Genes, drugs in early life, and stress have been linked to the development of schizophrenia.
Academic rigour, journalistic flair
Analysis and Comment
The NT has become the first jurisdiction in Australia to introduce a minimum price for alcohol.
If toothbrushing is forced form a young age, kids can become resistant to dental care practices. Make it fun.
Large institutions for people with disability and mental illness were once commonplace. These have now been replaced with smaller community-based services. With aged care, we're doing the opposite.
New laws mean My Health Record data is more protected than other patient data. Privacy policies should be the same across the board.
The EU is asking Australia to extend drug company monopolies. This could mean Australians wait longer for access to cheaper, generic medicines.
Science shows that this simple mindfulness technique improves concentration and working memory.
Four Corners this week revealed understaffing and poor staff training in aged care. These issues have also been found in previous reviews into aged care.
The new Apple Watch is making waves for being able to record an electrocardiogram (ECG) and share it. An ECG can tell you what's going on with your heart.
Older people living in residential aged care often have few friends, no meaningful interactions and feel socially isolated. Most people are depressed and some may no longer wish to live.
With so many different types out there, it's hard to know what sleep medications are safe to use. Here's a guide.
Because of their sedative effect, antipsychotic medications are often used – in fact they are over-used – to "manage" people with dementia. This is against clinical guidelines.
Spoiler alert: kilojoules affect weight gain more than your genes or gut bugs.
Australia's aged care sector is in trouble. Our experts have previously explored the complex aspects of the system, exposing where the problems are, and have been for some time.
Taking low-dose aspirin daily doesn't delay the onset of disability in healthy older people. Nor does it prevent heart attack or stroke in those who hadn't experienced either condition before.
A new study offers hope.
Recently passed legislation will ensure pharmaceutical companies report shortages of medicines. This is only about notifications. It won't prevent medicine shortages themselves.
It's clear that socioeconomic position has a strong influence on cancer incidence and mortality in Australia.
Doctors tend to overestimate how good their treatments are and underestimate the harms that come from them. But many studies have shown knee arthroscopy to no more effective than fake surgery.
Aged care crisis
Four Corners this week revealed understaffing and poor staff training in aged care. These issues have also been found in previous reviews into aged care.
Older people living in residential aged care often have few friends, no meaningful interactions and feel socially isolated. Most people are depressed and some may no longer wish to live.
Parenting after divorce
Telling your children you and your partner aren't going to be together anymore is a significant change in their lives.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is cut or vaporised with an electric current or laser. It ranges from a simple, 20 minute operation to complex surgery involving important organs such as the bowel and bladder.
Endometriosis can cause a number of severe symptoms, including period pain. But painful periods alone aren't a surefire indicator of endometriosis. Here's what else to look out for.
Fruit and veg
Tiny versions of leafy green vegetables and herbs have made it from restaurant tables to the home kitchen. But are these microgreens healthier for you than regular greens?
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Research and Expert Database
Editors’ Picks
Meningococcal disease
Meningococcal is a rare but very serious infection that can lead to blood poisoning and brain infection. But no single vaccine protects against all the strains.
Abortion
Although there is a move towards decriminalising abortion in Australian states, there is a long way to go before abortion is treated like other medical procedures under the law.
Screen time
Screen time – by way of watching television or using computers, mobile phones and other electronic mobile devices – may be having a large and negative impact on children’s sleep.
Opioid overdose
Naloxone is used as an "antidote" for opioid overdose which includes heroin, and opioid pain medicines such as morphine, fentanyl and codeine.
Pill testing
Not only are our drug policies not working, we're falling behind the rest of the world and what evidence says is best to ensure we have fewer deaths from illicit drugs.
Intersex surgery
Until we safeguard every child from all forms of violence, opposition to genital cutting will not be an Australian value.
Dementia
Have you noticed your thinking ability drops during winter and spring? A new study of healthy adults and dementia patients found cognitive function declines in the colder months.
Five experts
All experts agreed there's nothing to worry about if you don't go every day.
Breast cancer
New research that more isn't better when it comes to chemotherapy mirrors the evolution of surgery approaches to breast cancer that, a few decades ago, were far more radical than now.
Superbugs
Antibiotic resistance is a major and growing global health threat. These five recent examples show us how dangerous it can be.
Ageing
As we get older, there are many reasons our muscles might feel stiff. The most important thing is to keep moving.
Blood tests
Blood is perhaps the most important window through which we can peer into a person's health or illness.
Disability
There's a lot we can do to make society more accessible for people with communication disability.
Women's health
The vagina is self-cleaning, and vaginal discharge plays an important role in keeping the vagina healthy.
FASD
New research assessing young people in WA detention found 89% were severely impaired in at least one area of brain function. One in three had fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
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Events
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Future-Proofing Youth Health (New Professor Talk) — University of Newcastle
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The Climate Change Emergency: What Can Be Done? — La Trobe University
How we are different
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- We’ve had 20 aged care reviews in 20 years – will the royal commission be any different?
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