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The Advertiser
03-08-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
Endo pain stops Kira from walking and driving - could brain stimulation help?
Kira Robertson, 23, often experiences pain so severe she cannot drive, walk or complete simple tasks. A cramping and stabbing-like feeling in her stomach can come on suddenly and not leave for weeks. "I just had such severe pain that I keeled over and I couldn't walk, and that pain remained for about two weeks," Ms Robertson recalled about one flare-up. The Canberran is one of at least one in ten girls and women with endometriosis, a condition in which endometrial tissues grow outside the uterus. A similar condition, adenomyosis, is found in about one in five people of menstruating age. This is when endometrial tissue grows into the wall of the uterus. There is no known cure and few options to reduce pain. Excision surgery helped Ms Robertson, but tissue grew back after a few years. Painkillers stopped working when she was a teenager. "My biggest reliance is very much on heat and, as morbid as it may sound, inflicting pain in other areas," she said. "There aren't many options out there for people suffering from endometriosis. It is disheartening." Now, University of Canberra researchers are hoping a treatment used for depression could help people like Ms Robertson. Two people with the same type of pain will not experience it in the same way, PhD candidate and study lead Tino Toufexis said. Pain is real and physical, but it is also interpreted by the mind. "The physiology of pain is so important [but] as research goes on, we realise that your mind is what's processing the pain," he said. "Your thoughts, your cognition, have such an impact on your experience. "That's what also makes research difficult and treatments difficult." Research suggests how people think about pain impacts how they feel it. Symptoms experienced by endometriosis sufferers do not depend on the severity of the condition, according to the Australian Journal of General Practitioners. Mr Toufexis said, "What makes this condition so complex is that ... everyone can experience such differing symptoms, and some people can experience no symptoms at all and only find out they have endometriosis when they find out that they're infertile." He wanted to look at endometriosis because there seem to be few studies on it, despite it affecting so many people he knows. "Women's health is severely under-researched," he said. Brain stimulation (transcranial magnetic stimulation) is used to help treat depression, using magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells. It has been shown to help people with treatment-resistant depression long-term by manipulating brain activity. Mr Toufexis only knows of one study on endometriosis, but there is a lot of research on the impact of brain stimulation on other types of chronic pain. Results vary, and scientists are still working out why it might work for some people but not others. They want to work out how to tailor the intervention for each person so everyone can benefit. Mr Toufexis said that for his study, he stimulates regions of the brain involved in pain and future thinking. Participants first have their pain processing measured, undergo 20 minutes of brain stimulation and then have their pain measured. Ms Robertson is unlikely to have another surgery to remove her endometriosis anytime soon. Endometrial tissue grows back, but surgeons can be reluctant to keep removing it in case it exacerbates symptoms. She has accepted her life will be marred by pain. READ MORE: "There's not much I can do about it other than participate in research and things like this to hopefully advance our knowledge on endometriosis," she said. The federal treasury says around four million Australians live with chronic pain, rendering some unable to work or participate in everyday activities. Mr Toufexis hopes his research will help develop treatments for all these people. The University of Canberra is looking for more participants. Kira Robertson, 23, often experiences pain so severe she cannot drive, walk or complete simple tasks. A cramping and stabbing-like feeling in her stomach can come on suddenly and not leave for weeks. "I just had such severe pain that I keeled over and I couldn't walk, and that pain remained for about two weeks," Ms Robertson recalled about one flare-up. The Canberran is one of at least one in ten girls and women with endometriosis, a condition in which endometrial tissues grow outside the uterus. A similar condition, adenomyosis, is found in about one in five people of menstruating age. This is when endometrial tissue grows into the wall of the uterus. There is no known cure and few options to reduce pain. Excision surgery helped Ms Robertson, but tissue grew back after a few years. Painkillers stopped working when she was a teenager. "My biggest reliance is very much on heat and, as morbid as it may sound, inflicting pain in other areas," she said. "There aren't many options out there for people suffering from endometriosis. It is disheartening." Now, University of Canberra researchers are hoping a treatment used for depression could help