By altering the gut microbiome, long-term antibiotic treatment reduces inflammation and slows the growth of amyloid plaques in the brains of male mice. [ + ]

A multi-institutional, multimillion-dollar project to understand how antimicrobial-resistant bacteria spread, and to develop new ways to combat it, has won a $1 million grant. [ + ]

The discovery may pinpoint where cardiovascular issues such as high blood pressure and heart failure are controlled in the brain. [ + ]

Whole-body MRI could reduce the time it takes to diagnose the stage of colorectal and non-small cell lung cancer in new patients, according to two prospective trials with nearly 500 patients. [ + ]

Scientific equipment supplier AXT has announced the formation of a new relationship with US-based Direct Electron — a producer of next-generation detection cameras for transmission electron microscopes (TEM). [ + ]

Scientists have officially changed the definition of the kilogram to be based on the Planck constant — a fundamental constant of nature that is inherently stable. [ + ]

Researchers have shown the de facto key role played by the protein galectin-3 in Alzheimer's disease, demonstrating a reduction in plaque and inflammatory load after the protein was blocked in mice. [ + ]

Researchers have tailored the structure of graphene-oxide layers to mimic the hourglass shape of biological channels, creating ultrathin membranes to rapidly separate chemical mixtures. [ + ]

Using MRI, scientists have captured 3D images that show how infants' brains and skulls change shape as they move through the birth canal just before delivery. [ + ]

Monash University has granted an exclusive licence of its portfolio of proprietary synthetic polymyxin antibiotics to Qpex Biopharma. [ + ]

Pluto's atmosphere is predicted to ultimately collapse and freeze over, according to almost three decades' worth of research from an international team of scientists. [ + ]

A 'triple combination' of vitamin C and two standard antibiotics — doxycycline and azithromycin — was sufficient to reduce stem cell growth by more than 90% in laboratory tests. [ + ]

Researchers have developed technology that can produce large quantities of stem cells in a short time, using only a small blood sample. [ + ]

Cancer research has received a big boost in funding, thanks to a $5.1m partnership between CSIRO and GenesisCare and an $800,000 grant from the Leukaemia Foundation to Cancer Australia. [ + ]

Researchers have discovered how a hospital superbug evades the immune system to cause infection — a breakthrough that could pave the way for new treatments. [ + ]