In the news March 2005
Different shades of sun's effects
Professor Bruce Armstrong (School of Public Health)
Source: Canberra Times 29 March 2005
Article about the harm and benefits of exposure to sunlight quotes Professor Armstrong (Medicine) who says a little daily exposure to the sun is essential for good health and vitamin D.
Genius at work: A lobe out of loop
Professor Allan Snyder (The Centre for the Mind)
Source: Canberra Times 26 March 2005
Profile of Professor Snyder and his research into the brains of autistic savants and what makes a champion.
Behind the smoke (and mirrors) of the dag ads
Professor Simon Chapman (School of Public Health)
Source: The Age 25 March 2005
Article about "anti-smoking" advertising campaign developed by tobacco companies including Philip Morris as part of a new PR offensive. Interview with Professor about "smokeless" cigarettes.
Smoking to get a little less deadly
Professor Simon Chapman (School of Public Health)
Source: Sydney Morning Herald 24 March 2005
Professor Chapman comments on plans by tobacco giant Philip Morris to produce less harmful cigarettes.
The tragedy that changed my life
Alyssa Scurrah (USydMP student)
Source: Uni News 24 March 2005
A profile of Aylssa Scurrah and her work in tsunami torn Indonesia.
Asian Tsunami: Dignity amidst the devastation
Dr James Branley; Dr Peter Ellis; Dr Greg Hollis; Emeritus Professor Beverly Raphael
Source: Uni News 24 March 2005
Amongst the many professionals who assisted in meeting the medical and forensic needs of the tsunami victims were several members of the University’s Faculty of medicine.
Abbot blames States
Associate Professor Don Sheldon, Discipline of Surgery
Source: Sydney Morning Herald 22 March 2005
Patients in most states are waiting longer for procedures such as cataract removal and hip and knee replacements, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has found. Associate Professor Don Sheldon said it was time governments acknowledged the system could not satisfy demand.
Australia has one of the highest rates of alcohol consumption in the English-speaking world
Associate Professor Kate Conigrave, Discipline of Medicine
Source: ABC Radio, Riverina, "Morning Show" 22 March 2005
Interview with Associate Professor Kate Conigrave from the University of Sydney who is conducting research on alcohol problems in Australia. Says Australia has one of the highest rates of alcohol consumption in the English-speaking world and high rates of alcohol abuse.
Mending broken lives
Dr Catherine Hamlin, Alumna of the Faculty of Medicine
Source: Inner Western Suburbs Courier 22 March 2005
University of Sydney medical graduate, Dr Catherine Hamlin has saved more than 25,000 Ethiopian women from a life of misery. Dr Hamlin was last week awarded the University of Sydney's Doctor of Medicine honoris causa degree for her work with fistula patients in Ethiopia.
The sunshine state
Professor Bruce Armstrong (School of Public Health)
Source: news.independent.co.uk 22 March 2005
More than any other people, Australian's worry about the risk of sun cancer. But now they're being told to throw away the sunblock, so who is right? (more)
Abbot blames States
Associate Professor Don Sheldon, Discipline of Surgery
Source: The Australian 21 March 2005
Patients in most states are waiting longer for procedures such as cataract removal and hip and knee replacements, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has found. Associate Professor Don Sheldon said it was time governments acknowledged the system could not satisfy demand.
Time in the sun, but not too much, essential for health
Associate Professor Rebecca Mason, Discipline of Physiology
Source: The Age 21 March 2005
Australians should spend five to seven minutes in the sun most days to replenish the body's supplies of Vitamin D - and in turn help protect them against osteoporosis and even cancer. Deputy director of the Institute for Biomedical Research, Associate Professor Rebecca Mason said a significant proportion of people were Vitamin D deficient, some to an 'unacceptable' level.
Urgent call to tax junk food
Professor Brian Morris, Discipline of Physiology
Source: Herald Sun, Melbourne 18 March 2005
A junk food tax should be introduced to encourage healthy eating and boost the lifespan of a generation of children at risk of becoming obese, Professor Morris (Medicine) said yesterday. Professor Morris said research from the US suggested childhood obesity would lower life expectancy as wars, flu epidemics and AIDS had done. Professor Morris said a junk food tax should be introduced similar to cigarettes to encourage people to buy healthy food. He said Australia's obesity problem is as great as the US and junk food 'is killing the population'.
Cancer key to long life
Professor Brian Morris, Discipline of Physiology
Source: Hobart Mercury 18 March 2005
Scientists believe they may be able to extend people's lives by learning why cancer cells live so long. Professor Morris (Medicine) said a molecule in cancer cells called tolomerase was believed responsible for keeping the cells alive and could be a clue to massively extending the human lifespan.
Asthma
Professor Judy Black and Professor Michael Roth (Woolcock Institute of Medical Research)
Source: "Catalyst", ABC 17 March 2005
Australia has one of the highest incidences of asthma in the world and it's on the increase... one out of every two people over 55 with asthma will die from it. We don't have a cure. In fact, we still don't fully understand the disease, but a team of Australian and Swiss scientists may have discovered a vital clue. Their work could revolutionise the way asthma is treated and possibly lead to an eventual cure. In a series of surprising discoveries, the research team have shown people with asthma are missing a vital protein. They have demonstrated this protein is responsible for stopping the proliferation of smooth lung muscle cells in our lungs. (more)
News
Dr Catherine Hamlin, Alumna of the Faculty of Medicine
Source: ABC 702; Triple J, Sydney 15 March 2005
An Australian doctor, Dr Catherine Hamlin, who has spent more than 45 years helping Ethiopian women with fistula will be awarded a University of Sydney honorary degree tonight. Dr Hamlin who graduated from the University of Sydney in 1946 has treated more than 20,000 women in Ethiopia who have suffered the debilitating effects of fistula - a hole between the bladder and the uterus caused by a difficult labour. (more)
Request to put Rau in hospital ignored: psychiatrist
Professor Ian Hickie, Discipline of Psychiatry (Brain Mind Research Institute)
Source: Sydney Morning Herald 14 March 2005
Professor Hickie calls for a judicial investigation rather then a closed-door inquiry into the Cornelia Rau case and shows how Australia desperately needs a mental health system of high vigilance.
