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New research digs deeper into how children's immune systems handle viral challenges
A study published in Science Advances has revealed that while genetics play a significant role in shaping children's immune systems, environmental factors also influence key immune responses, offering opportunity for preventing allergic diseases.
Dr Kak-Ming Ling, a Wal-yan Respiratory researcher at the Kids Research Institute Australia, has been awarded a $25,000 Illuminate Award for her work to change that. Supported by Conquer Cystic Fibrosis, the award was presented at the 2026 Illuminate PitchFest hosted by The Kids.
Bronchiectasis is a worldwide chronic lung disorder where exacerbations are common. It affects people of all ages, but especially Indigenous populations in high-income nations. Despite being a major contributor to chronic lung disease, there are no licensed therapies for bronchiectasis and there remain relatively few randomised controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in children and adults.
Neonatal sepsis is a major cause of childhood mortality. Limited diagnostic tools and mechanistic insights have hampered our abilities to develop prophylactic or therapeutic interventions. Biomarkers in human neonatal sepsis have been repeatedly identified as associated with dysregulation of angiopoietin signaling and altered arachidonic acid metabolism.