Research in the news

Asthma declines
THE prevalence of asthma in people aged between 5 and 34 years has declined by more than a quarter in the past decade, according to a study by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Although the report showed asthma rates were unchanged in people aged over 35 years, mortality due to asthma dropped by 45% between 1997 and 2009. The research was reported by ABC News.

Radiotherapy benefits
BREAST cancer death rates were reduced by about a sixth in women who had breast-conserving surgery by providing radiotherapy treatment to the conserved breast, according to new research in The Lancet. The treatment also halved the rate at which the disease recurred. The research was reported in The Australian.

POCS pregnancy problems
WOMEN with polycystic ovary syndrome may need increased surveillance during pregnancy after research showed the disorder was associated with preterm birth, gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia, according to a population-based cohort study in the BMJ. The research was reported in The Age.

Teen IQ can change
A PERSON’S intelligent quotient (IQ), often thought to be stable across the lifespan, fluctuates in the teenage years, new research in Nature shows. The researchers said this would be encouraging to those whose intellectual potential may improve, but could be a warning that early achievers may not maintain their potential. The research was reported by BBC News.

Ice use on rise
USE of “ice” (crystal methamphetamine) by Australian drug users in Australia increased significantly between 2010 and 2011, according to research on emerging drug trends by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre. Among injecting drug users, 45% had used ice in the previous six months, compared with 39% in 2010. Meanwhile, ecstasy use declined. The research was reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.

Posted 24 October 2011