Industry News
High-potency cannabis use leaves a unique mark on DNA
Frequent users of high-potency cannabis have changes in genes related to mitochondrial and immune function — particularly the CAVIN1 gene, which could affect energy and immune response. [ + ]
Flinders facility to use the micro realm to understand the past
AusMAP aims to revolutionise the ways scientists address key questions and grand challenges in the fields of archaeology, palaeontology and the geosciences. [ + ]
Scaffold-based method for culturing antitumour bacteria
Bacteria-based cancer therapy represents an exciting new treatment option — but in order to fully harness this approach, a safe and efficient method for producing natural anticancer bacteria is needed. [ + ]
ACCC concerned by Blackstone's proposed acquisition of I'rom
The ACCC is concerned that the proposed acquisition would likely have the effect of substantially lessening competition in the supply of phase 1 clinical trials in Australia. [ + ]
mpox vaccine appears safe and effective in adolescents
Interim analysis of an mpox vaccine trial has found the vaccine is safe in adolescents and generates an antibody response equivalent to that seen in adults. [ + ]
Cancer drug eliminates bone metastasis in lab models
Researchers have developed a novel treatment that is specific to breast cancer bone metastasis and can successfully work in the bone microenvironment, which is often resistant to therapeutics. [ + ]
A new, simpler method for detecting PFAS in water
Researchers demonstrated that their small, inexpensive device is feasible for identifying various PFAS families and detecting PFAS at levels as low as 400 ppt. [ + ]
TGA rejects Alzheimer's drug due to safety concerns
The TGA determined that the demonstrated efficacy of lecanemab in treating Alzheimer's did not outweigh the safety risks associated with its use. [ + ]
Defective sperm doubles pre-eclampsia risk in IVF patients
A high proportion of the father's spermatozoa possessing DNA strand breaks is associated with doubled risk of pre-eclampsia in women who become pregnant by IVF. [ + ]
Free meningococcal B vaccines coming to the NT
The Northern Territory Government has confirmed the rollout of a free meningococcal B vaccine program from 1 January 2025 — a commitment that it took to the most recent election. [ + ]
Single-molecule imaging enables large-scale drug screening
Scientists have found a way to streamline drug discovery using single-molecule tracking, allowing them to explore the effects of many different candidate drugs on a single target molecule. [ + ]
High-tech UQ facility enables precision plant research
A high-tech facility with rooms to mimic environments from rainforests to deserts is set to help Australian scientists and industry improve crop productivity and secure future food supplies. [ + ]
Mouth bacteria linked to increased head and neck cancer risk
More than a dozen bacterial species that live in people's mouths have been linked to a collective 50% increased chance of developing head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. [ + ]
PFAS found in drinking water from around the world
Scientists have discovered toxic 'forever chemicals' present in samples of tap and bottled water sourced from 15 countries around the world. [ + ]
Publication of new standards for clinical trial data reuse
The standards aim to facilitate the responsible sharing and use of anonymised individual patient data (IPD) from clinical studies to support the research community. [ + ]