The genes that drive soft drink consumption and weight gain
17 January, 2013In a letter to the Editor of the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), published online today, endocrinologists from Sydney’s Garvan Institute of Medical Research applauded a study in the 11 October issue showing a direct correlation between consumption of sugary soft drinks, obesity and genetic predisposition to weight gain.
Images of insulin in action could lead to better diabetes treatments
10 January, 2013An Australian-led research team has obtained the world’s first 3D pictures of insulin in the process of binding to cell surfaces so that the cells can take up sugar from the blood. The images solve the 20-year mystery of how insulin binds to the insulin receptor and will enable the development of improved forms of insulin for treating type 1 and 2 diabetes.
Immune system kill switch could be target for chemotherapy and infection recovery
10 December, 2012Researchers have discovered an immune system ‘kill switch’ that destroys blood stem cells when the body is under severe stress, such as that induced by chemotherapy and systemic infections.
Research reveals twist in the fight against malaria
10 December, 2012New research published in the prestigious journal Science has challenged previous notions about how the body fights against malaria infection. Scientists have discovered that platelets, normally known for their role in preventing bleeding, can actually target and kill the parasite that causes malaria as it grows inside red blood cells.
Faster, safer method for producing stem cells
06 December, 2012A new method for generating stem cells from mature cells promises to boost stem cell production in the laboratory, helping to remove a barrier to regenerative medicine therapies that would replace damaged or unhealthy body tissues.
Placebos provide pain relief … for some people
06 December, 2012Why is it that the placebo effect - the idea that taking fake medicine can make someone feel better - seems to work for some people but not others? According to researchers at the University of Michigan (U-M), it all comes down to the personality of the person taking it.
Curtin investigates new treatments for diabetes
05 December, 2012A group of Curtin University researchers has been awarded a Diabetes Australia Research Trust Grant for research to improve diabetes treatment, potentially eliminating the need for insulin injection.
Zooming down the tree of life, digitally
12 November, 2012Exploring the evolutionary tree of life is now as easy as navigating an online map, thanks to a new interactive website which does away with giant pieces of paper and confusion.
Gene find turns soldier beetle defence into biotech opportunity
08 November, 2012New antibiotic and anticancer chemicals may one day be synthesised using biotechnology, following CSIRO’s discovery of the three genes that combine to provide soldier beetles with their potent predator defence system.
Sea snails could have medicinal purposes
05 November, 2012A workshop for the development of natural medicines from the Muricidae family of sea snail will be conducted at Southern Cross University (SCU) this week.
Want an honest man? Give him a testosterone boost!
02 November, 2012 by Lauren DavisResearchers at the University of Bonn have investigated a link between testosterone and self-serving lying. Surprisingly, the study revealed that a subject’s level of testosterone seems to be linked to his level of honesty.
EMD Millipore and Sistemic collaborate to identify control markers for stem cell production
02 November, 2012EMD Millipore and Sistemic are jointly developing a monitoring methodology utilising Sistemic’s microRNA marker detection capability to enable consistent growth of stem cells in EMD Millipore’s Mobius CellReady platform.
Reducing the immunity of cancer cells
29 October, 2012Recently published research by a team based at La Trobe University Bendigo shows partial success in bringing the fight against cancer one small step closer to success.
Size does matter - well it does for beetles
26 October, 2012Microscale laser surgery on male beetles’ genitalia has been used to establish that for beetles size actually does matter.
Birth of calf expected after ‘handmade cloning’
26 October, 2012Professor Gábor Vajta has been working on a handmade cloning technique in collaboration with Australian Reproductive Technologies.
