Ahead of International AIDS Conference, health experts call for scientifically-based drug policies

Ahead of the International AIDS Conference, scheduled to kick off 18 July 2010, health experts on Monday called for a rethinking of international drug policies to incorporate greater scientific evidence and increase access to HIV prevention, treatment and care, the Associated Press reports (6/28). Read more >>

Older men with high testosterone levels more likely to have heart attacks

A large US multicentre study shows that older men with higher testosterone levels are more likely to have a heart attack or other cardiovascular disease in the future. The results were presented at The Endocrine Society's 92nd Annual Meeting in San Diego. Read more >>

Tribbles a new hope for type 2 diabetes patients?

Research shows promising targeted therapies for type 2 diabetes patients. Read more >>

MRI study could prove useful in early detection of Alzheimer's

Scientists at the University of Kentucky's College of Medicine have identified changes in the brains of normal individuals at high risk for Alzheimer's disease that could prove important for early detection of the disease. Read more >>

Giving the youth some Skillz

The Pioneer Foods Fund, Rio Tinto and South African Breweries (SAB), have joined forces with Castrol, one of the lead sponsors of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa (tm), to extend the impact and meaning of the Castrol Skillz Holiday camps. This programme uses the universal language of sport as well as the increased interest in football ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa as a mechanism for communicating vital messages about HIV/Aids to the youth of this country. Read more >>

Disability expo coming soon

Now in its sixth year, this year's ACSA Disability Trade and Lifestyle Expo, sponsored by Airports Company South Africa, will showcase products, services and organisations involved in the treatment, rehabilitation and life enhancement of people with disabilities. Read more >>

Google Flu Trends provides early warning

Google Flu Trends for South Africa aims to help the government and individuals track and stay ahead of the flu collective web search data and also boost education and empowerment. Read more >>

Malnutrition during childhood diminishes brain function in late life

Malnutrition early in life appears to diminish brain function in older adulthood, according to a study led by a Michigan State University researcher that has implications for many poor, developing nations. Read more >>

High fructose diet can cause hypertension

People who eat a diet high in fructose, in the form of added sugar, are at increased risk of developing high blood pressure, or hypertension, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology (JASN). The results suggest that cutting back on foods and beverages containing a lot of fructose (sugar) might decrease one's risk of developing hypertension. Read more >>

Highly specific assay developed to detect ERG alterations in prostate cancer

Researchers at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) Centre for Prostate Disease Research (CPDR), in collaboration with investigators at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) and Walter Reed Army Medical Centre, have developed a highly specific assay for the detection of ERG, a protein associated with tumour formations which is present in more than half of all prostate cancers. This reagent has an unprecedented specificity (99.99%) for detecting prostate tumour cells in pathologic specimens with great potential in diagnosis. Read more >>

'Beeglue' may help deliver new treatments for fatal infections

Bees could have a key role to play in urgently-needed new treatments to fight the virulent MRSA bug, according to research led at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. Read more >>

Two questions to identify families whose young children suffer from hunger

Early screening and intervention is critical to preventing long-term consequences of hunger. Read more >>

Cancer patient's legacy for other sufferers

It was Annick von Sametzkí's final wish that the book she had spent three years writing during her battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma be published to give other cancer patients hope, guidance and straightforward advice from her own experience. Read more >>

Chemotherapy-resistant ovarian tumour cells "re-grow" cancer

"Shielded" ovarian cancer cells may survive chemotherapy. Read more >>

Protect your unborn child from second-hand smoke exposure

Here's some NICE guidance on ways to protect unborn babies from second-hand smoke exposure. Read more >>

A wonderful 22 years of making dreams come true

The Reach for a Dream Foundation is celebrating its 22nd birthday on 7 July 2010. This milestone serves as a reminder of the ongoing success of an organisation dedicated to fulfilling dreams and inspiring hope to thousands of children over the last two decades. Read more >>

Women may live longer than men, but...

Women have longer life expectancy, but with prevalence of disability in old age. Read more >>

Polycystic ovary syndrome: What do we know, or think we know?

[Dr Stephan Volschenk] Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common disorder, but due to its heterogeneous nature and considerable phenotypic variability it has led to controversy over its exact definition and diagnosis (hence all the consensus statements spanning about two decades!) Read more >>