Menu Close

Articles on Australian of the Year

Displaying all articles

Two heroes of the Thai cave rescue, Craig Challen and Richard Harris, are joint Australian of the Year for 2019. AAP/Mick Tsikas

Cave rescue heroes share Australian of the Year

A retired vet and an anaesthetist from Western Australia share the honour for 2019 after they used their medical and cave-diving skills to rescue 12 boys and their coach from a Thai cave in 2018.
Scientists hope that stem cells may be able to repair nerves and other cells that support transmission of electrical impulses in the spinal cord. binomialphoto/flickr

Yes there’s hope, but treating spinal injuries with stem cells is not a reality yet

Claims that stem cell treatments can repair spinal injuries right now are overblown. But it’s not for lack of trying, and the science is certainly progressing.
It’s hard for lay readers to ascertain the difference between incremental research and genuine breakthroughs that will change the practice of medicine. The University of Melbourne/AAP

Why the media need to tread carefully when reporting research findings

Now, more than ever, in a world filled with ‘fake news’, it’s up to researchers to work hard to have accurate messages publicised.
Controversy surrounds the link between Australian of the Year Alan Mackay Sim’s research and a Polish team who restored mobility for a paraplegic man. AAP/Mick Tsikas

The future of stem cells: tackling hype versus hope

For many people suffering from disabling conditions, announcements in the press around breakthroughs in stem cell research undoubtedly bring hope.

Top contributors

More