A round-up of this week's other health stories in brief
RESEARCH FUND:Cancer Research Ireland has announced it is investing almost €200,000 in a potentially ground-breaking brain tumour research project, to be led by a research team at Dublin City University (DCU), working in partnership with Beaumont Hospital, Dublin.
The team is analysing glioma brain tumour samples donated by patients attending Beaumont Hospital in a bid to help identify which patients might respond to a new group of drugs.
The research may enable brain surgeons and doctors treating patients with gliomas to reach a specific diagnosis and decide on tailored treatments for each patient.
Commenting on the research, Dr Patrick Corley, cancer research officer with the Irish Cancer Society, said: "Throughout Europe, there is generally a lack of research on brain tumours; therefore we are excited that this research, which has direct relevance to patient care, is being carried out in Ireland."
There are, on average, 264 deaths from brain tumours in Ireland every year.
ORGAN DONOR BOOST:More than 12,000 people registered as organ donors in The Netherlands following a controversial TV hoax, in which three contestants purportedly competed for the kidney of a cancer patient.
The Big Donor Showmade headlines around the world and was branded tasteless and unethical when its makers announced they would run a game show with a kidney as top prize.
However, the show's makers were widely praised when they revealed it was a hoax aimed at raising awareness for the plight of patients waiting for donor organs. And their stunt appeared to pay off.
"As a result of the Big Donor Show, the donor register has received more than 12,000 donor forms," the Dutch health ministry said.
GAA TAKES ON SADS:Tomorrow, the GAA and VHI will launch an initiative to help GAA clubs tackle the phenomenon of Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome (SADS).
Under the initiative, every GAA club will be given a chance to purchase a defibrillator at cost price, or around €1,200. In addition, the VHI will provide introductory training in the use of the defibrillators for 125 GAA clubs around the country.
And the GAA hopes the defibrillators will also have a wider use if required.
"What we're envisaging is that not alone will the defibrillators be available for the clubs, but also for the broader community," said GAA spokesman Fergal McGill.
SADS is responsible for the deaths of some 40 people under the age of 35 in the Republic annually.
MS CAUSES:A major international research project into the possible causes of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is being led by NUI Galway lecturer Dr Thomas Barry at the Department of Microbiology.
The work aims to clarify the role of infection in the occurrence of MS.
The research holds the potential to discover the causes of MS, thereby enabling a more specific and effective treatment to be developed than those that are currently in use.
MENINGITIS SKYDIVE:The Meningitis Research Foundation is inviting people to sign up for a 10,000ft sponsored skydive to raise funding.
Meningitis and septicaemia affect some 300 people every year in Ireland, with babies and young children most at risk.
The money raised will help the charity in its work of funding research, promoting education and awareness, and helping individuals and families affected by these devastating diseases.
For further information, contact the Meningitis Research Foundation on tel: 01- 819 6931 or email: oonagh@meningitis-ireland.org
POST POLIO SUPPORT:On Thursday, Minister for Health Mary Harney will launch a book aimed at health workers to help in the treatment of post polio syndrome in polio survivors.
The book, which was written by a multi-disciplinary team, provides information and guidance to doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational and speech therapists and social workers involved in the treatment and care of polio survivors.
For further information email: info@ppsg.ie