Archived News for Health Sector Professionals - February, 2014
A pilot program is using technology to bridge education barriers worldwide, by conducting courses through avatars in an entirely virtual world.
Health star site fight continues to chase names
Labor senators have opened fire on Federal Assistant Health Minister Fiona Nash over her involvement in controversies surrounding a food health star-rating website.
Lack of evidence prompts deeper look for wind farm effects
The National Health and Medical Research Council says there is no evidence that wind farms cause adverse health effects in humans, re-iterating the findings of virtually all credible studies on the matter.
Calls for remote access to take better mental care nationwide
A researcher from the University of South Australia says there are a few changes which would greatly improve mental health services in Australia, particularly to rural areas.
Closed talks continue on medical, intellectual and economic future
A new round of Trans-Pacific Partnership talks have begun in Singapore, where trade ministers from twelve nations carve out the final parts of the far-reaching deal.
Coal fires coat town in haze of health concerns
Fires in Victorian open-cut coal mines have created a major health risk, with hazardous smoke destroying air quality.
Cuts to trim 'over-staffed' Perth hospitals
The Western Australian government has announced hundreds of jobs will be cut from two Perth hospitals in order to re-direct funds to other avenues.
Lively liver cells created, transplanted and functioning in mice
Researchers have developed a method to turn skin cells into mature, fully functioning liver cells, that flourish after being transplanted into laboratory animals with liver failure.
New exoskeleton tops fit, comfort and movement stakes
A successful test has shown the future for prosthetics, with a fully-customised exoskeleton allowing a paralysed skier to walk for the first time in over twenty years.
Simple suggestions for more Medicare money
A health policy expert says Medicare improvements can be made by modifying peoples’ thinking, not how much they pay.
St Johns defensive after students hit the streets
On night shifts last week, three out of four Darwin ambulance crews did not include a qualified paramedic, but St John Ambulance has defended sending trainees onto the streets.
New centre plots ancient lines for modern help
A new research centre will use high-tech tools to investigate the history of the country’s first residents.
Health overhaul talk flags new payments, private involvement
The Health Minister may soon end months of speculation over the future of Medicare, but it looks like the changes will not be to everyone’s liking.
Devil destruction gives clues on cancer evolution
As Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) continues to ravage the world’s largest carnivorous marsupial, researchers say the treatment program is providing insights on influences for cancer evolution.
Health grants fund broad range of vital efforts
The funds are flowing to help Australian researchers usher a new age of medical treatments, with the announcement of $134 million worth of health research grants.
Working toward uniform genetic data
Researchers have made progress on a major hurdle for next-level genetic treatments.
Claims of industrial muscling in NSW health
A partly union-owned health provider has been accused of forcing other medical services out of town, but says the claims are over-blown.
Health rating site derailed by junk food insider
What seemed like an innocuous error has become a scandal in the healthcare bureaucracy after a potential conflict of interest in the Health Department.
New ways could mean clear skies for more clouded minds
The latest edition of the journal Current Psychiatry has detailed a range of new emerging treatments for depression, moving care beyond common antidepressants such as Prozac and Zoloft.
Science lights up the decisive mental switchboard
Research has shown how our brain combines internal and external information to create a complete view of the world.
Talking app to use phones for mobility
A smartphone app is helping the blind stay mobile with public transport, giving up-to-the-minute location and stop information that is often lacking.