It's good to the bone: hip surgery 'waste' could become healing cells
AMY CORDEROY People who need hip replacements could be able to use cells taken during the procedure to help heal their damaged bones, researchers say.
More than 50 per cent of women who binge drink continue the practice during pregnancy, study finds
Kate Hagan More than half of women who binge drink continue to do so during pregnancy, an Australian study has found, with fewer than one in five following guidelines to abstain from alcohol.
Binge drinkers continue practice in pregnancy, study finds
Kate Hagan More than half of women who binge drink continue to do so during pregnancy, an Australian study has found, with fewer than one in five following guidelines to abstain from alcohol.
Bone of contention
Paula Goodyer Fish oil's healthy reputation is under scrutiny as questions are raised about its links to cancer.
Theatre of war: the next act is coming home
JACQUELINE MALEY Australia's Defence Force Chief, General David Hurley, knows better than most that while you can train troops for war, it is much harder to train them for coming home.
Science
Stethoscope may be replaced by new ultrasound technology
Jasper Copping The cold sensation of the doctor's stethoscope has been familiar to patients for decades, but it could soon be replaced by new technology.
Google search doesn't reveal doctors' bad behaviour listed on AHPRA site
AMY CORDEROY People are being put at risk because there is no way of telling from internet searches if their doctor has broken the rules or is working under sanctions from medical regulators, experts warn.
No external inspections of dentists' sterilisation procedures
LUCY CARROLL Dentists are being left to manage infection control with no random audits of their cleanliness, health authorities say.
Study finds throat infections caused by gonorrhoea on the rise
AMANDA HOH Men living in Sydney’s south-east have experienced a four-fold increase in throat infections caused by gonorrhoea, a new study has found.
Smoking increases chances of child being gay in adulthood: neuroscientist
Claire Carter Women who smoke or lead a stressful life during their pregnancy can influence their child's sexuality and IQ, a neuroscientist has claimed.
Patients of dentist informed of possible exposure to HIV, hepatitis
LUCY CARROLL Almost 1000 patients treated by a Sydney dentist over the past decade may have been exposed to HIV and other infectious diseases because medical equipment was not properly sterilised. Patient advocates say the case raises ''deeply concerning'' questions about patient safety in dental clinics and the quality of medical regulation.
Treatment may save thousands from blindness
Sarah Knapton Thousands of people suffering from common forms of blindness could have their sight restored by a pioneering treatment. Researchers at Oxford University have discovered that by replacing a missing protein in the retina they can prevent cells from degenerating.
Bursts of the blues pose low long-term risk for teens: study
LUCY CARROLL Most teenagers who are plagued by short bouts of depression and anxiety in adolescence will fully recover by adulthood, a study has found.
Nut allergy concern as Nestle, charity push new muesli bars
MARK HAWTHORNE Nestle and an anti-allergy charity have been accused of encouraging a new range of ''lunchbox friendly'' muesli bars to be allowed in playgrounds, even though they could be dangerous for people with nut allergies.
Science
Australian researchers hail new cost-effective gene sequencing machine
JULIA MEDEW Leading Australian researchers say thousands of Australians are set to benefit from the acquisition of new machines that can sequence a whole human genome for about $1000.
DIY dementia test takes 15 minutes
Sarah Knapton American researchers have developed a simple, self-administered, 15-minute test that they claim will help identify the early signs of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.
Plain packaging cigarettes prompted a spike in Quitline calls
JULIA MEDEW Australia's world-leading introduction of plain cigarette packaging appears to have triggered a significant spike in callers to Quitline.
GPs oppose insurers covering cost of visits for fear of switching
DAN HARRISON Doctors have expressed concern that proposals to allow private insurers to pay for GP visits might encourage people to change doctors, undermining continuity of care.
Senate to grill audit chiefs on health rebate and negative gearing
DAN HARRISON Senators plan to question the Abbott government's commissioners of audit on proposals to slaughter the political ''sacred cows'' of the private health insurance rebate and the negative gearing tax concessions blamed for putting home ownership out of reach for a generation of Australians.
New laws in NSW seek to strengthen disease prevention at childcare
CATHERINE ARMITAGE Get ready for illness. That is the advice to families starting their infants in childcare over the next few weeks.
Poo-therapy the new frontier in medical treatment
Anjana Ahuja It is fashionable to kick off the new year with a detox, which supposedly clears the body of waste products that have accumulated over the year. In fact, the concept of ''detoxing'' is a modern myth, derided by doctors and dietitians.
Vaccine objectors rise as parents skirt 'no jab, no play' law
Cindy Ngo Conscientious objection to childhood immunisation is on the rise as parents exploit a loophole in the new ''no jab, no play'' law that allows unvaccinated children to be enrolled in childcare centres.
Muscling up: are steroids an emerging criminal threat?
Terry Goldsworthy What are steroids, and how widespread is their use?
Doc Neeson
Life-changing event for Doc Neeson: brain cancer
I first went into hospital after collapsing just before Christmas Eve 2012. I came out for dinner with my family but became very ill during our meal and had to go back to hospital.
Steroid use soars among young men
Peter Munro Steroids have become the drug of choice for people who start injecting illicit substances, eclipsing methamphetamines and heroin in popularity among young men.
Smoking on the increase as population rises
LUCY CARROLL A surging population has driven up the number of smokers worldwide, with 35 per cent more people lighting up today than in 1980, a US study has found.
What fat mice tell us: Link between body clock and gaining weight
BRIDIE SMITH The body clock may be more influential than previously thought, with researchers finding that it could also play a role in how fat we become and contribute to the risk of diseases such as diabetes.
Science
Cancer breakthrough: researchers discover key protein
BRIDIE SMITH Researchers have discovered that by disabling a protein found in lymphoma cells they can limit the cancer's growth and ultimately make it disappear.
Kay Patterson: Public needs education to stop blow-out in healthcare
DAN HARRISON Former Liberal health minister Kay Patterson says people must be educated about the cost of health services they use, warning the government faces tough choices as the health budget comes under ''enormous'' pressure.
Superannuation tapped to fund weight-loss surgery
LUCY CARROLL Cost-of-living pressures forced more than 10,000 Australians to raid their superannuation last year, with many paying for medical treatments including radical weight-loss surgery.
