The Australian Science Communicators are hosting the conference in collaboration with the World Federation of Science Journalists. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Australian ScienceVenomous snakes and coneshells, the kangaroo genome, milking echidna's, giant marsupials, the bionic ear and now bionic nerves, a ringing star, a view to the heart of our galaxy and more. Here is a taste of some of the Australian science stories that have come out over the last year. These stories have been provided by science organisations around Australia and we have provided edited summaries which can be downloaded. We invite you to come out to Australia and find your own stories. Short and sweet: summarising Australian science:These summaries were written by Science in Public, based on press releases from science organisations. Australian science stories February 2007 - NEW!: (click on the headline below to go to the story) The following stories have been provided by science organisations from around Australia. For more information, please contact the organisation directly. To download stories in brief click here
Australian science stories November 2006: (click on the headline below to go to the story) Australian science stories September 2006 (click on the headline below to go to the story summary)Australian science stories July 2006: (click on the headline below to go to the story) More Australian science stories: (click on the headline below to go to the story) Aussie yabbies survive by connecting to underwater broadband19 February 2007 Like sharks, Australian yabbies have a 'sixth' sense, the ability to listen to electrical signals that alert them to prey or predators, according to University of Melbourne researchers. "We have provided the first evidence that yabbies 'listen' to electrical fields." Yabbies are small freshwater crayfish. Like sharks, Australian yabbies have a "sixth" sense, the ability to listen to electrical signals that alert them to prey or predators, new breaking research from the University of Melbourne has found. "We have provided the first evidence that yabbies "listen" to electrical fields for their survival, showing that a prey species is also listening." "It is as if they are tuning into the underwater broadband." The study was coordinated by Mr Patullo with a team of dedicated research fellows under the supervision of Professor David MacMillan from the University of Melbourne. Blair Patullo Rebecca Scott A busy left hand causes crashes to the rightSomeone using their left hand is four times more likely to collide with an object on the right than on the left, a new study from the University of Melbourne has found. The published study has important implications for road, industrial and maritime safety. Associate Professor Mike Nicholls, from the School of Behavioural Science said the research - published in this month's edition of the journal Neuropsychologia - had important implications for road, industrial and maritime safety. "The research shows that
someone using their left hand is four times more likely to collide with an
object on the right than on the left,'' he says. "For example, if you are using your left hand it stimulates the right side of your brain which draws your attention to your left, therefore causing you to bump into objects on your right,'' he says. Associate Professor Mike Nicholls Janine Sim-Jones uninews.unimelb.edu.au/articleid_3975.html Women scientists produce higher quality work9 January 2007 The study, conducted by Dr
Matthew Symonds from the Department of Zoology at the University of Melbourne
with colleagues from Australia and New Zealand, showed that the men in the study
published 40 percent more papers than women, but that women's work is cited
relatively more often by other scientists, a key indicator of quality.
