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Australian innovators create superior surgical screws for orthopaedic surgeries

Not all orthopaedic implants are created equal. Surgeons repair bone fractures using metal plates and screws but sometimes the screws loosen and the surgery needs to be repeated. Previous expandable screws increased screw fixation strength but were more difficult (or impossible) to remove and increased surgery time.

• InFocus
• News
• Ten of the Best
• 15th Edition
• 12 June 2024

Research Excellence: Strengthening the evidence base for suicide prevention

Professor Jane Pirkis is the Director of the Centre for Mental Health and Community Wellbeing at the University of Melbourne. With a background in public health, Professor Pirkis has worked in the area of suicide prevention for over 25 years, contributing to knowledge about which interventions are effective in preventing suicide. Professor Pirkis’s work has also emphasised media-based interventions and interventions that involve restricting access to means of suicide. Professor Pirkis is the recipient of The University of Melbourne’s Marles Medal (2021) and is also the recipient of a Distinguished Alumni Award at the University of Tasmania (2017) and has received a Lifetime Research LIFE Award through Suicide Prevention Australia (2010).

• InFocus
• News
• 6 June 2024

Speaking of Science: Unlocking the power of Indigenous co-design and intervention: Transformative outcomes through authentic collaboration

National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can join the national efforts towards achieving national reconciliation.

In this Speaking of Science webinar held during National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June 2024), we were joined by distinguished researcher and Indigenous leader, Professor Maree Toombs (Professor of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health in the University of New South Wales School of Population Health) who walked us through an incredibly moving presentation.

• News
• Speaking of Science
• Video
• 31 May 2024

Redefining resilience research for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adolescents

It is well known that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ conceptions of health and wellbeing and life experiences differ vastly from mainstream populations.

• News
• Ten of the Best
• 15th Edition
• 27 May 2024

Research Excellence: Pioneering Early Cancer Detection through Nanotechnology

Dr Jiayan Liao is a dedicated researcher specialising in the field of nanotechnology, nanomedicine, biomedical engineering, and their applications in medical diagnostics. Dr Liao’s research focuses on developing innovative diagnostic tools for early cancer detection, leveraging photonics, fluorescent nanoprobes, and artificial intelligence for precise detection of single-molecule biomarkers in diseases and cancers. Dr Liao is contributing to the advancement of diagnostic methodologies and technologies, aiming for non-invasive, early detection methods to improve patient outcomes.

• InFocus
• News
• 16 May 2024

Budget 2024–25

The Budget 2024–25, delivered on 14 May 2024, confirms the Australian Government’s ongoing commitment to supporting health and medical research and its translation into new health treatments and technologies to improve the health of the Australian community.

• News
• 15 May 2024

Research Excellence: Solving Australia's Hypertension Treatment Problem

Professor Alta Schutte, SHARP Professor and Principal Theme Lead of Cardiac, Vascular and Metabolic Medicine at the University of New South Wales and The George Institute for Global Health, focuses on implementing effective scalable interventions for global blood pressure control. Appointed Co-Chair of the National Hypertension Taskforce in 2022, she was recognised in 2023 as the Leading Researcher in Vascular Medicine by The Australian. Notably, she received the 2022 Harriet Dustan Award from the American Heart Association and the 2023 Peter Sleight Excellence award from the World Hypertension League. Her impactful work extends to improving cardiovascular health in Australia and beyond.

• InFocus
• News
• 12 May 2024

Life-giving oils: low omega-3 fatty acid linked to early preterm birth and lower brain development

Preterm birth occurs in approximately 1 in 10 infants globally. It causes about three-quarters of near-birth deaths and more than half of newborn deaths.

• News
• Ten of the Best
• 15th Edition
• 6 May 2024

Uncovering the deep, dark secrets of pathogen genomes to save lives

Professor Ben Howden, from the University of Melbourne at the Doherty Institute, is a renowned clinician researcher whose dedicated focus on public health microbiology, genomics and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has impacted thousands of lives.

