Crack, cocaine usage increases risk of HIV in adolescents

Teens with a history of crack or cocaine use are significantly more likely to engage in unprotected sex than youth who have never used these drugs, putting themselves at increased risk for HIV, according to a study in the April issue of the Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse. Read more >>

Students have lower HIV rate

The Eastern Cape has the highest number of university students who have contracted HIV, according to a recent study on the prevalence of the disease at South African universities. Read more >>

The choc-cardio link...

A recent study has found that chocolate can lower blood pressure and reduce risk of heart disease. Read more >>

Resurgence of mumps orchitis among teenage boys and young men

Urologists at a leading Irish hospital have reported an alarming increase in the number of teenage boys and young men developing mumps orchitis, in a paper published in the April issue of the urology journal BJUI. Read more >>

Caring companies reach out

Two major drives by companies meeting their CSI objectives have been announced this week. Standard Bank will join forces with New Start to provide HIV/Aids testing and counselling from 23 March until 1 April 2010 and Danone has donated R100 000 to Danone Clover CHOC House in Soweto, for the furtherance of knowledge about and care for childhood cancer. Read more >>

Hunt for sleeping sickness drug continues

Scientists from the UK and Canada have identified drug compounds to cure a fatal parasitic disease found in sub-Saharan Africa commonly known as sleeping sickness. Read more >>

Vertical living kids

[Candy Lashkari] A University of Melbourne Associate Professor Carolyn Whitzman has recently concluded a study called ‘Vertical living kids' which proves that children living in high rises are not as independent as those living in the suburbs. They are far more dependent on parental supervision when planning outings and excursions. Read more >>

Presence of PARP protein in tumours can help predict their response to chemotherapy

The presence of the protein poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in tumours can help predict their response to chemotherapy, a German scientist told the seventh European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC7) in Barcelona on Saturday 27 March 2010. Read more >>

Scientists use non-viral, synthetic nanoparticle carrier to restores vision

New research in the FASEB Journal shows that nucleic acid nanoparticle platform delivery technology achieves successful gene transfer and reverses affects of retinitis pigmentosa in mice Read more >>

Glue ear: Bacterial nasal spray may help children

Many children have long-term problems with fluid in the middle ear, and sometimes surgery is the only way to shift it. However, a bacterial nasal spray can have the same effect in some children, reveals a thesis from the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Read more >>

Self-help book for parents of young children

The new book, Every Parent's Nightmare, by Bruna Dessena has just been released. This book is highly recommended for all adults who have children or work with children. Read more >>

Arrive Alive and Netcare 911... working together to keep Easter safe for road users

The Easter weekend is a time when a myriad of South Africans will again make their annual mass exodus to our country's holiday destinations. It is also a time during which road users need to be extra vigilant due to high traffic volumes on our roads. Read more >>

Cracking down on drunk drivers

KZN Alcohol Evidence Centre launch part of nationwide crackdown on drunk driving by means of state-of-the-art equipment supplied by SAB to improve prosecution rates. Read more >>

TB-causing bacteria can hijack fat metabolism to drive progression of the disease

The factors instrumental in triggering latent tuberculosis (TB) infection to progress into active disease have long remained elusive to researchers. New insight into the mystery is provided by Professor David Russell, speaking at the Society for General Microbiology's spring meeting in Edinburgh today. His work could help develop innovative strategies for treating the disease. Read more >>

Exercise that depression away

[Dr Ananya Mandal] Structured and supervised exercise can prevent postnatal depression, says study. Read more >>

Physicians can increase accuracy of clinical breast examinations using simple form

Using a simple form to help focus their attention can help physicians increase the quality and accuracy of clinical breast examinations, increasing the likelihood of detecting cancers missed by mammograms. That's the finding of a new study coming out in the April 1st issue of The American Journal of Medicine. Read more >>

Quit smoking before conception

Recent research has revealed that babies of women who smoke during pregnancy are at greater risk of blood pressure problems at birth. Moreover, these problems could continue throughout the child's first year and actually get worse over time. Read more >>