Dr Matthew Symonds Rebecca Scott uninews.unimelb.edu.au/articleid_3965.html Early cochlear implants get deaf toddlers talking7 December 2006 Deaf babies and toddlers can develop normal language skills using cochlear implants according to a Melbourne study. Deaf babies and toddlers can develop normal language skills when cochlear implants occur between six months and two years, according to new research released by the University of Melbourne. "This is the first study
investigating the long term language progress of deaf babies and toddlers
implanted with Cochlear implants," said Head of the Department of Otolaryngology
at the University of Melbourne, Professor Richard Dowell. "It is wonderful to watch the children begin to respond to their hearing, and learn to communicate. These children can joke, lie, tease and use language in all its forms," she said. Professor
Richard Dowell Dr Shani Dettman Rebecca Scott uninews.unimelb.edu.au/articleid_3922.html Satellites measures soil moistureAustralian farmers will soon be able to measure soil moisture in paddocks from data collected by a space satellite under a University of Melbourne, NASA and European Space Agency (ESA) experiment. Dr Jeff Walker from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the University of Melbourne is leading an international experiment, (the National Airborne Field Experiment) to test and enhance satellite technology that will measure soil moisture levels in paddocks for Australian primary producers. "Our vision is that via the internet, farmers will be able to download key information about current and future soil moisture in their paddocks, which has been generated from a combination of model predictions and satellite observations." Dr Jeff Walker uninews.unimelb.edu.au/articleid_3866.html Images/vision available: Cold war gravity detector finds ore deposits18 February 2007
BHP Billiton has developed an airborne gravity system for mapping mineral deposits, known as Falcon. Falcon™ is the world's first airborne gravity gradiometer (AGG) and measures minute changes in the earth's gravity. It allows fast and cost-effective access to prospective terrains, areas which once took years to cover by ground surveys are now done in days. This technological innovation, which has its roots in technology developed for the US Navy, has enormous benefits and gives BHP Billiton a unique competitive advantage in the search for mineral and hydrocarbon deposits. This is backed by our exclusivity on the technology coupled with our unique value-added processing and interpretation capabilities. Samantha Evans CSIRO demonstrates world's fastest wireless linkCSIRO researchers have demonstrated the fastest and most efficient wireless link ever achieved. With 2.4bits/s/Hz - it is highest efficiency the ever achieved for such a system. Multi-gigabit links operate at speeds that leave current wireless networks far behind. For example the entire works of Shakespeare could be transmitted over this six gigabit link in under seven thousandths of a second or a full DVD movie in just over six seconds.
www.csiro.au/csiro/content/standard/ps2kj.html Found - the red apple gene"The red colour in apple skin is the result of anthocyanins, the natural plant compounds responsible for blue and red colours in many flowers and fruits," says the leader of the CSIRO Plant Industry research team, Dr Mandy Walker. "If fruit doesn't look good, consumers are far less likely to buy it, no matter how good it might taste."
www.csiro.au/csiro/content/standard/ps2j6.html Australia's venomous creatures not all bad news2007 Australian biotechnology companies and researchers are discovering that Australia's venomous creatures might not be all bad news. They may in fact bring us the medical drugs of tomorrow. Queensland biotechnology companies and researchers are discovering that Australia's venomous creatures might not be all bad news. They may in fact bring us the medical drugs of tomorrow. Deadly cone shell snailXenome Ltd is developing a therapy for severe pain derived from the venom of a deadly cone shell snail found on the Great Barrier Reef. Xen2174 is currently in Phase I/II clinical trials. Xenome is using its rare and diverse library of Australian venoms to develop other therapeutics for inflammation and cancer. Taipan snake venomElaCor Pty Ltd, is developing a therapeutic for congestive heart failure derived from Taipan snake venom. Australian Common Brown snakeQRxPharma Pty Ltd is developing a pro-coagulant useful in situations to control bleeding and tissue sealing, such as following surgery. FactorX is derived from the venom of the Australian Common Brown snake. Spiders, Scorpions, and CentipedesIf snakes aren't your thing then how about spiders? Australian Tarantulas Pty Ltd specialises in screening the venom of spiders, scorpions, and centipedes. The company even has its own Australian Venom Zoo located near Cairns. Queensland's natural megabiodiversity provides the perfect platform to develop a thriving biodiscovery industry:
Virtual map of the sheep genomeIn a world first, a team of international scientists led by CSIRO has constructed a virtual map of the genome of the sheep. www.csiro.au/csiro/content/standard/ps2ge.html A real air guitarLed by engineer Dr Richard Helmer a team of researchers at CSIRO Textiles and Fibre Technology in Geelong has created a 'wearable instrument shirt' (WIS). "The technology - which is adaptable to almost any kind of apparel - takes clothing beyond its traditional role of protection and fashion into the realms of entertainment and a wide range of other applications including the development of clothes which will be able to monitor physiological changes," Dr Helmer says says.
