Industry News
Electrical 'switch' used to control chemical reactions
Researchers have succeeded in activating an organic chemical reaction with a simple electric field. To do this, they designed an electrochemical microfluidic reactor. [ + ]
$650m in funding to support national research infrastructure
The latest funding will support 80 projects across 25 lead agencies from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2027. [ + ]
Renting linked to faster biological aging, study finds
Renting your home has a stronger link to faster 'biological aging' — the cumulative damage to the body's tissues and cells — compared to unemployment or being a former smoker. [ + ]
Climate scientists sound the alarm; those with lung conditions at risk
Scientists say that Earth's vital signs have worsened beyond anything we have seen — and people with lung conditions are particularly at risk. [ + ]
Mouse brains are 'rewired' during pregnancy
Both oestrogen and progesterone act on a small population of neurons in the brain to switch on parental behaviour even before offspring arrive. [ + ]
Liquid reagent inactivates SARS-CoV-2 in patient samples
The unique composition of the reagent could extract RNA in patient samples in little as 5–10 minutes — and importantly, rapidly inactivate SARS-CoV-2 to make testing safer. [ + ]
Why do antidepressants take so long to kick in?
The delay in therapeutic action of antidepressants has been a puzzle to psychiatrists ever since they were first discerned over 50 years ago — a puzzle that now appears to have been solved. [ + ]
Fragments of mitochondrial DNA spread Parkinson's disease
The spread of damaged genetic material, the mitochondrial DNA, causes the symptoms reminiscent of Parkinson's disease and its progression to dementia. [ + ]
SMi Systems secures patent for single-molecule imaging tech
According to SMi, the patented technology consists of highly specialised optics that allow the company to view single molecules at unprecedented resolution. [ + ]
Long COVID patients have distinct hormonal, immune differences
A machine learning algorithm was able to differentiate between people with and without long COVID with 96% accuracy, based on distinctive features detected in the blood. [ + ]
TSANZ and NATA sign MoU for new accreditation program
The program will offer accreditation to respiratory function laboratories for a range of tests that contribute to better health outcomes and treatments for patients with respiratory and lung health conditions. [ + ]
Golden staph's antibiotic resistance genes uncovered
While patient factors are critical in determining mortality risks, specific genes are linked to golden staph's antibiotic resistance, along with the bacteria's ability to linger in the blood. [ + ]
Onsite microplastic detection kit developed
South Korean scientists have developed what they claim to be the world's first technology to rapidly and highly sensitively detect microplastics in the field. [ + ]
Immune cells in older adults fall short in virus detection
Killer T cells in older adults, directed against influenza viruses, closely resemble those found in newborns and children, but struggle to recognise infected cells. [ + ]
Quantum pioneer awarded 2023 PM's Prize for Science
Professor Michelle Simmons AO, from UNSW Sydney, has received the $250,000 Prime Minister's Prize for Science for her pioneering developments in quantum computing [ + ]