FOCUS: THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES
Novel 5-minute breathing workout improves BP, may boost brain function - clinical trial
April 17th, 2019 Researchers found significant drops in blood pressure, improvements in large-artery function, and improved performance on certain cognitive and memory tests, by subject who performed Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training, which involves breathing...
Nutritious foods but not dietary supplements linked to lower mortality risk
April 17th, 2019 Adequate intake of certain nutrients is associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality when the nutrient source is foods, but not supplements, according to a study. There was no association between dietary supplement use and a lower risk of...
Large UK study finds statins fail to lower cholesterol in over half of patients
April 17th, 2019 Experts have warned a more tailored approach is needed to the prescribing of statins, following a study suggesting they are ineffective at lowering cholesterol to target levels in more than half of patients. The research by primary care experts...
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November 7th, 2018
WEEKLY ROUNDUP
Discovery cancer patient numbers nearly doubled since 2010
The number of Discovery Health Medical Scheme members receiving treatment for cancer has increased by 99% since 2010, even though the scheme’s... April 17th, 2019Inquest into Richards Bay doctor's gunshot death
A well-known Richards Bay doctor has died after he accidentally shot himself in the face at his home. According to a Post report, Dr Dayanandah Appal... April 17th, 2019J&J's advanced bladder cancer drug wins FDA approval
Johnson & Johnson’s drug Balversa has won US approval as the first targeted therapy for advanced bladder cancer, the Food and Drug... April 17th, 2019US regulators approve new two-drug combination pill for HIV
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Dovato, a new single-tablet antiretroviral regimen containing the HIV integrase inhibitor... April 17th, 2019Alleged corruption at HPCSA a symptom of incompetence — Solidarity
The Solidarity Occupational Guild for Health Practitioners has strongly condemned the alleged corruption in the Health Professions Council of South... April 17th, 2019Cipla Medpro buys stake in Brandmed
Pharmaceutical manufacturer Cipla Medpro, a wholly owned subsidiary of Indian generic giant Cipla, has acquired a 30% stake in local digital health... April 17th, 2019Papua New Guinea faces 'dangerous penis enlargement problem'
Doctors in Papua New Guinea have warned of a “nationwide problem” of men injecting foreign substances, including coconut oil and silicone, into... April 17th, 2019Cape Town primary healthcare clinics achieve platinum status
The City of Cape Town’s seven clinics have achieved platinum status in terms of the National Ideal Clinic Framework which aims at systematically... April 17th, 2019GASTROENTEROLOGY
Faecal transplant shows potential as treatment for autism
A special type of faecal transplant showed at two-year point sustained improved gut health, as well as a sustained 45% reduction in core autism... April 17th, 2019Restaurant claims of 'gluten-free' are often incorrect — US study
Even tiny amounts of gluten in foods are troublesome for people with coeliac disease, and restaurants may be the hardest places to avoid the protein,...
April 17th, 2019
GERONTOLOGY
Hypertension linked to regular sleeping pill use in older people
Older adults with hypertension followed from 2008-2010 through 2012-2013, using sleeping pills on a regular basis was linked with use of an... April 17th, 2019HIV/AIDS
When PrEP should be offered as a 'matter of urgency'
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) should be offered as a matter of urgency to gay men with a recent STI or multiple condomless partners, found an...
April 17th, 2019
The complicated issue of weight gain with new ARVs
Professor Francois Venter and Dr Simiso Sokhela write in a Spotlight report: “South Africa’s next big shift in our antiretroviral programme is to... April 17th, 2019NUTRITION
Diet rich in red meat link to 23% greater risk of death in Finnish men
A diet rich in animal protein and meat in particular is not good for the health, a study from the University of Eastern Finland finds, providing...
April 17th, 2019
ONCOLOGY
Dogs detect malignant lung cancer with 97% accuracy
A study has shown that dogs can use their highly evolved sense of smell to pick out blood samples from people with cancer with almost 97% accuracy....
April 17th, 2019