In the news April 2005
The politics of IVF
Professor Stephen Leeder (School of Public Health)
Source: The Age 30 April 2005
Professor Stephen Leeder argues that Australia does need a debate about how to spend the health dollar, but IVF is a strange place for the Government to start.
Doubts cast on breast screening
Dr Alexandra Barratt (School of Public Health)
Source: Sydney Morning Herald 30 April 2005
According to analysis by Sydney researchers the benefits of mammography screening to detect early breast cancer may almost disappear when the negative aspects of the program are taken into account.
Gadgets to fix that ticker
Professor David Celermajer, Cardiology
Source: Sydney Morning Herald, “Health and Science’ 30 April 2005
There has never been a better time to be a heart patient. We are at the cutting edge of some fantastic new treatments, says Professor Celermajer.
Sharing the spoils of health research
Source: The Australian, 'Higher Education' April 2005
The University of Sydney and UWS have handed over years of intellectual property to a new company that hopes to break into the multi-billion-dollar pharmaceuticals market. Medical Therapies Limited which will be floated on the ASX in the middle of the year will develop and commercialise new drug treatments from research carried out at the two universities. It is the largest commercialization arrangement undertaken by either institution. Medical Therapies has committed $6 million over two years to clinical trials and ongoing development of three new treatments including anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer drugs.
New age of courses
Professor Andrew Coats, Faculty of Medicine
Source: Sydney Morning Herald, Postgraduate 26 April 2005
Says that practicing doctors can develop their expertise with the Sydney professional master of medicine program at the University of Sydney - the first course of its kind in the world offered by distance education. Dean of Medicine, Professor Andrew Coats talks about the course.
Medical program heads to Riyadh
University of Sydney Medical Program
Source: UniNews 22 April 2005
The University of Sydney’s medical program will be available in Saudi Arabia following a visit by a Saudi delegation.
The newest health fad is ...scepticism
Professor Rebecca Mason, Department of Physiology
Source: Daily Telegraph 22 April 2005
New research by Professor Mason at Sydney University shows the Vitamin D our skin makes when it is exposed to the sun may actually help protect us against skin cancer.
Bullets too costly to use
Professor Philip Alpers (School of Public Health)
Source: Daily Telegraph 22 April 2005
A researcher from the University of Sydney says a single bullet can cost a rural worker in Papua New Guinea a month's wage. Adjunct Professor Alpers said the restrictions limited the flow of ammunition for the kind of guns favoured by criminals and tribal fighters.
Study finds most illegal guns in PNG internally sourced
Professor Philip Alpers (School of Public Health)
Source: ABC Asia Pacific 21 April 2005
A study into gun-running in Papua New Guinea has found that restrictions on the export of guns and ammunition from Australia and New Zealand have
dramatically reduced their availability. Sydney University
Professor Alpers says the study also found that most of the guns being used illegally in PNG came from the country's police or military. [full story]
Caught in a trance
Dr Chris Clark
Source: Sydney Morning Herald, ‘Health and Science’ 21 April 2005
Hypnosis is used to treat many problems, from phobias to bad habits and pain control. A research program into hypnosis was established in the 1960s at the University of Sydney. Dr Jennifer Flatt first tested her susceptibility to hypnosis when Chris Clark, a lecturer at the University of Sydney, hypnotised her as an experiment in creating taste aversion.
Be positive it's negative
Professor Jonathan Craig (Screening and Test Evaluation Program (STEP) Nephrology, The Childrens Hospital at Westmead)
Source: Sydney Morning Herald, ‘Health and Science’ 21 April 2005
Screening for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in not exact. Professor Craig, an epidemiologist at Sydney
University's School of Public Health, says almost no test is perfect. Craig is part of a team that evaluates tests for the Screening and Diagnostic Test Evaluation Program, established within the School of Public Health at the University of Sydney in 1998.
Medical therapies for cancer
Source: Daily Telegraph 21 April 2005
A new pharmaceutical company has taken over the intellectual property for potential anti-cancer and anti-flammatory drugs from two Sydney universities. Medical Therapies has been created to commercialise new drug treatments arising from research at Sydney University and the University of Western Sydney.
