Tag Archives: oceania

Wairarapa homicide: One person dead in Carterton with gunshot wound, two in custody

2025-03-22 FreeNews

Two people are in custody after fatal shooting.

AI-powered test to identify early signs of silicosis

2025-03-22 FreeNews

Sydney researchers have made a breakthrough in the fight against silicosis, with the development of an AI-powered diagnostic tool.

The non-invasive tool, which analyses a person's breath, can identify early signs of silicosis within minutes, which could be life-changing for at-risk workers.

Lead researcher Professor William Alexander Donald said the model works by distinguishing breath profiles of silicosis patients from healthy individuals with remarkable accuracy.

Silicosis is caused by inhaling fine particles of silica dust and is attributed to the introduction of artificial stone materials during the building boom of the early 2000s.

Engineered stone, a popular material often used for kitchen benches, has been linked to a surge in deadly lung disease due to its high silica content.

Australia moved to ban engineered stone last year.

Former stonemason Kyle Goodwin said early detection could have changed his life.

"If I had access to tests like this, I would have left the industry many years before I did," he said.

While a ban is in place, new cases of silicosis continue to emerge from other high-risk industries.

Alexander Donald said there was an urgent need for better diagnostic tools.

"Our study shows that the AI-driven model accurately distinguished silicosis patients from healthy individuals based on their breath profiles, providing a reliable tool for early detection," he said.

"This suggests that breath testing could be a practical tool for large-scale worker screening and early intervention."

A new trial is currently under way at mining sites in the Hunter Valley.

Alexander Donald said researchers would like to see the tool used in the workplace over the next two years.

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Australian tourist dies as snorkeling boat capsizes off Bali

2025-03-22 FreeNews

An Australian woman has died after she was onboard a snorkeling boat that capsized in rough seas off Bali on Friday.

Anna Maree, 39, from Canberra, was found in the waters unresponsive after a large wave overturned the tour boat.

The Sea Dragon 2, which was carrying 13 people, including 11 Australian tourists, was en route from a port in Bali to Nusa Penida, a popular nearby island, local police spokesperson Agus Widiono said.

Passengers sit on a boat carrying tourists including a number of Australians that capsized in the waters off Nusa Penida Island, in Bali.

The group was looking at underwater scenery when their boat was hit by a large wave that threw the Australian overboard.

It was followed by a second wave that capsized the boat, Widiono said.

Two of the other injured Australians have been identified as 28-year-old Gabriel Hijniakoff from Brisbane and 32-year-old Cintamani Warrington, an Australian national living in Bali.

Local police said one of the injured suffered burns on their upper thighs, possibly from engine heat.

A nearby boat rushed to rescue 12 survivors, including two local crews and two injured tourists.

Rescuers also found the body of Anna Maree, the spokesperson said.

Survivors were treated at nearby health clinic and are in stable condition.

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said they were providing consular assistance to the Australian family.

"We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time. The department is also providing consular assistance to two Australians who were injured in the same incident," the spokesperson said.

Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida

Maritime accidents have killed hundreds of people in Indonesia in recent years. Boats are often overcrowded, and safety regulations are poorly enforced.

The vast archipelago country spans more than 17,000 islands with a population of 280 million, and boats are a popular and relatively cheap form of transportation.