people like Ms Robertson. Two people with the same type of pain will not experience it in the same way, PhD candidate and study lead Tino Toufexis said. Pain is real and physical, but it is also interpreted by the mind. "The physiology of pain is so important [but] as research goes on, we realise that your mind is what's processing the pain," he said. "Your thoughts, your cognition, have such an impact on your experience. "That's what also makes research difficult and treatments difficult." Research suggests how people think about pain impacts how they feel it. Symptoms experienced by endometriosis sufferers do not depend on the severity of the condition, according to the Australian Journal of General Practitioners. Mr Toufexis said, "What makes this condition so complex is that ... everyone can experience such differing symptoms, and some people can experience no symptoms at all and only find out they have endometriosis when they find out that they're infertile." He wanted to look at endometriosis because there seem to be few studies on it, despite it affecting so many people he knows. "Women's health is severely under-researched," he said. Brain stimulation (transcranial magnetic stimulation) is used to help treat depression, using magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells. It has been shown to help people with treatment-resistant depression long-term by manipulating brain activity. Mr Toufexis only knows of one study on endometriosis, but there is a lot of research on the impact of brain stimulation on other types of chronic pain. Results vary, and scientists are still working out why it might work for some people but not others. They want to work out how to tailor the intervention for each person so everyone can benefit. Mr Toufexis said that for his study, he stimulates regions of the brain involved in pain and future thinking. Participants first have their pain processing measured, undergo 20 minutes of brain stimulation and then have their pain measured. Ms Robertson is unlikely to have another surgery to remove her endometriosis anytime soon. Endometrial tissue grows back, but surgeons can be reluctant to keep removing it in case it exacerbates symptoms. She has accepted her life will be marred by pain. READ MORE: "There's not much I can do about it other than participate in research and things like this to hopefully advance our knowledge on endometriosis," she said. The federal treasury says around four million Australians live with chronic pain, rendering some unable to work or participate in everyday activities. Mr Toufexis hopes his research will help develop treatments for all these people. The University of Canberra is looking for more participants. Kira Robertson, 23, often experiences pain so severe she cannot drive, walk or complete simple tasks. A cramping and stabbing-like feeling in her stomach can come on suddenly and not leave for weeks. "I just had such severe pain that I keeled over and I couldn't walk, and that pain remained for about two weeks," Ms Robertson recalled about one flare-up. The Canberran is one of at least one in ten girls and women with endometriosis, a condition in which endometrial tissues grow outside the uterus. A similar condition, adenomyosis, is found in about one in five people of menstruating age. This is when endometrial tissue grows into the wall of the uterus. There is no known cure and few options to reduce pain. Excision surgery helped Ms Robertson, but tissue grew back after a few years. Painkillers stopped working when she was a teenager. "My biggest reliance is very much on heat and, as morbid as it may sound, inflicting pain in other areas," she said. "There aren't many options out there for people suffering from endometriosis. It is disheartening." Now, University of Canberra researchers are hoping a treatment used for depression could help people like Ms Robertson. Two people with the same type of pain will not experience it in the same way, PhD candidate and study lead Tino Toufexis said. Pain is real and physical, but it is also interpreted by the mind. "The physiology of pain is so important [but] as research goes on, we realise that your mind is what's processing the pain," he said. "Your thoughts, your cognition, have such an impact on your experience. "That's what also makes research difficult and treatments difficult." Research suggests how people think about pain impacts how they feel it. Symptoms experienced by endometriosis sufferers do not depend on the severity of the condition, according to the Australian Journal of General Practitioners. Mr Toufexis said, "What makes this condition so complex is that ... everyone can experience such differing symptoms, and some people can experience no symptoms at all and only find out they have endometriosis when they find out that they're infertile." He wanted to look at endometriosis because there seem to be few studies on it, despite it affecting so many people he knows. "Women's health is severely under-researched," he said. Brain stimulation (transcranial magnetic stimulation) is used to help treat depression, using magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells. It has been shown to help people with treatment-resistant