Articles
Astronauts will soon grow plants on the Moon
When humans take their first steps back on the Moon after 50 years during the Artemis III mission, astronauts will cultivate and return lunar-grown plants to Earth for the first time. [ + ]
Breakthrough antibiotic for mycobacterial infections
The antibiotic candidate, named COE-PNH2, has been optimised to target Mycobacterium abscessus (Mab) — one of the most prevalent mycobacteria species. [ + ]
Coin-sized device can isolate plasma, replacing centrifuges
Named ExoArc, the coin-sized chip can achieve high blood plasma purity by removing more than 99.9% of blood cells and platelets precisely and gently in just one step. [ + ]
Maternal obesity may promote liver cancer in offspring
The offspring of obese female mice were found to have an 80% risk of developing cancer, compared with 20% for the control group. [ + ]
Clinical Trial Transformation: Recent Changes and Future Predictions
Accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen a shift in clinical trials, with changes to the way they are conducted, regulated and perceived. [ + ]
How plant leaves ensure optimal area for photosynthesis
The small RNA molecules in the cells of the growing leaf set in motion a genetic process that enables the cells to perceive and interpret their environment. [ + ]
Certain hormone drugs linked to increased brain tumour risk
Prolonged use of certain progestogen hormone drugs has been associated with an increased risk of developing a type of brain tumour known as an intracranial meningioma. [ + ]
Novel conductive material gets tougher when hit or stretched
Inspiration for the soft, flexible material came from a mixture commonly used in cooking — a corn starch slurry. [ + ]
Toxic metal particles found in cannabis vapes
Nano-sized toxic metal particles may be present in cannabis vaping liquids even before the vaping device is heated — and the effect is worse in unregulated products. [ + ]
A new pathway for reversible male birth control
Most experimental male birth control drugs use a hammer approach to block sperm production, but this one is much more subtle. [ + ]
CRISPR-Cas gene editing eliminates HIV in lab
Scientists deployed CRISPR-Cas molecular scissors and two gRNAs against 'conserved' HIV sequences, and achieved cure of HIV-infected T cells. [ + ]
What turned Earth into a giant snowball 700m years ago?
Australian geologists have used plate tectonic modelling to determine what most likely caused the Earth to experience an extreme ice-age climate more than 700 million years ago. [ + ]
Creating a genetic medicine manufacturing ecosystem: part 5
When it comes to the mission to democratise medicine, Australia has a material opportunity to affirm its destiny and be a global leader. [ + ]
Zika virus vaccine used to battle brain cancer
Scientists at Duke-NUS Medical School have found a way to use the Zika virus to destroy brain cancer cells and inhibit tumour growth, while sparing healthy cells. [ + ]
Controlling root growth could help crops, combat climate change
A highly conserved ethylene signalling pathway can be targeted to control the direction of root growth, creating deeper root systems that hold on to carbon. [ + ]