www.csiro.au/csiro/content/standard/ps2gl.html 'Air shower' set to cut water use by 30 per centThe researchers, from CSIRO Manufacturing Materials Technology in Melbourne, say the device increases the volume of the shower stream while reducing the amount of water used by about 30 per cent.
www.csiro.au/csiro/content/standard/ps2g2.html Wine industry 'winners and losers' from climate changeClimate change will dramatically alter the growing season for Australian grapes and affect the wine styles produced here, according to new University of Melbourne and CSIRO research. Working with senior University and CSIRO climate change scientists, PhD student Leanne Webb found that in future grape growers can expect to see rising temperatures which will cause a shift in budburst dates, shorter growing seasons and earlier harvest dates.
www.csiro.au/csiro/content/standard/ps2ei.html Australia, South Africa, short-listed for giant telescopeAustralia has been short-listed - along with South Africa - to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), a giant next-generation radio telescope being developed by scientists in 17 countries. The proposed core site in Australia is Mileura station, 100km west of Meekathara in Western Australia. Other antennas would be distributed over the continent; still more might be placed in New Zealand. The SKA will be a set of thousands of antennas spread over 3000km, with half the antennas located in a 'core' site of 5km x 5km. www.csiro.au/csiro/content/standard/ps2br.html Parkes finds unexpected 'heartbeats' in starAstronomers using CSIRO's Parkes telescope in eastern Australia have detected radio "heartbeats" from a star that was not expected to have them. A US-Australian research team found that a "magnetar" - a kind of star with the strongest magnetic fields known in the Universe - is giving off extraordinary radio pulses, which links this rare type of star with the much more common "radio pulsars". The discovery observations were made on 17 March 2006 by CSIRO scientist John Sarkissian. Further observations at Parkes were made by the Observatory's officer-in-charge, John Reynolds. Dr Reynolds says the unexpected strength of the pulsar puts it in a category of its own.
www.csiro.au/csiro/content/standard/ps25p.html Research offers hope for alcoholics13 December 2006 Scientists at Melbourne's Howard Florey Institute have discovered a system in the brain that stops an alcoholic's craving for alcohol. In studies conducted with rats, Dr Andrew Lawrence and his Florey colleagues used a drug that blocked Orexin's euphoric effects in the brain and the results were remarkable. "In one experiment, rats that had alcohol freely available to them stopped drinking it after receiving the Orexin blocker." Dr Lawrence said. "In another experiment, rats that had gone through a detox program and were then given the Orexin blocking drug, did not relapse into alcohol addiction when they were reintroduced to an environment in which they had been conditioned to associate with alcohol use. Merrin Rafferty Is wildlife birth-control safe?12 February 2007 UNSW Media contacts: Professor Des Cooper Dan Gaffney Soft-cell approach cuts animal tests7 February 2007
The new in-vitro technique has been pioneered by Dr Hayes and her UNSW colleagues, Shahnaz Bakand and Chris Winder. The cells are grown on a porous polyester membrane inside a small diffusion chamber and then exposed to selected toxic air pollutants (see figure 1). After as little as one hour's exposure, they can study cell growth and metabolism, and a range of routine toxicological endpoints. Importantly, the toxic measurements obtained by the in vitro method, such as the amount of a contaminant needed to inhibit cell growth, mirror well-established lethal values obtained from animal studies - a long-established method in toxicological studies. Dr Amanda Hayes Dan Gaffney Magnetic powder cleans oily penguinsVictoria University researchers hope to clean penguins using tiny 'oil drinking' magnetic particles, consisting of a finely-divided iron powder that is non-toxic and non-irritating. Victoria University's Professor John Orbell, has been awarded research funds totalling $60,000 by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and the Phillip Island Nature Park (PINP) to continue groundbreaking research into cleaning oiled birds. Professor Orbell and his team from the University's School of Molecular Sciences and the Institute of Sustainability and Innovation at the University's Werribee Campus, believe the answer is in tiny 'oil drinking' magnetic particles, consisting of a finely-divided iron powder that is non-toxic and non-irritating. The birds would be cleaned by dusting the oil-coated feathers with the magnetic powder and then using a magnetic probe to remove both the powder and the oil together - known as Magnetic Particle