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New drug may fast-track treatment of Parkinson’s UNIVERSITY of Queensland researchers have developed a promising new antiinflammatory drug in a breakthrough they say could accelerate the path to new treatments for Parkinson’s disease. Lead author Dr Eduardo Albornoz Balmaceda, from UQ’s School of Biomedical Sciences, said tests in mouse models showed the new-generation oral drug blocked inflammation in the brain and improved motor function. “Inflammation acts like a slow-burning fire in the brain, progressively damaging the neurons that produce dopamine, the chemical which controls movement,” Dr Albornoz Balmaceda said. “Our study showed this drug, which targets part of the immune system called ‘inflammasomes’, reduced brain inflammation and prevented the disease from killing more neurons, therefore stopping its progression.” The team also used simultaneous positron
emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at UQ’s Centre for Advanced Imaging to track the drug’s impact in real time. “What’s most exciting is we could actually see these changes happening in the living brain,” Dr Albornoz Balmaceda said. “This imaging approach gives us a safe and powerful tool to track target engagement and disease progression, which is essential for designing future human clinical trials.” Senior author Professor Trent Woodruff, group leader of UQ’s Neuroinflammation Lab, said the findings marked a significant step in the search for disease-modifying therapies. “Parkinson’s is one of the fastest growing neurodegenerative diseases, and it is expected to impact more than 25 million people by 2050,” Professor Woodruff said. “Current therapies can alleviate symptoms but do not significantly slow or stop progression of the
Live brain imagery shows brain inflammation caused by Parkinson’s disease, and how the new drug reduced inflammation. Image: news.uq.edu.au
disease. This new class of drugs aims to do exactly that, and by combining it with cutting-edge PET/MRI biomarkers, we can measure whether it’s truly protecting the brain.” Brain scans in the study showed the typical loss of dopamine-containing neurons associated with
Parkinson’s disease, with signals improving after treatment. The drug was developed by Inflazome, a company spun out of UQ and Trinity College Dublin by Professor Luke O’Neill and co-corresponding author Professor Matt Cooper. Inflazome was established
in 2016 through UQ commercialisation company UniQuest and was later acquired by Roche. The research was supported by the NHMRC, Inflazome, The Michael J. Fox Foundation and Shake It Up Australia Foundation, and has been published in Brain.
Breast cancer stats revealed AROUND 21,000 Australians were living with metastatic breast cancer in 2024, according to first-of-its-kind national estimates released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The AIHW report, Metastatic breast cancer – first national estimates, puts the figure at about 20,800 women and 150 men. Metastatic breast cancer occurs when cancer spreads beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes to other parts of the body and is considered stage four and incurable, requiring ongoing treatment and support. AIHW spokesman Justin Harvey said the new estimates provide “increased visibility for a growing group of people who have specific health and community service needs”, after years in which the national picture could not be measured clearly. The condition can emerge months or years after an initial diagnosis. The AIHW expects numbers to rise over time and plans further work to examine growth rates, as part of efforts prioritised in the Australian Cancer Plan and the National Cancer Data Framework.
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Study prompts shoppers to buy healthier groceries
Alex, Tamara and Dominique.
Using herbs for wellness this festive season By Medicine Room THE Christmas season is a time of joy, celebration, and connection—but it can also feel overwhelming with busy schedules and endless to do lists. Simple herbal remedies can help restore balance and keep wellness at the heart of the festivities. Calming teas: When stress rises, chamomile tea offers gentle relaxation, while valerian tea supports deeper rest and eases tension. These soothing brews are perfect companions for quiet moments amidst the holiday rush. Nourishing foods: Fresh fruits and vegetables provide essential vitamins and energy. Pair them with digestive herbs such as fennel, calendula
and peppermint to ease indulgence and keep your system light and comfortable. Rest and renewal: After a long year, making time to pause is vital. Adaptogen herbs like withania, rehmannia, and Siberian ginseng strengthen resilience, helping the body adapt to stress while supporting vitality for the year ahead. As we celebrate, let’s remember that wellness is not just about what we do but how we care for ourselves. The Medicine Room will be closed from December 20th and will return to the Eumundi Markets on January 10th. We wish everyone a healthy, happy, and heart filled festive season.
