UNSW Medicine & Health

05/03/2026

UNSW researchers have developed the free online tool ‘YourEggFreeze Estimator’ to support informed choices on elective egg freezing.

The Estimator uses real-world Australian data to provide personalised estimates and insights about the likely outcomes at each stage of the egg freezing journey – from how many eggs are likely to be frozen per treatment cycle to the chances of having a baby from those eggs.

“This Estimator provides independent, evidence-based information so women can make decisions aligned with their circumstances and life goals,” says Professor Georgina Chambers, who leads the UNSW team behind YourEggFreeze Estimator.

“It sets realistic expectations and helps women understand both the potential and the limits of egg freezing.”

Learn more: https://www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2026/03/new-tool-helps-women-better-understand-ivf-elective-egg-freezing?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

04/03/2026

Swimming ability is declining among Australian kids, and one in four schools no longer hold swimming carnivals.

When carnivals do run, it’s estimated that half the children do not compete and, worryingly, some kids need to be rescued from the pool, as UNSW drowning prevention researcher Dr Amy Peden recently witnessed.

Dr Peden shares what parent’s can do to strengthen their kids' swimming and water safety skills:

We know swimming ability is declining in Australia. One in four schools no longer holds a swimming carnival at all.

02/03/2026

Meningococcal B vaccination does not prevent gonorrhoea, according to a large-scale trial conducted by Griffith University and the Kirby Institute at UNSW.

The trial follows previous observational studies linking the meningococcal B vaccine 4CMenB to reduced gonorrhoea incidence.

“An effective vaccine to reduce gonorrhoea would transform our approach to prevention, so it is incredibly disappointing that our research has proven that 4CMenB is not effective in gonorrhoea prevention in gay and bisexual men,” said Kirby Institute Scientia Professor Andrew Grulich.

“We want men who have received the 4CMenB vaccine in the hope of gonorrhoea prevention to know that the vaccine is very safe and they will have protection against some meningococcal strains. However, these men will need to explore other options for prevention of acquisition of gonorrhoea.”

Learn more:

Results from a major randomised control trial provide strong evidence that the meningococcal B vaccine is not effective at preventing gonorrhoea among gay and bisexual men.

26/02/2026

Researchers have launched a new online hub to help young Australian dancers better protect their health.

The website, Wellbeing for Dancers, offers practical evidence-based guides on nutrition, training and recovery to improve long-term performance.

While dance is one of the most popular activities for teenage girls in Australia, almost one in six leave training due to injury or poor health.

“We wanted to create something that helps young dancers and their parents make informed decisions so they can stay well and enjoy their dancing for longer,” says UNSW Associate Professor Sara Grafenauer.

UNSW Edith Cowan University (ECU) Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) Royal Academy of Dance Australia

Almost one in six young dancers leave training due to injury or poor health. A new evidence‑based website hopes to change that.

25/02/2026

Research to change the course of ovarian cancer 🩵

February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, shining a spotlight on the need to improve ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Ovarian cancer remains the deadliest gynaecological cancer in Australia, with up to 70% of cases diagnosed when the cancer is already advanced.

“The cancer has no symptoms at its early stages so people are typically diagnosed when it’s too late to completely remove the tumour,” says Dr Kristina Warton.

Dr Warton leads the UNSW Ovarian Cancer Research Group which is working to develop the first reliable early detection method for ovarian cancer, in the form of a simple blood test.

“What motivates me is seeing how all the knowledge discovered about cancer over the past 50 years and more has paved the way for looking after people with this disease,” says Dr Warton.

“Everything we have today that’s either a cure or an effective treatment, or a good diagnostic test, we have because of research. And more research is what we need for ovarian cancer, so that we can get better outcomes.”

This month, the Ovarian Cancer Research Group have partnered with MIMUU BODY for the Un**es for Ovaries campaign. On Thursday, Dr Kristina Warton will be in conversation with MIMUU founder Viva Bianca via Instagram Live, discussing ovarian health and ovarian cancer research.

Join the conversation at 12:30PM February 26 on Instagram at the account @‌gyncancerresearch

23/02/2026

Ozempic-style patches are being promoted online, promising dramatic weight-loss results. But do they really work?

Experts say there is little evidence to back the claims and warn the quality and safety of these patches cannot be guaranteed.

Before you spend your money, here’s why you should think twice about buying a weight-loss patch.

19/02/2026

Congratulations to UNSW Professor Susan Ramus who is part of an international research team that has secured $2.8 million in funding to accelerate ovarian cancer research using artificial intelligence.

The team will use AI to analyse one of the world’s largest collections of ovarian cancer data to try identify patterns associated with treatment response that could lead to more personalised care and improved patient outcomes.

“This project has been shaped by many years of input from women who have lived experience of ovarian cancer, and I’m honoured to be part of the team receiving this grant,” says Prof. Ramus.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4rVNHFf

18/02/2026

Interested in studying medicine at UNSW?

Learn about the Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine program and the 2027 admissions process at our upcoming online information sessions.

You’ll gain insights from academic staff, current students and advisors about what it’s like to study at UNSW, and have the chance to get all your medicine degree questions answered.

🩺 If you are a current year 12 student in Australia, join our session on Wednesday, 11 March: https://bit.ly/4aHKP88

⚕️If you are applying as an international student, join us on Thursday, 19 March: https://bit.ly/4rRiGCh

17/02/2026

Macular degeneration research at UNSW will receive a major boost thanks to a $10.8 million gift from Dr John Sarks and the late Dr Shirley Sarks.

With the support of the Sarks Macular Degeneration Research Foundation, UNSW will establish a new research Chair focused on age‑related macular degeneration (AMD), which affects more than 1.5 million Australians.

Dr John Sarks, now 94, and his late wife Dr Shirley Sarks spent decades studying the disease, collaborating on internationally-renowned research that has helped shape modern understanding of AMD.

“My hope is that this Chair will support researchers to keep asking difficult questions and to continue pushing towards better treatments and outcomes for patients,” says Dr John Sarks.

https://www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2026/02/10-million-gift-establishes-new-research-chair-at-UNSW?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

12/02/2026

Cystic fibrosis is caused by mutations in just one gene, but the reality of treating the genetic condition is highly complex.

“If I give you 100 patients with the same mutation and we give them the same medication, perhaps 40% respond,” says UNSW Associate Professor Shafagh Waters.

To help predict which drugs a child will respond to, her lab is using organoid models grown from a child’s own cells to test how different treatments work.

“Models like these give us the power to truly personalise therapy and give every child their best chance,” she says.

Research from UNSW Sydney is changing the future of precision care for genetic and rare diseases, using children’s own cells to build small organ models for testing of cystic fibrosis medicines.

10/02/2026

🔈 Join us for the Future Health Skills Summit: Building skills for a changing health system.

This summit will explore how we build future workforce skills and redesign jobs to support research translation at scale – moving beyond the lab and into clinics, communities and policy settings.

🗓️ Date: Wednesday, 25 February

🕘 Time: 9.00am - 11.30am

​📍 Location: Online or UNSW Health Translation Hub

➡️ Register here: https://bit.ly/4clwyjG

UNSW NSW Health

10/02/2026

Take a tour of the Museum of Human Disease this O-Week!

Located at the top of our Kensington campus, the museum offers fascinating insights into the progress of medical science.

The museum is open to the public and free for UNSW students and staff to visit. Stop by any day this O-Week between 10am - 4pm.