Oncolytic virus extends survival in medulloblastoma model

OHIO, USA: A strain of measles virus engineered to kill cancer cells prolongs survival in a model of medulloblastoma that is disseminated in the fluid around the brain, according to a new study by researchers at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute and the Mayo Clinic. 21 Feb 2012 14:38

iPads show the way forward for medical imaging

Tablet computers such as the iPad are becoming more and more popular, but new research from the University of Sydney means they could soon be used in hospitals as a tool for doctors to view medical imaging. 21 Feb 2012 14:12

Omega-3 linked with reduced risk for smallest babies

Omega-3 fatty acids may have a role in preventing heart attack or strokes in adults who were small at birth, according to University of Sydney researchers. 21 Feb 2012 14:01

Minister signals move towards single public service

Public Service and Administration Minister Roy Padayachie says government is ready to implement the ambitious plan of setting up a single public service, which was abandoned a few years ago due to lack of institutional capacity. 21 Feb 2012 09:39

Gauteng's growth plans unveiled

Gauteng's plans for the current year include splitting the Health and Social Development Departments, creating more jobs and further cementing its position as Africa's business destination and economic hub. 21 Feb 2012 09:00

When body clock runs down, immune system takes time off

[Bill Hathaway] The circadian clock is a finely tuned genetic mechanism that regulates our sleep cycle and key metabolic changes during the 24-hour cycle. It also may help determine whether we get sick or not, according to a new Yale School of Medicine study published online 16 February in the journal Immunity. 20 Feb 2012 17:48

Yale study: how mitochondrial DNA defects cause inherited deafness

[Helen Dodson] Yale scientists have discovered the molecular pathway by which maternally inherited deafness appears to occur: Mitochondrial DNA mutations trigger a signaling cascade, resulting in programmed cell death. The study is in the 17 February issue of Cell. 20 Feb 2012 17:37

Yale study proves nobody is genetically perfect

[Bill Hathaway] Every person carries on average 100 variants that disable genes - yet very few suffer ill effects, an international team of researchers led by Yale University and Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute report in the 17 February issue of the journal Science. 17 Feb 2012 16:27

COHSASA

New foundation aims to improve health care delivery in developing countries

Three organisations from three different continents have taken the next step in their commitment and dedication to improve the safety and quality of health care provided in resource-restricted countries. 20 Feb 2012 13:19

Medical Parole Advisory Board appointed

A newly established Medical Parole Advisory Board has been appointed to look into all seriously and terminally ill inmates who have submitted reports requesting to be released on medical grounds, the Justice, Crime Prevention and Safety (JCPS) Cluster chairperson and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Jeff Radebe, has announced. 20 Feb 2012 12:37

Health standards compliance 'vital to NHI plan'

[Wyndham Hartley] The proposed independent office of health standards compliance was a vital step for the introduction of a National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi told Parliament Wednesday, 15 February 2012. 17 Feb 2012 15:53

Hundreds more breast cancer patients should be tested for BRCA1 gene

Leading breast cancer experts are calling for women under 50 who are diagnosed with triple-negative (TN) breast cancer to be offered testing for faults in the BRCA1 gene, according to a report published in the British Journal of Cancer. 17 Feb 2012 15:41

SA chemist's e'Pap a big hit

One in four children worldwide are malnourished, says a new report by the global charity Save the Children presented in Johannesburg. 16 Feb 2012 15:41