Author: Bianca Nogrady
Bianca Nogrady is an Australian freelance science journalist, broadcaster and author - www.biancanogrady.com - @biancanogrady
Australia increases penalties for social media companies to enforce under 16s ban
From the BMJ, 3 July 2026: Australia is stepping up its attempts to prevent children under 16 from accessing social media, a year on from becoming the first country in the world to enact a ban. In new moves, the Australian government is targeting social media companies with greater penalties for failing to enforce the … Continue reading Australia increases penalties for social media companies to enforce under 16s ban
Is Australia prepared for bird flu?
From The Saturday Paper, 27 June 2026: It’s the moment Australian wildlife researchers and rescuers, infectious disease specialists, veterinarians, poultry and dairy farmers, zoos and aquariums and governments at all levels have been dreading since 2021. On June 14, a sick bird washed up on an isolated beach near Esperance in Western Australia. It was … Continue reading Is Australia prepared for bird flu?
Motor neuron disease: Australian state makes condition notifiable disease in world first
From BMJ, 1 July 2026: The Australian state of New South Wales is set to be the first jurisdiction in the world to make motor neuron disease (MND) a notifiable condition. Classifying MND in this way means that any new cases must be reported to the state health authority.1 Experts hope that this will create … Continue reading Motor neuron disease: Australian state makes condition notifiable disease in world first
Australia’s new lung cancer screening enjoys high uptake
From Medscape, 26 June 2026 The first year of Australia’s lung cancer screening program has seen nearly 100,000 current and former smokers take up the offer of free low-dose CT screening. As a result, more than 230 primary lung cancers have been detected. The program, which was launched on July 1, 2025, aimed to recruit … Continue reading Australia’s new lung cancer screening enjoys high uptake
10-Year data confirm no benefit from arthroscopy for degenerative meniscal tear
From Medscape, 30 April 2026: Ten-year follow-up data from the FIDELITY study of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) in patients with symptoms of degenerative meniscal tear found the procedure offered no benefits and was even associated with worse outcomes. The FIDELITY study used sham APM as the placebo control. The study involved 146 patients, aged 35-65 … Continue reading 10-Year data confirm no benefit from arthroscopy for degenerative meniscal tear
Tobacco and Vapes Act: What can UK learn from Australia’s nicotine crackdown?
From the BMJ, 8 May 2026 The UK’s landmark Tobacco and Vapes Act, which became law last month, creates a “smoke-free generation” by making it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone in the UK born after 2008.1 It also aims to reduce young people’s use of other products containing nicotine, such as vapes, while … Continue reading Tobacco and Vapes Act: What can UK learn from Australia’s nicotine crackdown?
Why is there still no cure for Alzheimer’s?
From The Saturday Paper, 25 April 2026: Over the past three decades, tens of billions of dollars have been spent on research to identify, develop and test drugs to remove from the brain plaques that are understood to cause Alzheimer’s disease – the neurodegenerative disorder that is now the leading cause of death in Australia. … Continue reading Why is there still no cure for Alzheimer’s?
Australia’s space program stuck in low orbit
From The Saturday Paper, 19 April 2026: When it comes to space, Australia has long been seen – and seen itself – as a support act who, with telescopes and technology, makes the bigger nations and space agencies look good as they undertake headline-grabbing missions to the moon, Mars and beyond. Australia has done very … Continue reading Australia’s space program stuck in low orbit
Australia bans use of genetic testing information by life insurers to deny or restrict coverage
From Medscape, 8 April 2026: Australia has passed a law banning life insurance companies from denying or restricting coverage based on the results of genetic tests or even based on whether an applicant or their genetic relatives have undergone or been recommended for genetic testing. The legislation received support from both major parties and many … Continue reading Australia bans use of genetic testing information by life insurers to deny or restrict coverage
Bianca Nogrady 