French company Dassualt Systemes has announced the upcoming commercial release of the world-first 3D simulated “living heart” model which will assist researchers and medical professionals in testing a variety of diagnostics and therapeutic treatments on the human heart in a completely safe environment. [ + ]

Widespread microbial resistance – where antibiotics are no longer able to kill bacteria – is increasingly seen as an apocalyptic threat. Routine surgical procedures could become perilous and minor problems like urinary tract infections could kill.Research warns such a situation could potentially cast us back to a Victorian-style era of medicine in which tens of millions of people die annually and the global economy loses US$100 trillion (£63 trillion) in output. [ + ]

An even greater motivation for women looking to conceive and already pregnant to consume a healthy diet for has been established: the link to asthma severity during pregnancy. [ + ]

[embed]https://youtu.be/f_5DCfGKdaA[/embed] [ + ]

The Norfolk Island Government has granted Australian medicinal cannabis company AusCann a license to grow and export the crop with harvests beginning in May 2016. [ + ]

Medicines Australia, the pharmaceutical industry representative body primarily responsible for the drugs listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) has announced two key appointments today, both of whom hail from an Abbott government background. [ + ]

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 Among the important dialogue about the problem addiction poses to society, a critical piece of the puzzle is being overlooked and needs to be acknowledged in order to re-dress the balance of this problem. That dialogue is about recovery. [ + ]

Yesterday’s 2015-16 Federal Budget announcement held a lot of news for the medical sector. While we will be exploring each of the sections in further details over the next few days, here is a summary of the key points from the Government’s proposal to reduce national debt and stimulate the economy. [ + ]

There is already plenty of emerging evidence that casual gamers have improved social, emotional and problem-solving skills as well as games providing a good way for kids to learn about technology. But now we have proof that gaming is good for the brain. [ + ]

Australia’s health records system has taken a leap forward thanks to an announcement from Health Minister Sussan Ley over the weekend, changing the currently floundering opt-in service to an opt-out service, much to the approval of health practitioners. [ + ]

A study heralded to reshape the treatment of breast cancer as we find more evidence indicating the immune system does not behave the way we first thought will be presented before the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) Annual Scientific Conference this week in Perth. [ + ]

Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) made news last week when it removed editor-in-chief Emeritus Professor Stephen Leeder after his disagreements with its plans to outsource production to Elsevier. [ + ]

An X-rated video campaign encouraging men to check for testicular campaign has been viewed over half a million times, in a cheeky Game of Thrones parody entitled Game of Balls. It was produced by Australian charity Blue Ball Foundation. [ + ]

Medical professionals have topped Australia’s most regarded professions with Nursing been officially recognised as Australia’s ‘most ethical and honest profession’ according to the latest Roy Morgan Image of Professions Survey. [ + ]