This week's top health stories

Brain exercises delay mental decline

Science Online - 03/09/2010
New research suggests exercising your brain can keep you sharper for longer into old age, but when the symptoms of dementia finally settle in, the decline happens faster.

AMA says Wilkie missed major opportunity

The World Today - 03/09/2010
Andrew Wilkie may have said the Coalition's billion dollar offer to upgrade the Royal Hobart Hospital was reckless and irresponsible but the state's doctors disagree. The Tasmanian branch of the Australian Medical Association says Mr Wilkie has passed up a once-in-a-lifetime chance to rebuild the hospital.

Brain training linked to faster dementia progress

The World Today - 02/09/2010
A new US study has found that brain training exercises are effective at staving off dementia and Alzheimer's, but if one of the conditions does strike, the same exercises can actually speed-up its development. The study's author, Robert Wilson, says it means the experience of dementia can be condensed, so a patient suffers from the condition for a shorter time.

Consumer group concerns on BPA in baby food

AM - 02/09/2010
The consumer group Choice wants authorities to phase out one of the nation's most popular food packaging substances. A Choice survey tested 41 tinned foods from Australian supermarket shelves, and found that 29 had concerning levels of BPA or Bisphenol-A. The Food and Grocery Council has rejected the findings, saying there is no evidence that use of the chemical in food packaging is harmful.

Scientists uncover malaria mosquito smelling sensors

AM - 02/09/2010
Scientists say they've discovered that the malaria transmitting mosquito has a second set of odour sensors that smell out humans. Now they want to help improve repellents and lures to help reduce the spread of killer mosquito borne diseases.

Australia still a predator country in human organ trade

PM - 01/09/2010
Organ transplant tourism is highly illegal and medically risky but that doesn't seem to stop some Australians. The Transplantation Society says some Australians appear to have sourced organs overseas. The number of commercial transplants has dropped dramatically in recent years but experts say there is more that can be done to stop the illegal trade.

Lack of sleep ups mental illness risk

Science Online - 01/09/2010
New research suggests young people getting less than five hours sleep per night are tripling their chances of developing a mental illness.

Parents warned on accidental overdose

The World Today - 01/09/2010
An Australian study has found many parents are putting their children in danger by not administering the correct dose of liquid medicines. Sydney University lecturer, Dr Rebekah Moles, says parents are incorrectly guessing what dosage to give, and she says too many are complacent about over-the-counter medications.

Lack of sleep linked to mental illness

The World Today - 01/09/2010
A leading mental health advocate is urging governments at all levels to take a leading role in educating young adults about the need to get an appropriate amount of sleep. A landmark Australian study released today has found young adults who get very little sleep are much more likely to become mentally ill.

Young adult mental health problems linked to little sleep

AM - 01/09/2010
Australian researchers say young adults sleeping less than five hours a night are three times more likely to develop mental ill health than those sleeping eight or nine hours. And importantly, those with a mental illness are more likely to develop a chronic problem, if they're sleeping fewer than the average hours.