UQ Health

Antibiotics don’t stop driving resistance once they leave our bodies. 💊

Research from The University of Queensland and the University of Exeter shows that wastewater treatment plants act as hidden reservoirs where antibiotic breakdown products can fuel antimicrobial resistance just as strongly as the original drugs.

With resistant bacteria already linked to 5 million deaths annually, the findings highlight the urgent need to rethink treatment processes and reduce environmental exposure.

Read more via link in comments ⬇

🥚Research led by Associate Professor Jennifer Koplin from UQ's Child Health Research Centre in conjunction with the Murdoch Children's Research Institute has shown a 17% drop in egg allergy rates among children since updated infant feeding guidelines were introduced in 2016.

This shift has been attributed to foods like egg, peanut, and dairy within the first year of a child's life.🍳🥜🥛

While food allergies still affect around 1 in 10 infants in Australia, these findings are a strong example of how guidelines can translate into population health improvements.

Dr Koplin says more research into food allergies is needed to find other prevention strategies.

Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gm4A8zxX

New research is reshaping how we understand maternal mental health.👩‍🍼

In the largest global study of its kind, UQ researchers found that the prevalence of major depression in women and girls peaks two weeks after childbirth.👣

While depression affects around 4.3% of women and girls globally, this rises to 6.2% during pregnancy, 6.8% in the year after birth, and 8.3% at two weeks postpartum.

🔎These findings highlight a critical window where support matters most. Reinforcing the importance of integrated, evidence-based approaches to mental health care during pregnancy and beyond.

🔗 Read more: https://news.uq.edu.au/2026-05-major-depression-women-and-girls-peaks-2-weeks-after-giving-birth

For Grace Power, culture is the foundation of everything she does.

Whether she’s contributing to Indigenous engagement in health, building women-focused businesses, or competing on the international football stage, Grace carries her family, Elders and community with her every step of the way.❤️

“Growing up I didn’t always see people who looked like me in these spaces, so I show up proudly as an Indigenous woman so that the next generation can see what’s possible."

Grace is now set to represent Australia on the global stage at the Women’s Football Alliance World Bowl as part of Team World, as one of two First Nations Australian women selected. 🏈

Read about this incredible woman, who is breaking barriers and forging her own path.

https://news.uq.edu.au/2026-05-culture-guiding-power-create-pathways

🗨️“Evidence consistently shows that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors improve access, cultural safety, and outcomes for First Nations patients and strengthen the health system for everyone.”
- Associate Dean (Indigenous Engagement), Professor Thelma Parker

The University of Queensland has committed to doubling the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical students by 2030.

The Indigenous Student Enrolment Strategy for the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree aims to foster a ’vibrant, culturally safe, and academically rigorous environment’ and sets a goal to enrol 25 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students per year, starting in 2027.

The overall target is to have 100 students enrolled by 2030, including in the regional medical programs.

Read more about the strategy below or via the link in the comments ⬇️

Raising the anxious generation 📺📱

As economic pressures build and global tensions simmer, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the steady stream of troubling headlines.

These pressures often fall most heavily on the shoulders of parents. So how can parents and carers look after themselves, support the kids and young people in their lives and stay grounded when the world around them feels increasingly… complex?

’s Contact Magazine sat down with Professor Vanessa Cobham and Associate Professor Michael Noetel from the UQ School of Psychology to talk about how parents can nurture resilience at home and keep moving forwards even when things feel unsteady.

Read the full article via the link in the comments ⬇️

Older adults living in aged care facilities have the highest prevalence of poor oral health, with untreated tooth decay estimated to be as high as 70% 🦷

Untreated dental diseases can affect overall health and wellbeing, including impaired cognitive function, poorer nutrition, increased frailty and a heightened risk of respiratory infections.

A research project is looking to change this, consulting with aged care residents and staff in regional Queensland and New South Wales facilities.

Phase one of the study revealed oral care was often a low priority due to low staffing rations, high workloads and competing priorities.

Find out more via the link in the comments⬇️

The project is a collaboration with Queensland Health, Moviliti Dental Care, Macquarie University, Anglicare Southern Queensland, St Vincent's Care, Fresh Hope Communities, the Whiddon Group, and has been funded by the Commonwealth Government’s Medical Research Future Fund.

🤦‍♂️Failing is part of life...but we shouldn't beat ourselves up about it.

If your inner critic enjoys ramping up the noise in moments of failure, it might be time to consider a more compassionate approach to self-reflection.

Associate Professor James Kirby from UQ School of Psychology, discusses how a more compassionate mindset, can help to reframe failure into growth, innovation and progress.

If you're ready to ditch negative self talk, and bring more self-compassion into your life, then read this: https://stories.uq.edu.au/contact-magazine/how-to-fail-better/index.html