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Research

Perspectives on the origin and therapeutic opportunities in Down syndrome-associated leukemia

It is now well accepted that germline or de novo genetic alterations predispose to cancer development, especially during childhood. Among them, constitutive trisomy 21, also known as Down syndrome (DS), has been shown to predispose to acute leukemia affecting both the myeloid (ML-DS) and lymphoid (DS-ALL) lineages. ML-DS is associated with a good prognosis compared to children without DS, due in part to a higher sensitivity to conventional chemotherapy.

Research

Scalability and scaling-up strategy of a physical activity policy intervention in Australian childcare centres

There is an urgent need for scalable interventions to promote physical activity in early childhood. An early childhood education and care physical activity policy intervention with implementation support strategies (Play Active) has been proposed for scale-up in Australia. 

Research

Extreme weather events, home damage, and the eroding locus of control

The catastrophic consequences of natural disasters on social and economic systems are extensively documented, yet their influence on individuals' sense of control over their life outcomes remains unexplored. This study pioneers an investigation into the causal effects of natural disaster-related home damage on the locus of control. 

Research

Heterogeneity and distribution characteristics of tertiary lymphoid structures predict prognostic outcome in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Tertiary Lymphoid Structures (TLSs) are ectopic lymphoid aggregates that form within the tumor microenvironment (TME) and are increasingly recognized as potential prognostic biomarkers in various cancers. However, the spatial heterogeneity and prognostic value of TLSs in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remain poorly defined. This study aimed to characterize the spatial distribution patterns of TLSs and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and to establish a refined prognostic model for ESCC patients in both surgery-only and neoadjuvant therapy cohorts.

Research

Neonatal skin: barrier, immunity and infection prevention in the NICU

The neonatal skin is central to early survival and immune development. Far from being a passive mechanical barrier, it integrates physical, chemical, and microbial defences that together protect the infant in the immediate postnatal period. In preterm infants, structural immaturity, reduced antimicrobial capacity, and altered microbial colonisation confer heightened vulnerability to infection and inflammation.

Research

Climate change policies fail to protect child health

National policies are essential for countries to adapt to the negative health impacts of climate change. Children are disproportionately affected by these impacts and must be at the heart of adaptation policies to address their vulnerabilities. Adaptation commitments worldwide are integrated into national adaptation plans, nationally determined contributions, national communications, and other multisectoral policies. We aimed to evaluate how effectively national climate change policies worldwide plan to protect child health, considering a range of determinants for successful child-health adaptation.

Research

Sex assigned at birth may modify health-related quality of life in children treated with peanut oral immunotherapy

The high burden of peanut allergy underscores the need for treatment options that improve patient health-related quality of life (HRQL). However, the modifying effect of sex assigned at birth on treatment-related outcomes remains poorly understood. We sought to investigate whether sex modifies treatment effect on the change in overall and subdomain HRQL during the PPOIT-003 trial.

Research

Confident and Trustworthy Model for Fidgety Movement Classification

General movements (GMs) are part of the spontaneous movement repertoire and are present from early fetal life onwards up to age five months. GMs are connected to infants' neurological development and can be qualitatively assessed via the General Movement Assessment. In particular, between the age of three to five months, typically developing infants produce fidgety movements and their absence provides strong evidence for the presence of cerebral palsy.

Research

Proteomics confirms immune stabilizing effects of narrowband UVB treatment in patients with clinically isolated syndrome and multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) demonstrates a latitude gradient in prevalence and severity, implicating ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure and photoimmune mechanisms in disease risk and progression. While narrowband (NB)-UVB phototherapy has long stabilized inflammation in dermatology, its systemic immunomodulatory effects in MS remain incompletely defined.

Research

Vitamin D and Sunlight

In a sunny country such as Australia, it’s important to identify how to achieve the right amount of sun exposure for good health. We need to be able to harness the benefits of vitamin D and sunlight while remaining protected from the proven dangers of too much UV radiation.