With more than 350,000 people in Australia suffering vision impairment, the Hunter Medical Research Institute has unveiled a new professionally produced podcast of its quarterly Searcher medical research newsletter.

The audio version, voiced by ABC Newcastle presenter Carol Duncan, provides the latest research updates to those with reading difficulties, available to download via iTunes or HMRI's website.

“The print edition of Searcher is mailed directly to around 8,000 of our supporters, as well as being available in a new email format, but with vision impairment rates increasing it's vital that we disseminate our information in new and innovative ways,” HMRI Director Professor Michael Nilsson said.

“Everyone, both in the local community and further afield, should be able to access news from the 1300-plus HMRI researchers who are delving into a raft of diseases requiring remedies and better therapies ‚Äì cancer, stroke, diabetes and so many more.”

“The audio version of Searcher is an exciting initiative that bolsters our strong social media presence and we hope people with vision impairments will really enjoy the podcasts.”

The debut edition of Searcher Audio features an update on an ovarian cancer research project that has personal significance for researcher Dr Nikola Bowden, with her goal being to investigate the role a particular protein plays in identifying chemotherapy resistance.

There are also details on a new global trial of a clot-busting therapy for stroke, a potential breakthrough in managing injury-induced Multiple Organ Failure, a melanoma protein discovery, a new leukaemia target and details of upcoming HMRI events.