depression long-term by manipulating brain activity. Mr Toufexis only knows of one study on endometriosis, but there is a lot of research on the impact of brain stimulation on other types of chronic pain. Results vary, and scientists are still working out why it might work for some people but not others. They want to work out how to tailor the intervention for each person so everyone can benefit. Mr Toufexis said that for his study, he stimulates regions of the brain involved in pain and future thinking. Participants first have their pain processing measured, undergo 20 minutes of brain stimulation and then have their pain measured. Ms Robertson is unlikely to have another surgery to remove her endometriosis anytime soon. Endometrial tissue grows back, but surgeons can be reluctant to keep removing it in case it exacerbates symptoms. She has accepted her life will be marred by pain. READ MORE: "There's not much I can do about it other than participate in research and things like this to hopefully advance our knowledge on endometriosis," she said. The federal treasury says around four million Australians live with chronic pain, rendering some unable to work or participate in everyday activities. Mr Toufexis hopes his research will help develop treatments for all these people. The University of Canberra is looking for more participants. Kira Robertson, 23, often experiences pain so severe she cannot drive, walk or complete simple tasks. A cramping and stabbing-like feeling in her stomach can come on suddenly and not leave for weeks. "I just had such severe pain that I keeled over and I couldn't walk, and that pain remained for about two weeks," Ms Robertson recalled about one flare-up. The Canberran is one of at least one in ten girls and women with endometriosis, a condition in which endometrial tissues grow outside the uterus. A similar condition, adenomyosis, is found in about one in five people of menstruating age. This is when endometrial tissue grows into the wall of the uterus. There is no known cure and few options to reduce pain. Excision surgery helped Ms Robertson, but tissue grew back after a few years. Painkillers stopped working when she was a teenager. "My biggest reliance is very much on heat and, as morbid as it may sound, inflicting pain in other areas," she said. "There aren't many options out there for people suffering from endometriosis. It is disheartening." Now, University of Canberra researchers are hoping a treatment used for depression could help people like Ms Robertson. Two people with the same type of pain will not experience it in the same way, PhD candidate and study lead Tino Toufexis said. Pain is real and physical, but it is also interpreted by the mind. "The physiology of pain is so important [but] as research goes on, we realise that your mind is what's processing the pain," he said. "Your thoughts, your cognition, have such an impact on your experience. "That's what also makes research difficult and treatments difficult." Research suggests how people think about pain impacts how they feel it. Symptoms experienced by endometriosis sufferers do not depend on the severity of the condition, according to the Australian Journal of General Practitioners. Mr Toufexis said, "What makes this condition so complex is that ... everyone can experience such differing symptoms, and some people can experience no symptoms at all and only find out they have endometriosis when they find out that they're infertile." He wanted to look at endometriosis because there seem to be few studies on it, despite it affecting so many people he knows. "Women's health is severely under-researched," he said. Brain stimulation (transcranial magnetic stimulation) is used to help treat depression, using magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells. It has been shown to help people with treatment-resistant depression long-term by manipulating brain activity. Mr Toufexis only knows of one study on endometriosis, but there is a lot of research on the impact of brain stimulation on other types of chronic pain. Results vary, and scientists are still working out why it might work for some people but not others. They want to work out how to tailor the intervention for each person so everyone can benefit. Mr Toufexis said that for his study, he stimulates regions of the brain involved in pain and future thinking. Participants first have their pain processing measured, undergo 20 minutes of brain stimulation and then have their pain measured. Ms Robertson is unlikely to have another surgery to remove her endometriosis anytime soon. Endometrial tissue grows back, but surgeons can be reluctant to keep removing it in case it exacerbates symptoms. She has accepted her life will be marred by pain. READ MORE: "There's not much I can do about it other than participate in research and things like this to hopefully advance our knowledge on endometriosis," she said. The federal treasury says around four million Australians live with chronic pain, rendering some unable to work or participate in everyday activities. Mr Toufexis hopes his research will help develop treatments for all these people. The University of Canberra is looking for more participants.
