disease prevention

Mark Renton’s journey from aspiring sports scientist in Australia to postdoctoral researcher at Virginia Tech’s Fralin Biomedical Research Institute underscores a broader shift in biomedical research: the convergence of exercise physiology and cellular biology. While he grew up dreaming of designing exercise regimens for elite athletes, an undergraduate course in exercise metabolism awakened Renton’s fascination with the cellular machinery of muscle. That curiosity ultimately led him to pursue a doctorate in cardiac biology, and more recently, to investigate how obesity undermines heart health at the microscopic level.

Australia’s robust childhood immunisation program, long held up as a global benchmark, is showing troubling signs of backsliding. New figures released by the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) reveal that vaccination coverage among infants, toddlers and adolescents has steadily fallen since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. With rates dipping below the thresholds required to maintain herd immunity against highly contagious diseases such as measles and whooping cough, experts warn that without swift and sustained intervention, preventable outbreaks—and even deaths—may follow.

Australia is facing an unusually early and potentially severe flu season, prompting strong recommendations from healthcare experts for early vaccination. Doctors across the country are warning that the influenza virus is already circulating rapidly, with cases surging significantly higher than this time last year. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Australian Medical Association are urging the public—especially vulnerable populations—to receive their flu shots now, before the virus reaches its expected peak in the coming winter months.

In a breakthrough that reshapes the understanding of immune system dynamics, researchers from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Helmholtz Munich have identified that the human body begins preparing for severe disease scenarios far earlier than previously believed. Even in cases of mild or moderate infections, the body produces a subset of T cells predisposed to exhaustion—a phenomenon previously associated only with chronic infections and tumors.

Lyme disease continues to pose a growing public health concern, infecting an estimated 476,000 people each year in the United States alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The tick-borne illness, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, can lead to severe long-term complications, including debilitating fatigue, joint pain, and neurological issues, if left untreated. Despite decades of research and near breakthroughs, no human vaccine has yet proven commercially viable.

Accurate identification of disease-carrying mosquitoes has long been a challenge for scientists due to the tiny size and striking similarities among species. Now, a new AI-based tool being developed at Utah State University (USU) could revolutionize how we track and manage these pests, ultimately improving disease control efforts.

A survivor of melioidosis in Far North Queensland is urging people to take the disease seriously, as the number of reported cases has reached record-breaking levels.

Health authorities in North Queensland are sounding alarms following the death of three elderly people from melioidosis, a rare tropical disease linked to heavy rains and flooding. Two of the deaths occurred in the Townsville area, while one was recorded in Ingham, contributing to a rise in cases across the region. As the region grapples with the aftermath of significant flooding, experts are warning that more health risks could emerge. Along with the melioidosis deaths, there are also concerns about a potential outbreak of dengue fever and worsening respiratory issues due to mould infestations in homes.