On the job
Dr Joachim Fluhrer, Alumni
Source: Sydney Morning Herald, ‘Health and Science’ 21 April 2005
Joachim Fluhrer, Integrative Medical Practitioner, graduated from Sydney University's medical school.
Trial participants sought
Prof Ian Fraser (Dept of Obstetrics & Gynaecology; The Sydney Centre for Reproductive Health Research)
Source: Inner Western Suburbs Courier 21 April 2005
Professor Fraser is heading up a five-year study into Implanon, a contraceptive that is implanted under the skin of users. Professor Fraser, honorary director of the Centre, hopes to find a treatment which will combat the side effects of Implanon.
Smokers die seven years earlier
Professor Simon Chapman (School of Public Health)
Source: NOVA 96.9 (Sydney) 21 April 2005
There is another reason for women who smoke to quit with new statistics finding they will live seven years less than those who do not smoke.
Nurse shortfall for new facility
Dr Robert Llewellyn-Jones
Source: Daily Liberal - Dubbo 20 April 2005
Dubbo's new mental health unit will run at only a third of its capacity when it opens, due to lack of staff.
[full story]
Intensive care funding
Professor George Skowronski
Source: 6PR (Perth) 20 April 2005
The Intensive Care Appeal, 16th - 30th April 2005 aims to raise funds to support critical research to save 3000 more Australian and New Zealand lives every year. Professor George Skowronski of St Georges Hospital said critical research receives money from the Government, but money for
research is spread fairly thin.
Whooping cough outbreak
Professor Peter McIntyre, Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health (The Children's Hospital Westmead)
Source: source 20 April 2005
A whooping cough outbreak has alarmed health officials. Vaccines have been a mainstay of immunisation regimes for
decades but outbreaks continue. Director of the National Centre for
Immunisation Research, Sydney University and Westmead Hospital, Peter McIntyre, says the new vaccine is working, but this outbreak is the result of the vaccine 20 years ago having bad side effects and many children not being properly vaccinated.
Mental health system failing patients: specialist
Professor Ian (Brian) Hickie, Discipline of Psychiatry (Brain Mind Research Institute)
Source: Daily Advertiser, Wagga Wagga 19 April 2005
Australia's health system is still failing the mentally ill, a leading mental health specialist says. After 12 years of mental health reform, gaps remained in the system.
Shot for cancer
Professor Adrian Mindel (Sexually Transmitted Infections Research Centre)
Source: Maitland Mercury 19 April 2005
Researchers are recruiting women to take part in trials of a cervical cancer vaccine. University of Sydney professor of sexual health medicine, Adrian Mindel, wants to recruit 100 volunteers aged 15 to 25 in Sydney.
Alarm at lack of treatment for mental illness sufferers
Professor Ian (Brian) Hickie, Discipline of Psychiatry (Brain and Mind Research Institute)
Source: The Age 19 April 2005
Less than 40 per cent of people with mental disorders receive appropriate treatment within 12 months, compared with almost 80 per cent of people with physical problems. Twelve years of health reform have failed the mentally ill, according to Professor Ian Hickie of the Brain and Mind Research Institute, who has written on the subject in this week's Medical Journal of Australia.
Call to fix mental health care crisis
Professor Ian (Brian) Hickie, Discipline of Psychiatry (Brain Mind Research Institute)
Source: Sydney Morning Herald 19 April 2005
Twelve years of health reform had failed the mentally ill. This assessment in the Medical Journal of Australia has prompted experts to propose 10-year targets to reduce the social and economic costs of mental illness. While government spending on mental health remains well below the developed world's average, out-of-pocket expenses for consumers have increased by about half, said the executive director of the Brain and Mind Research Institute at Sydney University, Ian Hickie.
Biodiesel fuel
Prof Ray Kearney, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology
Source: 3WAY FM (Warrnambool), Earth Matters 18 April 2005
The benefits of biodiesel fuel and the health risks of conventional diesel fuel.
