Govt, Virgin Group to establish Disease Control Hub

[Proffesor Ndawonde] PRETORIA: President Jacob Zuma and Sir Richard Branson, chairman of the Virgin Group, have agreed to establish a Disease Control Hub in South Africa. Read more >>

New drug may reduce heart attack damage

A novel drug that targets a master disease-causing gene can dramatically reduce heart muscle damage after a heart attack and may lead to significantly improved patient outcomes, researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) have shown. Read more >>

Good news if you like wine; a nightcap

It seems that regular moderate alcohol intake has cognitive benefits in seniors. Read more >>

Dept considers introduction of cervical cancer vaccines

PRETORIA: The Department of Health is considering introducing two vaccines to prevent new cases of cervical cancer. Read more >>

Woman Against Rape benefits from music charity evening

Steak & Ale, a popular original live music venue in Centurion, has adopted Woman Against Rape (WAR) as its exclusive charity project for the third year running. It will hold a fundraiser on Friday 31 July 2009, where popular South African music groups will perform free in order to assist the project. Amongst the line-up of talent are Riku Lätti, Andra, Southern Gypsey Queen and Laurie Levine. Read more >>

Copper could be used to inhibit swine flu

A leading microbiologist from the University of Southampton has told a conference that his research has found copper is effective in inhibiting the influenza A H1N1 virus. Read more >>

Oxygen to move to Medscheme

Oxygen Medical Scheme plans to partner with Medscheme as its new administration and managed care service partner from 1 August 2009. Oxygen was formerly administered by Old Mutual. Read more >>

Altering the course of schizophrenia with new research

The US National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is launching a large-scale research project to explore whether using early and aggressive treatment, individually targeted and integrating a variety of different therapeutic approaches, will reduce the symptoms and prevent the gradual deterioration of functioning that is characteristic of chronic schizophrenia. Read more >>

Dialysis treatments OK for patients who have had a heart attack

Dialysis treatments do not affect the heart health of kidney disease patients who have had a heart attack, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology (CJASN). Since cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in kidney disease patients, the findings are good news for individuals who need the treatments. Read more >>

Marital biography and health at mid-life

A stable, long-term marriage can be good for your health, but divorce or widowhood leave a lasting scar on the health of middle-aged and older people, according to a new study. Remarriage seems to reduce but not erase the damage done by losing a marriage, and those who remain single after a marriage ends show consistently worse health than those who remarried. Read more >>

Stress implicated in anorexia nervosa and obesity

An academic at the University of Hertfordshire is leading a research team to explore how emotions, habits and stress can cause people difficulties in controlling their weight. Read more >>

What happens in the womb dictates how well a child does at school

Australian scientists have found that a person's intelligence starts before birth and they say healthy foetal growth helps to improve a child's performance at school. Read more >>

Cause of colic

Researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Centre at Houston say one organism discovered during their study may unlock the key to what causes colic, inconsolable crying in an otherwise healthy baby. Read more >>

Expert says the benefits of breastfeeding are oversold

According to a Canadian expert the benefits of breastfeeding are 'being oversold' to women. Read more >>

Active children sleep better

Experts from Australia and New Zealand say exercise plays an important role in the sleeping habits of children and children who do no exercise take longer to fall asleep. Read more >>

Babies and toddlers have double the risk of head injuries

Australian researchers have revealed that babies and toddlers have double the risk of head injuries than children of any other age and they have called for parents to exercise more vigilance. Read more >>

Recession burnout as stressed-out UK workers shun exercise and healthy eating

The economic downturn is having a detrimental effect on the health, fitness and wellbeing of the nation, according to a new survey released today by Cancer Research UK to launch its Run 10k series. Read more >>

Help is on the way for shy, anxious drinkers

In life today alcohol plays an enormous part in many people's social activities and is often an essential part of a night out with friends. Read more >>