Industry News
Pawsey's new supercomputer to power Australian research
The Pawsey Supercomputing Centre has selected HPE to deliver its new supercomputer, featuring significantly increased compute power. [ + ]
Algorithm helps optimise culture conditions for cell therapy
Researchers have devised a computational biology algorithm that can predict what molecules are needed to keep cells healthy in laboratory cultures. [ + ]
'Undruggable' oncogene inhibited in promising cancer trial
A novel agent that targets a mutated form of the KRAS gene — the most commonly altered oncogene in human cancers — shrank tumours in most patients in a clinical trial. [ + ]
Steroid boosts survival of premmies in low-resource settings
Dexamethasone can boost survival of premature babies when given to pregnant women at risk of preterm birth in low-resource settings. [ + ]
Cancer cells traced back to their tumour of origin
Researchers have traced cancer cells back to their tumour of origin by detecting an overexpression of fibroblast growth factor receptor in both the cancer cells and the tumour. [ + ]
Rapid COVID-19 tests to be rolled out in Africa
The rollout of new, World Health Organization-approved, antigen-based rapid diagnostic tests for COVID-19 in Africa is expected to significantly boost testing capacity. [ + ]
2020 Prime Minister's Prizes for Science awarded
A team that was instrumental in the world-first detection of gravitational waves has won the 2020 Prime Minister's Prize for Science. [ + ]
Bacterial metabolism of soy may lower dementia risk
A metabolite produced following consumption of dietary soy may decrease a key risk factor for dementia — with the help of the right bacteria. [ + ]
Droplets of fat help us fight infection
Droplets of fat inside our cells are helping the body's defence system fight back against infection, serving as both a food source for and a weapon against bacterial invaders. [ + ]
Ultratough pollen grains turned into soft particles
Scientists have found a way to turn ultratough pollen into a soft and flexible material, using a simple chemical process akin to conventional soap-making. [ + ]
Anticancer candidate inhibits drug-induced hyperglycaemia
A new anticancer drug candidate offers a way to inhibit both tumour growth and drug-induced hyperglycaemia in multiple models of HR+ breast cancer. [ + ]
QUT joins the search for ancient life on Mars
QUT will develop software to crunch the complex geochemical data that will be captured by the Perseverance rover during its mission to search for ancient life on Mars. [ + ]
Gut microbiome begins development before birth
Melbourne researchers have revealed that the gut microbiome is selected and starts developing as early as five months in utero, rather than during the birthing process. [ + ]
Disappointing results for WHO's COVID-19 therapeutics trial
Interim results indicate that the four treatments tested appear to have little or no effect on 28-day mortality or the in-hospital course of COVID-19 among hospitalised patients. [ + ]
Biomarkers used to detect traumatic brain injury on the spot
Researchers are using chemical biomarkers released by the brain immediately after a head injury occurs to pinpoint when patients need urgent medical attention. [ + ]