Fear and anxiety share the same bases in the brain
23 October, 2020Researchers have provided new evidence that fear and anxiety reflect overlapping brain circuits, running counter to popular scientific accounts.
Gut microbiome begins development before birth
22 October, 2020Melbourne 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.
Peripheral nervous system may play a role in autism
20 October, 2020A new exploratory study suggests that the peripheral nervous system — the nerves that control our sense of touch, pain and other sensations — may play a role in autism.
Treating coughs by targeting the brain
19 October, 2020It may be possible to treat a troublesome chronic cough without disrupting the protective cough we need for optimal lung health by targeting the different brain circuits involved.
Flexible targets result in more finely tuned antibodies
16 October, 2020Researchers have uncovered a key strategy the immune system uses to generate effective antibodies, which could inform vaccine design for some challenging viruses.
Blocking inflammation in motor neurone disease
15 October, 2020By blocking an immune sensor called STING, researchers could dramatically prevent inflammation in MND patient cells, paving the way for a new class of drugs.
SARS-Cov-2 mutations should not affect vaccine viability
14 October, 2020 by Lauren DavisJohnson & Johnson says it has temporarily paused all its COVID-19 vaccine trials, and CSIRO denies that changes in the virus would affect the efficacy of vaccine candidates.
Humans are still evolving, forearm artery research reveals
13 October, 2020Researchers have revealed a significant increase in the prevalence of the median artery in humans since the late 19th century, suggesting that our species is still evolving.
How is obesity linked to the brain?
09 October, 2020A growing body of evidence suggests that obesity is a disease whose roots are in the brain.
Gene discovery progresses the fight against sepsis
08 October, 2020Scientists have identified and characterised the gene responsible for immune cell death and inflammation during sepsis — a disease that kills 11 million people per year.
Donor-conceived offspring at risk of immunological diseases
01 October, 2020Adults conceived through sperm donation report higher frequencies of allergies, type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune conditions.
Babies' brain activity used to predict autism diagnosis
24 September, 2020Signature brain activity in three-month-old infants has been used to predict symptoms of autism spectrum disorder that wouldn't be visible until later in life.
'Breastfeeding' hormone present in new dads
10 September, 2020New fathers are flooded with prolactin — the same chemical found in breastfeeding mothers — which unlocks the paternal instinct and helps to make them better dads.
Poor sleep raises blood pressure, alters gut microbiome
07 September, 2020US researchers aimed to determine whether a 28-day period of disrupted sleep changed the gut microbiota in rats.
Preclinical results and a call for volunteers: UQ COVID study
02 September, 2020The COVID-19 vaccine trial, which has produced positive indications about its potential effectiveness and manufacturability, is being expanded to an older demographic.
