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Shining light on an ancient enemy: TB, NZ and the synchrotron Tomorrow: Juggling test tubes and family Coming up: Science, Politics, Philanthropy and Money; win a week on an Arctic icebreaker – nominations for journalists open; and coming events I’m writing with my occasional heads-up on science and technology stories. Please let me know if you no longer wish to receive these alerts. Today we have:
__________________ 1. ) Shining light on an ancient enemyNew Zealand scientists enlist Australian Synchrotron in the fight against TB Tuesday 12 June 2007, Melbourne Australian and New Zealand scientists will join forces to understand and fight tuberculosis – looking for its Achilles’ heel. The collaboration was announced today during a visit by New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark to the Australian Synchrotron in Melbourne. TB kills more than two million people a year. And a nasty new version is stalking the globe—extreme drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB). US authorities are so concerned that earlier this month they invoked a law unused for 44 years to isolate a man with XDR-TB. “New Zealand researchers will use the Australian Synchrotron to study tuberculosis proteins looking for weak points that drugs and vaccines could target. They will also be trying to unravel its secrets, in particular how it can burrow into our lungs and remain alive but hidden for 20 years or more,” says University of Auckland scientist Ted Baker. “I’ll be a frequent visitor to Melbourne, bringing up to 100 crystals on each trip,” says Baker. “And I expect many New Zealand students and other researchers will join me.” Details at www.scienceinpublic.com or call me +61 (417) 131 977, niall@scienceinpublic.com.au _____________________________________ 2.) 2007 Alfred Deakin Innovation Lectures: Big ideas. Brilliant minds.The 2007 Alfred Deakin Innovation Lectures are on in Melbourne from 25 June to 20 July. Speakers include: Noble Laureate Sir Paul Nurse (UK), philanthropist and civic activist Robert Klein (US), researcher and founder of GlobeImmune Dr Alex Franzusoff (US), science author Matt Ridley (UK) and John Wilbanks (US), executive director, Science Commons.
Details at http://www.diird.vic.gov.au/deakinlectures or contact Penny Underwood, Phone + 61 3 9818 8540, mediawise@vicnet.net.au _____________________________________ 3.) Journalists — Win a week to the ArcticIn April 2008, join journalists from all over the world for a week aboard the Canadian research icebreaker Amundsen. The World Federation of Science Journalists — in collaboration with the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the International Polar Year Circumpolar Flaw Lead Project — announces a competition offering science journalists the chance to win one of three week-long trips aboard the Canadian research icebreaker Amundsen. You will fly all the way to Inuvik (Canada), and hop aboard a Twin Otter aircraft to the famous icebreaker, where you will get first-hand experience of global warming where it is unfolding the fastest. The prize includes transportation from your home country. More information: World Federation of Science Journalists, info@wfsj.org, www.wfsj.org Applications close 5 November 2007. ___________________ 4.) Coming events
Sometime in the next few months the synchrotron will open – so if you haven’t had the opportunity to visit yet, now is the time to take a look and get up to speed. Kind regards, Niall __________ Niall Byrne
Science
Communication Consultant
ph +61 3 5253
1391, fax +61 3 9923 6008, mobile +61 417 131 977
niall@scienceinpublic.com
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