Health News

Can inhaled corticosteroids alleviate early symptoms of COVID-19?

Despite high hopes, a new pan-Canadian study published today in The BMJ suggests that ciclesonide—an inhaled and nasal steroid drug commonly used for asthma and rhinitis—won’t be the treatment to change the course of the pandemic. The results of this first placebo controlled trial of inhaled steroids for COVID-19, led by a team of researchers […]

Health News

How a bump on the head can affect your brain for years

Fatigue, migraine, memory loss… How a bump on the head can affect your brain for years – but there is effective treatment for it Michelle Parker remembers little of what happened the day her horse, Flash, headbutted her four years ago — but she is still living with the after-effects. Michelle, 55, doesn’t think she was […]

Health News

Patients can take treatment holidays from kidney cancer pills

Now you’re safe to take a treatment holiday from a life-saving kidney cancer pill which causes terrible side effects More than 15,000 Britons are taking daily pills to treat advanced kidney cancer The highly effective medication causes progressively worse side effects  A study has shown a treatment holiday has no impact on life expectancy   Patients with […]

Health News

What history can teach us about pandemic management

While the word “unprecedented” has become part of the rhetoric around COVID-19, this isn’t the first pandemic to hit the world, even in recent times. In fact, there are many similarities between the COVID-19 pandemic, and its management, and others throughout history, UNSW historians say. Researchers from the UNSW Laureate Centre for History & Population […]

Health News

Even mild COVID-19 can shrink the brain, preliminary research finds

With more than 18 months of the pandemic in the rearview mirror, researchers have been steadily gathering new and important insights into the effects of COVID-19 on the body and brain. These findings are raising concerns about the long-term impacts that the coronavirus might have on biological processes such as aging. As a cognitive neuroscientist, […]

Health News

Not even a global pandemic can stop poor hand hygiene

New Curtin research has identified that the average Australian only occasionally washed their hands properly during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite hand hygiene being one of the key recommendations for protecting against the deadly disease. The study, published in Psychology and Health, surveyed people across the nation to understand the behaviors behind these results, as well […]

Pet Care

What Can You Do for Your Pet’s Storm Phobia?

Does your pet shake, pace or drool when a storm rolls through? Do they try to run out of the door and chew or dig through a wall or the floor? If so, don’t worry—you’re not alone! Thunderstorm phobia, also known as Astraphobia, or fear of thunderstorms, is a common issue in dogs. However, their […]

Health News

Essential oils can be beneficial for your health and mood, study finds

New research from Monash University scientists has uncovered why certain essential oils can benefit mood. The findings are published today in the journal Neurochemistry International. Essential oils (EOs) are mixtures of volatile compounds extracted from plants. They are used in aromatherapy because they can be released into the air and inhaled at room temperature. Inhaled […]

Pet Care

Can You Give Your Pets an Antihistamine?

Allergy season is in full bloom, which unfortunately means lots of pollen in the air causing runny noses, coughs and scratchy throats. To prevent allergy symptoms, many people turn to antihistamines, and sometimes they’re even used for our pets’ allergies!  Given at a therapeutic dose, some antihistamines are safe for our furry friends. However, an […]

Health News

Can you reduce the side effects of the COVID vaccine?

For our free coronavirus pandemic coverage, learn more here. The only way out of the lockdown loop-de-loops is vaccination. But with little more than 12 per cent of the Australian population fully vaccinated, many of us are still awaiting our jabs. Anyone can have nerves about the reported side effects including soreness, fatigue and headaches […]