In just 5 short years since her first novel was published Australian author Candice Fox has become an international star in crime fiction circles.

Aside from her own books she’s collaborated on five with James Patterson and she’s about to have one of her books turned into a TV series.

Candice has just published her latest novel Gone By Midnight and joined Mark in the studio telling him that meeting an actual serial killer provided some of the inspiration.

Coeliac Disease sufferers may one day be able to enjoy a slice of bread or a beer without having to worry about symptoms like stomach cramps, nausea and fatigue.

Trials on a possible vaccine are now moving into Phase-2 at the Clinical Trials Centre at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

Centre Director Lucas Litewka tells Mark initial results have been very encouraging and the day may not be too far away when gluten free diets are a thing of the past.

The Palaszczuk government’s decision last year to raise the age of juvenile offenders from 17 to 18 is causing an overcrowding problem at the state’s watchhouses.

The Police Union is angry that officers are being forced to babysit juveniles because there is a shortage of beds at the state’s two juvenile detention centres.

Union president Ian Levers tells Mark the state government had failed to plan properly for the change, labelling it a ‘jail fail’.

New research has identified the 10 most destructive introduced species taking the biggest toll on our native flora and fauna.

Heading the list of environmental villains is the European rabbit which alone is pushing 321 seperate animal and plant species to the edge.

Lead researcher Stephen Kearney from the Threatened Species Recovery Hub tells Mark the list includes many of the usual suspects and not all are animals.

It’s not uncommon to see pets on buses, ferries and trains in some of the world’s biggest most cosmopolitan cities but they remain banned in Brisbane.

An e-petition by a local dog owner calling on the Brisbane City Council to relax the rules has attracted hundreds of signatures.

Now the RSPCA has thrown its weight behind the push and spokesperson Alex Hyndman-Hill tells Mark it’s not fair that there is a go card for humans but a no card for our pets.

The Groundwater Festival brings country music to the Gold Coast each year.

In late July the festival will celebrate its 7th year and it has now been elevated to ‘major status’ by Tourism and Events Queensland.

The legendary Lee Kernaghan will headline the festival along with Beccy Cole and he tells Mark the country will take over the coast for three entertainment packed days.

Researchers at the Queensland Brain Institute have discovered the ability to extinguish fear using DNA modification.

They say while they can’t wipe away bad and fearful memories they may be able to manipulate genes to help create new non-fearful memories to act as a counterbalance.

Professor Tim Bredy from the Brain Institute tells Mark there’s the prospect of one day developing therapies to turn fear on and off.

Coles and Aldi have decided not to follow the Woolworths lead and dump $1-a-litre homebrand milk.

Coles says there are better ways to help dairy farmers and it doesn’t want to increase the cost of living for customers.

Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud has rounded on Coles and Aldi telling Mark he suggests shoppers bypass them for other supermarkets.

Aussie comic Felicity Ward has returned home for the first time in three years and will perform at the Powerhouse on Saturday night as part of the Brisbane Comedy Festival.

Her show Bust A Nut details her exploits in the year she took off from doing comedy.

Felicity tells Mark that audiences will learn absolutely nothing, but they can expect to laugh.

Queensland Health figures show more than a third of state school students didn’t take advantage of free vaccinations last year.

Year 7 students can get free diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and HPV vaccine, while Year 10s can get free a meningococcal vaccine.

Queensland Health Immunisation Program medical director Dr Alun Richards tells Mark several of the diseases are potentially fatal.