Articles
X-rays reveal reptilian nature of ancient mammals
X-ray analysis of 200 million-year-old teeth belonging to some of Earth's earliest mammals suggests they functioned more like reptiles. [ + ]
Flexible targets result in more finely tuned antibodies
Researchers have uncovered a key strategy the immune system uses to generate effective antibodies, which could inform vaccine design for some challenging viruses. [ + ]
Black hole spotted devouring a star
A rare blast of light, emitted by a star as it was sucked in by a supermassive black hole, has been spotted by scientists using telescopes from around the world. [ + ]
SARS-Cov-2 mutations should not affect vaccine viability
Johnson & Johnson says it has temporarily paused all its COVID-19 vaccine trials, and CSIRO denies that changes in the virus would affect the efficacy of vaccine candidates. [ + ]
3D imaging of large RNA molecules is now possible
Scientists from the University of Maryland have developed a method to determine the structures of large RNA molecules at high resolution. [ + ]
How is obesity linked to the brain?
A growing body of evidence suggests that obesity is a disease whose roots are in the brain. [ + ]
When and how to specify an ultralow-temperature freezer
Ultralow-temperature freezers are not inexpensive, but the investment is important when the job is to protect contents of high value for long periods of time. [ + ]
R&D critical to economic recovery in 2020–21 Budget
Five months later than originally scheduled, and in the midst of a global pandemic, Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg finally delivered the 2020–21 Budget. [ + ]
Single daily pill for Parkinson's disease developed
Scientists have developed a pill which uses the stomach as a drug reservoir and delivers medicines slowly over time to patients with Parkinson's disease. [ + ]
Fast data acquisition with a high-speed spectrometer
US researchers have reported what is claimed to be the first dual-comb spectrometer with a pulse repetition rate of 10 GHz. [ + ]
How does diet influence stroke risk?
Different types of food are linked to risks of different types of stroke, according to a study published in the European Heart Journal. [ + ]
The missing link behind severe cases of COVID-19?
More than 10% of healthy people who develop severe COVID-19 have misguided antibodies that attack the patient's own immune system. [ + ]
Diabetes drug benefits cognition, pregnancy outcomes
Metformin could be particularly beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes who are older or looking to become pregnant, as discovered by two separate studies. [ + ]
'Blueprint' to stabilise the Earth's climate released
Scientists have produced what they claim is the first comprehensive global-scale analysis of terrestrial areas essential for biodiversity and climate resilience. [ + ]
Aus Govt joins COVAX, funds more local COVID-19 vaccines
The Australian Government has joined the COVAX facility, enabling the purchase of COVID-19 vaccine doses as they become available. [ + ]
