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New insights into an old problem
Summary report drawn from MedicineNet, Time, Reuters Health, Journal of Hepatology, Stroke, Advances in Nutrition and JAMA Pediatrics
The dangerous effects of alcohol have been studied for centuries, but research continues to throw up interesting new findings:
* It has been assumed cirrhosis is a function of the volume of alcohol consumed irrespective of drinking patterns. Investigators have now established that alcohol drinking pattern has a significant influence.
* Too much alcohol in middle age can increase stroke risk as much as high blood pressure or diabetes. Midlife heavy drinkers were likely to have a stroke five years earlier in life, irrespective of genetic and lifestyle factors, a study found.
* For years, research has suggested that mixing alcohol and heavily-caffeinated energy drinks could have negative health effects. Research as now found that combining the two seems to make you want to drink more, as well as mask signs of inebriation.
Proclamation led to 'untenable and unintended’ situation
Summary report drawn from The Times, Mail&Guardian, News24, Business Day and the Constitutional Court judgment
The South African Constitutional Court yesterday handed government’ legal advisers a stinging rebuke, describing President Jacob Zuma’s signing of a proclamation that forces healthcare workers to obtain government permission to work in their preferred location as ‘irrational and invalid’. The Court nullified sections 36-40 of the National Health Care Act but the legislation remains on the table.
Summary report drawn from Science Daily, International Journal of Epidemiology, Medical News, The New York Times, and CBS News
Screening for disease has long been a key component of modern healthcare. Now Stanford School of Medicine researchers evaluating 39 screening tests for 19 major diseases from 48 randomised controlled trials and 9 meta-analyses have shown that few screening tests for have brought documented reductions in disease-specific mortality. Similarly, it is being argued that the annual medical check-up is of little value and should be abandoned. This has brought a strong response from family physicians.
From soil micro-organism to pharmaceutical gold
A new antibiotic – the first in nearly 30 years – has been discovered by scientists who claim it appears to be as good, or better, than many existing drugs ,with the potential to work against a broad range of fatal infections such as pneumonia and tuberculosis. Successful in animal tests, the antibiotc is born from a new way to tap the powers of soil microorganisms,
Because resistance can evolve quickly, the high costs of drug development aren't seen as having long-term value, and fewer new antibiotics are reaching the market. However, he prototype drug, called teixobactin, works against harmful bacteria in a unique way that is highly unlikely to lead to drug-resistance.
Report drawn from The Independent, Smithsonian Mag, Nature, Business Day and The Guardian
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