Australian researchers have identified a type of bacteria-blasting honey capable of taking on the superbugs that have infected the nation's hospitals. read more
AUSTRALIAN researchers have been astonished to discover a cure-all right under their noses -- a honey sold in health food shops as a natural medicine. read more
A cream used to treat the early signs of skin cancer may erase wrinkles and leave behind younger-looking skin, US researchers said on Monday. read more
Technology that allows mobile phones and computer games to sense motion is being used in a world-first Australian project aimed at preventing stillbirths. read more
MELBOURNE scientists have developed a HIV test that could significantly improve the lives of millions of people living with the disease in developing countries. read more
New therapies developed following groundbreaking clinical trials are effectively target breast cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, according to research unveiled overnight. read more
DRUG combinations may increase breast cancer survivors' risk of having the disease return if they use certain antidepressants while taking the cancer prevention drug tamoxifen, worrying new research from the US shows. read more
COATING a common contact lens with stem cells could help restore a person's sight within weeks of treatment, Australian scientists have found. read more
A prostate cancer pill that shrinks tumours in more than two-thirds of men while relieving their pain could be available within two years, according to British scientists. read more
Cancer is still a leading cause of death and despite decades of research it appears scientists are still no closer to curing it but there is hope. read more
Ginger, long used as a folk remedy for soothing tummy aches, helped tame one of the most dreaded side effects of cancer treatment - nausea from chemotherapy, the first large study to test the herb for this has found. read more
Acupuncture brought more relief to people with back pain than standard treatments, whether it was done with a toothpick or a real needle, U.S. researchers said on Monday in a study that raises new questions about how acupuncture works. read more
Kava, used for generations in traditional ceremonies by Pacific islanders, is an effective and safe treatment for anxiety, university researchers say. read more
Former AFL footballer Russell Greene admits that a few too many knocks around the head during his footy days contributed to his hearing loss which made everyday conversations difficult. read more
Sexual health experts say men could soon be taking more responsibility for contraception after development of a testosterone treatment found to be highly effective in preventing pregnancy. read more
PEOPLE with cystic fibrosis could now live longer after scientists announced the discovery of a new drug, the first major breakthrough in 10 years. read more
AUSTRALIA'S drug watchdog has warned consumers to stop using a range of weight-loss products bought on the internet from the US, after 23 reports of serious liver problems, including one death. read more
IS A new tea coming out of Brisbane really a magic bullet for weight loss? Huge waiting lists at chemist shops throughout the state would suggest that many Queenslanders are true believers. read more
New research on the reporting of medical treatments is published in the latest edition of the... read more
what media doctor is
Media Doctor is a website dedicated to improving the accuracy of media reports about new medical treatments.
Media Doctor reviews current news items about medical treatments, assesses their quality using a standardised rating scale and presents reviews of good and bad examples of reports on this website. It is anticipated that these independent and objective critiques will improve journalistic practices in reporting new medications and treatments in Australia.
Media Doctor does not provide medical advice, and does not assess the quality of the evidence on which the stories are based; instead we concentrate on the articles themselves. For more information on the treatments featured on this site, visit our links page.
who is media doctor?
The team behind Media Doctor consists of a group of academics and clinicians from the Newcastle Institute of Public Health, who have an interest in promoting better and more accurate reporting in the area of medical treatments.