From a tribute to a much-loved research pioneer to practical clinical updates, features and news about a new research centre, 2024 had it all.
As 2024 comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on the Gut Republic stories from the year that our readers loved the most.
Given this was our first year, it was great to see our stories hit the mark with readers, from practical clinical features to news about research and clinical trials.
See the top 10 Gut Republic stories for 2024 below:
- Farewell to a giant of pathology and medicine: Nobel Laureate Emeritus Professor (John) Robin Warren AC, one of two Australians credited with discovering that most peptic ulcers are an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori, died at the age of 87 in July. His collaborator Professor Barry Marshall spoke to Gut Republic and shared some of his favourite memories.
- ‘Highly promising approach to treating gut disorders’: A new class of oral painkillers to suppress chronic abdominal pain, based on the peptide hormone oxytocin that drives childbirth contractions, has been developed by researchers at the University of Queensland.
- Depleted gut microbiota linked to changes in sperm: In early research being touted as a first, Melbourne researchers have found evidence to suggest a father’s gut health plays a role in offspring’s brain development.
- $3m research boost for disorders of gut-brain interaction: The National Health and Medical Research Council has chipped in $3 million to the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Digestive Health to continue its mission to find causes of chronic unexplained gut diseases, unlock new targets for therapies and ultimately cure disease. The centre is led by world-renowned neurogastroenterologist, University of Newcastle Distinguished Laureate Professor Nick Talley, AC.
- Bariatric surgery declining amid rise of GLP-1 RAs: The number of people undergoing bariatric surgery in Australia has fallen to its lowest since 2016, despite its successful outcomes, probably thanks to the popularity of GLP-1 drugs.
- FDA greenlights colorectal cancer test: A blood test for colorectal cancer screening in adults aged 45 years and older who are at average risk for the disease has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
- ‘Exciting’ discovery on metabolic disease triggers: An international team of researchers led by Monash University has identified a toxic lipid they believe may trigger metabolic diseases such as obesity, fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes.
- Constipation ‘underappreciated’ as a serious heart risk: New research suggests that chronic constipation is an important risk factor for major adverse cardiac events (MACE), independent of the usual suspects, and may be a predictor of these events in people with hypertension, the most common modifiable CVD risk factor.
- Medications for alcohol use disorder: the time is now: Alcohol use disorder is a big issue in Australia, but a pair of Melbourne-based doctors are striving to build a community encouraging the use of safe and effective pharmacological treatments.
- A good night’s sleep keeps digestive nasties away: healthy sleep pattern may significantly reduce the risk of digestive diseases regardless of genetic susceptibility. Research from the UK Biobank has found that those with poor sleep and high genetic risk had approximately 60% increased risk of digestive diseases, whereas a healthy sleep pattern was associated with a lower incidence of digestive disease risk in participants of all genetic risk levels.
We wish all our readers happy and safe holidays, and we look forward to your company in 2025. As always feel free to reach out with any ideas for stories or comments to amanda@medicalrepublic.com.au
