International consortium delivers data on cell changes during disease development
02 March, 2012An international consortium comprising around 100 scientists and mathematicians, including Australian researchers, has for the first time pooled shared knowledge and data to deliver a holistic understanding of the biological changes in a cell. The findings of the Bacillus Systems Biology (BaSysBio) project, published in leading journal Science, will ultimately lead to the development of new drugs to protect people against antibiotic-resistant infections, including golden staph.
Mitochondrial dysfunction precedes memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease
02 March, 2012 by Brian KilenMitochondria - subunits inside cells that produce energy - have long been thought to play a role in Alzheimer’s disease. Now, Mayo Clinic researchers using genetic mouse models have discovered that mitochondria in the brain are dysfunctional early in the disease.
Allied announces Coridon to develop HPV therapeutic vaccine
29 February, 2012The board of Allied Healthcare Group has announced that its investment company Coridon has embarked on the development of a next-generation therapeutic Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. The program will be based on preliminary work by Coridon founder Professor Ian Frazer’s team and follows on from Professor Frazer’s work that resulted in two successful cervical cancer preventative vaccines - Gardasil and Cervarix.
Vitamin C may enhance radiation therapy for aggressive brain tumours
22 February, 2012Recent research by the University of Otago, Wellington, has shown that giving brain cancer cells high dose vitamin C makes them much more susceptible to radiation therapy.
Improved UOW anti-cancer formulation patented in Europe
21 February, 2012A novel formulation for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, developed by University of Wollongong researchers, has been granted patent rights by the European Patent Office. The formulation, called Fluorodex, was developed to address key adverse events associated with current treatment regimens that are used to combat metastatic colorectal cancer.
New findings in drug-induced receptor activity using the Roche xCELLigence system
17 February, 2012A research team, led by Dr Michel Bouvier at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) of the University of Montreal in Quebec, has used the Roche xCELLigence SP Instrument to measure changes in cell response following ligand.
Drug link may help fight cancer
15 February, 2012Australian scientists say they have made a genetic breakthrough which could help in the fight against cancer. The Melbourne-based team says it has pinpointed a link between non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, and the ability of tumours to spread in the body.
Production method could fill major need for new sources of MSCs
15 February, 2012Stem cell scientists from the University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR) have discovered a method for producing mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) from human iPSCs that substantially improves on current methods and speeds up conversion time.
Improving catalytic sustainability
14 February, 2012 | Supplied by: http://www.riken.jpRIKEN researchers are leading the way with novel rare-earth metal catalysts that reduce waste and improve aromatic bond-forming reactions.
Lessening the impact of cancer-causing hormones
10 February, 2012Increasing the production of proteins that help rid the body of toxins may play a crucial role in the fight against breast and prostate cancer, researchers from Flinders University believe.
Nuclear science on Antarctic climate change mission
09 February, 2012Two scientists from the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) left for Antarctica earlier this week in search of byproducts of cosmic rays colliding with Earth. The scientists are on an environmental mission, working to discover whether a historical relationship exists between solar activity on the sun and climate change on Earth.
Wyatt Technology instruments employed to develop alternative materials to silicone breast implants
08 February, 2012Wyatt Technology has announced that Professor Judit E Puskas at the University of Akron has developed a system using its instrumentation that will help to solve a prevalent and controversial material science challenge. The researchers are employing the multidetector system to develop alternative materials to silicone breast implants, as a result of faulty Poly Implant Prothèse (PIP) implants causing global concern about implant safety.
New supercomputer to help scientists reach for the stars
08 February, 2012A powerful new supercomputer that is 10,000 times faster than an average office computer and big enough to store 2000 years of iTunes music has been installed at The University of Western Australia.
Lizards incubated at higher temperatures have enhanced learning performance
08 February, 2012A hotter home appears to produce babies with better cognitive abilities - but before you turn up the heater, the research was conducted on the Australian lizard Bassiana duperreyi by researchers from the University of Sydney.
Biosceptre develops targeted antibodies for cancer treatment
01 February, 2012 by Lauren DavisBiosceptre has announced that it is about to clinically trial the use of targeted antibodies as a method to treat cancer. At a Sydney conference held on 24 January, it was revealed that the company has identified a receptor found only in cancer cells.