• News
• 15th Edition
• 30 April 2024

Speaking of Science: Towards a National Indigenous Genomics Agenda

Harnessing the power of research by combining genomics, precision medicine and public heath can help to address the long-term health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

• News
• Speaking of Science
• Video
• 18 April 2024

Research Excellence: Designing adaptive strategies to drive tuberculosis towards elimination

Dr Romain Ragonnet is a Senior Research Fellow in the Epidemiological Modelling Unit at Monash University. Dr Ragonnet specialises in the mathematical modelling of tuberculosis (TB) and COVID-19, and his notable contributions include the first-ever quantification of TB mortality and self-recovery rates. Dr Ragonnet has advised various governments of lower-middle-income countries in the Asia-Pacific region to assist the local control of TB and COVID-19. He also initiated and led multiple cross-disciplinary collaborations, creating a strong network of world-leading experts that spans mathematics, medical ethics, biostatistics, economics, and clinical trials.

• InFocus
• News
• 16 April 2024

Getting adolescents active for health benefits

Less than 10% of adolescents globally, including in Australia, do enough physical activity to align with the amount required for young people to be healthy.

• News
• 15th Edition
• 9 April 2024

Research Excellence: Unlocking molecular vulnerabilities in childhood brain cancers

Dr Sean Humphrey leads the Functional Phosphoproteomics Laboratory at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. Dr Humphrey’s research uses cutting-edge mass spectrometers to create detailed molecular maps that capture how cells communicate and process information by regulating proteins. Dr Humphrey completed his PhD at the University of New South Wales before moving to Germany to undertake post-doctoral training at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Munich. Dr Humphrey’s research pinpoints key molecular signals that are dysregulated in human disease, uncovering a myriad of new targets for future therapies.

• InFocus
• News
• 8 April 2024

Addictive brain changes linked to obesity and simple supplement shows promise

When exposed to highly palatable (yummy) foods, some people overeat and have trouble regulating their intake long-term.

• News
• 15th Edition
• 5 April 2024

Research Excellence: Epidemiology and equity of kidney failure in Australasia

Dr Johanna Birrell is a general physician and advanced trainee in public health medicine. Dr Birrell has trained in both Australia and New Zealand and has a particular interest in rural health, Indigenous health, and health services research. Dr Birrell is completing her postdoctoral studies at the University of Sydney with concurrent clinical work. Her research explores geographic variation in kidney failure epidemiology and access to care across Australia and New Zealand. Dr Birrell has received awards including the Royal Australasian College of Physicians 2023 Aotearoa Trainee Research Award for Excellence in the Field of Adult Medicine and the Gerry Murphy Prize in 2022.

• InFocus
• News
• 3 April 2024

Speaking of Science: International Women’s Day 2024 - Inspire Inclusion

International Women’s Day represents a day of collective global activism and celebration that belongs to all of those committed to forging women’s equality.

In this Speaking of Science webinar held for International Women’s Day, we were joined by members of NHMRC’s Research Committee to discuss this year’s theme of ‘Inspire Inclusion’.

• News
• Speaking of Science
• Video
• 21 March 2024

Speaking of Science: Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month- Early detection, risk prediction and improving prognosis

Around 1,786 new cases of ovarian cancer in Australia were estimated to have been diagnosed in 2023, which is the equivalent of a 1 in 87 lifetime risk.

In our first Speaking of Science webinar, held for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, we were joined by international expert in ovarian cancer research, Professor Susan Ramus (Professor of Molecular Oncology in the School of Clinical Medicine at the University of New South Wales).

• News
• Speaking of Science
• Video
• 1 March 2024

NHMRC Update on the Australian Dietary Guidelines

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is currently undertaking a review of the Australian Dietary Guidelines. The updated guidelines are scheduled for delivery in 2026.

• Communique
• News
• 26 February 2024

NHMRC Investigator Grants sets the standard for gender equity

It is an inspiring time for health and medical research in Australia as the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) sets the standard for achieving gender equity through its largest grant scheme, Investigator Grants.

• Communique
• News
• 16 January 2024

'I leave not only a more confident worker but also a more confident person.'

Emily McDonald’s journey to becoming an intern at NHMRC has not been exactly straightforward.

• News
• 12 May 2022

Australia’s investment in eradicating malaria

Over the last 10 years NHMRC has invested more than $191 million in research on malaria1

• News
• 23 April 2021

NHMRC Dementia Research News

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) remains committed to supporting dementia research in Australia following the end of the Australian Government's Boosting Dementia Research Initiative (BDRI).

• News
• 18 September 2020

Healthcare key to bridging determinants of health

'Capacity development is something I’m really passionate about and there is definitely a need for it' - Dr Odette Pearson.

• News
• 3 June 2019