HEALTH

Melbourne researchers have made a breakthrough in the research into Huntington's disease, a genetic condition that inevitably leads to dementia and a shorter life.

Some elective surgery has been forced to be cancelled in Sir Charles Hospital in Perth because of staff shortages.

Australian health authorities adviced people not to eat raw slugs, following the incident of a 21-year-old man who was reported to devour a raw gastropod in a dare game, and as a result had been critically ill with a rare type of meningitis.

A recent study revealed that a very high number of victims of fatal cop-shootings in Australia suffer from severe mental disorders and schizophrenia.

The ear health of Indigenous is worrying, with statistics showing they are up to 10 times more likely to suffer from ear disease and hearing loss compared to the non-Indigenous Australian counterparts, revealed a senate inquiry.

An Australian study reveals that mothers who have given birth, but do not breastfeed have a 50 per cent increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life compared to women who haven't given birth.

According to Dr Denise Harrison from the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, giving infants -up to 12 months in age - less than half a teaspoon of sugary liquid, helps to reduce crying and pain associated with vaccination.

(Reuters) - The Obama administration has urged a court to reject an attempt to block a controversial new law overhauling the U.S. healthcare system, saying it was constitutional and any challenge was premature.

Scientists have discovered a cure for the dreaded Monday morning blues - stop sleeping in on weekends.

On Monday, Hobart City Council aldermen have agreed unanimously to make Elizabeth Mall, the bus mall and Wellington Court smoke-free zones.

The marketing and sale of the antidote for acetaminophen poisoning through, Acetadote (R) Injection has been approved in Australia, announced Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CPIX) and Phebra Pty Ltd.

Recent report released by Go Grains, studying the health effects of diet packed with wholegrains and legumes found that they carry extensive health benefits - reducing risks of heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

Recalling the last time you had the tetanus shot, will soon be an easy click of the computer mouse button, starting middle of 2012, says Rudd government.

A pattern of genes - that may predict 20 per cent of children with leukaemia who would require the most invasive cancer treatments - has been discovered by Australian scientists.

The percentage of people from ages 16 and over who smoke everyday or occasionally has taken a dip to 17 per cent in 2009 compared to 24 per cent in 1997, according to the latest findings od the NSW Health Survey.

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Implantable lenses could be a safer alternative to laser surgery for moderately nearsighted people, a British review of earlier research suggests.

(Reuters) - First lady Michelle Obama on Tuesday unveiled a 70-point plan for reducing childhood obesity within a generation, including a call for marketing healthier food, but stopping short of recommending regulatory action or a federal tax on sugary sodas.

(Reuters) - More than two thirds of the estimated 8.8 million deaths in children under five worldwide in 2008 were caused by infectious diseases like pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria, according to a study on behalf of the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

(Reuters) - U.S. pharmacy chain Walgreen Co plans to start selling genetic testing kits to help people assess their risk for inherited diseases in a move that has already drawn the attention of federal health officials.

Study shows that parents' stress during the economic downturn can lead them to inadvertently injure their children.

A new study suggests that strenuous exercise appears to stop the body's cells from killing themselves as they're programmed to do.

Based on early research on contraceptive for men, University of North Carolina experts believe a blast of ultrasound to the testes can safely stop sperm production for six months.

Tasmania - Asbestos contamination in an abandoned hospital at Queenstown have raised some concerns from its residents.

AHMEDABAD: An 83-year-old Indian holy man who says he has spent 65 years without food or water has astounded a team of military doctors who studied him during a two-week observation.

Janet Wiles, a cognitive scientist and co-author of The Memory Book: Everyday Habits for a Healthy Memory says that physical activities make new brain cells.

According to the Heart Foundation, chocolate consumption or wine drinking does not offer any real cardiovascular health benefit.

The increase in the number of commercial breast imaging services, along with marketing tactics to promote them as non-invasive, safe and comfortable have raised concerns of the West Australian Cancer Council.

The WA Country Health Service is now investigating the breach of infection control procedure by an anaesthetist who treated 250 patients at hospitals across the state's north west.

Mental health has been called to be put highest priority in the national health and political agenda, by one of Australia's largest churches, Wesley Mission, following the findings of recent research stating 77 per cent of people in NSW have either experienced mental illness or knew someone who had.