Virtual Respiratory Centre Medical News

Smoking and brain damage link discovered

New research which suggests a direct link between smoking and brain damage will be published in the July issue of the Journal of Neurochemistry. Researchers, led by Debapriya Ghosh and Dr Ani

'Doing well' but 'could do better' for Australia's kids

The latest report on Australia's children, released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, shows a continuing fall in child death rates – mostly due to fewer injury deaths – as

Dioxins in food chain linked to breastfeeding ills

Exposure to dioxins during pregnancy harms the cells in rapidly-changing breast tissue, which may explain why some women have trouble breastfeeding or don't produce enough milk, according to a Univers

Men who work with their female partners more likely to adhere to CPAP therapy

Men who work with their female partners while receiving continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) are more likely to adhere to their treatment, according to

Waist size and BMI are important risk factors for sleep disordered breathing in children

A study in the 1 June issue of the journal SLEEP found that waist circumference and body mass index (BMI) are consistent, independent risk factors for all severity levels of sleep disordered

Flu pandemic alert raised to phase 6

On the basis of available evidence and expert assessments of the evidence, the scientific criteria for an influenza pandemic have been met. The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO)

Protein may be strongest indicator of rare lung disease

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have discovered a protein in the lungs that can help in determining progression of the rare lung disease idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

Neighbourhood characteristics play a significant role in childhood asthma

Neighbourhoods with restaurants, entertainment, cultural facilities and ethnic diversity have lower asthma rates in the city of Chicago than neighbourhoods where residents are less likely to move, and

Online cognitive behavioural therapy is effective in treating chronic insomnia

A study in the June 1 issue of the journal SLEEP demonstrates that online cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for chronic insomnia significantly improves insomnia severity, daytime fatigue, a

South Australia ranked worst, Victoria best in fight against tobacco

South Australia has the dubious distinction of receiving the AMA's annual Dirty Ashtray Award for the Australian State or Territory that made the least progress on combating smoking during 2008.

Novel mechanism of action of corticosteroids in allergic diseases

Research by Peter Barnes (Imperial College, London) and colleagues may explain the effectiveness of common treatments for allergic inflammation and may point the way to targets for new treatments for

New therapies mean HIV patients gain longer lives, face new challenges

New HIV therapies have prolonged lives and improved health for patients with HIV, but the treatments have also brought the longer-term effects of the disease into sharper focus.

Sydney's swine flu experts

With the confirmation of the first human-to-human transmissions of swine flu on Australian soil, in keeping with our expert's predictions, Health Minister Nicola Roxon now says that new cases should b

Sodium channel blocker shows promise as a potential treatment for cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis patients may benefit from a new therapy that increases airway hydration, preventing the build-up of mucous, which is a key factor in the disease, according to researchers at Parion Sci

Travel by air safe for passengers with lung disease

Oxygen levels while flying are substantially less than at ground level. Current guidelines for in-flight oxygen levels are sufficient to support the needs of passengers with non-obstructed lung diseas