Woolcock Institute of Medical Research

27/01/2026

With the return of extreme heat and fire danger to parts of southern and south eastern Australia, Distinguished Professor Brian Oliver offers his advice on managing the risks to respiratory - and sleep - health. Read more: https://www.woolcock.org.au/news/high-fire-danger

Bushfire smoke is more than an irritant in the air – it is a complex mixture of gases and fine particles that can have a significant effect on how well you breathe, how efficiently your blood carries oxygen to your vital organs and even how you sleep.

22/01/2026

The Woolcock would like to express our deep sorrow for the passing of Professor The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO who was one of our Woolcock Distinguished Alumni. Dame Marie Bashir was a great supporter of our work over many years, and we are truly grateful for her support. We extend our condolences to her family and loved ones.

21/01/2026

The Woolcock's Sleep and Circadian Research group is conducting a programme of research investigating hypersomnolence and non-pharmacological interventions. Currently, they are running a clinical trial investigating whether diet can improve symptoms of daytime sleepiness, metabolic health and quality of life outcomes. Read more: https://www.woolcock.org.au/news/narcolepsy-hypersomnia

Woolcock researchers Elizabeth Machan, Joshua Holley and Francis Cheong are investigating whether diet can help manage symptoms of narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia.

15/01/2026

Plastic pollution is a pressing global environmental and public health challenge. Early research has focussed on the marine environment and plastics in the food chain but there is growing evidence about the risks of inhaling microplastics. Woolcock researchers hope to explore potential genetic and therapeutic targets that could mitigate or prevent harms to lung health. Read more: https://www.woolcock.org.au/news/microplastic-inhalation

Early career researchers Keshav Raj Paudel is investigating how inhaled microplastics may affect our health and how we can mitigate against their effects.

12/01/2026

With the current emergency across parts of Victoria, we're reminded that bushfire season is very much upon us. Even when fires are many kilometres away, the smoke can reduce air quality and affect your health. Distinguished Professor Brian Oliver offered his tips to reduce the risk in The Conversation. Read more: https://theconversation.com/how-to-protect-yourself-from-bushfire-smoke-272065

Should I use my aircon? Do I need an air purifier? Can indoor plants help? And which masks actually work for smoke?

06/01/2026

Struggling to pay attention due to lack of sleep? It is well known that sleep loss can dramatically impair our ability to pay attention but something as simple as skin temperature could be used to objectively measure vigilance and keep us safe. Read more about the Woolcock's research into skin temperature and vigilance here: https://www.woolcock.org.au/news/skin-temperature

Helena Stoodley in the Woolcock's Sleep and Circadian Research group is studying whether something as simple as skin temperature could be used to how impaired our vigilance is.

02/01/2026

Come the New Year and many of us will be setting resolutions to exercise more but summer’s heat and humidity can leave you breathless and make exercise feel more challenging. The key is understanding how to modify exercise safely during hot conditions. Read more: https://www.woolcock.org.au/news/summer-exercise

Woolcock Clinic exercise physiologist, Dr Elizabeth Machan's advice on how to modify exercise safely during hot, humid conditions.

22/12/2025

Snoring keep you up at night and tired during the day? It could be OSA. And, because OSA has a wide range of causes, there are a wide range of treatments. Choosing the right approach is essential for long-term success and a better night's sleep for everyone. Read more: https://www.woolcock.org.au/news/osa-options

It could be OSA - what are the treatment options?

18/12/2025

As the year draws to a close, our researchers are celebrating grants successes. However, the pilot projects and feasibility studies that drive novel, innovative research only happen with the support of donors. Read more:
https://www.woolcock.org.au/news/woolcock-funding

Woolcock researchers are celebrating recent grant applications success but there's more we can do with your help.

16/12/2025

We are deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred in Bondi on Sunday afternoon yesterday. Our thoughts are with those who lost loved ones, the people of Bondi, our Jewish Australian community and all who are finding it difficult to process what happened. Yesterday, Woolcock sleep psychologist Professor Delwyn Bartlett offered her advice on ABC Radio about how to manage the stress and sleep better.

16/12/2025

We are deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred in Bondi on Sunday afternoon. Our thoughts are with those who lost loved ones, the people of Bondi, our Jewish Australian community and all who are finding it difficult to process what happened. Yesterday, Woolcock sleep psychologist Professor Delwyn Bartlett offered her advice on ABC Radio with Dom Knight and Renee Krosch about how to manage the trauma of these events and sleep better. Listen on the ABC Radio app.

10/12/2025

Anti-cancer antibiotics? Early Career Researcher Maddie Berry is investigating the hypothesis that doxycycline can enhance the body's response of some standard-of-care anti-cancer therapies, resulting in better-targeted elimination of cancer cells.
Read more: https://www.woolcock.org.au/news/anti-cancer-antibiotics

ECR researcher Maddie Berry is investigating whether doxycycline interacts with anti-cancer therapies to enhance outcomes.