The brain undergoes dramatic change during the first years of life. Its circuits readily rewire as an infant and then child encounters new sights and sounds, taking in the world and learning to understand it. As the child matures and key developmental periods pass, the brain becomes less malleable—but certain…
DR MARTIN SCURR answers your health questions
My scalp’s so itchy I can’t even use a hairdryer. DR MARTIN SCURR answers your health questions Question: For two years I’ve been plagued by a very itchy, sensitive scalp — even using a hairdryer is too much to bear. I also get painful flare-ups, during which it feels like…
Indoor air quality is a concern, so should you get an air purifier?
Pat yourself on the back if you've sealed your home for energy efficiency. Keeping drafts out is a money-saving move. The hitch? A tightly sealed home may also trap in pet dander, smoke, dust mites, mold and other nasties that can trigger respiratory issues. As indoor air quality becomes a…
Brisbane’s grass pollen season the worst on record
Brisbane’s grass pollen levels over the past two months have been up to four times higher than levels recorded anywhere in Australia since comparative records have been kept, QUT’s Professor Janet Davies told a federal parliamentary inquiry this week. The head of QUT’s Allergy Research Group and of the AusPollen…
Heart attack symptoms: The warning sound when you sleep that could signal your risk
It’s normal for many to snore a little whilst sleeping. However, snoring which sounds more like gasping or choking could be a sign of sleep apnea. This is when a person stops breathing for brief moments several times a night while they are still sleeping. This puts extra strain on…
Type 2 diabetes warning: Dr Dawn Harper says those with condition ‘may have no symptoms’
Type 2 diabetes is a condition that means insulin in the pancreas doesn’t work properly. Everybody needs insulin to live and has an essential job to help keep the body healthy. Insulin allows the glucose in the blood to enter the cells and fuel the body. When a person suffers…
Who’s Caring for Family Caregivers? 1 in 5 Says Health Is Poor
THURSDAY, Feb. 20, 2020 — Caring for a loved one at home can be rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming and take a toll on your own health, a new study suggests. According to a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 1 in…
Novel coronavirus: What we know so far
The current outbreak of infections with a novel type of coronavirus has sparked global anxiety and concern that the virus might spread too far and too fast and cause dramatic harm before health officials find a way to stop it. But what are the realities of the new coronavirus outbreak?…
Lung Diseases on the Rise Worldwide
THURSDAY, Feb. 20, 2020 — Lung diseases have been striking more people around the world in the past 30 years, new research shows. And being from poor regions is the most important risk factor for respiratory trouble, the scientists added. Aging and risk factors such as smoking, pollution and overweight/obesity…
Researchers develop new standards for quality of life measurement in cancer
For the first time, recommendations for the analysis of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in cancer clinical trials have been developed by an international group of experts. The recommendations will help to determine more consistent and comparable quality of life (QoL) results from clinical trials. In a paper published in The Lancet…