Breast reconstruction surgery will become both safer and more realistic thanks to a study led by Brisbane researchers. They recently conducted a research project in collaboration with engineers and surgeons in Singapore and Germany, which used computer aided design (CAD) to produce moulds accurately modelled on a laser scan of a patient’s healthy breast. Surgeons then successfully used the moulds during three tissue reconstruction operations.
Prof Dietmar W. Hutmacher, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, QUT
http://www.qut.edu.au/about/news/news?news-id=37914
QIMR researchers, as part of an international study, have identified 68 regions in the genome that affect blood platelet formation, which is essential for blood clotting and wound healing. They studied the genes of more than 68,000 people from different backgrounds, making this the largest study of its kind.
“The aim of this genome-wide study was to understand which genes control platelet count and volume, as this can provide important clues into the molecular mechanism underlying blood cell formation.” Platelets are important for wound healing and too high or too low counts can lead to disease – abnormally high platelets can increase the risk of thrombotic events, heart attacks and stroke; too few platelets and there is an increased risk of haemorrhage.
Dr Manuel Ferreira, Genetic Epidemiology Laboratory, QIMR
Nature
www.qimr.edu.au
Patients with depression will be able to monitor their mental health using a computer as easily as those with diabetes can manage their condition thanks to new research presented in Canberra. The work is developing a computerised diagnostic aid that is already able to diagnose depression with up to 80 percent accuracy. The researchers’ next step is to develop a laptop based prototype.
Dr Roland Goecke, Human-Centred Computing Laboratory, University of Canberra—also researchers from Queensland Institute of Medical Research and Black Dog Institute, UNSW
http://www.canberra.edu.au/media-centre/2011/november/uc-researchers-develop-technology-to-diagnose-depression
Recently published Queensland research showing how the malaria parasite can survive in a type of white blood cell in the spleen looks set to pave the way for the development of new malaria drugs and vaccines. Traditionally, it was believed the parasite’s development in the body was restricted to the liver and red blood cells.
Dr Michelle Wykes, Queensland Institute of Medical Research
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
www.qimr.edu.au
Australian scientists have thrown new light on the mechanism behind the mass death of corals worldwide as the Earth’s climate warms. A team of scientists from Townsville has shown that as sea water begins to warm a complex cascade of molecular signals is triggered leading up to the self-inflicted death of corals and their symbiotic algae .
Lead author Dr Tracy Ainsworth, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
Scientific Reports, Nature
http://www-public.jcu.edu.au/news/JCU_093922
Brisbane researchers have developed a promising new treatment for spinal cord injury in animals, which could eventually prevent paralysis in thousands of people worldwide every year. The treatment, which combined vascular endothelial and platelet-derived proteins, was applied to animals immediately after spinal cord injury, and evaluated after one and three month periods.
Dr Ben Goss, Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation, QUT
Journal of Neurotrauma
http://www.news.qut.edu.au/cgi-bin/WebObjects/News.woa/wa/goNewsPage?newsEventID=37754
Queensland medical researchers, as part of an international study, have found a variant in the MITF gene which can significantly increase the risk of melanoma. The MITF gene is responsible for regulating pigmentation and melanoma development, but this small mutation can have a large impact on melanoma risk. Individuals possessing this genetic variant have a 250% increased risk of developing melanoma – which is as significant to melanoma risk as traits such as having red hair, say the researchers.
Dr Stuart MacGregor, Queensland Institute of Medical Research
Nature
http://www.qimr.edu.au/page/News__Events/Media_Centre/Media_Releases/Archive/2011/Tiny_gene_big_melanoma_risk/
Magnetic stimulation of the brain could help improve language skills of stroke survivors with aphasia, according to research in Queensland.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is a non-invasive method that seeks to target brain activity, with the intention of facilitating the reorganisation of brain regions to alter language behaviours. The treatment involves placing a coil on the head which uses electromagnetic induction to induce weak electric currents by means of a changing magnetic field.
