Alzheimer’s disease breakthrough
17 November, 2008
Scientists working within CSIRO’s Preventative Health Flagship have discovered a rapid screening system to identify inhibitors of toxic multimer formation which is implicated in Alzheimer’s disease progression. It is hoped that this may lead to the discovery of new agents which may prove useful in preventing or delaying the onset of the disease.
Excellence in Biomedical Research Award for Prof Ian Frazer
14 November, 2008
The 2006 Australian of the Year, Professor Ian Frazer, has been awarded a further honour, the Ramaciotti Medal for Excellence in Biomedical Research.
Novel cell division mechanism discovered
04 November, 2008
A research group has identified a completely new cell division machinery which may shed some light on other processes in human cells and evolutionary lineages.
A new approach to tackling cancer cells
03 November, 2008
Every year worldwide, melanoma, a particularly lethal form of skin cancer, kills 48,000 people and 160,000 new cases are identified. Annually in Australia alone, melanoma kills around 1300 people, while about 10,000 new cases are diagnosed. Researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute are suggesting a combination therapy that may offer more success.
Biodiscovery in Victoria
28 October, 2008
A Victorian government policy will make it easier for researchers to access specimens of native flora and fauna in Victoria, while at the same time protect the biological resource from exploitation.
Intellectual property management
28 October, 2008
The 2008 Biotechnology Intellectual Property Manual, developed and funded by a partnership between the Brumby government, Ausbiotech and specialist intellectual property lawyers Spruson & Ferguson, contains information about the types of IP available, when to file a patent application and how to commercialise successfully, and will benefit researchers, SMEs and venture capitalists looking to invest in the area.
Ion track mystery cracked
24 October, 2008
A research team from The Australian National University (ANU) has found that the ion tracks left by heavy ions as they move across a solid are consistent with a frozen-in, nanoscale acoustic shock wave — a discovery that could revolutionise geological dating and nano-wire manufacturing.
Alzheimer's disease research attracts first partner
15 October, 2008
Pfitzer Australia, with the Australian Imaging, Biomarker and Lifestyle Flagship Study of Ageing, is going to investigate the causes of Alzheimer’s disease and aims to discover a method for early diagnosis.
Blood test for Down syndrome
08 October, 2008
A new maternal blood test may be able to predict chromosomal abnormalities at 12 weeks' gestation.
Virgin birth confirmed
03 October, 2008
Scientists have confirmed the second-ever case of a 'virgin birth' (scientifically known as parthenogenesis) in a shark, indicating once again that female sharks can reproduce without mating and raising the possibility that many female sharks have this incredible capacity.
Testing for adulteration
03 October, 2008
As adulterated milk continues to ravage the health of Chinese babies, the question of why the milk wasn't tested for melamine raises its head.
Storing nuclear waste
22 September, 2008
Researchers at the Queensland University of Technology claim to have found a safe way to store radioactive waste.
Mad cow in the family tree
16 September, 2008
Mad cow disease has traditionally been considered a foodborne disease but now researchers have established that it may sometimes be genetic. This means that it may appear in countries free from BSE.
Forensics and the Mary Rose
01 September, 2008
Forensic examination of the teeth of some of the sailors on the ill-fated Mary Rose shows they were not English.
X-ray vision and human sight
01 September, 2008
X-ray vision is just one of the advantages of having both eyes pointing in the same direction.
