Robinson Research Institute

13/04/2026

What does “safe” drinking water mean for reproductive health?

New research suggests that PFAS levels currently considered safe under Australian guidelines still affect fertility, egg and embryo health - with effects observed across generations. More 👇

Researchers at the Robinson Research Institute (RRI), Adelaide University, have found that exposure to even very low levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water can disrupt egg and embryo health, with effects that may persist across generations. The study, published in Env

07/04/2026

📚 A new study involving RRI researchers has revealed a link between exposure to extreme temperatures in pregnancy and low birth weight of babies.

The study looked at health data of more than 85,000 mothers and babies in Pakistan and found that exposure to extreme heat during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of babies being born with low birth weight - in some regions by up to 70%.

Low birth weight is linked to serious long-term health challenges, and with rising temperatures, this risk is projected to grow in the coming decades. These insights are highly relevant for other countries facing rising temperatures, including Australia, and highlight the need for public health preparedness and climate-adapted maternal care strategies.

🔗Read more https://adelaide.edu.au/about/news/2026/extreme-heat-from-climate-change-linked-to-smaller-babies/

31/03/2026

How to know if your bleeding is normal? Professor Louise Hull has provided her expertise in this general guide 👇

It’s common for women to delay seeking help for abnormal or heavy bleeding. However, experts say any unexpected bleeding should be investigated.

30/03/2026

Could humans reproduce in space? Featured in this Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) radio interview, Dr Nicole McPherson delves into her latest research and explains the findings around the impact of zero gravity on human reproduction.

𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝟐𝟏:𝟑𝟎 for the full interview 👉 https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/sydney-afternoons/afternoons/106488526

27/03/2026

🚀 Could humans make babies in space? Maybe not easily … as latest research by Dr Nicole McPherson and her team suggests.

A new study has revealed - for the first time - that zero gravity and microgravity disrupt s***m’s ability to navigate the reproductive tract, a key step in successful fertilisation.

Using a 3D clinostat to simulate zero gravity or microgravity conditions, the team watched s***m traversing a maze designed to mimic the female reproductive tract. The results were striking: far fewer s***m reached their destination, even though their swimming ability didn’t change.

These findings provide more than just new insights into the challenges of reproduction in space – they build fundamental knowledge in how s***m navigate the female reproductive tract, which ultimately may help to improve outcomes in IVF.

More ➡ https://adelaideuni.edu.au/about/news/2026/human-s***m-may-get-lost-in-space/

24/03/2026

Do you know someone with pelvic pain? Here's what you can do to help. Support starts with awareness. March is

By Rachel Hosking, PhD candidate, Adelaide Endometriosis research group, Robinson Research Institute. Pelvic pain is not normal.

07/03/2026

Balance drives better outcomes. At Robinson Research Institute, gender balance isn’t simply an aspiration - it’s embedded in our governance, leadership and research. And there is still more to do.

Women’s health - from fertility and pregnancy outcomes to chronic reproductive diseases like endometriosis - has long been under-funded and under-researched. Historical exclusion and underrepresentation of women in biomedical research has obscured sex-specific disease mechanisms and hindered the development of safe, effective treatments tailored to women’s biology.

That’s the gap we’re determined to close. For a fairer, stronger, more equal society.

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate and advocate for the power of balance, in representation and in research.

04/03/2026

Great to see the work of Professor Louise Hull and her team featured in this 9News article. 🔗👇

The Imagendo team is developing technology to diagnose endometriosis non-invasively, through medical imaging and the use of AI.

Their work also addresses the shortage of sonographers skilled in performing endo scans, which is described in the article. The answer might be AIMEE, an innovative AI-powered app designed to help sonographers learn to identify and interpret endometriosis on ultrasound images - supported by funding from Robinson Research Institute.

🔗 Article: https://www.9news.com.au/health/endometriosis-ultrasound-staff-shortage-victoria-simon-gordon/2884e7af-6e70-45f8-9746-5ea6af99ccf3?fbclid=PARlRTSAQQ4_1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAacyqq_HqQVv-sWBP9XfPKIohISQwt-1sN0-LTR1RN1Vzz-URw7kCndLwYYVyA_aem_R9t_EoVILUT28NQ4BcXiyA

🔗More about IMAGENDO's work: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/robinson-research-institute/news/list?keywords=imagendo&created%5Bmin%5D=&created%5Bmax%5D=

Dire shortage of healthcare providers capable of performing potentially life-changing endometriosis scansBy Maddison Leach6:32am Mar 1, 2026 X Facebook Mail Ultrasound scans will now be the first step for diagnosing endometriosis in Victoria but getting the right one could prove difficult.Standard p...

24/02/2026

Is surgery necessary for endometriosis or suspected endo? It’s never a simple yes-or-no decision. For some, surgery is transformative. For others, it offers limited relief.

Assoc Prof Jodie Avery and Alison Deslandes have written this piece for The Conversation Australia + NZ to help guide discussions around decision making and alternatives for first-line diagnostic through medical imaging – something the team at Imagendo is focused on.

Link in comments👇

17/02/2026

“In fertility care, trust is the most powerful intervention we can offer - and the most fragile to lose”.

This article, co-authored by Professor Rob Norman, highlights the importance of trust and transparency in assisted reproduction, such as IVF. 🔗

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10/02/2026

On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we’re celebrating the women shaping the future of research at the Robinson Research Institute 🧬✨

We asked four of our incredible researchers, from PhD candidate to Associate Professor, to share what a career in science means to them.

🎥 Watch, listen, and be inspired! If you know a young person wondering whether science is ’for them’, let this be their sign to say yes.

Adelaide University

08/02/2026

💥We know who our vote goes to in this community award!💥

Professor Louise Hull has been named a finalist in the category TOP INNOVATOR of the 2026 Advertiser, Sunday Mail, SkyCity Woman of the Year Awards.

Professor Louise Hull is an expert in fertility and women's health and co-leads the Accelerator Programme Chronic Reproductive Diseases at the Robinson Research Institute. She has helped countless people on their journey of building a family and her research is set to revolutionise the diagnosis of endometriosis through medical imaging and the use of artificial intelligence.

🗳️ Community voting is open now! Cast your vote on adelaidenow.com.au👉 https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/time-to-vote-meet-your-2026-advertiser-sunday-mail-skycity-woman-of-the-year-finalists/news-story/a4fa35364adb2db7b1ee078c094257c0