The Sinclair Report
Richard Western, Regional Director (Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation)
Source: ABC Far West NSW, Broken Hill 18 April 2005
Reasonably happy with the recommendations made in the Sinclair Report. Programs like the Health Worker Training Program in conjunction with the University of Sydney are important.
Mental health system failing patients: report
Professor Ian (Brian) Hickie, Discipline of Psychiatry (Brain and Mind Research Institute)
Source: AAP Newswire 18 April 2005
Australia's health system is still failing the mentally ill, a leading mental health specialist says. After 12 years of national mental health reform, gaps remained in the system, said Professor Ian Hickie of the Mental Health Council of Australia.
Mandate to introduce bio-fuel
Professor Ray Kearney, Discipline of Infectious Diseases and Immunology
Source: 3CR Melbourne, Earth Matters 17 April 2005
Professor Kearney calls on the Federal Government to mandate for the introduction of bio-fuel
Blindness to child obesity a major barrier to intervention
Professor Louise Baur (The Children’s Hospital Westmead)
Source: Medical Observer 15 April 2005
Doctors need to be proactive in identifying children that are overweight and engaging the parents as partners in a management plan.
Professor takes NSAHC reins
Professor Carol Pollock, Discipline of Medicine
Source: North Shore Times 15 April 2005
Professor Carol Pollock will chair the new Northern Sydney Area Health Council and advise the State Government where and how health services can be improved. Professor Pollock is a renal physician at RNSH and a clinical researcher at the University of Sydney.
Facing death: ways to approach serious illness
Catherine McGrath (Centre for Values, Ethics and Law in Medicine)
Source: ABC ‘The World Today’ 14 April 2005
Interview with researcher Catherine McGrath, Centre for Values, Ethics and Law in Medicine, University of Sydney about the role of positive thinking in helping cancer patients to improve their quality of life and live longer. Ms McGrath presented a paper in Sydney yesterday titled There Be Dragons: Cancer, Illness and the Unsafe Territory of the Negative.
Students think ill of bush jobs
Alice Dwyer, Medical Student
Source: Daily Liberal, Dubbo 14 April 2005
The majority of rural medical students thought about returning to practise medicine in the bush, but few truly considered it an option. Medical students attending an Aboriginal cultural awareness meeting in Dubbo admitted that had their sites set on practicing on the coast.
Indigenous health issues in Dubbo
Students of Medicine at the School of Rural Health, Dubbo
Source: WIN TV News, Dubbo 14 April 2005
Indigenous health issues have come under the microscope as future doctors at the University of Sydney have embarked on a workshop into health problems in Dubbo.
Awards create two-way traffic
Dr Giovanni Strippoli, Resident (University of Bari, Italy)
Source: Uni News 8 April 2005
The Europe Award will enable Dr Strippoli to undertake a three year research program at the Centre for Kidney Research.
International trials of a cervical cancer vaccine
Professor Adrian Mindel (Sexually Transmitted Infections Research Centre, Westmead Hospital)
Source: AAP ‘Health News’ 8 April 2005
Australian researchers are recruiting women to take part in international trials of a cervical cancer vaccine. Professor Mindel said he wanted to recruit 100 volunteers aged from 15 to 25 in Sydney. Professor Mindel said he hoped the vaccine could be incorporated in a pre-adolescent vaccine scheme, much the same as the rubella scheme, before women become sexually active. WHO recently estimated that each year 510,000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer and 288,000 women die from the disease each year.
Expert view
Professor Adrian Bauman (School of Public Health )
Source: Sydney Morning Herald, ‘Health & Science’ 7 April 2005
Professor Bauman comments on walking as a source of exercise.
Medicos go back to school
Professor Andrew Coats (Dean, Faculty of Medicine)
Source: Sydney Morning Herald, ‘Health & Science’ 7 April 2005
Professor Coats is interviewed about a new masters program offered by the University of Sydney.
More indigenous health services needed
Mr Robert Menzies, PhD student (The Children's Hospital Westmead)
Source: ABC Radio, ‘News’ 6 April 2005
Interview with University of Sydney researcher Robert Menzies who says more services are needed to ensure Indigenous babies have better access to immunisation programs and health services.
