Summit to depict future of healthcare in Africa

New research predicting the future of African healthcare in 2022 is set to be launched at the Economist Conferences' Healthcare in Africa summit in Cape Town, South Africa on 6-7 March 2012. Read more >>

Yale study: how mitochondrial DNA defects cause inherited deafness

[Helen Dodson] Yale scientists have discovered the molecular pathway by which maternally inherited deafness appears to occur: Mitochondrial DNA mutations trigger a signaling cascade, resulting in programmed cell death. The study is in the 17 February issue of Cell. Read more >>

Will the Budget introduce sin tax to fund NHI?

[Lullu Krugel] Market commentators are anticipating more clarity from the National Budget Speech regarding the funding mechanism for National Health Insurance (NHI) funding, following the release of its Policy Paper last year. Read more >>

Health standards compliance 'vital to NHI plan'

[Wyndham Hartley] The proposed independent office of health standards compliance was a vital step for the introduction of a National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi told Parliament Wednesday, 15 February 2012. Read more >>

Yale study proves nobody is genetically perfect

[Bill Hathaway] Every person carries on average 100 variants that disable genes - yet very few suffer ill effects, an international team of researchers led by Yale University and Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute report in the 17 February issue of the journal Science. Read more >>

Hundreds more breast cancer patients should be tested for BRCA1 gene

Leading breast cancer experts are calling for women under 50 who are diagnosed with triple-negative (TN) breast cancer to be offered testing for faults in the BRCA1 gene, according to a report published in the British Journal of Cancer. Read more >>

iPads show the way forward for medical imaging

Tablet computers such as the iPad are becoming more and more popular, but new research from the University of Sydney means they could soon be used in hospitals as a tool for doctors to view medical imaging. Read more >>

Malnutrition 'puts 450 million children at risk of stunting'

LONDON, UK: About 450 million children will be physically and mentally stunted over the next 15 years unless the world takes action to tackle malnutrition, a new report from Save the Children warned on Wednesday, 15 February 2012. Read more >>

SA chemist's e'Pap a big hit

One in four children worldwide are malnourished, says a new report by the global charity Save the Children presented in Johannesburg. Read more >>

Drug combination domino effect destroys pancreatic cancer cells

Cancer Research UK scientists have revealed how a combination of two very different drugs - currently being tested in clinical trials - amplifies the destruction of pancreatic cancer cells, according to research published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, yesterday, 20 February. Read more >>

Oncolytic virus extends survival in medulloblastoma model

OHIO, USA: A strain of measles virus engineered to kill cancer cells prolongs survival in a model of medulloblastoma that is disseminated in the fluid around the brain, according to a new study by researchers at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute and the Mayo Clinic. Read more >>

Scientists reveal best imaging technique for ovarian cancer

Cancer Research UK-funded scientists have determined that a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique, which measures the movement of water molecules within the tumour, may be the best way to monitor how women with late-stage ovarian cancer are responding to treatment. The study was published in the journal Radiology on Tuesday, 14 February 2012. Read more >>

Omega-3 linked with reduced risk for smallest babies

Omega-3 fatty acids may have a role in preventing heart attack or strokes in adults who were small at birth, according to University of Sydney researchers. Read more >>

When body clock runs down, immune system takes time off

[Bill Hathaway] The circadian clock is a finely tuned genetic mechanism that regulates our sleep cycle and key metabolic changes during the 24-hour cycle. It also may help determine whether we get sick or not, according to a new Yale School of Medicine study published online 16 February in the journal Immunity. Read more >>

Road show to get South Africans weather smart

A campaign to sensitise South Africans to extreme weather conditions is well underway in the continued spate of bad weather which has killed people and destroyed houses and road infrastructure. Read more >>

Gauteng's growth plans unveiled

Gauteng's plans for the current year include splitting the Health and Social Development Departments, creating more jobs and further cementing its position as Africa's business destination and economic hub. Read more >>

Medical Parole Advisory Board appointed

A newly established Medical Parole Advisory Board has been appointed to look into all seriously and terminally ill inmates who have submitted reports requesting to be released on medical grounds, the Justice, Crime Prevention and Safety (JCPS) Cluster chairperson and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Jeff Radebe, has announced. Read more >>

Gauteng pays suppliers over R700m

More than R700m has been paid by the Gauteng Department of Health and Social Development to service providers needing urgent payment. Read more >>