Microplastics in the body are passed on during cell division
19 March, 2024A study of cancer cells in the gastrointestinal tract has found that micro- and nanoplastic particles remain in the cell for much longer than previously assumed.
Lockdowns affected gut microbiome, allergies in newborns
15 March, 2024Lockdowns imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic had a surprisingly beneficial impact on the gut microbiome development of babies born during these periods.
Zika virus vaccine used to battle brain cancer
14 March, 2024Scientists at Duke-NUS Medical School have found a way to use the Zika virus to destroy brain cancer cells and inhibit tumour growth, while sparing healthy cells.
Researchers find the mutation that makes E. coli so dangerous
13 March, 2024The mutation effectively gives affected bacteria the green light to spread further into the body and infect more organs.
WA infants to be offered immunisation against RSV
08 March, 2024The TGA has registered the RSV antibody Beyfortus (nirsevimab) for the prevention of RSV-related lower respiratory tract disease in all infants entering their first RSV season.
Protein discovery provides a target to treat IBD
08 March, 2024The protein BECLIN1 appears to be integral to gut health, providing an important lead in the search for a treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Ultrasound found to boost motility of 'lazy' sperm
04 March, 2024Exposing 'lazy' human sperm to 20 seconds of ultrasound at 800 mW and 40 MHz increased measures of sperm motility (their swimming ability) by up to 266%.
Protein mutation linked to abnormal brain development
04 March, 2024A protein called Trabid helps control neuronal development, and mutations to this protein can lead to a condition where a baby's brain is smaller than expected.
Stem cell breakthrough: repairing heart attack damage
23 February, 2024Researchers have solved a complication that could occur following an experimental procedure to repair damaged heart muscle.
Bullied teens are at risk of psychosis
21 February, 2024Bullied teenagers are at greater risk of the early stages of psychotic episodes and experience lower levels of a key neurotransmitter in a part of the brain involved in regulating emotions.
Stress influences the brain via the immune system
16 February, 2024Stress increases the migration of white blood cells called monocytes into the vascular system of the brain, particularly into the reward centre regions.
Love scrambles the brain — and scientists can tell us why
14 February, 2024The way that our loved ones take on special importance is due to oxytocin combining with dopamine, a chemical that our brain releases during romantic love.
How aging alters brain cells' ability to maintain memory
09 February, 2024While it is well established that memory can worsen as people age, it has not been clear what changes occur at the individual brain neuron level to cause this.
'Mini placentas' help us better understand pregnancy disorders
07 February, 2024Scientists grew 'mini placentas' in the lab and used them to shed light on how the placenta develops and interacts with the inner lining of the womb.
Placenta cells may lower blood pressure, study finds
06 February, 2024While a drug can reduce high blood pressure, these cells could target inflammation in the arteries caused by hypertension.
