Hearing aids to heart monitors: tech is going healthy
More consumer technology is being approved for medical use in Australia, from earbuds that work as hearing aids to smartwatches that test for heart problems.
medical conditions
Pope plans to make first public appearance in weeks
After more than a month of being confined in hospital while he battles double pneumonia, Pope Francis intends to offer a blessing from his hospital window.
Pope Francis rests as Holy Year goes on without him
A Holy Year mass for volunteers will go ahead without Pope Francis as he continues to recover in hospital from double pneumonia.
Pope Francis rested well overnight in hospital: Vatican
Pope Francis slept through the night as he continues to recover from double pneumonia, the Vatican says, as it prepares to celebrate Lent without the pontiff.
Pope resting after quiet night in hospital: Vatican
Pope Francis has had a quiet night in hospital and is resting, the Vatican says, as the pontiff remains in a critical condition battling double pneumonia.
Death toll rises from disease linked with heavy rain
More people have died and others are suffering from a disease associated with heavy rain in a region lashed by floods and tipped to cop even more downpours.
Social media influencer accused of drugging baby bailed
A social media influencer accused of drugging her baby to gain game online fame by manufacturing symptoms that led to surgery has been granted bail.
Cop blames tumour for ‘unjustified, excessive’ assaults
A suspended senior constable has tried to argue that he punched two intoxicated civilians while on duty in separate incidents in 2023 because of a brain tumour.
Worries autism plan may overlook children who need help
Australia has launched its first national autism strategy and action plan but some say it doesn't go far enough to improve inclusion and engagement.
Swimming changing lives for those with cerebral palsy
A groundbreaking competitive swimming program designed for young people with severe cerebral palsy is reversing the motor decline associated with the condition.
Tourists warned as Aussie teens fight for life in Laos
The families of two Melbourne best friends fighting for life in Thai hospitals have raced to their bedside as they suffer from suspected methanol poisoning.
Baby Jasper’s brave battle with rare nerve cell cancer
One in 8000 Australian babies will develop neuroblastoma or nerve cell cancer but if it's caught early, they can survive.
‘Invisible, sidelined’: landmark count for fatal cancer
People with metastatic breast cancer often feel invisible but world-leading research to understand its prevalence could mean better support.
Teen’s wheezing a ‘red flag’ before anaphylactic death
A decorated doctor says the death of 17-year-old boy from a severe allergic reaction could have been prevented if doctors had administered adrenaline earlier.
Check one, two: Google tests if AI can improve hearing
Could hearing aids and cochlear implants benefit from artificial intelligence technology? Google and Australian researchers have teamed to find out.
Blood, sweat and fears: laws may not protect workers
Changes to Australian privacy laws may not stop employers from requesting invasive medical tests with little explanation, a report has found.
Cooling towers disinfected over legionnaires’ outbreak
A single cooling tower is thought to be the cause of an outbreak of legionnaires' disease that is expected to grow in coming days.
Appetite for sugar tax to fight diabetes and obesity
Calls for a tax on sugary drinks have won the support of a federal parliamentary committee among its recommendations to combat diabetes and obesity.
Menopause leave bad for women at work: Liberal senator
The number of different types of leave available to workers is becoming "ridiculous", a Liberal senator has told a parliamentary inquiry.
Gut health identified in combating Parkinson’s disease
Researchers have received $4 million to work on a treatment they hope will slow or stop Parkinson's disease by targeting gut health.
‘Fear and embarrassment’: ‘King’ Lewis’ battle with CTE
Queensland rugby league legend Wally Lewis has opened up on his battle with brain injury CTE, in a call for funding and more research into the disease.
AB calls for more to be done about Parkinson’s disease
Cricket great Allan Border has joined with Parkinson's Australia to bring awareness to the disease that impacts over 150,000 Australians.
Manus Island refugee death unpreventable, inquest told
A Queensland coroner is examining the circumstances surrounding asylum seeker Faysal Ishak Ahmed's death on Manus Island in 2016.
Aussies saved by smartwatches to front tech campaign
Two Australians, rescued in different ways by smartwatch technology, will tell their stories in short films created by Apple.
Researchers a step closer to finding a diabetes cure
Melbourne researchers from the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute have found a way to regenerate insulin production in damaged pancreatic cells.
Rural residents have lower risk of dementia: study
Better access to nature and green spaces in the country may lower the risk of dementia, researchers say.
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.
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.
Wally Lewis CTE ’90 per cent certain’ after shock scans
Broncos hooker Billy Walters says the NRL is acting appropriately to prevent CTE, after Wally Lewis was diagnosed with a probable case of the form of dementia.
One in two to have mental health disorder by 75: study
Researchers are calling for targeted programs after an Australian-led global study found half the population will experience mental health disorders by age 75.
Former AFL stars may merge concussion damage lawsuits
Former AFL players, including Ty Zantuck, Liam Picken and Max Rooke, may have their concussion damage lawsuits against the league and clubs brought together.