A MONASH University and Deakin University research partnership with Ritchies IGA supermarkets has prompted shoppers to buy more vegetables by introducing “nutritional serve pricing”, a new way of presenting cost that shows the price of a standard serve alongside the usual perkilogram figure. The National evaluation of nutritional serve pricing report found the initiative increased average daily vegetable purchases by more than 60 grams among all loyalty card shoppers. At a store level, daily vegetable purchase volumes rose by 7.5 kilograms. The results come as most Australians fall well short of recommended vegetable intake. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows only 6.5 per cent of adults meet the recommended daily intake. To help address the gap, researchers introduced “nutritional serve pricing”,
which displays a per-serve price based on a 75-gram nutritional serve, consistent with the Australian Dietary Guidelines. The aim is to give shoppers a clearer, more intuitive sense of value at the point of purchase. For example, carrots priced at $2.99 per kilogram are shown as costing about
out across more than 70 Ritchies IGA supermarkets in March 2024. Researchers analysed 850 consecutive days of de-identified loyalty card data to compare fruit and vegetable purchases before and after the launch, making it the largest realworld Australian assessment
22 cents per 75-gram serve, a framing designed to highlight affordability and simplify budgeting decisions. The approach was rolled
of pricing communication for vegetables. The main analyses focused on 56 stores that traded across the full period to control for disruptions
such as openings and renovations. Monash Business School consumer psychology expert and project lead Associate Professor Fiona Newton said the findings reflected purchasing patterns rather than confirmed consumption, but showed a clear behavioural shift after per-serve pricing was introduced. “Vegetable consumption in Australia remains far below recommended levels, and many families feel that healthier choices are less affordable,” she said. Deakin University marketing professor Josh Newton said the partnership created a rare opportunity to study behaviour in a natural retail setting, with gains occurring without promotional activity. Ritchies IGA chief executive Fred Harrison said supermarkets could play a direct role in making healthy choices simpler for families. The initiative has also been endorsed by AUSVEG, with chief executive Michael Coote calling it a practical, research-backed tool to lift consumption as part of the Plus One Serve program.
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Big Tobacco takes out unwanted awards for ‘dirty’ smokeless study
The holiday burnout reset Pause, move and rebuild your energy By The Station Pilates THE holiday season often brings a different kind of intensity — fuller calendars, rising deadlines, and a pace that pushes us far beyond our limits. Burnout doesn’t appear overnight. It builds quietly through subtle signs: mental fatigue, irritability, tension, disrupted sleep, and feeling overwhelmed by even simple decisions. Often, our bodies signal burnout long before our minds acknowledge it. Monica smith, founder of The station Pilates said “many of us fall into the same pattern: we push through and assume rest will come later. But there is power in
interrupting burnout early — choosing to pause before you reach your edge.” Movement as the Reset Reconnecting with your body is one of the fastest ways to shift stress, calm your nervous system, and restore clarity. Movement doesn’t need to be intense or complicated — sometimes the most effective reset is a yoga class, a stretch session, or simply moving your spine with breath. Movement gives you back control. It changes your mental state and resets your emotional landscape. Try Something Different When you’ve been operating at a high pace all year, your body may need a
new approach: • Stretch & Flow Reformer Unwind tension and quiet the mind while reducing the physical load of stress. • SP360 Functional Strength Build the real-life strength you rely on daily: lifting, bending, rotating, balancing. Stronger, more functional movement equals a stronger, more capable you. Your Invitation to Reset You don’t need to wait for a holiday break to feel better. A 45-minute class can be the circuit-breaker your mind and body are craving. Try our 6 classes $60 intro offer and avoid burnout. Pause. Breathe. Move. Reconnect — before burnout takes hold.
