Articles
Simple blood test could end invasive biopsies
A newly developed blood test has the potential to diagnose a wide array of diseases including cancers, liver diseases, immune disorders and more. [ + ]
AstraZeneca vaccine arrives in Aus, Pfizer prevents infection
The first doses of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine have arrived in Sydney, and new data suggests that Pfizer's vaccine can reduce asymptomatic infections. [ + ]
Second-gen lung-on-chip developed
Scientists have created a second-generation lung-on-chip model with life-size dimension alveoli in a stretchable membrane, made of purely biological material. [ + ]
Nanoparticles boost the immune system to fight cancer
A new nanoparticle-based drug can boost the body's innate immune system and make it more effective at fighting off tumours, according to researchers. [ + ]
Perseverance rover lands safely on Mars
NASA's Perseverance rover — the largest, most advanced rover the agency has ever sent to another world — touched down on Mars after a 203-day journey. [ + ]
Scanning force microscopy turned on its head
European researchers have developed a new approach that inverts the standard paradigm of scanning force microscopy, raising the prospect of force sensing at the fundamental limit. [ + ]
TGA approves AstraZeneca vaccine, Pfizer doses arrive in Aus
The TGA has granted provisional approval to AstraZeneca for its COVID-19 vaccine, one day after >142,000 doses of Pfizer's vaccine arrived at Sydney Airport. [ + ]
A rift in the retina helps transplanted cells better integrate
Researchers have found that removing a membrane that lines the back of the eye may improve the success rate for regrowing nerve cells damaged by blinding diseases. [ + ]
Researchers fast-track antibody development
Researchers have developed a method that fast-tracks the passage of biopharmaceuticals from the lab to clinical trials — from as long as two years to just six months. [ + ]
Concern about increased malaria mutation, transmission
Researchers point to recent mutations against an antimalarial drug and how the mosquito's natural blood feeding behaviour shortens the parasite's incubation time. [ + ]
10m more COVID-19 vaccines for Aus; Russia's efficacy results
The Australian Government acquires another 10 million doses of Pfizer and BioNTech's vaccine and Russia announces promising phase 3 trial results. [ + ]
The antibiotic potential of CBD
Researchers have shown that synthetic cannabidiol — better known as CBD — can kill the bacteria responsible for gonorrhoea, meningitis and Legionnaires' disease. [ + ]
COVID-19: six challenges to large-scale testing
The global COVID-19 pandemic is posing unprecedented challenges for laboratories as they race to meet the demand for accurate, large-scale testing in a short amount of time. [ + ]
Novavax COVID-19 vaccine demonstrates 89.3% efficacy
NVX-CoV2373, a protein-based COVID-19 vaccine candidate, has demonstrated efficacy of 89.3% in a Phase 3 clinical trial conducted in the UK. [ + ]
Tiny optical device brings atoms to a standstill
US scientists have miniaturised the optical components required to cool atoms down to a few thousandths of a degree Celsius above absolute zero. [ + ]
