A Focus
Surprise HIV finding in SA circumcision study
August 15th, 2018 Circumcision is a proven intervention that reduces the chance of contracting HIV by 60%, but a study has found that medically circumcised older men in Mpumalanga had a higher rate of HIV than uncircumcised men. A possible explanation is that men are...
EU seeks to restrict chemicals in tattoo inks over cancer fears
August 15th, 2018 The EU’s chemicals watchdog has concluded that substances found in tattooing inks may pose a cancer risk, although there is no direct evidence, and member states will vote in 2019 on restrictions for 4,000 chemicals currently in use. The European...
Women more likely to survive heart attack if treated by female doctor
August 8th, 2018 A large US study found higher mortality among female heart attack patients treated by male doctors than those treated by women. Male and female patients experience similar outcomes when treated by female physicians, suggesting that unique challenges...
Gauteng's hospitals of harm
August 8th, 2018 More than 20‚000 patients have been harmed at state hospitals in Gauteng in the space of two-and-a-half years, according to official statistics. Chris Hani Baragwanath is the most dangerous hospital and accounted for more than a quarter of all...
No alcohol or too much increases dementia risk
August 8th, 2018 Both abstention and consumption of more than 14 units of alcohol a week during middle age, increases dementia risk found a large international study. Every 7-unit a week increase in consumption above 14 units - the UK maximum guideline - was...
Health Science dean's suicide spotlights SA workplace stress
August 1st, 2018 The suicide of Professor Bongani Mayosi – a cardiologist‚ researcher‚ and dean of health sciences at the University of Cape Town – has been attributed some to the pressure he had to endure from abusive protesting students. It again...
ACC review: Plant-based diet with little or no animal products is best
August 1st, 2018 Researchers from the American College of Cardiology's Nutrition & Lifestyle Workgroup of the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Council have released their second review of nutritional "hypes" and controversies around dairy products, added...
Cancer patients using alternative therapies decrease survival chances
August 1st, 2018 Cancer patients who use alternative therapies are be more likely to shun conventional treatments and risk their chances of survival, a study of 1,290 patients in the US found. People who received such therapies often refused life-saving care such as...
Use of adrenaline doubles risk of brain damage in cardiac arrest patients
July 25th, 2018 A clinical trial of the use of adrenaline in cardiac arrests has found that its results in less than 1% more people leaving hospital alive but almost doubles the risk of severe brain damage for survivors of cardiac arrest. The PARAMEDIC2 trial is...
'Dangerous complacency' risks resurgence of HIV pandemic — Lancet Commission
July 25th, 2018 A ‘dangerous complacency’ in response to the global HIV pandemic is risking a resurgence of the disease, found theLancet Commission, led by the International AIDS Society. As things stand, the world is no longer on course to end the pandemic by...
The ketogenic diet is no cure for cancer, despite what the cranks say
July 25th, 2018 Cranks who recommend deferring or replacing standard oncological care with the ketogenic diet are grossly irresponsible, writes MedicalBrief columnist Alastair McAlpine. Desperate and impressionable cancer patients should not be fodder for book...
Bedaquiline significantly reduces XDR- and MDR-TB mortality
July 18th, 2018 Bedaquiline-based regimens are associated with 'striking' reductions in mortality in patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis, University of Cape Town and Department of Health research has found. This is according to a study by researchers at...
Antibody blood test to detect melanoma in its early stages
July 18th, 2018 Australian researchers are claiming a breakthrough with a blood test for early stage melanoma. In a trial involving 105 patients with melanoma and 104 healthy people, the procedure detected early stage melanoma in 79% of cases. Researchers at...
VR success in treating fear of heights — randomised controlled trial
July 18th, 2018 A virtual reality (VR) programme was more successful in treating fear of heights than the results expected with the best psychological intervention delivered face to face with a therapist, one of the largest ever randomised controlled trials...
Health Market Inquiry: ‘Nothing we don't already know', says Health Minister
July 11th, 2018 The four-year long Competition Commission Health Market Inquiry's finding reveal what Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi says he already knew – that South Africa's private healthcare has become so expensive, even those on medical aid can’t...