Technology (MPT). Andy Gash, Snr. Low GI sugar?Sugar cane, not only provides a sweetener, but has the potential to supply a myriad of valuable ingredients that can enhance our health and that have been identified as being potentially useful in the fight against prostate and breast cancer and promoting general health and well being. Ms Julie Lloyd Biodegradable plastic from sugarcane?Queensland researchers are looking to turn sugarcane plants into highly productive plastic factories. Genes from bacteria - that naturally produce these biodegradable plastics - have been successfully incorporated into the sugar plant which then goes on to make plastic within their cells. Plastics grown within the plant are known as PHAs (polyhydroxyalkanoates). They can provide a diverse range of products from parts for cars, mobile phones and computers to disposable nappies, carpets and clothing. They can also be used for plastic food packaging, plastic bottles and bags and water resistant coatings for paper and cardboard. These plastics are environmentally friendly because they are renewable and biodegradable. Dr Peter Twine Stevens M. Brumbley www.cheque.uq.edu.au/research/bioengineering/ Ms Julie Lloyd Email: Julie.lloyd@crcsugar.com Meningococcus and golden staph identified in hours rather than daysNew technology that rapidly identifies dangerous bugs - such as meningococcus and golden staph - is set to save lives and help control outbreaks. Each strain of bacteria has a unique set of fingerprints or arrangement of genes. Now, rather than having to examine around 3000 pieces of genetic material for each strain of bacteria, the program has pinpointed just 7 key pieces of information for testing. In this way, bacteria can be accurately identified and tracked within hours rather than days and at a cost saving of up to 90% by using computer-based technology developed by the CRC for Diagnostics. Mr Paul Barrett Queensland scientists fine tune drugs for herpesPatients at risk of a lethal virus infection are less likely to need expensive, possibly toxic, treatments because of new technology. This universal virus infects about 50% of the adult population and is dormant in most people. When the immune system is suppressed, for example, in organ transplant patients or HIV sufferers, the virus often reactivates and can cause severe complications, or even be fatal. Associate Professor Rajiv Khanna Tobacco goes cold turkeyThe tobacco plant is giving up cigarettes to provide safer and cheaper pharmaceuticals. Tobacco is set to become a valuable source of human vitronectin - a protein used in pharmaceuticals for wound and tissue repair and in medical research to improve human health. Deriving vitronectin from tobacco is likely to be cheaper and safer than how it is currently produced. Vitronectin is commonly isolated and purified from human blood plasma. Because there is a risk of contamination from blood-borne pathogens, there are strict quality control measures needed to purify vitronectin from blood. This costly procedure makes the pharmaceutical expensive. Smart State Fellow, Dr Benjamin Dugdale, and his team have modified the genome - the set of genes - of the tobacco plant so that it can produce large quantities of this protein. They have successfully extracted and purified vitronectin from the plant and shown it is equivalent to vitronectin derived from blood. Collaborators: Professor James Dale, Dr Mark Harrison and Ms Maiko Kato. Professor James Dale Prostate cancer trialFebruary 2007 The Mater Medical Research Institute is trialling a prostate cancer vaccine using a new 'smart state' antibody developed and produced at MMRI. A world first trial into a prostate cancer vaccine - headed by MMRI Director Professor Derek Hart who discovered dendritic cells in 1979 - is being conducted at the Mater Medical Research Institute (MMRI), a world class facility. Cancer is very good at hiding from dendritic cells - specialized white blood cells produced in the bone marrow which initiate the body's immune response against foreign or infectious agents in the body - but this vaccine will effectively re-train the immune system to seek out and attack the cancer as it would launch an attack on a cold or flu. In phase one of MMRI Dendritic Cell Prostate Cancer Trial, which began in February 2006, five patients have been vaccinated with no adverse reactions. The next step is to launch a new phase one trial before the middle of the year which will build on the current trial using a new 'smart state' antibody developed and produced at MMRI. Contact for Professor Hart More sleep for newborns (and parents)Driving the baby around the block till he sleeps? A Queensland company has developed a cot that emulates the motion of a car, helping babies sleep soundly. Gold Coast company, Babyhugs Pty Ltd developed the 'Lullabub' cot rocker to emulate the motion of a car, which often helps babies to sleep soundly. The 'Lullabub' cot rocker gently rocks a cot automatically in a harmonic rhythm to naturally soothe and settle babies to sleep. It consists of four modules, which are placed under each leg of a cot. There is a choice of four motion settings which emulates the suspension of a car. It operates quietly and can also turn itself off automatically. The 'Lullabub' has won an Australian Design Award. Mr
