This week's top health stories

Haneef lawyer urges AFP to come clean

PM - 29/08/2008
The Australian Federal Police have announced that they're no longer investigating the Indian Doctor Mohamed Haneef. They made the announcement late this afternoon. Last year the Gold Coast-based doctor was charged with supporting a terrorism plot in the United Kingdom, but the case against him collapsed.

Gene test could 'prevent' heart disease

Science Online - 29/08/2008
Australian health authorities could prevent costly heart disease cases with a targeted genetic screening program, suggest some experts.

WHO calls for life expectancy gap to be closed

The World Today - 29/08/2008
A new report from the World Health Organization compares life expectancies not only between countries, but also within them. It's found social policies greatly influence a person's life span and calls on governments to close life expectancy gaps within a generation.

Uphill battle for alcopops tax bill

AM - 29/08/2008
The Federal Government is facing an uphill battle to get its controversial alcopops tax through the Senate. A tax expert says if the bill fails, the Government faces the prospect of having to refund about $300-million in revenue to the alcohol industry.

Humans may be 'hardwired to share'

Science Online - 28/08/2008
Humans are selfish in early childhood but by the age of seven or eight are keen to share equally, a developmental change so sudden that it can only be explained, at least in part, by genes, according to a study.

Researchers regrow crucial inner ear cells

Science Online - 28/08/2008
US researchers have used gene therapy to regrow the tiny hairs in the inner ear of mice, which they say might lead to new ways of restoring hearing loss in humans.

QLD hospital problems "the worst in years": doctors

The World Today - 28/08/2008
The Queensland Government is defending the state's health system, after doctors claimed patients were dying because of a shortage of hospital beds. Brisbane's biggest hospitals have closed their doors to ambulances, while Townsville hospital is using conference rooms to accommodate patients.

Senate report gives OK to Medicare surcharge lift

PM - 27/08/2008
A Federal Government majority Senate committee has recommended that the planned changes to the Medicare levy surcharge should be passed, despite difficulties in measuring the impact they'll have on private health insurance premiums. But the Opposition is still vowing to oppose the measure, saying it could threaten the viability of the entire health system.

Deadly Hendra virus poses medical mystery

7.30 Report - 27/08/2008
The death of a 33-year-old veterinarian from the Hendra virus last week has alarm bells ringing, transmitted by horses the virus has caused four deaths since 1994. The latest fatality has prompted a review into how authorities respond to the Hendra virus.

Medicare may provide another budget bump

The World Today - 27/08/2008
A key Senator is demanding low income families be compensated for any increase in private health insurance premiums that may follow changes to the Medicare surcharge. It's being seen as another blow to the Federal Government's chances of getting its Budget through the Senate.