Dire need for pill testing service, Vic agencies say
Victorian agencies have written to the government, calling for a life-saving service that would let people check the content and dosage of their illicit drugs.
Health
Mammograms a game of Where’s Wally for dense breasts
Women over 40 may think getting a mammogram is enough to protect them from cancer but for some, their breasts are so dense a tumour won't even show up.
Kitty catastrophe as shelters impose ‘paws’ on felines
Just as peak "kitten season" gets underway, the RSPCA has imposed a four-week ban on the intake of surrendered and stray cats at its NSW shelters.
NSW needs to ‘catch up’ on mental health services
NSW has fallen behind other states on mental health care and will take a significant funding boost to meet the needs of patients, a parliamentary inquiry heard.
Merritt’s condition ‘improving slightly’ in hospital
The sister of South Sydney great Nathan Merritt has taken to social media to provide an update on the health of the hospitalised former Rabbitohs winger.
We haven’t forgotten about COVID-19 hotel bills: NSW
NSW has resorted to taking money from the bank accounts of Australians to recoup hotel quarantine bills as talks continue over Queensland's $105 million debt.
Order of Australia medallist denies stealth-rape
Sydney dermatologist Liang Joo Leow has faced the Victorian County Court, accused of raping another man by removing a condom without consent.
Scroll, See, Sip: How Social Media Encourages Youth to Drink
A recent study from the University of Queensland has found that exposure to alcohol-related content on social media directly correlates with problematic drinking behaviours among young people.
Lynch looking to put his best foot forward for Tigers
Richmond star Tom Lynch will have a delayed start to pre-season as he recovers from a lingering foot injury, but is confident he will be ready for round one.
Concussion research a focus at Collingwood AFL HQ
Concussion is a focus at a new research hub at Collingwood headquarters, opened by the prime minister on the eve of their AFL Grand Final clash with the Lions.
Bid to ease access to meds for women ‘looming disaster’
A parliamentary inquiry has recommended women with urinary tract infections be allowed to access medication without seeing a GP, saving them time and money.
Government faces pressure to widen virus inquiry scope
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has accused the government of running a "protection racket" for Labor premiers by excluding state issues from a COVID-19 inquiry.
Cloud-based micro businesses floated for future economy
Artificial intelligence in health, education or agriculture could fix many social challenges and is within reach for even the smallest firms, a report shows.
COVID-19 third-leading cause of Australian deaths, ABS
Nearly 10,000 Australians died from COVID-19 last year, the first time in more than 50 years that an infectious disease has been in the top five killers.
Lockdowns, border closures exempt in pandemic inquiry
Experts will look into Australia's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but decisions taken by the states on lockdowns or border closures will be exempt.
Jump in women diagnosed with under-recognised condition
It's estimated one in seven Australian women aged 44–49 live with a painful inflammatory condition and patients are being diagnosed at an earlier age.
COVID royal commission backer says things have changed
The Albanese government has been forced to defend its decision not to set up a royal commission but rather a three-expert inquiry into the pandemic.
PM set to announce COVID-19 inquiry: report
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese could be poised to announce the details of a special commission of inquiry into the handling of COVID-19 pandemic.
Melanoma expert ‘patient zero’ in brain cancer fight
A leading pathologist fighting incurable brain cancer has trialled a personalised vaccine that could become the new frontier in treating the disease.
Record-breaking heatwave sparks catastrophic fire risk
Unseasonably warm weather and strong winds have left the much of the country sweltering in a heatwave with fire warnings closing dozens of schools.
Heat builds up across NSW as temperature records tumble
Fire authorities are on alert for the risk of increasing winds fanning bushfires as spring heat builds up, with Queensland and NSW set to swelter.
Certainty for temporary health workers in NSW budget
Temporary frontline workers at risk of being let go from their positions will be made permanent under a NSW budget measure to improve hospital staffing levels.
Disability inquiry calls for urgent government response
The head of the disability royal commission has thrown down a challenge for all governments to respond to abuse and neglect exposed by the long-running inquiry.
UN observer slams Australia over toxic threats, climate
Australia has been scolded over contaminated sites, new oil and gas projects and a "reactive" environmental protection framework by a UN investigator.
New regional sleep program targets First Nations people
A newly-funded sleep program is linking western and Indigenous knowledge to treat the medical condition of sleep apnoea in regional First Nations communities.
Here’s what new 60-day prescriptions mean for you and your hip pocket
From today, there are significant changes to how some common medicines are prescribed and dispensed in Australia. This means you could walk away from the pharmacy with 60-days’ worth of your usual medicine from a single prescription. Until now, most long-term medicines were only available for 30 days at a time. So the price of these medicines for some patients may effectively halve.
Teens to give evidence on school bus crash injuries
A magistrate has approved a truck driver's application to question school students on the seriousness of their injuries in court, as he fights 80 charges.
Former cancer researcher accused of dodgy findings
A medical journal has retracted a study by a former leading Australian cancer researcher saying it is unlikely his experiments were actually performed.
Palmer funded action against Telstra over COVID vaccine
Legal action against Telstra over its COVID-19 vaccination policy for employees has been discontinued, with documents showing it was funded by Clive Palmer.
Koala chlamydia vaccine trial secures $750k in funding
The federal government has invested $750,000 in a new Queensland trial to vaccinate koalas against a sexually transmitted infection.
Epidemiologist remembered as COVID-19 voice of reason
Leaders and colleagues are hailing Mary-Louise McLaws as a calm and reassuring voice during the pandemic after the renowned disease expert died at the weekend.