Sydney Morning Herald
31-07-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Scaring off poor students': HECS relief welcome, but high fees have become a barrier
While Shorten said he respected every tertiary institution's contribution, he said the University of Canberra, Western Sydney University and Edith Cowan were key in the government's goal to get more students from poor backgrounds into universities. 'We're doing the unglamorous heavy lifting of higher education, which is getting people into higher ed who might not have always attended higher ed. Loading 'If I can be really direct, Gen Zs and Millennials and people thinking about coming to uni, they don't want to be going to some sort of educational sausage factory where they're just churned, where they just seem to be interested in the dollars generated from international students to build more prestigious glass buildings. So that's part of it. That's how you get people in.' When it came to reducing fees, other former Labor politicians including Peter Garrett, Barry Jones and Gareth Evans publicly rebuked the government last week, over its failure to fix the $50,000 cost of humanities degrees, in an open letter to the Executive Committee of the Australian Historical Association. It noted that prestigious research-intensive universities had maintained strong course enrolments while other institutions were suffering. 'Enrolments for many humanities and social science units at other universities – those often favoured by Indigenous, regional and female students – are falling,' the letter said. At Western Sydney University, the number of commencing students from low socioeconomic backgrounds fell by 1000 students in the year after the Job-ready Graduates program was introduced. WSU vice chancellor George Williams said the steep price tag had scared off poor students who feared they would never pay off the high debt. 'It does work as a price signal to price people out of university … It's unfair, and it really restricts social mobility,' he said. Williams noted that the government had spent $20 billion on debt relief, but said that failing to reform fees was 'setting ourselves up just to have to do debt relief again down the track'. University of NSW student Norman Huang, a final-year student in commerce and computer science, welcomed the 20 per cent cut to student loans. 'For most students, it is a relief both mentally and financially,' he said. 'A lot of students are starting to think more long-term with their careers and personal goals.' Sydney University deputy vice chancellor (education) Professor Joanne Wright said unwinding the Job-ready Graduates program 'can't happen quickly enough'. 'We're looking forward to working with the incoming Australian Tertiary Education Commission and helping to address these complex issues,' she said. A Macquarie University spokesman said it supported a review of higher education funding arrangements to ensure more 'Australian students can access university, offers equitable support across all disciplines, and does not unfairly penalise students for the choices they make'.
The Age
31-07-2025
- Business
- The Age
‘Scaring off poor students': HECS relief welcome, but high fees have become a barrier
While Shorten said he respected every tertiary institution's contribution, he said the University of Canberra, Western Sydney University and Edith Cowan were key in the government's goal to get more students from poor backgrounds into universities. 'We're doing the unglamorous heavy lifting of higher education, which is getting people into higher ed who might not have always attended higher ed. Loading 'If I can be really direct, Gen Zs and Millennials and people thinking about coming to uni, they don't want to be going to some sort of educational sausage factory where they're just churned, where they just seem to be interested in the dollars generated from international students to build more prestigious glass buildings. So that's part of it. That's how you get people in.' When it came to reducing fees, other former Labor politicians including Peter Garrett, Barry Jones and Gareth Evans publicly rebuked the government last week, over its failure to fix the $50,000 cost of humanities degrees, in an open letter to the Executive Committee of the Australian Historical Association. It noted that prestigious research-intensive universities had maintained strong course enrolments while other institutions were suffering. 'Enrolments for many humanities and social science units at other universities – those often favoured by Indigenous, regional and female students – are falling,' the letter said. At Western Sydney University, the number of commencing students from low socioeconomic backgrounds fell by 1000 students in the year after the Job-ready Graduates program was introduced. WSU vice chancellor George Williams said the steep price tag had scared off poor students who feared they would never pay off the high debt. 'It does work as a price signal to price people out of university … It's unfair, and it really restricts social mobility,' he said. Williams noted that the government had spent $20 billion on debt relief, but said that failing to reform fees was 'setting ourselves up just to have to do debt relief again down the track'. University of NSW student Norman Huang, a final-year student in commerce and computer science, welcomed the 20 per cent cut to student loans. 'For most students, it is a relief both mentally and financially,' he said. 'A lot of students are starting to think more long-term with their careers and personal goals.' Sydney University deputy vice chancellor (education) Professor Joanne Wright said unwinding the Job-ready Graduates program 'can't happen quickly enough'. 'We're looking forward to working with the incoming Australian Tertiary Education Commission and helping to address these complex issues,' she said. A Macquarie University spokesman said it supported a review of higher education funding arrangements to ensure more 'Australian students can access university, offers equitable support across all disciplines, and does not unfairly penalise students for the choices they make'.
