Opinions

When fairness isn’t fair: rethinking “career disruption” assessment in research funding

Fellowship schemes by Australian funding agencies invite researchers to disclose personal career disruptions to promote equity. For applicants living with illness or disability, this well-meaning policy can expose private medical details to non-medically trained reviewers and create new risks of bias. A proposed reform could bring medical privacy and consistency back into the process.

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Colonoscopy: striking the right balance

Where you live shouldn’t determine whether you can access colonoscopy services when you need them. However, new data shows there are stark differences in rates of MBS-subsidised colonoscopy across Australia, and that these gaps have grown over the last decade. How can we make sure some patients aren’t having colonoscopies unnecessarily while others with greater need miss out?

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The uncomfortable truth about alcohol

Despite reductions in consumption, particularly among young people, Australia has seen a rise in alcohol-related harms and avoidable costs. To decrease alcohol’s enormous burden on individuals, families and communities, it is important that all drinkers ease their alcohol consumption, not just heavy drinkers and other risk groups.

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Dementia 12 January 2026

Nanoparticles in Alzheimer’s disease: a new frontier in diagnosis and therapy

Dementia represents one of the greatest public health challenges of our time. It encompasses a range of neurodegenerative disorders marked by progressive cognitive decline, memory loss and loss of independence. Among these diseases, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent, accounting for approximately 60–70% of all dementia cases worldwide.

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