Christopher Mitchell Elderly sleep through alarmResearch by Victoria University's Professor Dorothy Bruck has shown that the most common smoke alarm in Australian homes was the least effective at waking up older sleepers. Forty-five volunteers aged from 65 to 85, were subjected to four alarm signals - including the standard smoke alarm frequency of 3000 to 4000Hz. The other alarms included one with a lower frequency of 500Hz, a mixed frequency and a male voice. Each alarm was sounded at increased volumes in 30-second intervals until participants responded. Of the four signals, the standard fire alarm required the loudest volume before it woke elderly sleepers. Professor Dorothy Bruck Media release: www.vu.edu.au Muscling up against Metabolic SyndromeCan strength training be used to treat Metabolic Syndrome? This is the question being asked in a new study by Victoria University PhD student, Mr Itamar Levinger. "People who suffer from Metabolic Syndrome have a combination of obesity, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar levels", explained Itamar. "This novel form of training for people with Metabolic Syndrome is thought to improve fitness rather than fatness. Volunteers will not lose a lot of weight during the program, rather we expect they will build muscle mass making then feel stronger, fitter and healthier." Media Contact: Andy Gash, Snr. How much UV is too much?By collecting data on the ozone layer, Smart State Fellow Dr Michael Kimlin is helping assess the health risks and benefits associated with ultra violet (UV) radiation. Dr Kimlin has developed methods using satellite data to accurately measure the levels of ground-level UV radiation experienced by Queenslanders. When holes in the ozone layer appear: skin cancers and cataracts have been known to increase the human immune system may be suppressed and food crops and marine life are damaged. Dr Michael Kimlin Understanding tropical river systemsSmart State Fellow, Dr Andrew Brooks is using remote sensing to help understand what drives the great tropical river systems of northern Australia - rivers that may have the potential to quench the thirst of southern Australia. Dr Brooks and his team are surveying and mapping vast monsoonal rivers of the Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York and estuaries - that are often inaccessible - by using a range of airborne and satellite based remote sensing techniques. These rivers are under pressure to share their water with the south where water shortages and drought are becoming a fact of life. The team has surveyed 6 300 kilometres of river using aerial videography, an inexpensive and rapid way of recording images; airborne infra-red imagery; digital aerial photography and Lidar. Lidar can see through the vegetation and provide high resolution 3D maps of the ground surface that help the team understand erosion in the Gulf. Dr Andrew Brooks Standardising blood specimen management with robotsAi Scientific's Pathfinder technology removes potential human error associated with manual sorting and splitting of blood specimens. Queensland company, Ai Scientific, is developing automated sample handling processes for clinical and analytical laboratories worldwide. The Pathfinder system uses stand-alone software and five independent robots working simultaneously to manage the blood specimens taken for testing, thus eliminating any potential human error. All specimens are logged, identified, the volume calculated, and sorted into workstation racks. Stephen Pronk Healthy avocadoesResearch undertaken at the CRC for Tropical Plant Protection has identified a powerful weapon to fight disease which will provide enormous benefit to the avocado industry. Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is the most serious post harvest disease of avocados. The disease produces lesions on the skin and flesh of ripening avocados, resulting in produce which is not able to be sold. The disease results in losses in the order of 20-25% at retail level. CRC researchers used the avocado's own defences and fertilising regime to prevent anthracnose disease. The Guatemalan rootstock was used with the 'Hass' avocados which resulted in a considerable reduction in the incidence and severity of the lesions associated with the disease. Fertilisers were also found to play an important role in managing the fungal disease. The avocado industry has adopted the CRC research outcomes by making major changes to its management practices. Growers can halve the incidence of anthracnose disease and enjoy an 80% decrease in infection severity. Professor John Irwin Wireless technology to improve chronic disease monitoringAlive Technologies, based at Arundel on the Gold Coast, has developed wireless health monitoring systems to assist in the screening, diagnosis and management of chronic diseases, and for consumer health and fitness. The Alive Monitor captures electrical impulses from the surface of the skin as the heart beats and can transmit heart rate information as well as producing an ECG trace. The Alive Monitor can be applied by a doctor or the patient themselves for screening and constant monitoring of their condition. The Alive Monitor uses wireless Bluetooth and mobile phone networks to immediately transmit the medical information to a computer, pocket PC, wrist-watch, or central monitoring centre. The Alive Monitor is being used in Australia, Europe and the USA. Contact: Bruce Satchwell Reducing greenhouse gases for magnesium industryThe Brisbane based CAST CRC has developed AM-cover which is an invisible technology mixture that could reduce global greenhouse gas emissions from the magnesium industry by over 5 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent per year. This is comparable to eliminating the emissions from 1 million cars or planting 17 million trees. AM-cover is a simple, cost-effective replacement for the potent greenhouse gas sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), which is used globally as a protective cover gas to prevent molten magnesium from oxidising. AM-cover is also non-toxic, non-corrosive, non-flammable and does not contribute to ozone depletion. Dr Nigel Ricketts Managing grazing lands in a variable and changing climateA team of Queensland scientists have developed an information service that provides information on the condition of arid and semi-arid grazing land so that graziers and land managers are better prepared for good and bad times. AussieGRASS (Australian Grassland & Rangeland Assessment by Spatial Simulation) is a program that models grazing systems on a 5 km grid over the whole Australian continent to produce maps and data on rainfall, pasture growth, fire risk and other important features of the pastures and water balance in a grazing system. Many of these map products are freely available on the Queensland Government's LongPaddock website. AussieGRASS has proven a valuable tool for analysing the severity of drought for submissions by Queensland and other states for Exceptional Circumstances funding from the Commonwealth for land holders in severe drought. AussieGRASS also provides valuable information for the Bureau of Rural Sciences' National Agricultural Monitoring System. Dr Bev Henry What turns plants on?University of Melbourne researchers have isolated a genetic 'switch' that can be turned on or off to alter the development of pollen sex cells in plants. Professors Mohan Singh and Prem Bhalla, who head the University's Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory in the Faculty of Land and Food Resources, analysed the genetic makeup of white lillies and other flowering plants to identify a germline-restrictive silencing factor (GRSF). The GRSF, which is present in all plants during plant growth, can be manipulated to effectively block the development of sex cells in plants, and can be turned on or off depending on the situation. Plants that produce pollen causing hayfever may be able to have their sex cell development - and therefore pollen production - turned off. Professor Prem Bhalla Dr Nerissa Hannink Harmonious couples pursue same goalsIf you want to have a successful relationship, you not only need to have the same goals as your partner, you also have to want them to the same extent, says research under way at the University of Melbourne. Warwick Hosking, who is
completing a PhD under Associate Professor Jennifer Boldero in the School of
Behavioral Science, has surveyed about 600 people, aged 18 to 52, for his
research into relationship conflict. Warwick Hosking Janine Sim-Jones uninews.unimelb.edu.au/articleid_4002.html "Starbug" the submarine monitors underwater ecosystemsAn innovative robotic submarine from CSIRO is set to transform environmental monitoring by dramatically reducing the cost of data collection. CSIRO's Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), Starbug, was developed by the CSIRO ICT Centre at its Queensland laboratory. Starbug is an autonomous, miniature submarine for underwater monitoring and surveying of ecosystems such as the Great Barrier Reef. www.csiro.au/csiro/content/standard/ps2j5.html Australia set for new metals industryRevolutionary technology emerging from the Light Metals Flagship could