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Editor's note
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This week, the Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine went to scientists James P. Allison and Tasuku Honjo for work that led to new, and often successful, ways of treating cancer. Initially focusing on the machinery of the immune system, they made significant advances to understanding two key proteins that can stop cancer cells from evading our immune defences.
Their early ‘90s findings spurred the development of immunotherapy drugs known as checkpoint inhibitors. These have been dubbed the “fourth pillar” (after surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy) to cancer treatment. As Craig Gedye writes, from AFL player Jarryd Roughead to businessman Ron Walker, to former US president Jimmy Carter, anecdotes abound for the activity of immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced cancers such as melanoma, lung,
kidney and bladder and others.
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Sasha Petrova
Deputy Editor, Health + Medicine
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Top story
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Jarryd Roughead was successfully treated with immunotherapy for melanoma.
BRENDON THORNE/AAP
Craig Gedye, University of Newcastle
In a remarkably short period of time, drugs that harness the power of the immune system, have been used to successfully treat many cancers.
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Science + Technology
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Lisa A Williams, UNSW
There's a good reason to seek out a hug. Research shows having a hug can help you deal better with any disagreements or arguments you encounter in life.
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Siobhan O'Sullivan, UNSW; Christopher Walker, UNSW
It's the people most dependent on social services, who are least able to easily transition into the digital age.
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Education
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Ruth Schubert, University of Melbourne; Leo Goedegebuure, University of Melbourne
We already have all the research reports, reviews and inquiries we need to make reform to the VET sector happen. What we need is proactive leadership and action.
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Stephen Billett, Griffith University
Many young Australians and their parents don't consider VET as a potential post-school pathway, even if it might be more suitable for them than university.
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Politics + Society
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Tony Walker, La Trobe University
With polling showing Labor is vulnerable on security issues, the opposition leader has the difficult task of distinguishing his party from the government while not being wedged from the right.
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Anthony Ware, Deakin University; Costas Laoutides, Deakin University
Facing increasing international pressure, Myanmar's one-time star leader is running out of time to show leadership on human rights and the Rohingya crisis.
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Business + Economy
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Peter Whiteford, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
Its extremely common, everywhere, for large numbers of people to pay no net tax. It tells us nothing about the size of the welfare state or about whether it bribes people to keep tax high.
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Jayanta Sarkar, Queensland University of Technology
Overseas research says putting the clock forward hurts the financial markets. But not in Australia, according to a real-world study along the Queensland-NSW border.
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Arts + Culture
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Lyn McCredden, Deakin University
The enquiry into sacredness is not over, it’s just beginning for the 21st century, and in wildly disparate modes and places. In music, Nick Cave, Hozier and Dr G. Yunupingu have led the way.
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Christopher Latham, Australian National University
Seven Australian composers feature in an epic communal piece of music honouring the Australians who died on the Western Front. It will have its premiere in Canberra, this Saturday.
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Environment + Energy
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Jenni Downes, University of Technology Sydney
This year's recycling crisis has prompted the federal government to pledge a move towards an economy in which materials are kept in use for as long as possible. But it still has a long way to go.
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Deepika Mathur, Charles Darwin University
Renovations can create more waste than new constructions – but they don't have to.
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Health + Medicine
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Andy Towers, Massey University
Research shows that up to 40% of adults aged 50 and over are hazardous drinkers. For men in this age group this increases to almost 50%.
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Ian Majewski, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute; Edward Chew, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute
As we age, our DNA accumulates damage, which can increase our risk of developing
cancer. But our cells work hard to guard against cancer – new research explains how.
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Cities
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Majdi Faleh, University of Melbourne
Today’s urban public spaces tend to represent governments and cities rather than people and citizens. Architects and urban designers should contribute to shaping spaces for freedom and interaction.
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Featured jobs
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Griffith University — Nathan, Queensland
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La Trobe University — Brunswick, Victoria
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University of Melbourne — Melbourne, Victoria
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University of Western Australia — Perth, Western Australia
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Featured events
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Theatre 230, Kwong Lee Dow Building at the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia — University of Melbourne
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Isabella Fraser Room, State Library of Victoria, La Trobe Street, Entry 5, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia — La Trobe University
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Deakin Downtown, Level 12, Tower 2 Collins Square, 727 Collins Street,, Docklands, Victoria, 3008, Australia — Deakin University
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The Sofitel Grand Ballroom, 25 Collins Street , Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia — La Trobe University
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