International students and university staff are raising concerns about the federal government’s decision to cap the number of international students at 270,000 starting next year, fearing it may jeopardize the future of Australia’s tertiary education system.

The cap, which will apply to the 2025 academic year, represents a reduction of 53,000 students compared to last year. The government claims the measure is necessary to create a “better and fairer” system for international education in Australia. However, students and university staff argue that this decision could have far-reaching consequences, including job losses and damage to Australia’s global reputation as a welcoming education destination.

An international student share his perserctives with the Wire’s Vanessa Gatica.

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A recent study found that even mild traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can lead to long-term brain changes in healthy middle-aged adults.

The research, part of the PREVENT Dementia study, showed that those with a history of mild TBI had detectable brain changes, including cerebral microbleeds, poorer sleep quality, and increased depressive symptoms.

While cognitive function wasn’t significantly affected, these changes could be early signs of potential neurodegenerative conditions, highlighting the importance of early intervention and preventive strategies.

Lead researcher Dr. Audrey Low speaks with The Wire’s Vanessa Gatica and emphasize the importance of recognizing TBI as a modifiable risk factor for dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases.

They call for increased awareness and targeted interventions to mitigate the long-term impacts of even mild TBIs in the broader population.

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Immunity Group Australia was founded by Dr. Douglas Jones and Dr. Nina Markovic, two individuals united by their commitment to advancing food allergy research, diagnostics, and treatment.

Dr. Douglas Jones is a globally recognized expert on food adverse reactions. Over the past 10 years, his food allergy treatment center in the United States has successfully treated more than 2,500 patients, helping them achieve “food freedom”—the ability to live without the constant fear of allergic reactions. His work is celebrated internationally, and he brings this expertise to Immunity Group Australia with the goal of extending these life-changing treatments to more people worldwide.

Dr. Douglas Jones, an American-board certified allergist and immunologist, and the Director of Immunity Group Australia. discusses with The Wire’s Vanessa Gatica how this treatment can transform lives, offering both children and adults a new chance at living free from food allergies.

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Curtin University and the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood are embarking on an innovative collaboration to develop a new fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) capsule for clinical trials in Australia. This groundbreaking project aims to create a more accessible and patient-friendly method of administering FMT, which traditionally involves the transfer of fecal matter from a donor to a recipient to restore a healthy balance of gut microbiota.

The new FMT capsule will be administered orally and is designed to be more convenient and less invasive compared to traditional fecal transplant methods. The project combines Curtin University’s expertise in biotechnology and pharmaceutical sciences with the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood’s extensive experience in blood and tissue services. This partnership aims to address some of the challenges associated with current FMT procedures, such as the need for invasive delivery methods and the complexity of handling and processing fecal material.

Dr. Hani Al-Salami, Senior Lecturer at Curtin medical school in perth, Western Australia talks with The Wire’s Vanessa Gatica about the innovative partnership between Curtin University and Australian Red Cross Lifeblood.

Dr. Al-Salami highlighted the significance of this collaboration, this partnership presents an exciting opportunity to combine our research excellence and transforms people’s lives.

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New research from NRMA Insurance highlights the mental health impacts of Australia’s changing climate, with 80% of Australians surveyed expressing anxiety about extreme weather.

This comes as Lifeline Australia reports a 25% increase in calls to its disaster recovery helpline. In response, NRMA Insurance and Lifeline Australia have developed online resilience resources to help Australians manage stress and uncertainty, offering practical strategies and access to mental health support.

Dr. Ally Nicolopoulos, Lifeline’s Wellbeing Lead, speaks with The Wire’s Vanessa Gatica about the collaborative efforts between NRMA Insurance and Lifeline Australia to create a comprehensive set of online resilience resources.

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Mental health organizations ReachOut, Beyond Blue, and Black Dog Institute are advocating for significant changes to social media platforms to enhance safety for young users.

In their submission to the Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian Society, they propose evidence-based measures such as verifying mental health information and limiting infinite scroll features.

The recommendations include co-designed policies, enforcing safety-by-design principles, transparency and user control over algorithms, and increased funding for research into the links between social media and mental health.

In an interview with The Wire’s Vanessa Gatica, ReachOut’s Director of Service Jackie Hallan highlights the dual nature of social media’s impact on young people.

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Australians Encouraged to Embrace Nature for Mental Health on National Tree Day

As National Tree Day approaches, Planet Ark urges Australians to step outside and connect with nature, emphasizing the mental health benefits in the face of climate-related stress.

Studies reveal a growing concern about climate change among young Australians, with significant impacts on their mental health.

Initiatives like National Tree Day aim to address this by promoting environmental responsibility and the psychological benefits of nature. Since being established in 1996, over five million volunteers have planted more than 27 million native trees.

Jennifer McMillan, Communications Manager of Planet Ark, highlights the dual benefits of nature care activities: improving mental health and fostering environmental responsibility. This year's National Tree Day, marks 25 years of community-driven environmental action.

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Rapid population growth can lead to survival without prosperity.

On the week of the World Population Day on July 11, Sustainable Population Australia (SPA) has issued a stark warning: rapid population growth can lead to survival without prosperity.

Australia is also grappling with the consequences of population growth. In 2023, driven by a 2.5% immigration-driven growth rate, the country struggled to meet basic health, education, and housing needs.

In an interview with the Wire’s Vanessa Gatica Peter Strachan National President at Sustainable Population Australia emphasizes that for everyone to have access to health services, uphold human rights, and achieve sustainable development, population growth must be halted.

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