From a heart of hope: the heroine to outcasts
Dr Catherine Hamlin, Alumna of the Faculty of Medicine
Source: Radio National "Life Matters", ABC 14 March 2005
Interview and profile of Dr Catherine Hamlin who will receive an honorary doctorate for her life's work from her alma mater, the University of Sydney tomorrow night, March 15. Dr Hamlin 81, a Sydney-trained obstetrician and gynaecologist is still working in Ethiopia running the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital which she opened with her late husband Reginald in 1974. The Hamlins went to Ethiopia in 1959 and revived and perfected the long-abandoned surgical technique of treating obstetric fistula.
From a heart of hope: the heroine to outcasts
Dr Catherine Hamlin, Alumna of the Faculty of Medicine
Source: Sydney Morning Herald; Sun Herald 13 March 2005
Interview and profile of Dr Catherine Hamlin who will receive an honorary doctorate for her life's work from her alma mater, the University of Sydney tomorrow night, March 15. Dr Hamlin 81, a Sydney-trained obstetrician and gynaecologist is still working in Ethiopia running the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital which she opened with her late husband Reginald in 1974. The Hamlins went to Ethiopia in 1959 and revived and perfected the long-abandoned surgical technique of treating obstetric fistula.
Health
Professor Ian Hickie, Discipline of Psychiatry (Brain Mind Research Institute)
Source: Sun-Herald 13 March 2005
Professor Hickie says it is important to know the mental health history of family members to help protect your own mental health risk and that of your children. Professor Hickie says it is extremely important to know about a family history of alcoholism, depression or drug abuse, especially for teenagers experimenting with cannabis.
Chew the right fats
Professor Jennie Brand-Miller, Dept of Biochemistry (School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences)
Source: Sydney Morning Herald 12 March 2005
Professor Brand-Miller (Human Nutrition) comments on what makes a balanced diet.
Not brain surgery
Professor Ian Hickie, Discipline of Psychiatry (Brain Mind Research Institute)
Source: The Australian
Letter to the editor from Prof. Ian Hickie (Brain Mind Research Institute) says trainee surgeons and doctors should also study psychiatry because the dominant cause of disability in Australia - 27 per cent of all health and welfare costs - is mental illness. Says the community desperately needs doctors who 'actually relate to their common health needs'.
Mentally ill get $240m cash boost
Professor Ian Hickie, Discipline of Psychiatry (Brain Mind Research Institute)
Source: Sydney Morning Herald 11 March 2005
Mental health professionals have welcomed the allocation of $240 million funding for mental health announced by the Premier Bob Carr but criticised the plans for being too focused on acute care while neglecting community-based support for the mentally ill. Prof. Ian Hickie (Brain Mind Research Institute) said there had been 10 years of neglect of mental health services in NSW and problems were tackled too late. He said there is an urgent need to invest in long-term community care resources.
Interview with Professor Bruce Armstrong
Professor Bruce Armstrong (School of Public Health)
Sources: "The World Today", ABC; ABC 666, Canberra; ABC 702, Sydney; ABC 891, Adelaide; Triple J, Nationwide 10 March 2005
New research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association has found that smoking while pregnant not only increases an unborn child's risk of cancer but can also cause irreversible genetic damage. Interview with Professor Armstrong who says smoking during pregnancy may increase the risk of cancer during childhood and public health systems should be doing more to help young women to give up smoking.
Lifespan could be doubled
Professor Brian Morris, Discipline of Physiology
Source: Sunday Telegraph 6 March 2005
New drugs could enable humans to live to 150 within a few generations, according to University of Sydney molecular scientist Professor Brian Morris (Medicine). Professor Morris said genes responsible for longevity had been identified and were helping researchers find new ways of delaying ageing. He will present his research to the International Conference on Healthy Ageing and Longevity this month.
Safety campaign to address the fire dangers posed by cigarettes
Prof Simon Chapman (School of Public Health)
Source: ABC 666, Canberra; ABC 936, Hobart; ABC 702, Sydney; ABC, Hobart; 2GB, Sydney; MIX 94.5, Perth; Sea FM, Tasmania 4 March 2005
Anti-smoking campaigners have applauded plans to develop a safety campaign to address the fire dangers posed by cigarettes. Emergency services ministers meeting in Canberra have voted in favour of the introduction of self-extinguishing cigarettes. Interview with Professor Simon Chapman who says such cigarettes are mandatory in Canada and New York State.
Seminar discusses aged care issues
Prof David Le Couteur, Discipline of Medicine (Centre for Education and Research on Ageing)
Source: Daily Advertiser 4 March 2005
Prof. David Le Couteur (Medicine) director of Sydney University's Centre for Research and Ageing spoke at a seminar on ageing and depression in the elderly at Charles Sturt University (CSU) Wagga. Prof. Le Couteur said research has shown that preventative therapies for dementia such as hormone replacement and arthritis tablets actually increased mortality rates.
Dementia and depression among older people
Prof David Le Couteur, Discipline of Medicine (Centre for Education and Research on Ageing)
Source: WIN News, Wagga Wagga 3 March 2005
Interview with Professor David Le Couteur (Geriatric Medicine) about dementia and depression among older people. Couteur addressed a forum at Charles Sturt University (CSU) about serious problems facing the community in treatment and care of elderly. Says mental health services in NSW are lagging behind the rest of Australia.