BRITISH American Tobacco tobacco control as the has claimed an unwanted cause of illicit trade while first, taking out both portraying tax cuts as a categories of the 2025 Dirty public good, claims at Ashtray Awards. odds with independent It is the first time the evidence, but consistent annual gongs, presented with long-standing industry by the Australian Council playbooks,” Dr McMullen on Smoking and Health said. BAT also won the (ACOSH) and the Australian Exploding Vape category, Medical Association, have with the AMA and ACOSH been awarded to the same pointing to what they organisation. described as aggressive ACOSH and the AMA said promotion of a “smokeless” the honours were handed to strategy, including vapes and BAT for its role in a “brazen heated tobacco products, resurgence” of tobacco industry interference in Australia’s public debate, with the company criticised for campaigning on cigarette tax policy while simultaneously promoting new nicotine Image: ama.com.au products. AMA President Dr Danielle marketed under the banner McMullen said BAT’s win in of “harm reduction”. the Dirty Ashtray category A key part of that strategy reflected the scale of its is BAT’s Omni™ report, high-profile push to pressure released in 2025 and Australia into lowering promoted by the company tobacco excise. as a major scientific “Through media assessment of the evolution appearances and and harms of so-called commentary, BAT executives smokeless tobacco products. have reframed strong BAT has described Omni™ as
“a platform for a necessary societal conversation founded in evidence ... a manifesto for change and a mandate for action”. But ACOSH chief executive Laura Hunter said the report did not withstand scrutiny. “BAT sold Omni™ as a serious scientific review. Our analysis shows it’s anything but — it’s a curated sales document dressed up as evidence,” Ms Hunter said. She said the dual win showed the industry working “on multiple fronts”: undermining taxes, pushing new nicotine products and inserting itself into policy discussions “under the guise of credibility”. Dr McMullen warned the media needed to do more to identify and disclose industry influence, arguing that industry-linked voices were too often presented as neutral experts. Now in their 31st year, the Dirty Ashtray Awards were established to highlight those undermining tobacco control. “Question your sources. Question who benefits,” Ms Hunter said.
Helping locals thrive through community connection GREEN Umbrella Supports is an NDIS provider for both planmanaged and self-managed participants. The wellknown support service is making a genuine difference in the lives of locals by offering tailored, personcentred support across the region. The team assists clients
with community access, shopping, daily living activities, meal preparation, and health and fitness routines. They also help participants connect with like-minded people through outings such as fishing trips, bush walks, coffee catch-ups, and visits to local community groups. For those needing extra help
at home, Green Umbrella Supports can arrange qualified cleaners to assist with domestic duties. Founder Troy, who has lived in the community for 16 years, said the organisation’s focus is on meeting each person “where they are at on life’s journey.” He and his team work closely with
PAGE 26 Glasshouse Country & Maleny News, Tuesday December 16, 2025
participants to identify their personal and NDIS goals, providing motivation, guidance, and practical support to help them achieve these milestones. “Seeing people build confidence, independence and social connections is what it’s all about,” Troy said. “We’ve already seen many positive outcomes
and are proud to be part of such a caring, supportive community.” Green Umbrella Supports continues to grow its reputation for compassion, commitment, and community spirit.
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Most over 50s are struggling to keep up with the digital world Maleny Doctors is now part of the Maleny Health Hub Contributed by Maleny Doctors MALENY’S healthcare community has taken an exciting step forward with Maleny Doctors now joining the Maleny Health Hub, a collaborative centre bringing together a range of trusted health services under one roof. With over 80 years of combined experience, Maleny Health Hub is a multidisciplinary grouping of health businesses committed to providing
exceptional healthcare through services like 4Cyte Pathology, Hearing Australia, Range Psychology, and Maleny Doctors, offering the community a truly comprehensive approach to wellbeing. 4Cyte Pathology provides 100% Bulk Billing for all referrals, available Monday to Friday. Hearing Australia visits fortnightly, with appointments bookable online at www.hearing.com. au or by calling 134 432. The General Practices at Maleny Doctors are now
offering Universal Bulk Billing and welcome new patients. Bookings can easily be made online at www.malenydoctors.com.au Meanwhile, Range Psychology continues to offer counselling services from Tuesday to Friday, supporting mental health across all ages. More information is available at www.malenyhealth.com.au. Together, these services strengthen Maleny’s commitment to accessible, high-quality healthcare for the whole community.
