An Australian medical research institute in Herston is the latest victim of the Accellion data breach.

4% of QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute participant data held on the file-sharing system was accessed by an unknown party.

“We don’t believe that any of the information in Accellion could be used to identify any of these participants, but nonetheless, I want to apologise sincerely that some of their de-identified information could potentially have been accessed,” said Director and CEO Professor Fabienne Mackay. 
 

The Melbourne COVID cluster has grown to 13 cases, with a Melbourne Airport cafe added to a list of exposure sites. 

So far, 6 of the 13 cases have been confirmed as highly contagious UK strain. 

Travellers from Victoria into Queensland will need a border pass from 1am Saturday to confirm they have not visited a hotspot. 

“We don’t anticipate that anyone who has been in those locations of interest would travel to Queensland but it’s just an added assurance,” said Chief Health Officer Sonya Bennett. 

Norfolk island residents are calling for representation in Queensland Parliament as the State looks likely to begin providing health and education services to the Island. 

Queensland has been in talks with the Federal government over a year $192 million deal over the management of the Island after New South Wales announced it will not be renewing their six year long management deal with the Island.

Norfolk Island has fallen under New South Wales jurisdiction since 2016 after the removal of the island's independent government by the Commonwealth. 
 

Humanitarian convoys made way into the Central African Republic’s capital, Bangui, after rebel groups temporarily allowed passage. 

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 57% of the population are at risk. 

“Among them, nearly three-quarters have acute humanitarian needs.” 

The Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC), an alliance of six of the most powerful armed groups, have controlled most of the country’s eight-year civil war.

The University of Queensland has found regular exercise can improve brain function and may protect against dementia in middle-aged and 65-85-year-olds. 

The study found that weekly moderate physical activity increased the demographics of cognitive function by five per cent for men and 14 per cent for women.

UQ PhD candidate Sabrina Lenzen said the study is unique as they measured individual changes over time and focused on the real impact of physical activity on cognition.

Remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory could begin to receive critical health supplies by drone before the end of the year through a new research project.

The three-year trial aims to deliver loads of up to 25 kilograms as far as 250 kilometres away in a cost-effective manner.

The trial hopes to improve healthcare accessibility for remote Territorians, with Northern Territory Health contributing 1.4 million dollars to the project.

A 50-hectare property in Beaudesert will soon be filled with 30 Olympic sized swimming pool ponds filled with craylings.

The proposal comes after Redclaw crayfish demand continues to exceed supply with an estimated 30 growers in Queensland. 

Currently, less than 100 tonnes of redclaw are produced in Queensland annually, holding a market value of 30 to 40 dollars a kilo.

The European Union urges Australia to be ‘more ambitious’ on climate action. 

EU Ambassador based in Canberra Dr Michael Pulch said Europe wished to see all of its partners achieve zero net emissions by 2050. 

Dr Pulch urges Australia to increase its 2030 emission reduction pledge before this year’s climate conference and increase the use of renewables.

The Brisbane City Council are pushing for Brisbane bus drivers to get COVID-19 vaccine priority. 

The council says bus drivers are essential workers and the plan will help locals feel comfortable travelling on Brisbane buses.

Transport Department figures indicate Brisbane public transport user numbers are 27 per cent below the February 2020 figures. 

Federal and state health authorities are yet to support the plan.