Skip to main content

Medical Research

Promising new treatments for chronic low back pain should be covered by Medicare, say experts

Low back pain is the leading cause of disability but there's some big roadblocks if you want to get the best treatment, which focuses on the mind just as much as the body.
Woman holds her lower back as she sits at a desk

Major research funding for childhood brain cancers gives families hope

The federal government says up to $20 million will be made available over seven years to find treatments for childhood brain cancers, including Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG).
Eve Daher smiling with a balloon in the shape of the number eight.

Multiple myeloma patients await funding verdict on potential 'future of cancer treatment'

A government committee weighs up if taxpayers should fund an expensive and highly anticipated blood cancer treatment previously considered "not good value for money".
Updated
A female doctor carrying a stethoscope.

Researchers delve into cause of 'scary' antidepressant withdrawal symptom

One in seven Australians are taking antidepressants, but some of them only find out about the adverse withdrawal symptoms called "brain zaps" through online forums and TikTok.
Updated
a girl with glasses, black top smiles with headphones around her neck.

Chances are 'small', but Australian of the Year upbeat about incurable cancer as co-winner fights to save his life

Richard Scolyer and Georgina Long have saved thousands of lives using immunotherapy. Now they hope they can find a cure for Professor Scolyer.
Updated
Richard Scolyer and Georgina Long addressing the National Press Club

Social justice advocates, journalists, doctors and scientists among those recognised in Australia Day 2024 Honours

This year's Australia Day honours has recognised a variety of Australians from well-known media personalities to those working away behind the scenes. 
Updated
Composite of Father Bob, Fiona Wood and Dan Oakes

Meet the change makers in the running to be named Australian of the Year 2024

A group of eight change makers with a diverse mix of passions and work from around the country are in the running to be named Australian of the Year for 2024.
Updated
Meet your 2024 Australians of the Year

Richard Scolyer celebrates positive news, months after 'certain death' diagnosis

Melanoma expert Richard Scolyer is thrilled with his latest scan results, which come eight months after being diagnosed with "the worst of the worst" brain cancer.
Two images put together, left side Richard in work uniform, right side Richard in a hospital gown.

A 'demon' in the brain: What life with chronic pain is really like

Chronic pain is the norm for millions of Australians, but sufferers and advocates say misconceptions are rife. This is what their lives are really like.
A woman with long black hair standing expressionless in front of a curtain

The curious hum that only some people around the world seem to be able to hear

This modern-day mystery has been reported for decades, and one expert studying the phenomenon believes he might know what causes the strange pulsating sound only some can hear. 
The back of a woman standing in front of a moving blurry train

Some medications impact your heat and sun sensitivity. Here's what they are and how to survive the hot summer

ADHD medications, antidepressants, acne medication and even some antibiotics could impact your ability to detect heat stroke or increase your risk of sunburn. Here is why and what you can do about it. 
A selfie of a blonde girl with blue eyes.

Scientists make promising breakthrough against superbug that attacks Australian ICU patients

Scientists discover a promising new class of antibiotic that targets one of the world’s most drug-resistant bacteria, but it's early days yet.
A slide of melioidosis bacteria being tested by a researcher

'This is the end of the relationship': The marriages under strain from long COVID

Long COVID is not just destroying people's health. Behind closed doors, in homes across Australia and abroad, it is irreversibly changing relationships — sometimes for the better, too often for worse.
An illustration in blue and pink colours shows a woman sitting alone in a room looking out a window

'I'm lucky to be here': When Emily Hayes picked up the phone, she thought her life was over

Last year Emily Hayes received a phone call that made her think her life was over. The 30-year-old lives in Queensland — the skin cancer capital of the world.
Updated
woman looking at camera

First Australian born in a transplanted uterus

Kirsty Bryant underwent groundbreaking surgery to receive the organ from a donor in January, giving new hope for women.
ABC News Current
Duration: 1 minute 54 seconds

Australia's first uterus transplant recipient gives birth to healthy baby boy

Christmas has arrived early for Kirsty Bryant, who has given birth to Henry — a healthy baby boy who grew within a uterus donated by her mother.
Updated
A woman sits smiling, holding a newborn baby.

analysis:The accidental arrival of Ozempic could affect the health of the global economy

Not since Viagra has the world of medicine seen a bigger "accident" but if Ozempic can tackle the challenges obesity has presented in recent decades, there could be a profound impact on the global economy, writes Ian Verrender.
Ozempic is displayed in a pharmacy in Provo

Pharmacists are making unofficial replicas of Ozempic

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners president Nicole Higgins, says compounded medicines could have unexpected integrations with other medications.
Updated
ABC News Current
Duration: 3 minutes 39 seconds

DNA analysis paves way for improved Indigenous health treatments

It's the most comprehensive study of its kind and it can help address health inequalities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Updated
ABC News Current
Duration: 5 minutes 27 seconds

Latest COVID wave will increase risk and severity of long COVID but clinics rapidly closing

Internationally, countries such as the US are scaling up efforts to address long COVID but Australia continues to close its specialist clinics. Medical professionals in Australia and overseas say it is a move that needs an urgent rethink.
Professor Igor Koralnik assists a long COVID patient.

UNSW to face review over research misconduct processes that have taken more than two years

UNSW has been conducting a "preliminary" investigation into research misconduct for more than two years. Now the university itself will be investigated.
The University of New South Wales (UNSW) library is seen against a bright, cloudy sky

Initiative looks into prevalence of heart disease in African-Australians

A national initiative launched this year, is endeavouring to uncover just how underrepresented African-Australians are in clinical research.
ABC News Current
Duration: 2 minutes 8 seconds

Skipped your morning coffee? This is why you might be feeling off

If you're a regular coffee drinker, you may have experienced the dreaded caffeine withdrawal headache. It's a painful reminder that caffeine is a drug that changes your brain.
Updated
Cup of coffee

Scientific world's biggest stories of 2023

The host of RN's The Science show on RN Robyn Williams takes a look back at the year that was in science.
Updated
ABC News Current
Duration: 7 minutes 7 seconds

This tricky breast cancer is sneaking up on women, and there's very little research into it

Four years after being diagnosed with a form of breast cancer that's hard to detect, ABC journalist Mary Lloyd goes back to her doctors to find out how women can look out for it.
Updated
Mary Lloyd pictured with two of her children in 2020, when she had no hair.