Healthy longevity research: dsm-firmenich has awarded a second round of its Nutrition Research Grant to five projects (EUR50,000 each) focused on “Age Slower, Age Better,” aiming to narrow the gap between life span and health span across Asia Pacific. GP access and cost pressures: Victorian GPs have welcomed a Liberal–Nationals election commitment to scrap payroll tax for general practices, with RACGP Victoria also noting 167 new specialist GPs entering the workforce. Birth control safety watch: A Danish nationwide study reported in JAMA Network Open links certain hormonal contraceptives to a rare brain tumour (meningioma), with the strongest signal for injectable medroxyprogesterone. Weight-loss strategy shift: Adelaide University research finds intermittent fasting can produce similar weight loss to calorie counting over 18 months, with better diet stickiness for people who struggle with constant tracking. Mental health and heat: Australian research highlights extreme high temperatures can double young people’s risk of mental health hospital admissions. Community wellbeing via food: Churchill Fellow Ema Wilkes (Neo Community) will study “Pantry to Power,” exploring how community-led food models can improve wellbeing and youth opportunity. Public health and environment: UNESCO has avoided listing the Great Barrier Reef as “in danger” for now, but wants stronger water-quality action and a progress report by late 2028. Maternal and family planning context: Commentary and reporting across the week also point to falling fertility rates and the pressures shaping Australians’ decisions about parenthood.