Knee arthritis and stem cells | Alzheimer's and women | spider venom and hearts | Maturity-onset diabetes and genetic testing

Australians will pay a lot to relieve the pain of arthritis—sometimes opting for unproven therapies using stem cells. Why does this happen?Women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Researchers have long looked for the reason why— it may be related to the amount of 'cognitive reserve' some groups have been able to accumulate.Researchers have found that a protein in the K'gari (Fraser Island) funnel web spider venom has the ability to stop heart cells dying. It could also help preserve organs prior to transplant.A genetic form of diabetes can occur later in life, and doesn't require insulin. A pilot project has looked at the benefits of early genetic testing for it.