Industry News
Disappointing results for WHO's COVID-19 therapeutics trial
Interim results indicate that the four treatments tested appear to have little or no effect on 28-day mortality or the in-hospital course of COVID-19 among hospitalised patients. [ + ]
Peripheral nervous system may play a role in autism
A new exploratory study suggests that the peripheral nervous system — the nerves that control our sense of touch, pain and other sensations — may play a role in autism. [ + ]
CSL announces Centenary Fellowships, COVID-19 trial update
Two Australian scientists have been awarded CSL Centenary Fellowships, and patients are now being enrolled in the COVID-19 clinical held by the CoVIg-19 Plasma Alliance. [ + ]
Treating coughs by targeting the brain
It may be possible to treat a troublesome chronic cough without disrupting the protective cough we need for optimal lung health by targeting the different brain circuits involved. [ + ]
Virtual triage tech identifies skin cancer in high-risk patients
A new virtual triage service, designed by MoleMap, has identified skin cancer in 12% of high-risk patients examined. [ + ]
Blocking inflammation in motor neurone disease
By blocking an immune sensor called STING, researchers could dramatically prevent inflammation in MND patient cells, paving the way for a new class of drugs. [ + ]
Distribution agreement should reduce kidney injury in A/NZ
Regional Health Care Group (RHCG) will distribute Osprey Medical's DyeVert contrast minimisation devices across Australia and New Zealand for the first time. [ + ]
SARS-Cov-2 can survive up to 28 days on surfaces
SARS-CoV-2 can survive for up to 28 days on common surfaces including banknotes, glass — such as that found on mobile phone screens — and stainless steel. [ + ]
Humans are still evolving, forearm artery research reveals
Researchers have revealed a significant increase in the prevalence of the median artery in humans since the late 19th century, suggesting that our species is still evolving. [ + ]
Biobank for chromosome 15 disorders coming to Melbourne
Australia will soon have a purpose-built biobank of different biological samples from people with genetic diseases caused by changes to genes on chromosome 15. [ + ]
2020 Nobel Prize winners announced
The 2020 Nobel Prizes recognise the discoveries of hepatits C, black holes and CRISPR/Cas9 genetic scissors. [ + ]
App enables SARS-Cov-2 genomic analysis on your smartphone
A new mobile app has made it possible to analyse the genome of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on a smartphone in less than half an hour. [ + ]
Gene discovery progresses the fight against sepsis
Scientists have identified and characterised the gene responsible for immune cell death and inflammation during sepsis — a disease that kills 11 million people per year. [ + ]
Illumina to acquire cancer detection company GRAIL
Illumina has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire GRAIL — a healthcare company whose mission is focused on multi-cancer early detection. [ + ]
Hidden DNA fragment "essential" for male development
Researchers have found that the Y-chromosome gene that makes mice male is made up of two different DNA parts — not one, as had been previously assumed. [ + ]