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AU Financial Review
03-06-2025
- Business
- AU Financial Review
Bridging mid-market productivity gap – why implementing AI is key
Recently, KPMG in collaboration with The University of Melbourne, released Trust, attitudes and use of Artificial Intelligence: A global study. The report found that with AI, employees reported increased efficiency, effectiveness, access to information and innovation. Two thirds (65 per cent) of Australians said their employer uses AI, and 49 per cent of employees said they are intentionally using AI on a regular basis. But the use of AI at work was creating complex risks for organisations. Almost half of employees (48 per cent) admitted to using AI in ways that contravene company policies, including uploading sensitive company information into free public AI tools like ChatGPT. We're now seeing mid-market businesses start to implement systems that communicate, collate and adapt in real time, as they work through some of these challenges. And when done effectively, the pros of implementing AI solutions can outweigh the cons. Organisations making AI-driven productivity gains are curating their approach to fit their risk appetite and business strategy, with a clear focus on: Data as a strategic asset. Organisations that win in the decade ahead will use data to power real-time decision-making. The rise in sensors and cloud technology has created vast amounts of data. The major challenge for organisations today is how to distil all the data they are collecting to drive real-time, informed decisions for better customer experience. AI to build trust, empower labour, and accelerate productivity. Organisations that responsibly embrace AI can unlock labour productivity. In a tight labour market, sourcing the right talent and uplifting skills will be a strategic mid-market differentiator. Cloud and data management as a core foundation. Organisations that are effective at digital transformation and have strong cloud and data foundations are seeing the highest return on investment. Security and privacy. Cyber security teams are under pressure to keep up with evolving threats. With the vast amounts of data and sophistication of threat agents, the mid-market must have the right security and identity foundations to help mitigate against cyber risks. For Australian mid-market businesses, strategically adopting AI can present a major opportunity. As they work towards closing the productivity gap, mid-market leaders must recognise AI as more than an innovation – it's a framework for success.
CNA
07-05-2025
- Politics
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - From avocados to tequila, among the top traded products between Mexico and Singapore
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the population of Gaza will be displaced to the south after his security cabinet approved an expanded military operation in the enclave that a minister described as a plan to 'conquer' the territory. How much of a setback will this be to any sort of ceasefire? Susan Ng and Hairianto Diman speak with Dr Simon Frankel Pratt, Senior Lecturer, Political Science, The University of Melbourne, to find out.
Medscape
05-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
GLP-1 RA Use for Obesity Soars Among Nondiabetic US Adults
Nationally representative survey data reveals that glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) use for obesity treatment more than tripled among US adults without diabetes between 2018 and 2022, with annual expenditures reaching $5.8 billion in 2022. METHODOLOGY: Although approximately 93 million US adults are potentially eligible for obesity treatment with GLP-1 RAs, estimates of current use and spending are limited to individuals with diabetes or are based on unrepresentative samples. Researchers analyzed data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component (2018 to 2022) to estimate annual prescription fills and national expenditures on GLP-1 RAs among US adults without a prior diagnosis of diabetes (excluding those with gestational diabetes). Surveyed households provided data on demographics, medical conditions, healthcare use, and spending, with follow-back surveys of pharmacies primarily used to establish drug pricing. TAKEAWAY: The unweighted sample included 89,854 adults (51.8% women; 30.7% with a body mass index ≥ 30). Annual prevalence of GLP-1 RA use among US adults without diabetes increased from 0.1% in 2018-2021 to 0.4% in 2022, with an estimated 854,728 adults without diabetes taking these medications. Annual GLP-1 RA spending increased from $1.6 billion in 2018-2021 to $5.8 billion in 2022. Between 2018 and 2022, the mean number of prescriptions per user was 4.1, with a mean expenditure of $1540 and an average out-of-pocket cost of $34.68 per prescription. IN PRACTICE: 'Despite [increased use], adoption remained limited as only 1 in 250 US adults without diabetes used a GLP-1 RA in 2022,' the authors wrote. 'Average prices for these medications consistently exceeded $1500 per prescription, although average out-of-pocket costs were well contained, potentially due to people without private insurance being disproportionately less likely to access these medications,' the authors concluded. SOURCE: The study was led by Cade Shadbolt, MA, and Jasmin Elkin, The University of Melbourne, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Australia. It was published online in Annals of Internal Medicine . LIMITATIONS: Multiple prescriptions filled by the same individuals may have influenced mean cost estimates. COVID-19 restrictions also posed challenges for survey collection, though data quality assessments during the pandemic yielded encouraging results. Disclosure restrictions limited detailed reporting on spending for less commonly prescribed GLP-1 RAs. DISCLOSURES: One author received support from the Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship. Other authors reported serving as consultants for or having grants, contracts, or other ties with various organizations and pharmaceutical companies.
The Hindu
26-04-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Researchers win prestigious UK grant for groundbreaking study on ‘Locked mouth' disorder
In a significant recognition of Indian medical research on the global stage, Gururaj Arakeri and Vishal Rao from HCG Cancer Hospital, Bengaluru, have been awarded a coveted endowment grant by the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (BAOMS) for 2025. This marks Dr. Arakeri's fourth BAOMS funding award making the Kalaburagi-based doctor the only non-British researcher to achieve this feat – an accomplishment that underscores the international relevance of his work on oral cancer and related disorders. The grant will support a pioneering investigation into the causes of Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF), a severe precancerous condition commonly caused by the consumption of gutka and arecanut, which leads to restricted mouth opening and significant deterioration in quality of life. Challenging assumptions While arecanut has long been classified as a primary carcinogen linked to OSMF, a recent pilot study by Dr. Arakeri's team challenges this long-standing belief. The researchers suggest that other substances, such as fluoride found in some smokeless tobacco products, may play a more damaging role than previously understood. 'This research challenges long-held assumptions,' Dr. Arakeri said. 'We're exploring the possibility that fluoride and other elements in gutka could be equally or more responsible for the condition than areca nut alone.' Dr. Vishal Rao highlighted the human impact of the disorder, stating, 'OSMF severely limits basic functions like eating and speaking, leading to suffering and increasing the risk of oral cancer. Understanding its true causes can lead to more effective prevention and treatment.' The international project includes distinguished collaborators like Professor Peter Brennan (UK), Dr. Antonio Celentano (The University of Melbourne, Australia), Dr. Krishnan Murugesan (Chennai), Dr. Shekar Patil, Dr. Roopa Reddy, and Dr. Satish, all working under the leadership of the Arakeri-Rao team. With initial funding secured and further support anticipated, the team is poised to make significant strides in transforming the global approach to diagnosing and treating 'locked mouth' syndrome. This prestigious award is not only a personal milestone for Dr. Arakeri but also a major step forward for Indian medical research on the international stage.
