Researchers develop a 3D hierarchically porous nanostructured catalyst with a carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide conversion rate up to 3.96 times higher than that of conventional nanoporous gold catalysts. [ + ]

Researchers have discovered distinct layers of astrocytes across the cerebral cortex that provide the strongest evidence to date of their specialisation across the brain. [ + ]

Maternal obesity increases the risk for obesity and metabolic perturbations in their offspring, but what are the mechanisms? [ + ]

Research Excellence Awards are awarded each year to top-ranked researchers and teams following peer review of applications to the NHMRC's highly competitive grant schemes. [ + ]

New checkpoint inhibitor treatments for cancer can activate tuberculosis in some patients — an infection that used to kill one in three people in the UK. [ + ]

A star that pulsates on just one side has been discovered in the Milky Way — and while such stars have been predicted in theory, this is the first of its kind to be recorded. [ + ]

A case report has detailed the second claimed incidence of a patient cured of HIV, with no active viral infection detected 30 months after stopping antiretroviral therapy. [ + ]

A new infection test, made up of sheets of paper patterned by lasers, will enable diagnosis at the point of care — helping doctors give patients the right treatment, and quickly. [ + ]

Microglia regulate the permeability of the brain's protective barrier in response to systemic inflammation — but the process can sometimes go wrong. [ + ]

Thermo Fisher Scientific has proposed to acquire QIAGEN and appointed Paul G Parker as Senior Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development. [ + ]

The STEM Ambassador Program encourages the involvement of science in Australian politics and aims to put science and evidence-based policy on the national agenda. [ + ]

Metrohm Australia has announced that, as of 1 March 2020, it is the exclusive distributor for ELGA LabWater in Australia for the PURELAB and CENTRA ranges. [ + ]

Ever since the 1930s, debate has raged inside chemistry circles concerning the fundamental structure of the organic chemical compound benzene. [ + ]

A clinical trial of the drug, known as VYONDYS 53 (golodirsen), established that it was well tolerated and acted to restore dystrophin protein. [ + ]

Life Sciences Queensland (LSQ) has formed a partnership with India's Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE). [ + ]