Healthcare

A groundbreaking study by a Japanese research team has uncovered a potential link between a common virus and the development of depression later in life. The team, from the Jikei University School of Medicine in Tokyo, discovered that infection with the human herpes virus type 6 (HHV6) during infancy may be a trigger for depression, challenging the long-held belief that the disorder is primarily caused by inherited genes.

A study by the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center in Japan has found that sleeping on high pillows, known as "shogun pillows," can increase the risk of stroke due to neck flexion and potential damage to blood vessels. The researchers recommend using lower pillows, ideally less than 12 cm in height, to reduce this risk.

A parliamentary committee investigating health services in Far West NSW has found the system to be in crisis, with an overreliance on fly-in locums. The committee is calling for a complete overhaul of how health is delivered in remote communities, including attracting more permanent health professionals and better serving the needs of the region's Aboriginal population.

A class action lawsuit against NSW Health for underpaying junior doctors has been settled for $230 million, marking the largest underpayment class action outcome in Australian history. The settlement aims to compensate over 20,000 doctors for unpaid overtime and meal breaks, while also prompting improvements in working conditions for junior medical professionals.

Haven, a young child diagnosed with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), faces a heartbreaking battle against their eating disorder. Despite repeated hospitalizations and medical stabilization, Haven's fear of food leads to a continuous cycle of dangerously low blood sugar and readmission.