Articles
CSIRO braces for job cuts
It has just been reported that CSIRO is facing significant job cuts, with climate science teams among those expected to be hit the hardest. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the Oceans and Atmosphere division is expected to lose 110 staff, with similar reductions in the Land and Water division. In an interview with Fairfax media, CSIRO chief executive Larry Marshall explains the rationale behind the cuts – Mr Marshall suggests 350 staff will be affected, and has sent a letter to CSIRO staff this morning. Professor Samantha Hepburn, Research Director at Deakin Law School and Director of EMI Partners says, "The job cuts in the climate science division of CSIRO have been rationalised by the new CEO, former venture capitalist, Mr Marshall, as being the product of a rationalised and streamlined approach to corporate management in line with startup companies such as Netflix." "The CSIRO, however, is a crucial agency for social and environmental progression. It is the Federal government government agency for scientific research in Australia. It seeks to develop the scientific knowledge required to manage Australia's wildlife, plant and land resources for ecological sustainability. It is not a technology startup," she says. [ + ]
Mum's microbes boost C-section immunity
Newborns that are delivered via caesarean-section are being exposed to their mum's vaginal microbes by US scientists in an attempt to provide them with the community of microorganisms that would usually come from a vaginal birth. The researchers explain that the early exposure helps the babies develop a strong immune system, and in the experiment the babies that were swabbed with the vaginal fluid showed a similar level of microorganism growth as those born vaginally. They did add that the transfer was not perfect, as a few of the common microbes didn't take hold, and that long term studies are still required to determine the lasting effects. [ + ]
Love in the time of Zika
Love, sex and babies are the foundation of human existence. Without them the human race ceases to exist. Zika, a virus that few people had heard of a month ago, has suddenly disrupted this normal course of events. [ + ]
AMA reports public hospitals under the pump
The Australian Medical Association’s (AMA) annual Public Hospital Report Card says hospitals are facing “a growing funding crisis” – with their performance virtually stagnant, even declining in certain areas – and lays the blame squarely at the feet of the federal government. [ + ]
Hospital violence escalating
Growing fears about incidents of violence and aggression in public hospitals and other healthcare settings was shared by more than 140 delegates of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) this week. [ + ]
Fallopian tube removal drops cancer by 40%
A University of Queensland gynaecological researcher and cancer surgeon is urging women facing hysterectomy to consider removal of their fallopian tubes to reduce their risk of ovarian cancer. [ + ]
Sepsis Kills program - saving lives in NSW
An early intervention program designed to improve the way emergency departments deal with patients with sepsis has been successful in speeding up the process of treating the potentially fatal condition, according to research published online by the Medical Journal of Australia. [ + ]
Zika virus - what you need to know
Zika virus is a mosquito-borne virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. The same mosquito also transmits 3 other vector-borne diseases -- dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever – across tropical and subtropical regions around the world. The most common symptoms of Zika virus are headache, muscle and joint pain, mild fever, rash, and inflammation of the underside of the eyelid. To lower the risk of being infected with Zika virus: use insect repellent; cover as much of the body as possible with long, light-coloured clothing; empty, clean or cover containers that can hold water to remove places mosquitoes can breed; and sleep under mosquito nets. Key facts [ + ]
