SA's forensic labs in a shambles

Auditor-General's report slams inefficiency...South Africa's three forensic chemistry laboratories are in a shambles and expose staff to deadly diseases, including HIV. Read more >>

Breakthrough in HIV research leads to better treatment potential

Researchers have made a breakthrough in HIV research that had eluded scientists for over 20 years, potentially leading to better treatments for HIV, in a study published today in the journal Nature. Read more >>

Non-invasive MR Spectroscopy to determine ability to be fathers

Men with no sperm in their ejaculate—a condition known as azoospermia—may no longer need invasive procedures to determine if they have sperm in their testes according to a new study published in Human Reproduction. Read more >>

Egypt: Controversial organ transplant bill welcomed by WHO

A controversial organ transplant bill expected to become law in the next few weeks could regularize organ transplants and curb Egypt's booming illicit trade in human organs, experts say. Read more >>

New ‘smart coating' enables safe surgical implants; prevents infections post surgery

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a "smart coating" that helps surgical implants bond more closely with bone and ward off infection. Read more >>

Mycobacterium um avium infection can result in three different kinds of illness in humans

Through work carried out in connection with her PhD, Tone Bjordal Johansen has shown that Mycobacterium avium does not infect pigs via birds, as previously believed. M. M. avium can be divided into several subspecies, and the research shows that birds are infected by one particular subspecies, whereas pigs and humans are infected by another. Closely related bacteria were isolated in pigs and humans, which would indicate that pigs and humans are vulnerable to infection from the same sources in their surroundings. Read more >>

Help Haiti with eBucks

eBucks members, wishing to assist those affected by the devastating catastrophe in Haiti, can make a donation through its website with eBucks or Rands to two worthy causes. Read more >>

Natural medicines take lead in industry

The sales of complementary alternative medicines are growing at a faster rate than traditional or prescribed medicines in pharmacies, according to key players in the industry. Read more >>

Africa: Making the case against counterfeit drugs

The fight against fake medicines requires a united public-private front to overcome people's resistance to health warnings and to dismantle increasingly sophisticated trafficking networks, medical professionals said at a meeting in the Togolese capital Lomé. Read more >>

Breakthrough research could lead to new potential treatments for malaria

Groundbreaking research done at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University's (NTU) School of Biological Sciences (SBS) could lead to the development of more potent drugs or a vaccine for malaria, which is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes and kills up to three million people each year. Read more >>

Sudan: Mixed success on malaria control in the south

More than four million insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) have been distributed across Southern Sudan since 2007, but universal coverage of treatment remains a long way off, according to experts. Read more >>

Viagra might have another role to play

Viagra promotes foetal growth in pregnant sheep, raising hope for preventing foetal development problems in humans. Read more >>

Dogs are our best friends in more ways than one

Study indicates dogs make excellent models for studying human genetic disorders. Read more >>

U-M study finds increased body fat in boys is associated with later onset of puberty

Increasing rates of obese and overweight children in the United States may be contributing to a later onset of puberty in boys, say researchers at the University of Michigan Health System. Read more >>

Link between anti-gay sentiment and suicidality: Further study needed

Same-sex sexual attraction and behaviour found to be less critical than self-identity. Read more >>

Cervical length screening may reduce preterm births

Using ultrasound to screen all pregnant women for signs of a shortening cervix improves pregnancy outcomes and is a cost-effective way to reduce preterm birth, Yale School of Medicine researchers report in a new study. Read more >>

Genes of mother and foetus linked to risk of preterm labour and birth

New evidence that genetics play a significant role in some premature births may help explain why a woman can do everything right and still give birth too soon. Read more >>

Ranbaxy SA defers launch of Ranbute (Sibutramine)

Ranbaxy SA has decided not to launch Ranbute, their generic sibutramine, this week despite having received MCC registration in the latter half of 2009. Read more >>

Haiti: Minimising food aid mayhem

As food distributions spread to more parts of Port-au-Prince, so have kilometre-long lines of hungry, at times angry, people pressed against various crowd-control barriers: ropes, a corrugated steel wall, an army platoon, even a hole in the ground. IRIN joined the line in various food distributions in and out of the city to ask people on both sides of these barriers: what's the best way to do this? Read more >>

Cape Town warns of measles outbreak

PRETORIA: The City of Cape Town has warned that a measles outbreak, which started in Gauteng last year, has spread to the Western Cape. Read more >>

Whole grain intake prevents diabetes, heart diseases, and excess weight gain

Three daily servings of whole grains are recommended for prevention of type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and excess weight gain. Yet few adolescents or young adults follow these guidelines, according to national survey data. Read more >>

Risk of heart attack greater in women with gout

Independent risk of gout on the risk of acute myocardial infarction among elderly women: A population-based study. Read more >>