A weekly round-up of news affecting your health.
CUTTING LIMB LOSS
A new telemedicine program aims to prevent amputations in people with diabetes in remote Australia.
The program, to initially focus on foot ulcers, will run in under-serviced areas of north Queensland, but has the potential to be introduced nationwide.
Local nurses will use an advanced 3D camera and software to scan the depth and size of diabetes-related injuries.
The uploaded information will be assessed by specialists in the main centres, enabling doctors to track changes in the wound over time.
James Cook University scientist Associate Professor Usman Malabu said people living with diabetes in rural and remote areas, many of whom are indigenous, have up to three times higher rates of amputations due to complications than other Australians.
"Indigenous people have a higher rate of diabetes than the general population and by the time they are seen by a doctor it's almost too late," he said.
BELOW THE BELT
The sperm of obese and lean men have different chemical markers on genes linked to the control of appetite, say Danish researchers.
Their study, published in Cell Metabolism, reveals that a man's weight affects the heritable information contained in sperm.
The findings offer a biological explanation for why children of obese fathers are themselves more likely to be obese.
But these genetic changes - known as epigenetic marks - can return to their lean state in obese men as little as one week after gastric bypass surgery.
This suggests environmental changes can have a rapid impact, the researchers said.
JOINT EFFORT
Help is on hand for cannabis addicts through a new app designed to support them while cutting down and quitting the habit.
The National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre (NCPIC) has launched the free app, which provides Australians with support and a tailor-made game plan.
The app enables users to set realistic goals while they monitor their progress, track mood and spending, keep journals, identify triggers and risks, and make plans to overcome these challenges.
Users can also buddy up with someone else who is quitting and use the app to motivate each other, says NCPIC researcher Dr Peter Gates.
"Some people say cannabis is a harmless herb and disregard the potential for dependence and withdrawal," he says.
"But for at least 200,000 Australians, cannabis addiction is a very real issue, and these kinds of attitudes belittle and stigmatise the challenges faced by some people when trying to quit the drug for good."
Visit www.ncpic.org.au
KAVA TRIAL
People with anxiety are being sought for a study testing the effects of the natural medicine Kava.
The 18-week clinical trial is sponsored by the University of Melbourne.
It's being run at the Centre for Human Psychopharmacology at Melbourne's Swinburne University, and at the University of Queensland, at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital's Mental Health Centre.
To take part, you must be currently experiencing anxiety symptoms, and not taking antidepressants or mood stabilisers.
For more information: email kavastudy@swin.edu.au or kgad.trial@uq.edu.au.
PARENT HELP
Anxious parents and parents-to-be can be helped by an expanded federal government child advice service.
The Pregnancy, Birth and Baby service provides free and confidential information to parents on childbirth and early development.
Parents of children aged up to five can now access the program online and the advice of specialist child health nurses around the clock via telephone or video call.
"Our Maternal Child Health Nurses and counsellors will be on hand to support parents when they need it most," said the service's Clinical Lead, Dianne Zalitis.
"From trying to conceive, throughout pregnancy, taking their newborn baby home, to raising toddlers and starting school."
The service is accessible on 1800 882 436 or www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au.
