New president appointed for ACIPC
24 November, 2015 by Corin KellyProfessor Ramon Shaban has been appointed President of the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control (ACIPC). The announcement was made at the ACIPC AGM in Hobart where the college is currently hosting its annual conference.
Virtual reality opens up blocked heart
23 November, 2015 by Corin KellyVirtual reality (VR) has the potential to revolutionize aspects of medicine and healthcare. Several medical specialties are already using it to train physicians and assist diagnosis and treatment. A group of cardiologists from the Institute of Cardiology, Warsaw, Poland has successfully used a VR device to guide the opening up (revascularisation) of a chronically blocked right coronary artery.
Nurse fronts penalty rates campaign
23 November, 2015 by Corin KellyTeidi Chad, veteran nurse, is the face of a campaign defending penalty rates launched by UnionsACT in October.
Stronger warning for popular painkillers
19 November, 2015 by Corin KellyFollowing a review by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), a range of popular painkillers will carry a stronger warning, alerting users to the potential for increased risk of heart attack, stroke and in the case of diclofenac, liver toxicity.
Men need to break a sweat to avoid stroke
18 November, 2015 by Corin KellyEmerging evidence suggests physical activity is a good means of preventing a stroke. In the event that someone who regularly exercises does have a stroke, they are likely to have a less severe stroke and better outcomes in the early and later stages of rehabilitation.
Terror attacks put paramedics on the line
16 November, 2015 by Corin KellyWith terror attacks increasing across the globe, the spotlight is on paramedics who are often the first respondents to major emergencies. Research conducted by Garry Stevens and his team from the Disaster Response & Resilience Research Group (DRR), University of Western Sydney, reveals that a paramedic’s confidence and willingness to respond to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives-related (CBRNE) incidents differs from that relating to their ‘routine’ emergency work.
Malaria protein may lead to a cure
16 November, 2015 by Corin KellyMalaria is responsible for almost half a million deaths a year, mainly in developing countries. The parasite undergoes a complex life cycle that requires two hosts – a mosquito and a mammal. New research from The University of Nottingham could reveal how the malaria parasite thrives within its insect and human hosts, leading to potential new treatments.
The next epidemic? Predicting where and when
13 November, 2015 by Corin KellySoftware 'agents' modelled on real-life individuals will be used by University of Sydney researchers to develop high-precision computer models that can predict where or when an epidemic may strike.
3-D printing of human tissue
12 November, 2015 by Corin KellyA team led by University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) has developed a technique to build tiny models of human tissues, called organoids, more precisely than ever before, using a process that turns human cells into a biological equivalent of LEGO bricks. These mini-tissues in a dish can be used to study how particular structural features of tissue affect normal growth or go awry in cancer. They could be used for therapeutic drug screening and to help teach researchers how to grow whole human organs.
Inquiry supports RNs in aged care
11 November, 2015 by Corin KellyA four-month inquiry into the role of registered nurses within residential aged care in NSW, found shifts led by a registered nurse often reduced unnecessary hospitalisations and increased the quality of clinical care within residential aged sites.
Skin carcinomas linked to other cancers
11 November, 2015 by Corin KellyNon-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are the most common cancers in Australia and account for seven out of every eight new cancers diagnosed. Unlike melanomas that are less common and more aggressive, NMSCs are relatively easy to treat and rarely spread to other parts of the body. People who do get non-melanoma skin cancers, however, particularly before the age of 25, are at a much greater risk of developing 30 other cancers, including breast, colon and lung cancers. This is according to research by Dr Rodney Sinclair and colleagues, published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
