Industry News
Genetic evidence shows that smoking causes us to age faster
A study of nearly 500,000 people has shown that smoking shortens the end fragments of chromosomes in the white blood cells of our immune systems. [ + ]
Brain protein deficiency promotes compulsive behaviour
The absence of two proteins in mice, Intersectin1 and Intersectin2, leads to disrupted neural signalling and compulsive repetitive behaviour. [ + ]
Draft National Science and Research Priorities released
The federal government would like to hear how well the draft priorities reflect the key challenges and opportunities for Australia. [ + ]
Unreliable allergy tests spark call for standardisation
Scientists are calling for the standardisation of allergy tests, after laboratory trials published in the journal Allergy showed that commercially available tests are not uniformly reliable. [ + ]
DNA-based drug to prevent blood clots
Researchers have proposed a side effect-free anticoagulating treatment that has so far proved effective in test mice and could be ready for human trials in just a few years. [ + ]
Medication for heart conditions improves melanoma treatment
Administration of ranolazine, a drug currently used to treat heart conditions, improves the efficacy of current therapies for melanoma in mouse models of the disease. [ + ]
MRI scans found to improve prostate cancer diagnosis
Using MRI as a screening test alongside prostate specific antigen (PSA) density allows detection of cancers that would have been missed by the blood test alone. [ + ]
Blood cancer drug attacks dormant HIV cells
An existing blood cancer drug has shown promise in killing 'silent' HIV cells and delaying reinfection, which could lead to a future cure for the disease. [ + ]
Inflammation slows malaria parasite growth in the body
Inflammation in the body can slow down the development of malaria parasites in the bloodstream, which may prevent or limit severe disease. [ + ]
WA developing a 10-Year Science and Technology Plan
The plan aims to establish Western Australia as a global hub for leading and inclusive science and tech research, development, commercialisation and deployment. [ + ]
Why do tans appear only after we've left the beach?
The mechanism that repairs our skin cells' DNA takes precedence over all other systems in the cell, temporarily inhibiting the pigmentation mechanism. [ + ]
Plant-based drinking straws found to contain PFAS
Belgian researchers tested 39 brands of straws for poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and found they were most common in straws made from paper and bamboo. [ + ]
Breastfeeding boosts cardio health in mums
Breastfeeding for six months or more appears to reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems developing in mothers for at least three years after delivery. [ + ]
Quantum computer slows chemical process by factor of 100bn
Scientists used a quantum computer to directly observe a process critical in chemical reactions by slowing it down by a factor of 100 billion times, in what is said to be a world first. [ + ]
Cancer drug prevents EMT, metastasis and more
Blocking epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tumours reduces their ability to give rise to metastases and sensitises the tumour cells to chemotherapy. [ + ]
