Monitoring agency signs royalty deal

The Medical Aid Media Monitor (MAMM) had talked to the Dramatic, Artistic and Literacy Rights Organisation (Dalro) and signed a Media Monitoring Organisation licence to enable Dalro to collect royalties on behalf of its members such as publication agencies, the organisation has announced. Read more >>

Backing for heart valve start-up

[Claire Bisseker] The Bidvest Group and government's Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) are investing a combined R30m in a University of Cape Town (UCT) start-up company that is pioneering a way of replacing heart valves that doesn't require open heart surgery. Read more >>

Performance of HEK-hKir2.1 cells on QPatch HT successfully demonstrated

BALLERUP, DENMARK and LA TRONCHE, FRANCE: Sophion and CreaCell announced Wednesday, 11 July 2012, that the two companies successfully demonstrated the performances of HEK-hKir2.1 cells on QPatch HT. Read more >>

Cosmetic medicine trends drives Cosmedica 2012 programme

Worldwide, there is a growing desire among men and women alike to look and feel younger. This increased demand is driving rapid and exciting advances in the efficacy, safety and outcomes of technologies, practices and procedures in the anti-aging and aesthetic medicine fields. To stay abreast of this groundswell in cosmetic medicine trends, South African medical and aesthetic practitioners will come together from 20 - 22 July 2012 at the Vineyard Hotel in Cape Town for Cosmedica 2012, South Africa's premier international aesthetic congress. Read more >>

Technological innovation crucial to improve South African food security

While South Africa is in a far stronger position than its neighbours are, the country faces problems in the years ahead, as the region is recognised as the most food insecure in the world. Read more >>

BHF responds to commissioner's comments on medical scheme waiting periods

The Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) has said it will be taking legal advice which may result in legal action against the Consumer commissioner for the statements she has made regarding medical schemes. Read more >>

No link between Facebook and depression

Worries about a link between depression and the amount of time spent on Facebook or other social media sites are probably unfounded, a US study said this week. Read more >>

Education key to improving breastfeeding rates

Despite the implementation of a number of initiatives to improve breastfeeding rates to reduce child mortality, South Africa has made little progress over the past 11 years. Current statistics show that only 8% of babies are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. Read more >>

Glucosamine sulphate supplement can delay osteoarthritis

The breakdown and eventual disappearance of cartilage in the joints - better known as osteoarthritis - is the most common form of arthritis, affecting over 135 million people worldwide. As it becomes worse, it can stimulate bone outgrowths, known as spurs or osteophytes, which distort the joint, and can lead to muscle weakness, joint deformity and even disability. Read more >>

Australian study links breast milk to nut allergies

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: Children who are solely breast-fed in the first six months of life are at increased risk of developing a nut allergy, new research showed on Thursday, 12 July 2012. Read more >>

Inferior medicines post a major health risk

[Roger Bate] Global health agencies and western donors have made great efforts in recent years to subsidise and improve the supply of medicines for diseases affecting the world's poorest people, particularly malaria, tuberculosis (TB) and other deadly infections. Read more >>

State wants South Africans to halve salt intake, but allows more time

South Africans' soups, snacks and cereals are set to become less salty, if industry accepts the government's proposals to reduce the amount of sodium in processed food, detailed in regulations published last week. Read more >>

Zuma signals construction of Mandela Legacy Bridge

[Nthambeleni Gabara] Jacob Zuma has honoured the first democratically elected P\president, Nelson Mandela, by unveiling the construction of the Nelson Mandela Legacy Bridge, which will link Ludondolo village with Mandela's birthplace of Mvezo in the Eastern Cape. Read more >>

German doctors seek urgent action on circumcision row

BERLIN, GERMANY: German doctors are seeking an urgent clarification from the government over religious circumcision after a court ruling calling it a criminal act prompted an international outcry. Read more >>