Researchers from QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute and Indian Institute of Technology are in the early stages of using infrared scanning to detect who is at risk of developing severe Covid-19 symptoms.

The technique scans for different chemical groups in blood samples, and doctors hope this test could be a quick and cost-effective way of triaging patients at overwhelmed hospitals.

QIMR Associate Professor Michelle Hill says the 85 percent accuracy rate is good but says there is room for improvement.

The United States and the United Kingdom have announced their plans to evacuate staff from their embassies in Afghanistan amidst the Taliban advance in the country. 

Over the past week, the government has effectively lost control of most of north, south and west Afghanistan, and are now trying to retain their hold on the capital and a number of dwindling cities.

The Pentagon says they will be deploying 3,000 US troops within the next 24-48 hours, and the UK also says that they will send 600 of its own troops.

Brisbane citizens have been given ultra-low doses of the Pfizer vaccine due to an error at a Brisbane immunisation centre. 

66 people have been contacted by Queensland health after the error was made at Kippa Ring Vaccination Centre over the weekend. Of the 66, 6 have received the ultra low dose but have not yet been identified. 

A spokeswoman for the immunisation clinic says, “I am incredibly sorry for any distress this has caused to those 66 people and their families. We will, of course, be supporting every single person impacted”.

A content warning for this story.

The death of a five-month-old baby, after her mother fell while dodging the swooping magpie in a park, has devastated the community, throwing the spotlight onto the birds’ behaviour.

Although experts say deaths related to magpie attacks do happen but are extremely rare. Australia has recorded 212 magpie attacks across the country so far this year. Queensland clocking up the most of any state with 88 reported attacks. 

National law firm Slater and Gordon has urged parents to be wary of potentially dangerous and harmful baby products promoted as sleep-safe or sleep-inducing via social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.

Animal shaped plush pillows for babies to sleep with, suspended cots and hammocks, nests and cocoons advertised on social media could potentially restrict an infant’s ability to breathe or cause them to overheat. 

A fake check-in app is being used by anti-lockdown groups to deceive business owners and keep location data out of the hands of contact tracers.

The over 15,000 strong group shares links that allow users to generate fake check-in confirmations on their phones. 

The app passes no information to the government, making it difficult for contact tracers to find people.

Polish MPs have passed a controversial new media ownership law that may lead to the country’s largest remaining independent TV station loss of licence.

After a night of protests in Warsaw and 80 other towns against the bill, which opponents see as an attempt to silence an often critical broadcaster, the law passed on late Wednesday.

The vote came amid stormy scenes after the prime minister on Tuesday fired his deputy coalition member, prompting the party to leave the government.

An iron deficiency spike amongst children has begun to cause concern for Brisbane doctors. 

Figures show 40 per cent of girls aged 14 to 18 do not consume enough iron needed for growth and development.

General Practitioner Tanya Unni said a growing number of young patients were being diagnosed with low iron with symptoms including paleness, delayed growth, learning difficulties or behavioural problems. 

The University of Queensland has partnered the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council and Metro South Health, to improve the high dementia rates of indigenous Australians and communities.

The combined team known as DementiaECHO aims to increase local capacity to care for Indigenous Australians in remote, rural and urban communities.

UQ Health Director Professor Anthony Smith says, “Despite government attempts to address the issue, critical health workforce shortages continue to lead to inequitable access to appropriate and culturally safe healthcare."

A new ruling by the Australian Energy commission is being criticized by Solar Citizens, an organisation responsible for protecting solar panelled households. 

The new ruling known as “ the sun tax” will see networks now given the power to charge solar households for exporting clean energy.
 

National director Ellen Roberts says, “the decision to penalise households for sharing clean solar energy is deeply disappointing. Solar homes and businesses aren’t just driving down electricity bills but also play a major rule in slashing Australia’s emissions.”