Research highlights

A review of 24 years of global research has shown opioid prescribing doubled between 1991-2015, with demand most common for chronic conditions such as chronic lower back pain, finds University of Sydney-led research.

Renowned Sydney businessman and philanthropist Peter Weiss AO is advancing medical knowledge of lung disease with $4 million of funding for critical research. 

The first international study of moderate calorie restriction in non-obese people with clinically normal risk factors, centred in the United States, has noted significantly reduced risk of heart attack, even in young adults.

The Cancer Council of NSW has awarded its annual Translational Program Grant to a Sydney-led project aiming to match ovarian cancer patients with the treatment or clinical trial most likely to work for their cancer subtype.

A degenerative brain disease linked with repetitive head injury has been identified in a former Australian rules football player for the first time.

The increased risk of heart attack or "a broken heart" in early bereavement could be reduced by using common medication in a novel way, according to a study led by the University of Sydney and funded by Heart Research Australia.