This week's compendium

Here’s this week’s compendium. This week…

1.OECD members voted unanimously to invite Israel to join [1]. It’s nice to start a compendium with some good news.

2. a report concluded that a federal government plan to give every Australian a unique e-health record would save our health system A$7.6b a year and prevent 5,000 deaths [2]. It’s due to start in July 2012.

3. Grammar Girl gave us the rundown on adverbs [3]. She did it so expertly.

4. a paper in the Archives of Internal Medicine concluded nuts – any nuts – helped blood lipid levels; and the more the better [4]. Okay then.

5. a UK study showed just five minutes of fresh air and exercise makes a huge difference in mood and self-esteem [5]. And the effect’s even bigger if water – e.g. a lake or river – is added.

6. I read of sharedearth.com which is a kind of craigslist linking prospective gardeners with those with gardens [6a, 6b]. And it’s free of charge.

7. a Canberra University report on saving in Australia showed the best savers are aged 45-54 years, and men are better savers than women [7]. Ho hum.

8. regarding dementia, a US study showed spouses of dementia sufferers have a 6-fold increased risk of developing dementia themselves [8a]; and whilst a review showed a current lack of evidence that omega-3 fatty acids are effective in dementia prevention [8b], an Israeli breakthrough has brought stem cell therapy a step closer [8c]. Currently the scope for prevention’s bleak; but treatment via stem cell therapy looks promising.

Finally, I wish you, dear Farmdoc’s Blog readers, a wonderful week.

This week's compendium

Here’s this week’s compendium. This week…

1. US health reform legislation was approved by the House of Representatives [1]. No-one knows the exact implications. But surely the outcome will be a massive improvement on the status quo ante

2. the latest estimate is that peak oil will occur around 2014, i.e. a decade earlier than previously predicted [2]. Good news – the environmental and geopolitical effects of fossil fuel use are catastrophic.

3. Australian F1 Grand Prix boss Ron Walker underwent brain surgery [3]. Eh?

4. regarding the GP circus which runs for four days ending in the race tomorrow, the media, acting out of altruism in the public interest (sorry, that’s a joke), continue to promote the unpromotable [4]. Attendance will be abysmal this year, again requiring a massive injection of public money.

5. the JAMA reported that women with normal food intake require 60 minutes per day of moderate-intensity physical activity to prevent significant weight gain [5]. This is a big increase over the previously-advocated figure of 150 minutes per week.

6. a Lancet article by Australian researchers concluded the placebo effect is under-recognised and under-used [6]. I agree. The placebo effect confounds the fundamentalism of Evidence Based Medicine – which can only be a good thing. The art of medicine mustn’t be removed.

7. UK supermarket chain Sainsbury, known for its environmental initiatives including electric vehicle charging stations and converting waste food into energy, is moving into another area that’s a supermarket first – beekeeping [7]. Sainsbury makes Australian supermarkets look positively neanderthal.

8. the amazing Daylesford Organics gained sixth place on Australian Traveller magazine’s list of ‘100 Greatest Australian Gourmet Experiences’ [8]. Kate Ulman and Brendon Eisner: I am just so proud of, and happy for, you. xxxxx

Finally, I wish you, dear Farmdoc’s Blog readers, a wonderful week.