open the door to a competitive titanium industry in Australia Australia is on the brink of developing a new metals industry through locally developed technology that will make titanium - one of the most versatile light metals known - far more accessible to manufacturers. Over the past few years CSIRO researchers have been developing a new processing technology that now looks able to halve titanium processing costs. www.solve.csiro.au/0806/article12.htm Cataloguing Queensland's plants for curesGriffith University researchers have identified more than 40 plants and 1500 marine animals previously unknown to science that could hold the key to discovering life-saving medicines. The research is part of a massive international field study launched in 1993 to create a 'library' of every naturally-occurring plant in Queensland, as well as from biodiversity hot-spots such as Great Barrier Reef, China, and Papua New Guinea. We are also developing collaborations with US-based partners, including the Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, the University of California at San Francisco and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill." It is jointly funded by the Queensland Government, Australian Research Council, pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and Medicines for Malaria Venture. www.griffith.edu.au/centre/eskitis/ A model of a heartResearchers are using CSIRO's laser diagnostic laboratory to test blood flow in an artificial heart as part of a collaborative project with Japan's Waseda University. Analysis of a laser light beamed through the heart helps show where the blood is flowing smoothly, and to identify potential problem areas. The laser testing will help the researchers optimise the heart's design to reduce turbulence and shear stress, and minimise thrombus formation and damage to blood cells. The laser lab (which was originally built to assist with validating computer models of flow processes within the minerals industry) is also being used in a project with RMIT University modelling the distribution of drugs ingested from devices such as nasal sprays. www.solve.csiro.au/0805/article6.htm Turning one man's trash into another's treasureIndustrial seaweed processor Kelp Industries needed a practical, low-cost fuel source to dry its seaweed. Meanwhile the famous King Island Dairy had significant quantities of waste cardboard too expensive to ship back to the mainland for disposal. CSIRO has developed an innovative solution to two very different problems confronting two industries in the remote community of King Island in the Bass Strait. The companies approached CSIRO to determine whether it might be scientifically practical to recycle King Island's excess cardboard packaging into briquettes to help fuel the kelp furnaces and drying kilns. After assessing various ratios of cardboard to wood, conducting ash analysis and determining the correct briquette density, CSIRO found that solid briquettes - the size of a housebrick - made from shredded cardboard waste work well in the furnace as a 30 to 50 per cent component of the total fuel mix.
www.csiro.au/csiro/content/standard/ps2hj.html $22 million adult stem cell centre to be established at GriffithAdult stem cells have potential clinical applications in stem cell transplantation therapies and will be used to understand and ultimately develop treatments for brain diseases such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone Disease and schizophrenia. Brisbane, Queensland - Griffith University Vice Chancellor Professor Ian O'Connor has welcomed the announcement by Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, the Honorable Tony Abbott MP, of $22 million to establish the Adult Stem Cell Research Centre. The new centre will position Griffith University and Australia as world leaders in adult stem cell research and develop collaborative links throughout the country with leading adult stem cell researchers. www.griffith.edu.au/centre/eskitis/ Australian company to run world's first xenotransplantation trial in diabetes without immunosuppression
A product made from natural neonatal pig islet cells encased in capsules is to offer new hope to people with Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes. In a world first, New Zealand-based, Australian company, Living Cell Technologies (LCT), is poised to start a Phase I/IIa trial for patients with Type 1 diabetes using its porcine pancreatic cell product, DiabeCell®, without using toxic immunosuppression drugs. "This is the only human clinical trial of its kind approved anywhere in the world. It recognises LCT's thorough pre-clinical testing of the product in animal models, which showed no adverse safety effects and a significant reduction in insulin requirements," said Dr John Court, scientific advisor to LCT and expert on adolescent diabetes.
