Omega 3 supplements can give antidepressants a boost, particularly in those people who don’t respond well to the medication, a new study has found. [ + ]

Low back pain is the most common symptom seen in primary care; the underlining injury is often enhanced by psychological and social stressors, write the authors of a Perspective published online today by the Medical Journal of Australia. [ + ]

TED stocking struggles, code brown and NGT troubles? In this series of Life Hacks for Nurses we will be offering up tips and clever solutions to the problems we face everyday. In Part 3 we take a look at tips and tricks to make your shift easier. [ + ]

[caption id="attachment_6586" align="alignright" width="110"] Professor Yvonne Brunetto[/caption] [ + ]

WHAT ARE THE SOLUTIONS? Slippery floors can be addressed through changes such as improvements in housekeeping practices (e.g., correctly using wet floor signs, immediately cleaning up spills, correctly removing grease, aggressively mopping building entrances on wet days). Floors that are frequently wet (e.g., bathrooms and kitchens) should be textured so they are not slick when covered with water or other contaminants. [ + ]

A novel procedure for heart valve replacement surgery could provide improved health outcomes for patients who cannot have open heart surgery, as well as being a cost effective alternative. [ + ]

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As a nurse you live on your feet. Standing, walking and running all day can take its toll and leave you with plantar fasciitis, bunions, bone spurs, varicose veins, Achilles tendons, tarsal tunnel syndrome and Morton’s neuroma – all conditions that have affected generations of nurses. To avoid limping through your shift, here some life hacks to keep the bounce in your step. If the shoe fits Supportive walking shoes are the most important factor in preventing foot pain. Have your shoes professionally fitted for the length and width of your feet. Choose shoes that have a stiff mid to back, a wide covered toe box, a rocker in the front and have a rubber sole for shock absorption. It’s advisable to treat your shoes like athletic gear and replace them every 6 months or at least once a year. On the outside your shoes may still be in great condition while the tread and internal support can be breaking down. Support your friends Your feet carry you through life so treat them with kindness. Now you have your perfect shoes, if you have significant foot pain and/or flat feet, you may need a podiatrist. Although department stores sell a wide variety of inserts for flat feet it is hard to choose exactly the right one. A custom insert from a podiatrist will cost more but is more likely to give your feet the support they need. Take a load off Taking regular short breaks from standing can help to prevent foot pain. When you have a break, try to avoid running errands and give your feet a rest. Stretching can also help to loosen up tight muscles and tendons and take the strain off the bottom of the foot. We stretch after a work-out so treat your shift in the same way. Stretch it Stretch 1: When you get home lie on your back and lift up one leg at a 90 degree angle; hold there with both hands. Point your foot down then flex it with a full range of motion. Do 2 sets of 25 point-and-flexes per foot at least two times per week. [ + ]

Standing wheelchairs and robotic mobility devices are changing the lives of people with paraplegia. Standing mobility devices are being engineered to assist all people with function mobility problems in the lower limbs to manoeuver in small and confined spaces and perform standard daily life routines independently. (1) [ + ]

Restoration of various finger, hand and wrist movement in a person with paralysis has been achieved for the first time by using signals recorded from the patient's motor cortex, reports a study published in Nature this week. [ + ]

In this series of Life hacks for nurses we will be offering up tips and clever solutions to the problems we face everyday. In Part 1 we take a look at needlephobia. [ + ]

When policymakers and researchers discuss marketing to health professionals, the relationships between nurses and industry are seldom considered. And these relationships remain almost entirely invisible to the public. [ + ]

Australian sugary drinks tax could prevent thousands of heart attacks and strokes and save 1,600 lives according to our research - Gary Sacks, Deakin University; Jane Martin, University of Melbourne, and Lennert Veerman, The University of Queensland [ + ]

Heart procedures that involve the use of X-rays may dramatically increase the risk of health problems ranging from cataracts to cancer suffered by medical staff, a study has found. [ + ]

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