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  1. ALP leadership crisis
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Leadership Crisis

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Classic patenting norms are increasingly being modified for strategic purposes. CoastConFan

The art of war: know your enemy’s patents, and your own

IDEAS AND OWNERSHIP: The concept of protecting ideas and innovation by legal means dates back to antiquity. But many of our existing laws are under strain, their suitability and ultimate purpose called…

Do patents promote innovation?

IDEAS AND OWNERSHIP: The concept of protecting ideas and innovation by legal means dates back to antiquity. But in the age of the internet and multinational business models, many of the existing laws are…

IP, patents, copyright, you

IDEAS AND OWNERSHIP: The concept of protecting ideas and innovation by legal means dates back to antiquity. But in the age of the internet and multinational business models, many of the existing laws are…

Analysis and Comment

What CAM courses at universities should look like

While drizzling treacle on your porridge or spreading it on your toast, you might consider the time when the calorie-laden condiment was an antidote for poison. Of course, these days the crushed vipers…

Monday’s medical myth: stress causes cancer

Cancer is a disease of the body’s cells that affects around half of all Australians by the age of 85. Normally cells grow and multiply in a controlled way. But if something causes a mistake to occur in…

Five myths about organ donation in Australia

Australia has some of the world’s highest organ transplant success rates, but, for almost two decades, our deceased organ donation rates have been among the lowest in the developed world. In other words…

Work keeps mums happy and children well-adjusted

Conservative commentary often attempts to reinstate the primacy of stay-at-home motherhood, prompting feelings of guilt among working mothers. But a recent study might help to finally lay this issue to…

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Research and News

Schizophrenia risk linked to common genetic variants

A quarter of the risk for developing schizophrenia can be traced to genetic variations that are common in the general population, a study by Queensland researchers has found. A new method of genetic analysis…

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Research Briefs with Futurity

Blue traps attract flies

Flies are three times more attracted to the colour blue than they are to yellow. Researchers used these findings to develop…

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Editors’ Picks

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Evidence suggests that up to 30% of people who are obese are perfectly healthy. Rudd Centre for Food Policy

HEALTHY WEIGHT

Appearance vs. reality: the perfectly healthy obese

No one can claim to be unaware of the risks of obesity in this day and age. Almost every day there are discussions in the media about the risks of carrying excess fat. But research shows the link between…
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It's the quality, not quantity, of the time spent with children that counts most. Sean drillinger

PARENTING

Work keeps mums happy and children well-adjusted

Conservative commentary often attempts to reinstate the primacy of stay-at-home motherhood, prompting feelings of guilt among working mothers. But a recent study might help to finally lay this issue to…
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Failure to understand Australia's low organ donation rates will impede attempts to raise these rates and lead to the death of more people awaiting organs. AAP

ORGAN DONATION

Five myths about organ donation in Australia

Australia has some of the world’s highest organ transplant success rates, but, for almost two decades, our deceased organ donation rates have been among the lowest in the developed world. In other words…
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A recent NZ study which claimed helmet laws caused 53 deaths a year is flawed. Danielle Scott

CYCLING

Don’t blame mandatory helmets for cyclist deaths in New Zealand

An article published in the current edition of the New Zealand Medical Journal calls for the repeal of mandatory helmet laws (MHL) for cyclists because it claims the law caused 53 premature deaths per…
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We may laugh at fat bodies is because we believe we can assess an individual’s personal and moral characteristics by their body. Robert Danay

social prejudice

Big belly laughs – why is it okay to laugh at fat people?

Recent articles on perceptions of overweight and obese people have attracted a lot of attention from those with something to say about the overweight and the obese. One point that seems clear from the…
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Infants should sleep alone without bedding or toys that could cover their face. Flickr/dontshoot me

PARENTING

Don’t believe the hype: sleeping with your baby is not okay

In a recent visit to Australia, US Anthropologist Professor James McKenna claimed that under the right circumstances, breastfed babies could safely sleep in the same bed as their mothers. This was a perfectly…
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Predictions that people will leave private health insurance are unlikely to come true. AAP

HEALTH LEGISLATION

Private health insurance means test passes – what now?

The government finally got its bill on means-testing private health insurance rebates for high-income households through the House of Representatives this morning. Fortunately, the dire predictions about…
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Do-it-yourself teeth whiteners with high levels of peroxide can cause painful chemical burns. Jeremy Jenum

DENTISTRY

What happens when teeth whitening goes wrong?

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) recently recalled a number of do-it-yourself (DIY) teeth whiteners containing unsafe concentrations of peroxide that can cause painful chemical…
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Repositioning a drug affords pharmaceutical companies the opportunity to enhance the return on their initial investment. bitzi/flickr

PHARMA

Teaching old drugs new tricks: why companies reposition medicines

Many pharmaceutical companies are having to re-examine their product portfolio because of the difficult economic climate. New uses for established drugs affords a way for these companies to maximise financial…
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There's no biological evidence to show that chocolate can affect your libido. Roxanne Cooke

FOOD

Monday’s medical myth: chocolate is an aphrodisiac

There are many ways to a woman’s heart. But is a box of chocolates really one of them? What makes chocolate romantic is entirely contextual. Valentine’s Day is traditionally the time for couples to profess…