Pairing blood test and gene sequencing to detect cancer
30 November, 2012Scientists at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have combined the ability to detect cancer DNA in the blood with genome sequencing technology in a test that could be used to screen for cancers, monitor cancer patients for recurrence and find residual cancer left after surgery.
Four is the ‘magic’ number
29 November, 2012According to psychological lore, when it comes to items of information the mind can cope with before confusion sets in, the ‘magic’ number is seven. But a new analysis by a leading Australian psychiatrist challenges this long-held view, suggesting the number might actually be four.
New method for diagnosing malaria
28 November, 2012Danish researchers have developed a new and sensitive method that makes it possible to diagnose malaria from a single drop of blood or saliva.
Ions are cooled during collisions with cold atoms
28 November, 2012Scientists have demonstrated in an experiment that captured ions can be cooled through contact with cold atoms and may thus be stored in so-called ion traps in a stable condition for longer periods of time.
Demonstration of simple, robust fission reactor prototype
28 November, 2012A team of researchers, including engineers from Los Alamos National Laboratory, has demonstrated a new concept for a reliable nuclear reactor that could be used on space flights.
Best early-detection formula for breast cancer identified
27 November, 2012La Trobe University researchers have identified the formula that works best in early detection of breast cancer.
Cut-and-paste zeolites: new, faster method for developing custom microporous materials
26 November, 2012Researchers at KU Leuven, Ghent University and the University of Antwerp have discovered a way to make new zeolites quickly. They have experimentally demonstrated that it is possible to cut zeolite building blocks and rearrange them into a new structure.
Flower power to purge poison and produce platinum
22 November, 2012A consortium of researchers is to embark on a £3 million research program which will use a common class of flower to restore poisoned soils while at the same time producing perfectly sized and shaped nanosized platinum and arsenic nanoparticles for use in catalytic convertors, cancer treatments and a range of other applications.
Waters selects MTM Research Center at Örebro University for Center of Innovation Honors
21 November, 2012At a ceremony at the School of Science and Technology at Örebro University, Sweden, Waters has announced the selection of the MTM Research Center for its Centers of Innovation Program for research in the field of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) now regulated under provisions of the Stockholm Convention.
Nanomedicine breakthrough improves chemotherapy for childhood cancer
20 November, 2012In a world first, researchers from The University of New South Wales’ (UNSW) Australian Centre for NanoMedicine (ACN) have developed a nanoparticle that improves the effectiveness of chemotherapy for neuroblastoma by a factor of five.
Possible link between immune system and Alzheimer’s
16 November, 2012An international research team, including scientists from the University of Toronto’s (U of T) Faculty of Medicine, has discovered a link between a mutation in an immune system gene and Alzheimer’s disease.
New Australian telescope set to find 700,000 galaxies
12 November, 2012Australia’s newest radio telescope is predicted to find an unprecedented 700,000 new galaxies, say scientists planning for CSIRO’s next-generation Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP).
Zooming down the tree of life, digitally
12 November, 2012Exploring the evolutionary tree of life is now as easy as navigating an online map, thanks to a new interactive website which does away with giant pieces of paper and confusion.
Stealing nature’s photosynthetic secrets
12 November, 2012The prospect of creating clean, renewable hydrogen fuel is closer than ever after a breakthrough in our understanding of photosynthesis.
New drug target found for cystic fibrosis lung disease
09 November, 2012Vancouver researchers have discovered the cellular pathway that causes lung-damaging inflammation in cystic fibrosis (CF), and that reducing the pathway’s activity also decreases inflammation. The finding offers a potential new drug target for treating CF lung disease.