Reports and Findings

Genetic and environmental factors in the aetiology of hypospadias

The increasing use of assisted reproductive techniques and hormonal manipulation during pregnancy may have been associated with an apparent rise in the...

Food for thought: progress in understanding the causes and mechanisms of food allergy

Treatments for food allergy are still lacking, yet progress is being made, and immunotherapy appears more effective than dietary avoidance.

Relationship between cytokine expression patterns and clinical outcomes: two population-based birth cohorts

Our findings suggest that positive HDM 'allergy tests' and asthma are associated with a broad range of immunophenotypes, which may have important...

The prevention, diagnosis and management of central venous line infections in children

With advancing paediatric healthcare, the use of central venous lines has become a fundamental part of management of neonates and children.

Gut microbiome and innate immune response patterns in IgE-associated eczema

Gut microbiome patterns have been associated with predisposition to eczema potentially through modulation of innate immune signalling.

The pet factor - Companion animals as a conduit for getting to know people, friendship formation and social support

Pet owners were significantly more likely to get to know people in their neighborhood than non-pet owners.

Matrix metalloproteinase activation by free neutrophil elastase contributes to bronchiectasis progression in early cystic fibrosis

The aim of this study was to assess if MMP activation positively correlates with neutrophil elastase activity, disease severity and bronchiectasis in young...

Basal cell carcinomas on sun-protected vs. sun-exposed body sites: A comparison of phenotypic and environmental risk factors

There are indications that risk factors for BCC may differ according to the anatomic site of the tumour but this is not well understood.

First genome-wide association study in an Australian Aboriginal population provides insights into genetic risk factors for body mass index and type 2 diabetes

A body mass index (BMI) >22kg/m2 is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Aboriginal Australians.

Lack of replication for the myosin-18B association with mathematical ability in independent cohorts

Twin studies indicate that dyscalculia (or mathematical disability) is caused partly by a genetic component, which is yet to be understood at the molecular...