Society for Family Health sees rise in demand for HIV services, products

Society for Family Health (SFH), one of South Africa's leading non-profit HIV prevention organisations, saw an increase in demand for its health services and products in 2010, as South Africa continued to push forward in its efforts to curb the spread of HIV and AIDS. Read more >>

Global Fund supports SA initiatives to fight HIV and AIDS

The South African Breweries Limited, the South African Business Coalition on HIV and Aids (SABCOHA) and the Global Fund, has formalised a partnership which aims to make a significant contribution to South Africa's fight against HIV and AIDS. Read more >>

'World's most ambitious HIV testing campaign' launched

In a venture aimed at getting tomorrow's leaders tested today, the Innovative Medicines of South Africa (Imsa) on Monday launched a university-based HIV counselling and testing (HCT) campaign called First Things First. Read more >>

Abuse is Abuse campaign evolves from CSI entry

Originally conceived as an entry piece into the 2009 Vuka! Awards (an M-Net corporate social investment project aimed at providing exposure to worthy causes and charities), the 'Abuse is Abuse' campaign has since grown into something far bigger. Read more >>

Dr Ashwin Hurribunce appointed to PinkDrive board

CMF (Cause Marketing Fundraisers) has announced the appointment of Dr Ashwin Hurribunce to the board of directors. Dr Hurribunce brings unique skills and focus to CMF and provides a wealth of experience and knowledge to the organization; his position will fill a key advisory and mentorship role. Read more >>

Third trimester amniotic fluid a reliable source of stem cells

In a study that was presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's annual meeting in San Francisco, Biocell Centre, the leader in amniotic fluid banking, together with a group of collaborators, confirmed that amniotic fluid collected during the third trimester of pregnancy is a reliable source of stem cells for regenerative medicine and stem cell banking. Read more >>

Scientists establish biomarker strategy to diagnose variety of cancer types

A team of biologists, clinical oncologists, pathologists and information scientists has established a strategy for identifying biomarkers. If a particular pattern of these biomarkers can be detected in the blood, this indicates a cancerous disease. An interdisciplinary research breakthrough that opens many doors. Read more >>

Researchers develop new pneumococcal vaccine through novel discovery approach

Pneumococcus (Streptococcus pneumoniae) accounts for as much as 11% of mortality in young children worldwide. While successful vaccines like Prevnar® exist, they are expensive and only work against specific pneumococcal strains, with the risk of becoming less effective as new strains emerge. Read more >>

Host genetics plays unexpected role in dance with pathogen

A new study suggests that differences in the host's genetics can make a big difference in susceptibility bacterial infection. Read more >>

Metallic copper surfaces kill bacteria on contact

Metallic copper surfaces kill microbes on contact, decimating their populations, according to a paper in the February 2011 issue of the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology. Read more >>

Vitamin D levels not linked to prostate cancer development

Vitamin D levels do not affect men's chances of developing prostate cancer, according to new research published in the journal Cancer Causes and Control. Read more >>

Too much kougoed not so good, says SU researcher

If you want to chew the indigenous plant kougoed to calm you or make you feel less depressed, do so in moderation - don't indulge yourself indiscriminately. Read more >>

New findings on children with diabetes and cardiovascular disease

Study finds that early signs of cardiovascular disease manifest before onset of puberty in children with diabetes. Read more >>

New blood pressure measurement device may enable doctors to treat patients more effectively

In a major scientific breakthrough, a new blood pressure measurement device is set to revolutionise the way patients' blood pressure is measured. Read more >>

Study identifies critical events that influence students to quit college

College students who consider dropping out are particularly sensitive to a handful of critical events including depression and loss of financial aid, according to a study led by Michigan State University scholars. Read more >>

Grief after loss of a significant other may become a disease

In the current issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, a group of French investigators headed by Guy Chouinard presents data that indicate that grief after the loss of a significant other may become a disease. Read more >>

Emotional response to challenging situations predict body's response to stress

Your emotional response to challenging situations could predict how your body responds to stress, according to research published this month in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. Read more >>

Calling all Joburg prostate patients and survivors

There will be a Prostate Support Group meeting on 5 March 2011 at 18 Eton Road, Parktown. After the talk it is planned to have some time to sit and share experiences. All patients and caregivers are welcome and there is no charge. Find full details here. Find out more about CanSurvive Cancer Support Group here.

Research: Urban children spend more time playing outdoors

Young children living in urban public housing spend more time playing outdoors than other urban children, according to researchers at Rice University, Columbia University and Princeton University. Read more >>

Study finds water softener no benefit to children with eczema

The first study of its kind in the world - involving 336 children aged between six months and 16 years old - has shown that installing a water softener for three months brings no additional relief for eczema sufferers. Read more >>

Vaccine targets world's biggest child-killer

An estimated 700 000 deaths could be averted by 2015 with the widespread use of a vaccine against pneumonia and other pneumococcal diseases that are the world's biggest child-killer. Read more >>

Booze ad ban no cure for hangover

NEWSWATCH: Bizcommunity.com's very own Chris Moerdyk, writing in Business Day, takes issue with the government's proposed ban on alcohol advertising and reckons that based on overseas research, any ban is bound to fail. Meanwhile, Sanef is objecting to a call by MPs to have the profession legally defined, reports Times Live. Read more >>

More clinics for Joburg residents

Johannesburg residents can now access basic health services at 80 fixed and satellite clinics located across the City. The clinics provide a wide range of treatments from immunisation to Anti-Retroviral treatments for HIV and AIDS patients. Read more >>

New diagnostic tool to detect patients with active TB disease

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the most pressing public health priorities for the 21st century, with over one third of the world population infected. Active TB disease is a major issue both for the patients who require specific treatment and at a population level, since these patients are contagious. Read more >>

Diagnosis of breast cancer in women over 70 leads to lower survival

Women over 70 are being diagnosed with breast cancer at a later stage leading to lower survival from the disease in the elderly, new research shows today, 16 February 2011. Read more >>

Screening breast MRIs can detect invasive cancers in women with history of chest irradiation

Breast cancer screening with MRI can detect invasive cancers missed on mammography in women who've undergone chest irradiation for other diseases, according to a new study published online and in the April print edition of Radiology. Read more >>