Climate change impacts on plants and animals (including native species, pest species, and agricultural species)Australian wildlife is responding to changes in climate and researchers are currently trying to build a database in order to gather as much historical and current information on species and their breeding/migrating/flowering etc. Link to media release: Contact details: http://www.bom.gov.au/bmrc/clfor/cfstaff/lynda_chambers.htm Changes in bushfires risk with climate changeA new study funded by the Australian Government and some State and
Territory governments provides important new information to help communities
across Link to media release: Contact details: Tropical cyclones and climate changeWhile no single, recent high-impact cyclone can be said to be a direct
result of climate change, scientists agree that global warming may be
impacting on series Link to media release: Link to statement: Contact details: http://www.bom.gov.au/bmrc/clfor/cfstaff/john_mcbride.htm Research into maximum precipitation, QLDDownload: the SmalleyJakob poster (ppt, 403KB) Contact details: Indian Ocean Climate Initiative (IOCI)This program addresses climate change in Western Australia and is a partnership between the WA state agencies, the Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO. "The program is strategic in nature and design. It aims to scientifically under-pin the wide range of specific application activities which may be needed and undertaken by various climate affected sectors in this region of Australia. "In particular IOCI is geared to translating national and international climate science and overlaying this with specific research and interpretation programs of its own. It pursues this mission through partnered and collaborative activities." While this project focuses specifically on the Western Australian region, an anticipated new initiative will support the same program for SE Australia (South-East Australia Climate Initiative, SEACI). The IOCI website is at: http://www.ioci.org.au and the 'Climate Note 1' series under http://www.ioci.org.au/publications/bulletins.html includes publications, including images, of research into how climate, temperature, sea-temperature, rainfall is changing. Contact details: http://www.bom.gov.au/bmrc/clfor/cfstaff/john_mcbride.htm Australia-UK teams join to fight fluCSIRO and the University of Bath have combined their expertise to develop new drugs to better safeguard against flu viruses developing resistance. See www.csiro.au/news for more detail. Background on development of Relenza. Is There True Authenticity in the Practice of Evidence-based Health Sciences?August 2006 The healthcare discipline and evidence-based discourse has been producing numerous specialized journals and best practice guidelines in the recent years, with health science scholars eagerly jumping on the bandwagon, mimicking this trend with their contributions to this discourse. Published by Blackwell Publishing on behalf of the Joanna Briggs Institute - in the September 2006 issue of the International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare - the paper aims to demonstrate that the evidence-based movement in the health sciences is outrageously exclusionary and dangerously normative with regards to scientific knowledge. This study is published in International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare (2006; 4:180-186). Media wishing to receive a PDF or to interview the authors, please contact alina.boey@asia.blackwellpublishing.com Contact:
www.blackwellpublishing.com Addressing the Realities of Climate ChangeJuly 2006 The impacts of climate change will be felt globally over the next century. In order to mitigate its consequences, we need to understand the cumulative effects of its actions and the environmental repercussions thus far. Associate Professor Lesley Hughes from the Department of Biological Sciences at Macquarie University, Sydney, has addressed this by conducting a review of observed and potential impacts of climatic changes on Australian species and natural ecosystems. The paper is a synthesis of the available literature on the issue of climate change, as well as an endeavor to identify critical knowledge gaps. Published by Blackwell Publishing in the August 2003 issue of Austral Ecology - for the Ecological Society of Australia - the findings in this paper still resonate widely in today's world. This study is published in Austral Ecology (2003) 28, 423-443. Media wishing to receive a PDF or to interview the author, please contact alina.boey@asia.blackwellpublishing.com. Contact:
www.blackwellpublishing.com Genetic Basis for Premature Ovarian Failure IdentifiedMay 2006 Researchers have successfully identified several genes associated with Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) or premature menopause, enabli | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
