Health Report

In the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence, it can sometimes feel like the answer to everything is right around the corner. 

A dog owner is testing this with the help of super-computing, to try and find another treatment for his dog's cancer. 

Also, the national lung cancer screening program is about to begin. Who is eligible, and is the healthcare system prepared?

And with syphilis cases rising in the community, there are implications for expectant mothers. 

Hyenas and vultures play a role in driving down the risk of disease outbreaks, but their decline due to human behaviour is putting our health in danger.

Also, we discuss Lifeblood's changes which bring down some of the barriers facing gay and bisexual men, and transgender women, who'd like to donate blood or plasma. 

Pain education could help people with osteoarthritis get the most out of exercise programs — and even walk the Camino. 

Plus there's a push to extend genetic carrier screening to cover dozens more conditions. 

There are concerns people are getting their hands on medicinal cannabis to treat conditions where there's very little evidence of benefit — and the possibility of harm. 

Also, why weight loss drugs could improve treatment for people with schizophrenia. The full breadth of corporate ownership of radiology clinics is revealed. 

And what questions need to be asked with IVF in the spotlight, as Monash IVF deals with the fallout from a second bungled embryo transfer.

References:

• Medicinal cannabis prescribing practices under scrutiny after scripts issued 'every 4 minutes' - ABC News
• ‘Infuriating and dangerous’: Psychiatrist tries and fails to speak with his patients’ medicinal cannabis prescribers - AusDoc.
• Efficacy and safety of semaglutide versus placebo for people with schizophrenia on clozapine with obesity (COaST): a phase 2, multi-centre, participant and investigator- blinded, randomised controlled trial in Australia
• Corporatisation and ownership concentration in diagnostic imaging: an audit of Australian practices

A structured exercise program has increased survival in people with colon cancer after they've undergone surgery and chemotherapy. 

Also, a common genetic variant could double the risk of dementia in men — if they receive two doses of the mutation. 

We provide an update on the flu, COVID and RSV circulating the community.

And a study bringing together millions of lab tests has found is take a lot longer for the body to bounce back from pregnancy than commonly thought. 

References:

• Measles Seroprevalence in Infants Under 9 Months of Age in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
• Gene–Environment Interaction Affects Risk of Atopic Eczema: Population and In Vitro Studies
• Structured Exercise after Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer - NEJM 
• Haemochromatosis Genotypes and Incident Dementia in a Prospective Study of Older Adults
• Pregnancy and postpartum dynamics revealed by millions of lab tests - ScienceAdvances

al issues from social, scientific and political points of view.

Our cognitive ability changes throughout our lives, but what happens when we're young can determine our intelligence in adulthood — especially if we don't do anything to bolster it.  

Also, NSW follows other states in allowing GPs and diagnose and treat ADHD. There are updated guidelines for the treatment of osteoporosis. 

And when you go into remission from cancer, you usually undergo regular tests to make sure it hasn't returned. But does the evidence support this is beneficial, or simply a cause for anxiety?

If you've come across ads of Norman pushing a product for you to buy — no you haven't. 

These ads are actually deepfake scams using an AI Norman to sell unproven supplements. 

Also, why a new Alzheimer's drug coming onto the market might not become cheap enough for most people to take. 

A breakthrough in gene-editing could push us closer to a future full of CRISPR treatments. And why eight hours a night might not be the magic number for sleep. 

Gut health is more complicated than social media influencers might have you believe. 

It can be impacted by diet, exercise, the medications you take, the colds you catch. And any one of these factors can lead to irritable bowel syndrome. 

Also, an overlooked allergy that starts with a tick bite. And the barriers people face who are suffering iron deficiency and its often overwhelming symptoms. 

It's a common sleep disorder that can have knock-on effects on your cardiovascular and overall metabolic health. 

But sleep apnea doesn't always present how people think, especially in women. 

Also, we take a look at Labor's health promises as they start their second term in government. 

New guidelines have been developed to improve care in early pregnancy loss. 

And one in seven Australians is on an antidepressant, in some cases simply because it can be so hard to come off them. 

The immune system seems to respond faster, and better, when you get a booster vaccine in the same arm as your initial vaccine. 

Also, your GP might miss something going wrong with your liver because of the way pathology labs report blood test results. 

And a common type 2 diabetes drug, metformin, could be used to treat knee osteoarthritis — and delay knee replacements. 

When you can't make medical decisions for yourself, it's often the responsibility of a loved one, or sometimes a doctor who doesn't know you at all. 

Some researchers are suggesting artificial intelligence could be trained to know your wishes and be another voice in the room when making decisions. 

Also, it can take up to 95 per cent vaccine coverage to protect against measles outbreaks. How's Australia doing?

And curing cancer can take a toll. Is there a way to adjust treatment protocols to drive down the risk of long-term side effects?