Meditation to reduce pain is not a placebo — it's real
05 December, 2024Mindfulness meditation has long been speculated to work by activating processes supporting the placebo response — however, scientists have now shown that this is not the case.
Parkinson's drug induces iron deficiency, disrupts gut microbiome
03 December, 2024Emerging research shows that a wide range of drugs used to treat neurological conditions can also affect the microbial communities living in our bodies.
'Low-risk' antibiotic linked to rise of dangerous superbug
27 November, 2024A new study has challenged the long-held belief that rifaximin — commonly prescribed to patients with liver disease — poses a low risk for causing antibiotic resistance.
Stem cell experiments conducted in space
25 November, 2024Scientists are one step closer to manufacturing stem cells in space — which could speed up the development of new medical therapies on Earth — following experiments conducted on a private space mission.
Plug-and-play test evaluates T cell immunotherapy effectiveness
22 November, 2024The plug-and-play test enables real-time monitoring of T cells that have been engineered to fight cancer, after reintroduction into the body of a cancer patient.
Scaffold-based method for culturing antitumour bacteria
13 November, 2024Bacteria-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.
mpox vaccine appears safe and effective in adolescents
12 November, 2024Interim 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.
Free meningococcal B vaccines coming to the NT
05 November, 2024The 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.
Germs on travellers' phones present a biosecurity risk
29 October, 2024Large numbers of microbes are being introduced to Australia via the microbial-contaminated mobile phones of travellers, posing potential threats to local ecosystems, agriculture and public health.
A bout of COVID could protect you from a severe case of flu
25 October, 2024Recovery from COVID appears to have a protective effect against the worst effects of the flu, with this memory response coming from an unexpected place.
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria exhibit shape differences
24 October, 2024Researchers have discovered that antibiotic-resistant bacteria exhibit characteristic morphological changes that can be detected microscopically.
Boosting vaccine delivery with bystander immune cells
18 October, 2024Adding low doses of vaccine-specific antibody to a COVID-19 vaccine stimulates the immune system's B cells, which are responsible for generating antibodies, to fight viral infections.
Low gravity disrupts normal rhythm in heart muscle cells
16 October, 2024After 48 bioengineered heart tissue samples spent 30 days at the International Space Station, the low-gravity conditions weakened the tissues and disrupted their normal rhythmic beats.
Rejuvenating aged egg cells to improve IVF outcomes
11 October, 2024Researchers demonstrated the rejuvenation of oocytes from an older preclinical model by using a young follicular environment to partially restore its reproductive function.
Food antigens help to suppress gut tumours
10 October, 2024Food antigens like milk proteins help keep tumours from growing in the small intestines, with new experiments revealing how these proteins trigger the intestinal immune system.
