Industry News
CRISPR used to reduce hepatitis B virus levels
Researchers have programmed CRISPR-Cas13b gene-editing technology to target the RNA of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in order to curb the virus's replication. [ + ]
Brain pathway found for placebo pain relief
The pain control pathway is crucial to placebo analgesia — where the expectation of pain relief leads to pain alleviation without therapeutic intervention. [ + ]
New National Science Statement and priorities released
The updated science framework will prepare the nation to face future pandemics, adapt to a changing climate and respond to developments in AI and automation. [ + ]
NSW Govt funds body to reduce animals in medical research
The NSW Government-funded Non-Animal Technologies Network (NAT-Net) aims to help reduce and replace animals in medical research. [ + ]
Autoantibodies cause lifelong susceptibility to viral infections
About 2% of the population develop autoantibodies against type 1 interferons, mostly later in life, which makes individuals more susceptible to viral diseases like COVID-19. [ + ]
'Gene misbehaviour' surprisingly common in healthy people
It turns out that gene misbehaviour — where genes are active when they were expected to be switched off — is a surprisingly common phenomenon in the healthy human population. [ + ]
Nanotech device enables early lung cancer detection
A drop of blood could be all that's needed to alert clinicians to the presence of small lung cancer nodules and allow intervention while the disease is in its early stages. [ + ]
Source of Vic's Legionnaires' disease outbreak found
Victorian health authorities have located the source of the recent Legionnaires' disease outbreak that has claimed two lives and hospitalised dozens more. [ + ]
Hybrid TEM/SEM could revolutionise electron microscopy
The Pulse Electron Hollow Cone Illumination Hybrid TEM/SEM is a hybrid transmission and scanning electron microscope that can operate at room temperature. [ + ]
Respiratory bacteria can 'turn off' the immune system
A common bacterium is able to cause persistent respiratory illness via the unique ability to 'talk to' and deactivate the immune system, convincing it there is no threat. [ + ]
A promising new molecular target for pancreatic cancer
New research shows that blocking the molecule nidogen-2 enhanced the effectiveness of chemotherapy and reduced the cancer's spread in mouse models. [ + ]
Microbes in trees remove methane from the atmosphere
Soil has previously been thought of as the only terrestrial sink for methane, but trees may be just as important — perhaps more so. [ + ]
Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre opens in Clayton
MMIC Clayton is a purpose-designed and -built facility including laboratory and office space, co-located with the Australian Synchrotron in the heart of the Monash Technology Precinct. [ + ]
First-in-human implantation of BiVACOR's total artificial heart
The first-in-human implantation was performed in a critically ill 57-year-old man who was in cardiogenic shock and awaiting a heart transplant. [ + ]
Spectroscopy and machine learning used for health screening
Scientists have developed a health screening tool that uses infrared light and machine learning to detect multiple health conditions with just a single blood plasma measurement. [ + ]
