Olivia Willis

1 day ago | abc.net.au | Olivia Willis

Experts are concerned cuts to US foreign aid and medical research in recent months could jeopardise the goal of ending the global HIV epidemic. They've estimated that if US funding was further slashed and proposed cuts by four European countries went ahead, there could be almost 11 million additional HIV infections by the end of the decade. There is work underway to identify new funding sources, but researchers say the scale of financial losses will be "difficult" to make up.

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Olivia Willis

The number of Australians vaccinated against influenza is "worryingly low", health experts say, as new data reveals the winter flu season has begun. Since mid-May, flu cases have increased in most parts of the country, following a record-breaking number of infections earlier in the year that had recently plateaued. At the same time, COVID-19 infections have begun to climb, while cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have steadily increased since the start of 2025.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Olivia Willis

It's been described as a revolutionary technology — and won its inventors a Nobel Prize. CRISPR gene-editing, often simply dubbed CRISPR, is a tool that allows scientists to precisely target and modify the human genome, making it possible to correct mutations and potentially treat genetic causes of disease. Earlier this month, scientistsused CRISPR technology to achieve a significant milestone: re-write the DNA of a baby with a rare genetic disease.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Norman Swan |Olivia Willis

If you've come across ads of Norman pushing a product for you to buy — no you haven't. These ads are actually deepfake scams using an AI Norman to sell unproven supplements. Also, why a new Alzheimer's drug coming onto the market might not become cheap enough for most people to take. A breakthrough in gene-editing could push us closer to a future full of CRISPR treatments. And why eight hours a night might not be the magic number for sleep.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Norman Swan |Olivia Willis

The TGA has approved a drug — donanemab — to treat Alzheimer's disease in its early stages. The drug has a small effect in slowing cognitive decline, however it isn't a cure and can have significant side effects. Also, the World Health Assembly adopts historic Pandemic Agreement with zero objections.