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Business Standard
16-07-2025
- Climate
- Business Standard
Scorching Club WC sparks heat fears for FIFA 2026 World Cup in USA
During the recent FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, soaring heat highlighted the dangerous conditions players and fans may face when the tournament returns next summer, this time on a larger stage with the 2026 FIFA World Cup across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. As global temperatures climb, experts argue that hosting soccer competitions during Northern Hemisphere summers is becoming increasingly hazardous. England's climate scientist Prof. Piers Forster warns that without substantial changes, like shifting tournaments to winter or cooler regions, 'we are only one heatwave away from a sporting tragedy.' June, July, and August have already warmed by approximately 1.05 °C globally since 1930, with Europe seeing a 1.81 °C rise . High Heat-Risk Host Cities The international players' union FIFPRO has identified six World Cup host cities at extremely high risk for heat stress. While FIFA noted that current evaluations suggest the 2030 World Cup (Spain, Portugal, Morocco) will not endanger participants, climate unpredictability leaves uncertainty. Health Impacts of High Temperatures Research highlights that playing under intense heat can cause hyperthermia, increased cardiovascular strain, cramps, exhaustion, and even heat stroke, according to Dr. Julien Priard from the University of Canberra. Many summer sporting events already shift schedules to early mornings or late evenings, but football, especially major tournaments, largely remains tied to traditional afternoon kickoff times for television audiences. Calendar Constraints and Logistical Challenges Modifying the World Cup schedule again, as happened in 2022 to avoid Qatar's intense summer, disrupts domestic leagues and European competitions. With the tournament expanding from 32 to 48 teams in 2026, the scheduling tightrope grows even more tense . Similar concerns loom for the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia, where extreme heat may prompt another off-peak shift. The Bigger Climate Conversation Ultimately, arranging large-scale outdoor events is becoming a broader challenge amid warming trends. Athletes and recreational sports participants now face nearly 30% more daily moderate to high heat exposure compared to the 1990s, says Prof. Ollie Jay . As climate scientist Michael Mann observes, these risks reflect the profound effects of climate change on our everyday lives . FIFA, national leagues, and sporting bodies may soon need to adapt event calendars and locations to safeguard health and safety in an increasingly hot world.
Sky News AU
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
‘Not going to tolerate' antisemitism: Bill Shorten outlines university's plan to combat ‘hate' following envoy report
University of Canberra's Vice-Chancellor and former Labor leader Bill Shorten has outlined the universities' plan to combat antisemitism on camps, saying 'we're not going to tolerate people being treated badly' due to their Jewish heritage. Australia's Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism Jillian Segal handed down a major report on Thursday, just one year after the business executive was appointed to the role. Ms Segal ordered university chancellors and vice-chancellors to cooperate with her plan to stamp out antisemitism on campuses, or risk funding cuts. Following the recommendations announcement, Mr Shorten said he thought it was important to promptly take a stance on the matter, as 'Antisemitism is real'. 'It's not a creation of the right wing or Israel lobbyists, antisemitism is real. It's a centuries-old hate, and we thought it was all in the history books but now it's come out of the drains,' Mr Shorten told Sky News on Friday. In light of incidents such the alleged arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue last week, Mr Shorten said antisemitism needs to 'be called out' 'And Jewish Australians have got to know... we're not going to tolerate people being treated badly because they're Jewish,' he said. Pressed as to whether the University of Canberra will be implementing the special envoy's recommendations, the vice-chancellor said it will work with other universities and will ensure the safety of students with Jewish heritage on campus. 'I do not want people coming from outside the campus causing grief, and Australians of Jewish heritage have got to feel that when they come to the University of Canberra, this is a place where they can study, learn, be treated with respect,' Mr Shorten said. '... UC wants students of all faith, including kids of Jewish heritage.' Ms Segal's report outlines a series of measures needed in order to combat antisemitism, which it claimed had 'reached a tipping point that threatens social harmony, undermines trust in institutions and marginalises Jewish Australian citizens'. Ms Segal told Sky News host Sharri Markson on Thursday that she planned to delegate work for 'different parties', especially the federal and state government, and educational and cultural institutions. 'There's support I will need from the federal government, but also from state governments, also from leaders in society, leaders of cultural institutions, chancellors and vice-chancellors at universities,' Ms Segal said. 'I will be putting them to the task of supporting me when I need federal government support, but equally I'll be looking to state governments to support educational initiatives. 'I'll looking to universities to continue what has been very cooperative stance from them in moving towards initiatives to combat antisemitism on campuses.'
