MEDICINE – RESEARCH – AUSTRALIA

Researchers hail heart transplant breakthrough

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Original article by Kate Hagan
The Age – Page: 2 : 15-Aug-14

Frank Rosenfeldt, head of cardiothoracic surgical research at the Alfred hospital in Melbourne, has developed a new way of keeping donor hearts for transplants viable during transfer. It uses a device to flush waste out of the organs and supply them with a solution of oxygen and nutrients, thereby extending the time they can be kept outside the body from the current four hours to up to a dozen. The first surgery relying on the method is set to be scheduled at the hospital before late 2015

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ALFRED HOSPITAL

Study finds lifestyle choices can offset ageing

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Original article by Nicky Phillips
The Sydney Morning Herald – Page: 3 : 30-Jul-14

Australian molecular biologist and Nobel Prize laureate Elizabeth Blackburn is among a group of scientists who have been studying factors in the ageing of DNA. Telomeres, protective caps on the ends of strands of DNA, are damaged when humans grow older, and this can cause cardiovascular and Alzheimer’s disease. The team of researchers has found that the process can be slowed by maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep

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Alarm over nursing home superbugs

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Original article by Dan Harrison
The Sydney Morning Herald – Page: 11 : 21-Jul-14

The "Medical Journal of Australia" will on 21 July 2014 publish new research by a team at Monash University’s Centre for Medicine Use & Safety. It argues that an indiscriminate and excessive use of antibiotics in nursing homes is creating a problem of resistance to the drugs by "superbugs". The authors advocate improved guidelines for staff at residential aged-care facilities on the use of antibiotics. The study looks at 12 nursing homes and their providers, including doctors, nurses and pharmacists

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MONASH UNIVERSITY. CENTRE FOR MEDICINE USE AND SAFETY

Report identifies ‘stroke belt’ along NSW coast

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Original article by Dan Harrison
The Sydney Morning Herald – Page: 10 : 15-Jul-14

The National Stroke Foundation has published a new ranking of Australian federal seats by the number of residents who have suffered a stroke. The data compiled by Deloitte Access Economics with the financial backing of pharmaceutical group Boehringer Ingelheim show that half of the top 10 electorates are located in New South Wales. Specifically they cover the coastal region from Byron Bay to North Shore in Sydney. There are some 12,000 fatalities due to stroke nationwide each year

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NATIONAL STROKE FOUNDATION, DELOITTE ACCESS ECONOMICS PTY LTD, BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM PTY LTD

Key to controlling appetite revealed

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Original article by Bridie Smith
The Age – Page: 8 : 14-Jul-14

Scientists at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience & Mental Health in Melbourne and Cambridge University in the UK have established a function of the insulin-like peptide 5 (Insl5) molecule. Found in the human colon, it is now believed to be responsible for letting the brain know when the body needs food. A version of Insl5 has been created in the laboratory, and the research may lead to the development of appetite suppressants that can help those suffering from obesity. It may also aid those who have lost their appetite during treatment for cancer or AIDS. The findings are being published in the "PNAS" journal

CORPORATES
THE FLOREY INSTITUTE OF NEUROSCIENCE AND MENTAL HEALTH, CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY, TAKEDA PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY LIMITED

Breathing technique to help avoid radiation

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Original article by Kate Hagan
The Age – Page: 2 : 9-Jul-14

Breast cancer patients receiving radiation treatment have an elevated risk of developing heart problems, of up to 2%, if the tumour is on the left. However, Epworth Hospital in Melbourne has had good results with teaching the women breathing techniques, so that they can stay still while the radiation doses are administered. Oncologist Andrew See says a clinical trial with a control group will be conducted to show whether the approach is worth pursuing

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EPWORTH HOSPITAL

Vast bulk of frozen eggs left on ice

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Original article by Kate Hagan
The Age – Page: 2 : 2-Jul-14

John McBain, a director of in-vitro fertilisation services provider Melbourne IVF, says it is partnering Monash University and Melbourne University on a new study. It will look into how to best address the fact that since 1999 some 150 women have asked the company to store their eggs for non-medical reasons, but just 10% have later sought to access the eggs again. Five of the 15 managed to fall pregnant after the procedure

CORPORATES
MELBOURNE IVF, MONASH UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

Obesity triggers asthma risk for children – study

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Original article by Amy Corderoy
The Sydney Morning Herald – Page: 2 : 2-Jul-14

A new study published in the "PLOS Medicine" journal on 2 July 2014 suggests a link between childhood obesity and asthma. The research by Australian and UK experts shows that each one-point rise in a child’s Body Mass Index is equivalent to a 55% higher risk of developing the disease. However Paul Robinson, a paediatric respiratory physician at University of Sydney and medical adviser to the Asthma Foundation, notes that the findings are not yet conclusive

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ASTHMA FOUNDATION OF AUSTRALIA, UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

One dementia patient on a quest to improve care

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Original article by Nicky Phillips
The Sydney Morning Herald – Page: 10 : 1-Jul-14

Some 320,000 Australians suffer form various types of dementia. A campaign for improved treatment and services for them is being fought by former civil servant Christine Bryden. At age 65 she remains determined to learn new skills, despite having been diagnosed with early onset dementia in 1995. John Hodges, a leading expert with Neuroscience Research Australia, says Bryden’s case is unusual. She has been featured in an episode of the ABC’s "Australian Story" program

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NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION, TWITTER INCORPORATED, FACEBOOK INCORPORATED

Fruit, vegetables delay onset of multiple chronic diseases

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Original article by Nicky Phillips
The Sydney Morning Herald – Page: 2 : 25-Jun-14

University of Adelaide researcher Zumin Shi is part of a global team that is studying the benefits of a diet high in fruit, vegetables and whole grains. The initial findings, to be published in the "Clinical Nutrition" journal, show that in a sample of 1,000 people in China those who followed the diet for half a decade had a substantially lower risk of developing a number of chronic diseases. These included diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure

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UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE