Study to look at nerve cells in patients with Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at the University of Bristol have been awarded a grant that by using state-of-the-art stem cell technology will enable them to analysis nerve cells produced from skin biopsies of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). 23 Nov 2011 16:40

Mutant gene boosts melanoma risk

The Sydney Medical School's Associate Dean of Research, Professor Graham Mann, is one of the leaders of a project that has found some 200,000 Australians carry a mutant gene that increases their melanoma risk. 16 Nov 2011 16:53

Wits scientists working to neutralise HIV

Professor Caroline Tiemessen is attempting to understand why some individuals - referred to as elite controllers - are able to be HIV infected, but successfully suppress virus replication to undetectable levels. This is according to a report published on allAfrica.com. 14 Nov 2011 13:18

PMBs here to stay, court rules

Legalbrief reports that the North Gauteng High Court has thrown out, on technical grounds, a bid to clarify what medical aid funds are required to pay for the treatment of a basic set of conditions, ranging from tuberculosis to malaria. 11 Nov 2011 10:06

Preventing pancreatic cell death in type 1 diabetes

[Helen Dodson] Diabetes researchers at Yale University have developed a method to detect and measure the destruction of beta cells that occurs in the pancreas by measuring DNA expression in the blood. The destruction of beta cells leads, over time, to type 1 diabetes. Their finding could ultimately lead to a treatment that stops the progression of the disease. The paper appears in the Online Early Edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 11 Nov 2011 08:47

Gene test helps tailored treatment for cancer patients

PARIS, FRANCE: Doctors on Wednesday, 9 November, said they had used a wide-ranging genetic test for mutations in cancer cells to help fine-tune treatment for patients with lung tumours. 9 Nov 2011 16:03

Woolworths' virtual store supports World Diabetes Day

Woolworths will once again mark the occasion of World Diabetes Day on 14 November 2011, with a month of activities to help raise awareness of this disease and the important role nutrition plays in helping to control it. As part of these activities, it is launching an online virtual store tour led by dietician, Maryke van Zyl, to help diabetics and their families learn more about making better food choices. 8 Nov 2011 10:22

Non-communicable diseases: Africa must 'spend a lot more'

BERLIN, GERMANY: According to scidev.net, Olive Shisana, CEO of the South African Human Sciences Research Council, said at the World Health Summit in Berlin, Germany that infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, are expected to decline while non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes, will increase in Africa over the coming decades. 4 Nov 2011 11:47

'Glow in the dark' brains aid tumour surgery

A multi-centre phase II clinical trial for a pioneering new surgical technique has started in the UK, jointly funded by Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust and Cancer Research UK. 3 Nov 2011 09:17

Cancer Research UK launches trial of drug which could reduce blood supply to cancers

Cancer Research UK's Drug Development Office has opened a trial to assess a new drug to treat a range of cancer types. The drug works by reducing the flow of blood to tumours and potentially starving them of the blood supply that they need to survive. 3 Nov 2011 08:26

Singing to nurse the sick - World Diabetes Day

'I Choose to Live' - this is a song written and performed by South African singer, presenter and actor Tshepo "Howza" Mosese that became the official anthem for World Diabetes Day 2010. In continuing the fight against diabetes, global healthcare company Novo Nordisk are taking the song further by hosting 'Sing for a Cure' on 5 November 2011 at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Johannesburg from 12pm to 4pm. 2 Nov 2011 10:00

First patient receives novel gene therapy for type of blindness

The first patient to receive gene therapy for an incurable type of blindness was treated at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford last week as part of a trial led by Oxford University. 1 Nov 2011 11:50

Scientists make human blood protein from rice

WASHINGTON, USA: Scientists at a Chinese university said Monday, 31 October 2011, they can use rice to make albumin, a protein found in human blood that is often used for treating burns, traumatic shock and liver disease. 1 Nov 2011 11:32

Pill and pregnancy have biggest effects on ovarian cancer risk

Taking the Pill for 10 years can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer by almost half (45%), new research part-funded by Cancer Research UK shows. 31 Oct 2011 13:55