Single ARV drug welcomed

Organisations affiliated to the fight against HIV and Aids have welcomed government's announcement of a tender award for a single dose of the triple combination of tenofovir, entricitabine and efavirenz. Read more >>

Loss of gene expression may trigger cardiovascular disease

[Helen Dodson] A Yale-led team of researchers has uncovered a genetic malfunction that may lead to hardening of the arteries and other forms of cardiovascular disease. The study appears in the journal Cell Reports. Read more >>

Wola Nani goes all out for festive fundraiser

The Cape Quarter will host two giant fundraising book and craft sales this December in aid of HIV/AIDS NGO Wola Nani. Read more >>

Research in the news: Yale researcher says whooping cough vaccines effective, despite outbreaks

[Karen N. Peart] Despite recent outbreaks of pertussis (whooping cough) - a highly contagious bacterial disease that is preventable by the current pertussis vaccines - Yale researcher Dr. Eugene Shapiro maintains in an editorial that the vaccines are effective and should still be administered. Read more >>

Yellow fever checks to resume soon

Checks for yellow fever at Lanseria and OR Tambo International Airports will soon be reintroduced‚ the Gauteng health department said on Tuesday, 27 November 2012. Read more >>

Innovation award for iPhone app that helps people manage chronic condition

An iPhone application developed to help patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME (CFS/ME) has won a top award for its use of innovative technology. Read more >>

Research in the news: New explanation for cognitive problems of Parkinson's patients

[Bill Hathaway] The hallmark of Parkinson's Disease is the uncertain gait and movement caused by the destructions of neurons producing the neurotransmitter dopamine. However, Parkinson's patients also display cognitive problems such as difficulty assessing an interval of time - for instance, differentiating between an eight-second span and one of 20 seconds. Read more >>

Genes link growth in the womb with adult metabolism and disease

Researchers have identified four new genetic regions that influence birth weight, providing further evidence that genes as well as maternal nutrition are important for growth in the womb. Three of the regions are also linked to adult metabolism, helping to explain why smaller babies have higher rates of chronic diseases later in life. Read more >>

Cancer Research UK and Lorus to co-develop first-of-kind drug, IL-17E, to treat solid tumours

Cancer Research UK's Drug Development Office; Cancer Research Technology, the charity's commercial arm; and biopharmaceutical company, Lorus Therapeutics Inc. (Lorus) (TSX:LOR), have partnered to take a new therapy with the potential to treat solid tumours, into its first clinical trial. Read more >>

Men and women explore the visual world differently

Everyone knows that men and women tend to hold different views on certain things. However, new research by scientists from the University of Bristol and published in PLoS ONE indicates that this may literally be the case. Read more >>

Live long and prosper is goal

Advances in medicine over the past 100 years mean that in general, most people are living longer - even in countries where the life expectancy figures are lower. On the whole, lifespans are rising, and countries across the globe have a higher proportion of older people to consider in their policies and planning. Read more >>

Once, twice, three times a 'ladyboy': A case of transsexualism

[Chamendran Naidoo] Summer vacation is upon us, oh my readers. Conjured images appear of transoceanic flights, bleached Thai beach sand and sensual massages often concluded with the legendary 'happy ending'. Many of these 'happy endings' however have ended in a 'not-so-happy surprise' when the patron discovers his coy mistress to be a smiling mister. Read more >>

GE says 'Industrial Internet' could be worth trillions

WASHINGTON, USA: Connecting industrial operations to the Internet could lead to significant gains in productivity, potentially worth between US$10tn to US$15tn globally, a study by General Electric said on Monday (26 November). Read more >>

Customs intercepts Viagra tablets

[Evan Pickworth] The South African Revenue Service's (SARS) customs team was kept very busy in November by the usual mix of drug and commercial crimes‚ but its interception of 3‚340 parcels of Viagra tablets at ports could spoil the Festive Season fun for a different set of criminal minds. Read more >>