30 brave human guinea pigs have allowed themselves to be infected with the Malaria virus to test a world first vaccine developed by Queensland researchers.

Around the world 400,000 people die each year from the mosquito-borne disease and 80% of them are children.

Dr Danielle Stanisic from the Griffith University Institute for Glycomics tells Mark that if the local trial proves successful the vaccine will be tested on a large scale in a malaria-prone country.

As young Queensland police constable Peter McAulay continues his recovery, efforts to have all new cars fitted with engine immobilisers are ramping up.

Police Minister Mark Ryan has announced the proposal has now been put on the agenda at the next COAG Police Ministers meeting.

Queensland Police Union president Ian Levers has been campaigning for the measure for five years and tells Mark it would mean an end to risky police pursuits.

Australian adventurer Dan Bull is now the proud holder of an unusual Guinness World Record - ‘The Highest Kayak on Earth’.

Dan dragged himself and his kayak 2.5km across a frozen lake near the summit of a Chilean volcano almost 6km above sea level.

He tells Mark it was the end result of his love of mountaineering and his parents’ love of kayaking.

The Telecommunications Ombudsman has released her annual report finding that while the number of complaints rose year on year there are positive signs.

The total number of complaints rose more than 6% increase but there was a steep drop in the number lodged in the final quarter of the year.

Teresa Corbin from the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network tells Mark the dramatic turn around is largely due to new telco regulations.

Australia is mourning the passing of Clean Up Australia founder Ian Kiernan.

The environmental icon and champion yachtsman was diagnosed with cancer in late July and leaves behind his wife Judy and daughters Sally and Pip.

Clean Up Australian MD Terrie-Ann Johnson tells Mark that despite his accomplishments Ian was always modest and preferred to focus on the volunteers.

The property website Domain has released Australian first research identifying the healthiest and least healthy Brisbane suburbs to live in.

The researchers looked at 10 different criteria including positives like walkability, hospitals and trees to negatives like too many bottle shops and fast food outlets.

Domain Queensland Editor Ellen Lutton tells Mark the research is about opportunities to be healthy, not about the health of residents.

A daring new production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni opens at QPAC on Friday for a strictly limited two week run.

Director Lindy Hume has set the Opera Queensland production in working class Victorian London and has drafted in 200 naked women for the final scene in which Don Giovanni is dragged to hell.

The production also marks the OQ debut of soprano and Brisbane restaurateur Eva Kong in the role of Donna Anna and she tells Mark it is a beautiful role.

A group of Ipswich building apprentices are to be given the chance to really put their training and skills to the test.

Apprenticeships Queensland and TAFE South West have bought an old house in Woodend and next year will renovate it.

Apprenticeships Queensland General Manager Paul Hillberg tells Mark this will be the third house his organisation has placed in the hands of young trainees.

Australia has enjoyed 27 years of uninterrupted economic growth but the spoils are not being shared across society.

The Australian Council of Social Service and UNSW Sydney have released their Poverty in Australia 2018 Report finding that 3 million Australians live below the poverty line, including 739,000 children.

ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie tells Mark that poverty is now a consistent feature of Australian life.

Each year in Australia 1,400 people needing transplants wait for a phone call to save their lives but sadly for about 150 that call will not come in time.

A new documentary ‘Dying to Live’ follows the lives of six patients as they cope with the highs and lows, the disappointments and the relief.

It has its Queensland Premier at the Brisbane International Film Festival and producer Ben McNeill tells Mark the hope is it will encourage more people to become donors.