News: media release
Fertility Week: 12 to 18 Oct 2020
Fertility Week (12 to 18 October) focuses on the impact that age has on fertility in Australia and around the world.
Study confirms genetic link in cerebral palsy

An international research team including the University of Adelaide has found further evidence that rare gene mutations can cause cerebral palsy, findings which could lead to earlier diagnosis and new treatments for this devastating movement disorder.
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Adelaide has key role in COVID-19 vaccine human trials

University of Adelaide researchers are playing a leading role in the human trials of Australia’s first needle-free, gene-based COVID-19 vaccine.
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Negative impacts of cannabis use during pregnancy
The use of cannabis during pregnancy leads to poorer health outcomes for babies, according to research from The University of Adelaide’s Robinson Research Institute.
[Read more about Negative impacts of cannabis use during pregnancy]
$3 million for congenital heart disease research
More than $3 million has been awarded to the University of Adelaide’s Robinson Research Institute to identify the predisposing conditions and potentially modifiable factors that can substantially reduce the risk of congenital heart defects.
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$300,000 awarded to SA diabetes researchers
Before the world had heard of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was another pandemic spreading globally with insidious stealth, at an ever-increasing rate – diabetes. Globally, there are 415 million people living with diabetes and this disease is the fastest growing chronic health condition in the world today. Without significant change, by 2040 it is estimated that 642 million people will have diabetes.
[Read more about $300,000 awarded to SA diabetes researchers]
Fears children's immunisation rates will drop
There are fears parents will skip vital vaccinations for their children and that there may be disease outbreaks,because parents are concerned about taking their children to their GP during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Does growth before baby alter allergy risk in humans?
It is increasingly clear that genetics alone do not explain risks of developing allergies, and that environmental exposures before and around birth can program individuals to increased or decreased risk of allergies. Restricted growth before birth in preclinical studies appears to protect the offspring against allergic responses. However, whether prenatal growth predicts subsequent risk of allergy in humans is unclear. Many studies in humans use birth weight as a measure of fetal growth, but do not correct for gestational age, so effects of premature birth may confound those of fetal growth.
[Read more about Does growth before baby alter allergy risk in humans?]
Holidays disrupt drug routines of children with diabetes
Children with type 1 diabetes find it difficult to adhere to their drug routines during school holidays and weekends. Holiday distractions cause a 20% reduction in adherence to taking medications that assist managing their condition and other associated conditions, which may have serious consequences for their health.
[Read more about Holidays disrupt drug routines of children with diabetes]
$1.2 million for community-led endometriosis research and support
A digital health platform for endometriosis research and support will be developed by the University of Adelaide’s Robinson Research Institute thanks to $1.2 million funding from the Federal Government and Jean Hailes for Women’s Health.
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