Articles
Non-therapeutic use of antibiotics adding to antibiotic resistance loads
The evidence that non-therapeutic use of antibiotics is contributing to antibiotic resistance in the broader community is growing and researchers are now arguing for stricter regulation of the practice in the interest of public health.
[ + ]Biological and behavioural characterisation of rats genetically engineered to model autism
The biological and behavioural characterisation of the first rats genetically engineered to model autism have been released by Sigma Advanced Genetic Engineering (SAGE) Labs, an initiative of Sigma Life Science, in partnership with Autism Speaks. The novel rat models of autism mimic specific symptoms and pathologies of autism to provide an unprecedented opportunity to investigate the underlying biology and therapeutic targets for autism spectrum disorders. [ + ]
Slideshow: Research Australia Awards
On Wednesday 16 November Research Australia handed out its annual awards recognising some of Australia’s most prominent voices in science, advocacy and philanthropy. [ + ]
World’s largest artificial protein synthesised
Ten days of continuous processing by 400 of Vanderbilt’s supercomputer processors were needed to ascertain the most stable configuration of the largest human-built protein. The designed protein, containing 242 amino acids, has been synthesised and inserted into E. coli.
[ + ]Publish or Perish: August-September 2011
This is a selection of the top papers published in leading journals by Australian life science researchers thorough August and September 2011. [ + ]
Gone Viral: The germs that share our lives
In Gone Viral, Frank Bowden looks at one bug at a time, weaving around them the stories of his patients and their families, the doctors and the difficulties they face and the horrors and successes of hospitals and health care programs. [ + ]
Scientific breakthroughs are becoming less of a young man’s game
A century ago, major scientific breakthroughs in medicine, chemistry and physics were dominated by scientists under 40, many were under 30, and their work was often theoretical rather than experimental. Now, the experimental work of older scientists is more likely to be recognised. [ + ]
Laboratory Managers and Laboratory Design Conferences 2011
All people working in laboratory, scientific, technical and facilities management in all areas, including life science, analytical testing, education, research, pathology, food, construction, mining, pharmaceutical and quality control, must attend to update to the latest thinking in laboratory management, network with other laboratory, facility, research, scientific and technical managers and discover new productivity tools at the trade exhibition.
[ + ]The deadly E. coli outbreak
The mention of E. coli O157:H7 sends a chill through the spine of every food processor. This deadly pathogen has been implicated in disease outbreaks all over the world and only a small load can cause illness. But in the latest outbreak in Germany and France, a new serotype is proving even more deadly.
[ + ]High-tech imaging of dinosaur tracks
The discovery of a large field of dinosaur tracks in Arkansas has researchers busy using cutting-edge technology and traditional techniques to learn all that they can about the animals and environment that existed there 120 million years ago.
[ + ]Feature: Probing pathogenic proteins
Recent Ramaciotti Medal for Excellence in Biomedical Research recipient, Professor Michael Parker, is uncovering the structure of key pathogenic proteins employed by a range of nasties with a vision to develop new drugs. [ + ]
Optimal algorithm for determining focus error
Researchers have discovered how to extract and use information in an individual image to determine how far objects are from the focus distance.
[ + ]Significant does not equal important
Declaring a result ‘significant’ strongly suggests certainty, and that the result is large and important, but this is not what statistical significance implies. This is why statistical reformers are advocating a switch from significance testing to estimation. [ + ]
How to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers
Across Australia and New Zealand and much of the world there is a growing shortage of science, engineering, technology and mathematics graduates. How to inspire students to pursue these subjects in their post-secondary education is challenging educators globally. Microsoft commissioned two surveys with Harris Interactive to try to gain insight about what can better prepare and inspire students to pursue post-secondary education in STEM subjects. [ + ]
Researchers reconstruct genome of the 'Black Death'
An international research team based in Germany has sequenced the entire genome of the 'Black Death'.
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