AUSTRALIANS over 50 are struggling to keep pace with an increasingly deceptive digital environment, with new research showing widespread exposure to scams and a steep erosion of trust in information. The Australian Seniors Scams Report 2025 found more than four in five people in this age group have encountered or fallen victim to a scam, while a similar proportion say it is now harder to trust news and information than it was one or two years ago. Despite this growing uncertainty, most still take online content at face value. Seven in ten admit they sometimes assume material is real without checking, and only one in seven routinely verifies claims before believing or sharing them. The confusion is straining relationships, with almost
two in five Generation X respondents reporting disagreements over misinformation. Experts say advances in artificial intelligence are fuelling the problem.
Associate Professor Lennon Chang (pictured), from Deakin University, says cybercriminals now use AI to generate convincing fake voices, images and emails designed to pressure victims. He says these tools have made traditional phishing and impersonation scams far more sophisticated. In the past year, nearly two thirds of older
Australians believe they have been targeted. Phone calls and email remain the most frequent points of contact, followed by text messages. Parcel delivery scams, overdue payment hoaxes and impersonation attempts are the most common, and one in four have faced an AI-driven scam. About one in five have lost money, including a small but significant group who reported losses above fifty thousand dollars. The emotional impact is pronounced. Many say they feel less safe or more vulnerable as AI blurs the boundaries between real and fabricated content. Professor Chang urges people to slow down, verify unexpected requests and report scams, arguing that stronger awareness is the most effective protection.
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Christmas Tree Cheese Platter Serves: 6 Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 0 minutes
Barb’s Fruit Slice Serves: 24 Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes Ingredients: 1 egg ¼ cup sugar ½ teaspoon bicarb soda ½ cup apple sauce (canned or from jar) ½ cup dried apricots, diced ½ cup dried dates, chopped ½ cup sultanas ½ cup currants ¾ cup apple, diced ½ teaspoon mixed spice ½ cup skim or low-fat milk ¾ wholemeal self-raising flour ¾ cup self-raising flour Method: PREHEAT oven to 180°C. Line a slice pan with baking paper. BEAT egg and sugar in a medium sized bowl for one
minute with electric beater. STIR bicarb soda into the apple sauce (it will froth), then add to the bowl. ADD the dried fruits, diced apple, mixed spice and milk and mix well. SIFT flours and gently fold into the fruit mixture. SPREAD mixture into a slice pan and smooth the top with spatula. BAKE for 25-30 minutes or until firm to the touch. COOL then cut into squares. Refrigerate in hot weather. What’s Great About It: Fresh apple combined with dried fruits makes this slice the perfect sweet treat. The apple sauce is a great alternative to more traditional saturated baking fats. Serve for morning tea or as a snack on the go!
Ingredients: 1 capsicum, julienne 1 cucumber, julienne 90g wholegrain crackers 200g grapes 80g lightly salted popcorn 60g mixed nuts 200g strawberries 200g sharp and crumbly cheddar cheese 200g hummus Method: PLACE ingredients in
rows to form the shape of a Christmas tree as seen in the picture. SERVE immediately. What’s Great About It: Cheese boards are great for sharing and make for a colourful display at your branch. Swap any of the ingredients out for alternatives. Learn how to build your own healthy cheese board below. Aim to include a wholegrain, vegetables, cheese, fruit, nuts and seeds and a healthy dip.
Chocolate Date Bliss Balls Serves: 6 (makes 18 balls) Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 0 minutes Ingredients: 1 cup dates, chopped 3 tablespoons cocoa powder ½ cup nuts ¼ cup seeds ¼ cup water ½ cup puffed grain (quinoa, brown rice or other) (optional) Desiccated coconut for coating (optional) Method: BLEND dates and dry ingredients in food
Christmas recipes courtesy of ...
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