Build your own solar cells
18 May, 2012 by David L ChandlerPhotovoltaic panels made from plant material could become a cheap, easy alternative to traditional solar cells, according to MIT researcher Andreas Mershin.
Early biomarker for pancreatic cancer identified
17 May, 2012Following the discovery by Mayo Clinic scientists of biomarkers for prostate cancer, researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Moores Cancer Center have identified a new biomarker and therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer, an often-fatal disease for which there is currently no reliable method for early detection or therapeutic intervention.
Researchers find new atomic structures in metallic glasses
17 May, 2012Drawing on powerful computational tools and a state-of-the-art scanning transmission electron microscope, a team of University of Wisconsin-Madison and Iowa State University materials science and engineering researchers has discovered a new nanometre-scale atomic structure in solid metallic materials known as metallic glasses.
Killing two birds with one stone: one fusion protein takes out multiple autoimmune targets
17 May, 2012 by Dina Rufo, GlobalDataRecently, Compugen, an Israel-based biopharmaceutical company with over 17 years of research experience, released animal model data from the company’s proprietary Protein Family Members Discovery Platform. This in-house, in silico bioinformatics system provides a predictive view of protein characteristics leading to gene and protein discovery.
Designer medicines beat the ‘food factor’
16 May, 2012Researchers at the University of South Australia’s Ian Wark Research Institute and Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Science at Monash University have cracked a way to use innovative nanotechnologies to ensure disease-controlling drugs are absorbed in the body much more efficiently.
Biomarkers found for prostate cancer detection, recurrence
16 May, 2012Alterations to the ‘on-off’ switches of genes occur early in the development of prostate cancer and could be used as biomarkers to detect the disease months or even years earlier than current approaches, a Mayo Clinic study has found.
Bioluminescent technology for easy tracking of GM crops
15 May, 2012Research published in BioMed Central’s open access journal BMC Biotechnology shows that products from genetically modified crops can be identified at low concentration, using bioluminescent real time reporter (BART) technology and loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP).
Bee research breakthrough might lead to artificial vision
14 May, 2012An international research breakthrough with bees means machines might soon be able to see almost as well as humans.
Scientists develop better technique for creating self-cleaning fabrics
14 May, 2012A new coating technique that can make fabrics ‘self-cleaning’ has been developed by Deakin University scientists. The technique creates a fabric coating that repels water, dirt, grease and other materials.
Italian researchers make a major discovery into a common form of muscular dystrophy
11 May, 2012A new study, published in the international scientific journal Cell, has identified that a novel defect in gene regulation, never before seen in a human disease, is the cause of one of the most common forms of muscular dystrophy: Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD).
New vaccine shows promise to protect against common cause of meningitis
11 May, 2012Researchers are an important step closer to finding a vaccine that protects against a wide range of strains of meningococcal B - the most common cause of meningococcal disease in Western Australia.
Crop root study to boost Australian grain production
09 May, 2012Researchers at The University of Western Australia (UWA) say the ‘next frontier’ of agricultural science is understanding the root system and function of crop plants to significantly increase Australian grain production, keep farms viable and help continue to feed the world despite the onset of increasing drought and climate change.
Interacting light with matter - new tools for early cancer detection
03 May, 2012A research team at the University of Adelaide, led by Professor Tanya Monro, is working to create a whole range of new high-tech tools that use light for measuring, including new devices for early detection of cancer and smart bungs that monitor wine quality.
Australian scientist using light to detect explosives
02 May, 2012An Australian discovery has led to a portable new way to detect explosives using light-emitting molecules, offering an important tool to combat terrorism and remove land mines in war-torn countries.
Marine research vessel sailing into new waters
01 May, 2012 by Lauren DavisFor 40 years, the Southern Surveyor - the research vessel of the Marine National Facility - has conducted scientific voyages covering everything from underwater volcanoes to a carbon chemistry map of the Great Barrier Reef. But soon, it will be replaced with a new vessel, one in which the Australian Government has invested $120 million - the RV Investigator.