Tales of tsunami relief
Dr James Branley; Dr Peter Ellis; Emeritus Professor Beverly Raphael; Dr Dominic Dwyer; Alyssa Scurrah
Source: Inner Western Suburbs Courier 5 April 2005
Staff, students and graduates from the University of Sydney have been recounting tales of the vital onsite aid they provided to the areas worst hit by the Boxing Day tsunami.
Aboriginal babies not being immunized early enough
Mr Robert Menzies, PhD student (The Children's Hospital Westmead)
Source: 4AAA Radio, Brisbane 5 April 2005
Interview with Mr Robert Menzies, a national immunization expert says Aboriginal babies are not being immunized early enough thus making it impossible to prevent them from catching diseases such as whooping cough.
Indigenous babies slip through immunization net
Mr Robert Menzies, PhD student (The Children's Hospital Westmead)
Source: ABC Online 5 April 2005
A national immunization expert says Aboriginal babies are not being immunized early enough thus making it impossible to prevent them from catching diseases such as whooping cough. Mr Robert Menzies, a PhD student and researcher at the National Centre for Immunization Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) says compared to non-Indigenous people, fewer Aboriginal children are vaccinated by the age of 12 months. [read more]
Mental health crisis almost a lost cause
Professor Philip Boyce, Discipline of Psychological Medicine
Source: Australian Financial review 5 April 2005
Understaffing, under funding and an acute shortage of psychiatrists are not problems that will be easily remedied.
Flaws in the glass as business world looks in the mirror
Professor Simon Chapman (School of Public Health)
Source: Sydney Morning Herald 5 April 2005
Letter from Professor Chapman about British American
Tobacco's score in the SMH Corporate Responsibility Index (4/4/05). Says the company's products are the leading cause of preventable death in Australia and should not be listed in the CRI index.
Armed and dangerous: the crisis in Papua New Guinea
Professor Philip Alpers (School of Public Health)
Source: Financial review 2 April 2005
PNG is shaping up as the gravest test yet for Australia's Pacific policy to revive failing states, according to research conducted by Professor Alpers. The research for the Geneva-based Small Arms Survey says the proliferation of guns in the Southern Highlands makes it a 'tinder box' as there is no effective police presence in the area and the death toll is spiraling.
Rapid Response to tsunami disaster
Dr James Branley; Dr Peter Ellis; Dr Greg Hollis; Dr Dominic Dwyer; Emeritus Professor Beverly Raphael; Alyssa Scurrah
Source: Gazette - The University of Sydney Alumni Magazine April 2005
Staff, students and graduates from the University provided vital on-site medical and humanitarian assistance in some of the areas worst affected by the Boxing Day tsunami.
Global Thinking
Mary Assunta, PhD Candidate in Public Health; Dr Masoud Mirzaei,
PhD Candidate in Epidemiology
Source: Gazette - The University of Sydney Alumni Magazine April 2005
The University of Sydney can justifiably claim to be on of the most culturally diverse places in Australia. In 2004, international students from 110 different countries made up 17% of the total intake.
Two Faculty of Medicine PhD Candidates are profiled.
Building a Healthy Society
Dr Karen Webb; Lesley King
School of Public Health
Source: Gazette - The University of Sydney Alumni Magazine April 2005
People’s food and nutrition needs are too often overlooked when urban planning decisions are being made.
Labour of Love
Dr Catherine Hamlin
Source: Gazette - The University of Sydney Alumni Magazine April 2005
The remarkable life of Dr Catherine Hamlin was honoured by the University when she was conferred with an honorary Degree of Medicine at a ceremony at the Great Hall last month.
Visit by High Level Delegation to Saudi Arabia
Professor Andrew Coats (Dean of the Faculty of Medicine)
Source: The Middle East Times April 2005
During the recent visit of the Vice Chancellor and Principal, Professor Gavin Brown, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Professor Andrew Coats and College Manager International and development, Ms Diane Ranck, discussions were held to develop cooperation between the Ministry of Higher Education in Saudi Arabia and the University of Sydney.