July 2026: The Malaghan Institute of Medical Research's research into Helicobacter pylori - a bacterium that is the leading cause of stomach cancer - has led to a global collaboration with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer research agency of the World Health Organization.

The Memorandum of Understanding will support research into stomach cancer prevention and control by addressing H. pylori infection - including tackling antibiotic resistance, developing screen-and-treat strategies and sharing scientific findings and methods.

Dr Tom Mules says the MOU is recognition that the Malaghan's H. pylori research and expertise has relevance well beyond New Zealand.

"Working with the IARC gives us the chance to contribute directly to the evidence base and toolkit that could shape stomach cancer prevention and control internationally."

The Malaghan Institute's H. pylori clinical research programme has been running since 2024, initially focused on developing new methods to test for antibiotic resistance, and expanding into a number of projects aimed at improving how H. pylori infection is diagnosed and treated.

Globally, stomach cancer ranks fifth in both cancer incidence and cancer-related deaths.

Photo: Malaghan Institute of Medical Research.

July 2026: Adolescence and young adulthood are sensitive periods for the development of mental distress, and timely support can prevent early signs of distress from escalating.

A recent review by Motu sociologist and demographer Dr Kate Prickett examines the effectiveness of early intervention and secondary prevention approaches for supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young people and rangatahi aged 12-24 years, with a particular focus on those experiencing low to moderate distress.

The review draws on a structured scan of published and grey literature, identifying 20 evaluation papers covering 16 interventions across therapy-based brief interventions, community-based services, e-therapy, digital tools, and family-integrated approaches.

Overall, the evidence suggests that many early intervention and secondary prevention supports, including brief and low-intensity approaches, can reduce distress and improve wellbeing, functioning, and coping. Effects were most consistent for broad outcomes such as distress, wellbeing, and functioning, while findings for anxiety and depressive symptoms were more mixed.

Accessibility, youth-friendly delivery, sustained engagement, and co-design with young people emerged as important enablers of effectiveness.

Photo: Micheile Henderson, Unsplash.