Safety in the workplace made easier

A short safety course for your staff could mean the difference between life and death while waiting for emergency services to arrive on the scene. Read more >>

Nedbank launches 360Life

[Issa Sikiti da Silva] This week marks a new era in the life insurance industry in South Africa, as Nedgroup Life, a division of Nedbank Group, begins marketing its new range of integrated products dubbed 360Life. Read more >>

Grape news on malaria front

Study finds that resveratrol in grapes may help fight severe malaria. Read more >>

New global map shows distribution of sickle cell gene

At a global scale, the sickle cell gene is most commonly found in areas with historically high levels of malaria, adding geographical support to the hypothesis that the gene, whilst potentially deadly, avoids disappearing through natural selection by providing protection against malaria. Read more >>

Don't run out of medical aid funds

The end of the year is approaching, which for many of us means no more funds in our medical savings accounts. Non-emergency dentist appointments need to be put off for a month or two, and that new pair of specs will simply have to wait. Read more >>

Tai Chi benefits individuals with arthritis

In the largest study to date of the Arthritis Foundation's Tai Chi program in the US, participants showed improvement in pain, fatigue, stiffness and sense of well-being. Read more >>

Undamaged portions of brain 'take over' and support recovery of function: Study

New research provides fascinating insight into mechanisms that underlie recovery after damage to a region of the brain important for memory and attention. The research, published by Cell Press in the November 4th issue of the journal Neuron, highlights the role of undamaged portions of the brain that can "take over" and support the recovery of function. Read more >>

Study reveals a potential target for treating brain trauma

Brain damage continues to develop and evolve for months after a traumatic brain injury (TBI), revealing a potential target for treatments to improve brain trauma, new research led by the University of Melbourne, Australia has found. Read more >>

Alcohol - the worst drug!

[Dr Ananya Mandal, MD] A new study shows that alcohol abuse is by far the worst habit to have when compared to other recreational drug habits like that of marijuana, crack or heroin. Read more >>

Physical activity outside of work reduces risk of depression: Study

[Dr Ananya Mandal, MD] Researchers have found evidence that regular exercise reduces the risk of depression provided the activity is carried out in leisure time. People who exert themselves at work, for instance by digging up roads or heavy lifting, were no less likely to suffer depression than those in sedentary desk jobs. Read more >>

Novel serum test may help diagnose early pregnancy location and outcome

Researchers may have identified a promising novel diagnostic biomarker for ectopic pregnancy, according to a study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM). In the western world, deaths from ectopic pregnancy are not common but in the developing world one in ten women who are admitted with an ectopic pregnancy die. Read more >>

Melanoma drug breakthrough

[Dr Ananya Mandal, MD] Two new drugs for melanomas are being termed as the biggest breakthrough in the last five decades by cancer experts. These drugs are the first ones to be effective in advanced forms of the cancer. Read more >>

Emerald hosts bikers for bandanas day in support of the fight against leukaemia

If you're a biker, and you care about the community around you, then there's only one place to be on 14 November: the Emerald Resort & Casino in Vanderbijlpark. Read more >>

Full-term babies are born with key collection of networks already formed in their brains: Study

Full-term babies are born with a key collection of networks already formed in their brains, according to new research that challenges some previous theories about the brain's activity and how the brain develops. The study is published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Read more >>

Telbivudine prevents transmission of HBV to newborns from mothers: Study

Researchers studied the treatment of pregnant women with hepatitis B virus (HBV) with Telbivudine in their second to third trimesters. The study concluded that both the mothers benefited from treatment and no transmission of HBV to newborns was detected at 28 weeks post birth. Read more >>

Pasteurised human breast milk recommended alternative for hospitalised sick newborns

Pasteurised human milk is a recommended alternative for hospitalised sick newborns when their own mother's milk is not available, according to a new statement by the Canadian Paediatric Society. The statement, published today in Paediatrics & Child Health, says that human milk banking in Canada should be encouraged and promoted. Read more >>

New meningitis vaccine a "revolution"

The emergence of a new meningitis vaccine, rather than a large-scale outbreak of the disease, has prompted the current vaccination drive across West Africa. Health officials say the vaccine marks a "revolution" in preventing the highly contagious and fatal disease. Read more >>

Strategies to speed cancer drug development times and enhance efficacy

New Deloitte Recap Report identifies strategies to help reduce development times and increase success rates for cancer drugs Read more >>

Clicks encourages home-grown eye-care product

eyeSlices, producers of the Biotanix Range, have reported that three variants of the brand's range are available in 100 Clicks stores nationwide. These eyepads use a patented cryogel which is wholly South African technology. Clients report that the pads reduce the appearance of red or tired eyes, dark circles under the eyes, wrinkles and puffy eyes within five minutes. Read more >>

World Radiography Day - limit your exposure

While most South Africans take the technology behind an X-ray examination for granted, it still carries a potential risk of over-exposure to radiation. Read more >>

Labels must conform by March 2011

Stricter controls relating to product information on all labels are being introduced by the Department of Health as part of Regulation R146, in an attempt to bring more transparency to the consumer market, and to crack down on manufacturers breaching the regulations. Read more >>

Obesity on the rise in the UK

Two thirds of the UK population is either overweight or obese finds Datamonitor. Read more >>

Study confirms human excrements contribute to water pollution

Every person emits the equivalent of approximately 2 tons of carbon dioxide a year from the time food is produced to when the human body excretes it, representing more than 20% of total yearly emissions. That is what a study by the Universidad de Almer-a says, confirming for the first time that human excrements contribute to water pollution, primarily with nitrogen and phosphorus. Read more >>

XXXXL suits now on the racks: UK health experts concerned

[Dr Ananya Mandal, MD] In a worrying development Britain's largest 'off-the-peg' suit - the XXXXL - has gone on sale, boasting a 64 inch chest jacket (162cm) and 60 inch (152cm) waist trousers. Health experts fear the development and say that a record 5.5 million overweight Britons are now officially on GP registers with an 8% rise over last year. Read more >>

HASA welcomes Ramakgopa's appointment

The Hospital Association of South Africa (HASA) has welcomed the appointment of Dr Gwen Ramokgopa as Deputy Minister of Health. Read more >>