Articles
Metformin shortage worsens
The TGA has announced that all extended release Metformin products are now classified as having limited availability. [ + ]
Wireless ultrasound pairs with smartphone
An ultrasound system that’s no bigger than the transducer itself, weighs only 360 grams, has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and WiFi connectivity has been developed by Healcerion in South Korea. The SONON 300C uses a paired tablet or smartphone as the display, wirelessly transmitting the data to the smart device from where images can be analysed and shared with others. [ + ]
Can earplugs cause side effects?
“Never put anything smaller than your elbow into your ear” is something we’ve been wisely cautioned against at some stage or another. But more of us are ignoring this advice, according to Dominic Peter Power, from the University of Melbourne. [ + ]
International overdose day
International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is a global event held on August 31st each year and aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have met with death or permanent injury as a result of drug overdose. [ + ]
Do you have the #MissingType?
The letters A, B and O are disappearing from signs, landmarks and company logos as part of the #MissingType campaign by the Australian Red Cross blood service. #MissingType, a global initiative to encourage people to donate blood, is being supported by well known Australian brands - including Qantas, Coles, NAB, the Sydney Opera House, the TV show Neighbours and Lifesaving New South Wales. [ + ]
Over the counter lasers can damage retinas
Laser pointers bought legally for less than $30 are a threat to eyesight – with one pointer found to be 127 times over the legal limit. [ + ]
Thomas Embling psych staff walk out
Workers from Victoria's Thomas Embling psychiatric hospital are calling for more staff to deal with an increase in the number of assaults at the facility. [ + ]
Consciousness after death? For a few minutes
Southampton University scientists have found evidence that awareness continues for at least several minutes after clinical death which was previously thought impossible. [ + ]
Even war has rules - hospitals are not targets
Hospitals and health workers are being targeted in war, with attacks in Yemen, South Sudan and Afghanistan. In Syria alone Médecins Sans Frontières supported health structures have been attacked over 60 times since January 2015. We refuse to accept that this is the new normal. Even war has rules. [ + ]
Drone delivers blood, stool samples from remote village
Only a few years ago flying drones were associated with dropping bombs. Now thanks to a company called Vayu, a drone designed to help bring medical care to remote places was successfully used to deliver clinical blood and stool samples from rural villages in Madagascar to a central laboratory for testing. There were numerous flights conducted to prove the viability of using the technology on a regular basis over hilly terrain. [ + ]
