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. 10 Aug 2012 15:12

Government must intervene in health care costs

South Africans are paying up to five times more than other nations when it comes to the cost of health care. This is the opinion of Dr. Anban Pillay, deputy director in the Department of Health. 10 Aug 2012 12:44

Natural birth - but not C-section - triggers brain boosting proteins

[Karen N. Peart] Vaginal birth triggers the expression of a protein in the brains of newborns that improves brain development and function in adulthood, according to a new study by Yale School of Medicine researchers, who also found that this protein expression is impaired in the brains of offspring delivered by caesarean section (C-sections). 8 Aug 2012 16:49