Brain 'rewires' to heighten senses in the blind
24 March, 2017US scientists have found that the brains of those who are born blind make new connections in the absence of visual information, resulting in enhanced, compensatory abilities elsewhere.
The human skull evolved as our ancestors learned to walk
22 March, 2017Researchers have confirmed that the evolution of bipedalism in fossil humans can be detected using a key feature of the skull — a claim that had previously been contested.
Incomplete memory formation behind PTSD and panic attacks
16 March, 2017 by Adam FloranceFear memories in animals that trigger the 'fight or flight' response can be formed so quickly that the hippocampus does not have time to fully engage.
Immune cells predict bowel cancer outcomes
16 March, 2017People with colorectal cancer that have a certain type of immune cell in their tumour may have increased survival rates.
No, humans aren't affected by pheromones
09 March, 2017 by Adam FloranceForget what the cosmetics industry tells you — the role of pheromones in human sexual attraction is inconclusive and largely speculative.
Fighting superbugs with dragon blood
28 February, 2017US scientists have found that Komodo dragon blood plasma contains a host of potentially viable antimicrobial peptides that could help lead to new therapeutics.
Stem cells linked to triple negative breast cancer
16 February, 2017 by Adam FloranceResearchers have identified the cells responsible for a particularly recurrent form of cancer, giving hope that better treatments can be developed for so-called 'triple negative' breast cancers.
CSIRO launches synthetic biology fellowships
10 February, 2017Applications are now open for CSIRO's Synthetic Biology Future Science Fellowships — a $3 million program to recruit outstanding national and international early-career scientists to expand Australia's research capacity in synthetic biology.
Blood biomarker for MS discovered
06 February, 2017Researchers have discovered the first ever blood biomarker for multiple sclerosis (MS), a debilitating disorder of the central nervous system that is caused by the immune system attacking the body.
Safer production of polio vaccines
31 January, 2017British researchers have found a way to produce a stable fragment of poliovirus, which could enable safer production of vaccines.
The growth factor that may slow Parkinson's disease
30 January, 2017Australian researchers have found that a naturally occurring molecule in the brain may hold the key to stopping the progression of Parkinson's disease.
How ants get their bearings
27 January, 2017Their brains may be smaller than the head of a pin, but ants are excellent navigators that use celestial and terrestrial cues to memorise their paths.
Meet Leonie, the sexually fluid shark
19 January, 2017 by Lauren DavisA zebra shark named Leonie has just made history, becoming the first shark ever recorded to change from sexual to asexual reproduction.
Bee sting vaccine and other allergy remedies on the way
18 January, 2017Utilising a special adjuvant, Australian researchers have developed a vaccine for European honeybee stings that has been deemed highly effective in laboratory tests.
Matching evolutionary adaptation to selection pressures
17 January, 2017 by Jack Brooks, PhD student, University of New South WalesAt 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.
