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Aric Bendorf, University of Sydney; Ainsley Newson, University of Sydney, and Ian Kerridge, University of Sydney [ + ]

The science of sleep medicine has long proved difficult in the treatment of chronic insomnia, with researchers still not convinced of the effectiveness of sleeping pills currently on the market. However, researchers at Penn University in the US have found that a half-and-half mixture of sleeping pills and placebo tablets might be just as effective as a nightly schedule of sleep medication for treating chronic insomnia. [ + ]

Surgeons perform faster and with more accuracy when listening to music, according to a study published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal. [ + ]

Technology company Polycom conducted a survey of over 1,200 healthcare professionals between October 2014 – April 2015. The respondents were asked about what they believed were the greatest challenges to the future of healthcare. While funding and access to healthcare were clear leaders in current challenges to healthcare, North American respondents indicated that the heavy demand on health service infrastructure was the biggest strain on their own industry. To overcome these healthcare bottlenecks by 2025, technology developments such as mobile, the Internet of Things (IoT) and big data, will play a critical role. [ + ]

At this week’s Health Informatics Conference 2015, Queensland Health announced the founding of eHealth Queensland, a dedicated eHealth division in a move to bring together the statewide rollout of electronic medical records (EMRs) in state hospitals and patient information viewing solution called The Viewer. [ + ]

Mater Health Services Brisbane has upgraded its IT infrastructure to meet growing demands for its network of 2,000 virtual desktops which will number 5,000 units in hospitals, clinics, remote sites and on ruggedised devices in the field over the next 18 months. [ + ]

Michael Vagg, Barwon Health [ + ]

Sunil Bhar, Swinburne University of Technology [ + ]

A new set of guidelines has been developed for GPs prescribing benzodiazepines, due to a significant debate in the medical community about the appropriate role and use of these drugs and this has been exacerbated by a lack of clinical guidelines in the area. [ + ]

Cancer screening programs have undoubtedly improved medical treatment in modern times. However, according to a national Australian survey only 10% of Australian adults had been told of the risk of over-diagnosis in cancer screening. [ + ]

The world's leading researchers gathered in London recently to discuss the future of the hospital. We've brought you our favourite presentations from the conference. [ + ]

The conflict between private health insurer Medibank Private and the Australian hospital system is gaining more and more public attention with yesterday’s statements from both Medibank and the AMA president Professor Brian Owler during his National Press Club address. [ + ]

A drug developed by US pharmaceutical company Lilly has shown evidence of slowing the worsening of the disease. Current treatments for Alzheimer’s can alleviate symptoms but don’t slow underlying disease progression. [ + ]

Some great news has emerged from the 2015 International Aids Society Conference in Canada this week, with a French teenager who was born with HIV having been in remission for 12 years - the longest on record for a person in her age group. [ + ]