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Robyn Riley is the medical editor for the Herald Sun. She is an award-winning journalist and an author who has been covering the medical and health round for more than three decades, with a particular interest in research. Join the Herald Sun’s Health & Medical Facebook group to be the first to hear about the medical breakthroughs you need to know about at www.facebook.com/groups/heraldsunhealth

@rileyrobyn08

Robyn Riley

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Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute. Researcher Chin Jin Ker, who has type 1 diabetes in the laboratory and by helping with her research hopefully one day will find a cure. Picture: Ian Currie

Incredible Melbourne breakthrough closes in on a cure for diabetes

In a world first, Melbourne researchers have found how to “rewire” insulin production in people living with diabetes. Here’s why it’s a life-changing discovery.

Victoria

MELBOURNE, DECEMBER 11, 2023: Shane Warne family members outside the MCG for a Boxing Day Test announcement. L to R Jason Warne, Summer Warne, Jackson Warne, Brooke Warne, and Keith Warne. Picture: Mark Stewart

Fans queue for heart checks as Boxing Day Test honours Warnie

Cricket fans still reeling at the shock death of the “immortal” Shane Warne are queuing outside the MCG for free heart checks as the Boxing Day Test pays tribute to the spin king.

Victoria

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 21 2023 Torie and daughters Alice and Matilda.A new diabetes trial has been shown to be effective, accurate and it works. Mum Torie has diabetes type 1 but daughters do not. They are Alice 6, and Matilda, 9.They were part of the world-first trial to help others. Picture: Brendan Beckett

Melbourne team’s breakthrough diabetes test ‘spot on’

Melbourne scientists were confident a simple at-home blood test could accurately detect type 1 diabetes. They were right.

Victoria

Wodonga, Herald Sun, 14th DEC 2023.Josh Carey 32yrs with his two sons Huxley 5yrs and Rokerson 8yrs.The Royal Women's Hospital and Murdoch Children's is behind the world's longest study of prem babies called the Victorian Infant Collaborative Study. The latest results are to be published to go with this story on 22 December. Case study is Joshua Carey from Wodonga who was born at 27 weeks.Joshua is now a dad of two boys, so two pics please: one of Joshua with his two sons and a second of him cuddling his mum who travelled three hours each way to visit him when he was in the RWH for three months after his prem birth in 1991. Joshua has been part of the study ever since.

Prem babies thriving as adults

They are some of the tiniest babies ever born in Victoria, but a new study finds they quickly catch up to their peers

ExclusiveHealth

(From L-R) Summer, Jackson, and Brooke Warne - children of former Australian cricket great Shane Warne who died of a heart attack in 2022 - pose for photos at the launch of the 23 medical grade health stations to be made available in and around the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on days one to four of the upcoming Boxing Day Test cricket match between Australia and Pakistan, in Melbourne on December 12, 2023. The Shane Warne Legacy Heart Test is free, takes four minutes to complete, and provides indication of some heart and other health risk factors including blood pressure, resting heart rate and an estimate of heart age and diabetes risk. (Photo by William WEST / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

This easy heart health test may save your life

It only takes four-minutes and may save your life, now the Shane Warne Legacy is rolling out revolutionary pop-up heart health stations at the Boxing Day test.

ExclusiveHealth

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 17: In this photo illustration, a box of the diabetes drug Ozempic rests on a pharmacy counter on April 17, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Ozempic was originally approved by the FDA to treat people with Type 2 diabetes- who risk serious health consequences without medication. In recent months, there has been a spike in demand for Ozempic, or semaglutide, due to its weight loss benefits, which has led to shortages. Some doctors prescribe Ozempic off-label to treat obesity. (Photo illustration by Mario Tama/Getty Images) (Photo by MARIO TAMA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Ozempic’s surprise health benefit not linked to weight loss

Diabetes drugs Ozempic and Trulicity have a stigma for their black market use, but a new study has found these “super drugs” actually have a surprising health benefit.

Health

Melbourne-made Covid vax could be nasal spray

Two Melbourne-made Covid vaccines are now ready for commercial partnerships to help bring them to market, with hope that one can be delivered as a nasal spray.

Victoria

Colorful oral contraceptive pill both 21 and 28 tablets strips.

Study shows breast cancer risk for some women on ‘the pill’

Certain women are at a greater risk of breast cancer the longer they use hormonal contraceptives like the pill, a new study has found.

ExclusiveHealth

GP Sadhna and husband Bharat Taylor with their daughter Kira Taylor for story on IVF. The story is about world-first study looking at the mum's genetic

How new IVF method will use AI to boost pregnancy chances

In a world first, Melbourne researchers are working to use artificial intelligence and genetic sequencing to develop personalised fertility drugs for women undergoing IVF treatment.

Health

Dual premiership player claims he suffered dozens of head knocks

Former Geelong player Max Rooke has claimed he suffered dozens of “sickening” head knocks or concussions and was sent back on the ground to play during his AFL career, court documents reveal.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/robyn-riley/page/23