Dr Caroline Barwood, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, UQ
The European Journal of Neurology
http://www.uq.edu.au/news/index.html?article=24071
Queensland research into the world’s most deadly influenza pandemic in 1918 has shed light on a major medical mystery. The study examined US and Commonwealth military records and controversially suggests that the presence of two different viruses is the reason the second wave of the pandemic was so much deadlier. The conclusions highlight the importance of acquired immunity and the use of modern vaccinations.
Prof G. Dennis Shanks, Centre for Military & Veterans’ Health, UQ
Lancet Infectious Diseases
http://www.uq.edu.au/news/?article=24069
Researchers from UQ, Harvard University and RocheNimblegen Inc. have developed a new method for examining genetic information that reveals clues to understanding gene structure and activity in the body.
The method allows researchers to delve further than ever before into the human genome. It involves combining existing gene capture techniques with state-of-the-art ‘deep sequencing’ technology. Deep sequencing enables millions of different DNA molecules to be read in parallel.
Dr Tim Mercer, Prof John Mattick, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, UQ
Nature Biotechnology
http://www.uq.edu.au/news/index.html?article=24062
A Brisbane study has found that people suffering from more extensive vision loss from glaucoma are at a higher risk of having a fall than those with better vision.
Dr Alex Black, Faculty of Health, QUT
Optometry and Vision Science
http://www.qut.edu.au/about/news/news?news-id=37681
Marine life in the areas to the north of Australia and elsewhere along the Equator, as well as the waters off Australia’s east coast, have emerged as being at particular risk from temperature changes due to climate change, international marine scientists have warned.
Prof Carlos Duarte, Director, Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia
Prof John Pandolfi of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and The University of Queensland
Science
An evaluation of the recent changes to car child restraint laws has found almost a quarter of children up to seven years of age weren’t wearing the right type of restraint for their age. This was especially the case for three to four-year-old children who were being moved into booster seats or adult seat belts too early.
http://www.news.qut.edu.au/cgi-bin/WebObjects/News.woa/wa/goNewsPage?newsEventID=37604
Dr Alexia Lennon, Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety Queensland, Queensland University of Technology
Australian researchers have developed new technology capable of removing radioactive material from contaminated water and aiding clean-up efforts following nuclear disasters.
The innovation could also solve the problem of how to clean up millions of tonnes of water contaminated by dangerous radioactive material and safely store the concentrated waste.
http://www.news.qut.edu.au/cgi-bin/WebObjects/News.woa/wa/goNewsPage?newsEventID=37568
Prof Huai-Yong Zhu, Chemistry, QUT
New Australian research has found evidence that playing violent video games leads players to see themselves, and their opponents, as lacking in core human qualities such as warmth, open-mindedness, and intelligence.
http://www.uq.edu.au/news/index.html?article=23987
Dr Brock Bastian, School of Psychology, UQ
Journal of Experimental Social Psychology
The secret of how birds zip flawlessly through narrow spaces without crashing into obstacles has been unlocked by Australian scientists. The discovery could be used to design ‘bird-safe’ buildings and windmills, and improve the versatility of pilotless aircraft.
Prof Mandyam Srinivasan, The Vision Centre and The University of Queensland
Current Biology, http://www.vision.edu.au/news/Media%20Release%20DB/VC%20-%20birdscrash%2028Oct11.pdf
Marine biologists have written an open letter against shark culls, and calling for non-lethal alternatives.
Over 100 academics and professionals in the shark and ray field have signed the letter. In addition, a petition from the public has already collected over 5000 signatures.
Barbara Wueringer, Research Associate, School of Animal Biology, University of Western Australia and Adjunct Research Associate, School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University.
Scientists at UQ are part of an international team mapping the Brassica plant genome – that’s cabbages, broccoli and canola.
Australia is the world’s second largest exporter of canola. Mapping the genome will help scientists breed and engineer canola which is resistant to disease and fungal infection.
Dr David Edwards and Dr Jacqueline Batley, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, UQ
Nature Genetics, http://www.uq.edu.au/news/index.html?article=23953
