Smartphone app can diagnose HIV remotely

News24 reports that South African and South Korean engineers and researchers are working on a smartphone application capable of doing AIDS tests in rural parts of Africa that are the worst hit by the disease. The application can photograph and analyse blood samples and even measure the health of immune systems to diagnose HIV, in areas far from laboratories. The team hopes that trials in clinics may start next year. Read more >>

Cardiovascular risk evaluation for all men should include assessment of sexual function

CHICAGO, USA: Assessment of sexual function should be incorporated into cardiovascular risk evaluation for all men, regardless of the presence or absence of known cardiovascular disease, according to Dr. Ajay Nehra, lead author of a report by the Princeton Consensus (Expert Panel) Conference, a collaboration of 22 international, multispecialty researchers. Nehra is vice chairperson, professor and director of Men's Health in the Department of Urology at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Read more >>

Physiology conference aims to understand, prevent, regenerate

Does red or white wine protect your heart better? Is there a link between antiretroviral drugs and heart conditions? What's the latest in cancer treatment? What damage do skin lighteners cause? These are some of the research questions to be discussed at the 40th conference of the Physiology Society of Southern Africa, which is to be hosted by the Department of Physiological Sciences from 10 - 13 September 2012 on the campus of Stellenbosch University (SU). Read more >>

Climate change to affect food prices severely: FAO

[Hopewell Radebe] While current prices did not justify talk of a world food crisis on the scale last seen in 2008/9‚ the international community should still move to calm markets further‚ said the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Director-General José Graziano da Silva on Thursday at the release of its food price index in Rome. Read more >>

Motsoaledi welcomes probe into private healthcare

[Amanda Visser] Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi on Friday, 7 September welcomed the proposed market inquiry into the private healthcare sector and the cost of healthcare in SA. Read more >>

State of the art catheterisation laboratory opened

The Western Cape Minister of Health, the Honourable Theuns Botha officially commissioned a Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory at a gala dinner hosted by Melomed Hospital Holdings at a gala dinner on Wednesday, 5 September 2012. Read more >>

Single-dose anti-malaria drug coming?

University of Cape Town scientists in collaboration with Swiss-based colleagues are onto a possible breakthrough in the fight against malaria, Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor announced on Tuesday. Read more >>

Studying gender differences in autism focus of US$15 million NIH award to Yale center

[Karen N. Peart] The reasons why autism spectrum disorders are almost five times more common among boys than among girls may soon be revealed, thanks to a five-year, $15 million National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant awarded to Yale School of Medicine for the Autism Centers of Excellence (ACE) research program. Read more >>

Yale team finds order amidst the chaos within the human genome

[Bill Hathaway] The Encyclopedia of DNA Elements, unveiled 5 September, reveals a human genome vastly more rich and complex than envisioned even a decade ago. In a key supporting paper published in the journal Nature, the lab of Yale's Mark Gerstein has found order amidst the seeming chaos of trillions of potential molecular interactions. Read more >>

Compound discovered that boosts effect of vaccines against HIV and flu

Oxford University scientists have discovered a compound that greatly boosts the effect of vaccines against viruses like flu, HIV and herpes in mice. Read more >>

Ten new diabetes gene links offer picture of biology underlying disease

Ten more DNA regions linked to type 2 diabetes have been discovered by an international team of researchers, bringing the total to over 60. Read more >>

New app will help make sign language communication more accessible

An innovative new app that can help people to communicate in sign language through a searchable database of over 4,000 signs has been launched by the University of Bristol. Read more >>

Having a hobby can be really good for your health say experts; stress reduction biggest winner

Participating in a recreational activity such as a hobby can be highly beneficial to several aspects of health, including stress reduction, say experts. Read more >>

CPA, labelling regulations could benefit sports nutrition industry

The sport nutrition industry in South Africa is unregulated, unlike medicines, which are controlled by the Medicines Control Council. This leads to products being sold that may contain substance banned by WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) and incomplete or inaccurate ingredients lists on the label of a sports nutrition product. Read more >>

Novel therapeutic targets identified for small-cell lung cancer

PHILADELPHIA, USA: Newly discovered molecular differences between small-cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer have revealed PARP1 and EZH2 as potential therapeutic targets for patients with small-cell lung cancer, according to the results of a study published in Cancer Discovery, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. Read more >>

Possible therapy for tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer identified

OHIO, USA: A study by researchers at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC - James) has discovered how tamoxifen-resistant breast-cancer cells grow and proliferate. It also suggests that an experimental agent might offer a novel targeted therapy for tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer. Read more >>

Litha in talks for tech transfer for flu vaccines

[Tamar Khan] Diversified healthcare company Litha Healthcare Group is in talks with an undisclosed party to secure a technology transfer for flu vaccines‚ it said on Thursday. Read more >>

DNA Fit gene test to assess athletic prowess

A new genetic test to assist individuals in customising training efforts to not only achieve faster and better results, but to sustain them as well, has been launched. Known as DNA Fit and developed by local molecular technology firm DNAlysis Biotechnology, the test will analyse a number of genes that determine athletic prowess, including power and endurance, recovery and risk for soft tissue injury. Read more >>

South Korea moves to restrict alcohol advertising

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: South Korea has drafted a new law aimed at restricting alcohol advertising amid mounting concerns over binge drinking and alcohol-related crimes, a government official said on Thursday. Read more >>