Articles
Are you genetically susceptible to lung disease?
A collaborative study has identified 43 new genes that may help those individuals most susceptible to deadly lung diseases such as asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, airway inflammation and airway narrowing. [ + ]
Reduce your risk of gasketed plate heat exchanger downtime
Knowing exactly when to replace gaskets is almost impossible, since the timing varies depending on the application. Without preventive maintenance, users risk unplanned downtime that can be costly. [ + ]
A temperature sensor for artificial skin
Researchers have developed a highly sensitive and flexible temperature sensor that could soon be integrated into artificial skin on prosthetic limbs or robotic arms. [ + ]
New hope for untreatable muscular dystrophy
The discovery of a gene that affects nose growth during embryonic development may hold the key to preventing a currently untreatable form of muscular dystrophy. [ + ]
Quantum object created in space
German researchers have successfully created a cloud of ultracold atoms in space — and begun testing a theory of Albert Einstein's in the process. [ + ]
Lean laboratories: the prerequisite to survive rising pressure to deliver?
Dr Gene Elliott explores how decades-old car manufacturing ideas could now help laboratories support better patient outcomes, lower costs and meet hugely rising demand. [ + ]
Bioprinted kidneys
A collaborative effort between the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, the Methuselah Foundation and Organovo has created a new hope for children suffering from kidney disease, with a pioneering use of 3D bioprinting technology. [ + ]
Making memories
Researchers have revealed the role of protein synthesis in encoding long-term memories — specifically, memories associated with fear of a specific environmental cue. [ + ]
Clutching at straws: the science of spill prevention
It doesn't take a genius to know that if you knock a glass of water on its side, the liquid will spill out. However, if you happened to be drinking your water through a thin straw, some of the liquid will be retained within this straw. [ + ]
Does industry funding sway opinion?
When it comes to laboratory research the degree of required disclosure is relatively transparent, but some local scientists have been looking at the way industry funding for patient advocacy groups is shaping opinion — and the results are insidious. [ + ]
Matching evolutionary adaptation to selection pressures
At first glance, many evolutionary adaptations appear to be unfavourable. However, a closer look at sickle cell disease and other adaptations reveals that in some cases they are advantageous and that this may be the reason the adaptations persist. [ + ]
Fish in space: a study in gravitational biology
Researchers from Tokyo Tech sent tiny Japanese rice fish to the International Space Station (ISS), where they were exposed to microgravity. [ + ]
Ebola vaccine proves highly effective
An experimental Ebola vaccine has proven highly protective against the deadly virus in a major trial conducted in Guinea. [ + ]
Three-person IVF: mitochondrial donation approved in UK
The United Kingdom has become the first country to officially authorise the clinical use of mitochondrial donation IVF to enable healthy babies to be born to women carrying deadly mitochondrial disease. [ + ]
How our genes affect stress response
South Australian researchers are leading an international effort to determine how our genetic make-up affects our responses to stressful situations and the likelihood that this will lead to major depressive disorder (MDD). [ + ]