HPCSA releases new tariff guidelines for medical, dental services

Today, 7 August 2012, the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) announced the implementation of new Guideline Tariffs in terms of Section 53 of the Health Professions Act (Act No 56 of 1974) that will serve a dual purpose to protect the public and guide healthcare practitioners on the rendering of accounts in terms of the prescribed ethical guidelines on informed consent by ensuring their clients/patients are fully informed about the cost of the potential service to be rendered. Read more >>

Mérieux NutriSciences buys into Swift Micro Labs

[Sarah Wild] Mérieux NutriSciences, a global food safety, quality and nutrition company, has bought a majority stake in Swift Micro Laboratories, with a view to expanding its African operations. Read more >>

Dawn pampers abused women

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As its contribution to Women's Day on 9 August 2012, the Dawn mobile spa bus will be taking a break from its busy schedule to stop off and give back to women who have been affected by physical and emotional abuse. It will visit the Ikhaya Lethemba Shelter for abused women in Braamfontein from 10am to 3pm. The bus has been designed and custom-built in order to travel the country to inform, inspire and pamper women around the relaunch of its lotions and creams.

AxizWorkgroup helps spread the warmth this winter

In an effort to lend a helping hand to members of the community, AxizWorkgroup launched a Winter Warmer campaign that would benefit Mug and Tree, a beneficiary of Angel Mission - one of AxizWorkgroup's supported charities for the year. Read more >>

Advocate urges litigation over PMBs

Medical schemes in South Africa are under threat and the enforcement of Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMBs), which most affect their sustainability, is unconstitutional. This is the opinion of Advocate Isabelle Ellis from the Pretoria Society of Advocates who was speaking on the first day of the Board of Healthcare Funders' Southern African Conference, which took place at Champagne Sports Resort in the Drakensberg from 29 July - 1 August 2012. Read more >>

A flash of light changes cell activity - and understanding of disease

[Bill Hathaway] With a milliseconds-long flash of blue light, Yale University researchers regulated a critical type of signaling molecule within cell membranes, another illustration of the power of light-based techniques to manipulate cell functions and thus to study mechanisms of disease. Read more >>

Potential treatment target for metastatic pancreatic cancer using CTC Chip technology identified

PHILADELPHIA, USA: Researchers with the Stand Up To Cancer CTC Chip Dream Team have identified a potential treatment target in metastatic pancreatic cancer through a detailed analysis of genes expressed in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) - cells that break off from solid tumors and travel through the bloodstream. Read more >>

Computer game aims to zap teen depression

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND: Long viewed as a contributing factor in teenage isolation, computer games are now being used to treat adolescent depression in an innovative New Zealand programme. Read more >>

Immune responses can be generated locally within human melanoma skin metastases

PHILADELPHIA, USA: In many types of cancer, activated immune cells infiltrate the tumor and influence clinical outcome. It is not always clear where these cells are activated, but results reported in Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, indicate that in a subset of patients with metastatic melanoma, they can be activated in the tumor microenvironment. Read more >>

Pharmaceutical industry risk review

[Saijil Singh] Coface, the international credit insurer, released its latest industry risk review covering Pharmaceuticals sector last week. Read more >>

R1,2-billion for new nursing colleges

IOL News reports that the National Health Department is planning to spend R1,2-billion on revamping nursing colleges between now and 2014 in preparation for the National Healthcare Insurance plan (NHI). Read more >>

Boning up on alcohol benefits

Drinking one or two alcoholic beverages several times a week may improve women's bone health, and reduce their risk for osteoporosis, say scientists. However, this only applies to women "of a certain age", they says. Read more >>

Americans are hungry for healthy foods

[Mintel Oxygen Reports] CHICAGO, US: Healthy eating has come to the forefront of many minds over the past several years with help from the First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move program and TV shows like The Biggest Loser, not to mention the extensive media coverage regarding the country's growing obesity problem. Indeed, this increased interest in healthy eating is highlighted by new research from Mintel which reveals that just over two-thirds (67%) of Americans choose healthier foods to stay well. Read more >>