2012 IPA Best of Health Awards open for entries

The 2012 IPA Best of Health Awards, recognised as the top creative advertising awards by healthcare agencies, are now open for entries worldwide until 2 April 2012. This year the competition sees the introduction of three new categories: Integrated Idea, Local Innovation and The Young Talent Award. Read more >>

The delicate art of medical marketing

[Craig Lyon] Requiring specialised knowledge and high degrees of informed creativity, 'dark marketing' is becoming increasingly prominent in everyday life as more and more industries come under increased control and, even those that are not, turn to new and innovative ways to punt their wares. And it is in this domain that marketing for the pharmaceutical industry lies. Read more >>

Go bold or bald with 9th annual CANSA Shavathon

The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) is gearing up for its 9th annual Shavathon, which takes place from 1 - 4 March 2012. Last year, the initiative raised R7.1 million with the help of volunteers at 250 shopping centres and 220 workplaces. Read more >>

CSI Conference in North West for grant makers, NPOs

CSI Golaganyang, a two-day conference to be held at the Madiba Halls in Potchefstroom on 14-15 March 2012, will have as its focus 'Unite in Social Change'. An estimated 100 grant makers and approximately 300 non-profit institutions are expected to attend. Read more >>

Straight from the gut: Microbes can cause obesity

[Helen Dodson] Obesity and chronic liver disease can be triggered by a family of proteins that alter populations of microbes in the stomach, a discovery that suggests the condition may be infectious, Yale scientists report. The study, in the advance online publication of Nature, expands on earlier Yale research that showed how similar microbial imbalances caused by the same family of proteins increases the risk of intestinal diseases such as colitis. Read more >>

Generics vs branded drugs: get what you believe

[Dr Karen Koch] Like many people, you may be hesitant to buy less expensive alternatives to brand-name drugs, despite legislation allowing pharmacists to substitute original medications with generic alternatives. Read more >>

Generic market set for rapid growth in 2012

Growth of the generic pharmaceutical market - locally and globally - is set to rapidly accelerate in 2012, building on the significant momentum the sector achieved last year. Read more >>

Freezing technique exposes molecule-to-molecule attachments

[Eric Gershon] Researchers at Yale University have developed a new way of exposing the atomic attachments that keep complex molecules in precise alignment. The new method could provide insight into the mechanics of a variety of molecular structures, potentially aiding efforts to manipulate them for drug discovery and other purposes. Read more >>

Brain size could determine whether you are good at maintaining friendships

Researchers are suggesting that there is a link between the number of friends you have and the size of the region of the brain - known as the orbital prefrontal cortex - that is found just above the eyes. A new study shows that this brain region is bigger in people who have a larger number of friendships. Their study is published on 1 February 2012 in the journal, Proceedings of the Royal Society B. Read more >>

Addicts' cravings have different roots in men and women

[Bill Hathaway] When it comes to addiction, sex matters. Read more >>

Become a moment in time

It's that time of year when 13 South African's living with cancer are selected and appointed as ambassadors of the Moments in Time for the year ahead. Read more >>

Sorry, but carbo is really a no-no

Sports science expert Professor Tim Noakes has caused a stir in health circles by refuting his own nutritional advice, widely espoused as athletics gospel. Read more >>

Make the call to eat 'slow' food

[Sally-Anne Creed] We live in an instant world, where immediate gratification is the norm. Cellphones, processed food, microwave ovens, vending machines contribute to a fast-paced life. Read more >>

'Goldilocks' gene could determine best treatment for TB patients

Tuberculosis patients may receive treatments in the future according to what version they have of a single 'Goldilocks' gene, says an international research team from Oxford University, King's College London, Vietnam and the USA. Read more >>

Gene mutation discovery sparks hope for effective endometriosis screening

[Karen N. Peart] Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have, for the first time, described the genetic basis of endometriosis, a condition affecting millions of women that is marked by chronic pelvic pain and infertility. The researchers' discovery of a new gene mutation provides hope for new screening methods. Read more >>