Distressing memories may soon be forgotten with low doses of anaesthetic, according to new research coming out of the US.
A method that could block the formation of memories and therefore prevent the onset of post-traumatic stress disorder has been tested by scientists at the University of California.
The scientists treated volunteers with either a low dose of anaesthetic or a placebo, and showed them a series of 36 photos ranging from the banal, like a coffee cup, to the emotionally arousing, such as a bloody severed hand.
A week later those who had been given a placebo remembered 29 per cent of the most emotive images, while those treated with anaesthetic recalled just five per cent, according to research published in this week's New Scientist.
WOMEN EVEN MORE GP-SHY THAN MEN
Men are known for being reluctant to visit their GP, but new research shows women are even worse.
A drug company-funded survey showed 85 per cent of women admitted to only visiting their doctor when they were sick, had been sick for days or were so ill that they could not get out of bed.
The research showed that across the board Australians were not making enough time to visit their GP for a general checkup.
Those under 40 should be paying their doctor a visit once every two years and those over 40 every year.
TIRED PARENTS NOT COPING
Many parents are so tired they are unable to adequately look after their children, according to a national research centre looking for participants for a new study.
A 2006 Parenting Research Centre (PRC) survey showed that 40 per cent of 210 maternal and child health nurses said more than half the parents they saw were so fatigued it was impacting on their ability to raise their children.
More than 85 per cent of the nurses felt that addressing fatigue with parents was as important, if not more important than other child-related issues.
The PRC is looking for any parents of children aged 0-6, whether they are feeling fatigued or not, who would like to participate in the parent fatigue and wellbeing survey.
The research findings will be of real value in developing information and strategies to help support families, they say.
BREAST FEEDING BACKFLIP
Doctors have reverted to the traditional advice of regular and short breast feeds for infants to improve weight gain, a UK primary care study has found.
Historically doctors have recommended a ten-minute feed on each breast every three hours during the day and on demand at night.
But a 1988 study found this method may result in poor growth as the infant might be missing the fat-rich hind milk, and as a result doctors changed their advice.
The baby-led breast feeding method allowed the infant to feed from one breast for as long as the child wanted, meaning much longer feed times.
The UK study of 63 breast fed infants has found that babies gained more weight following traditional advice.
MEASLES ELIMINATED FROM AUSTRALIA
These days the only endemic measles in Australia are imported by tourists, according to new unpublished Australian research.
The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance together with the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory has reviewed all Australian measles epidemiological data over the past decade.
They say measles has been eliminated in Australia.
Recent case clusters are attributable to imported transmission, they say.
