Adelaide researchers find how a bacteria digests a sugar can be key to new treatments
Vikrant Minhas, University of Adelaide
The severity of a common and often lethal type of bacteria
depends on its ability to process a type of sugar, research from the University
of Adelaide reveals.
Streptococcus pneumoniae causes diseases of the
lungs, blood, ear and brain, killing an estimated one million people every
year. Moreover S. pneumoniae causes
otitis media (infection of the middle ear), which devastates Aboriginal
populations. It also rapidly develops resistance to antibiotics, making it
challenging to treat.
A technique adapted from telecommunications promises more effective cancer treatments.
Dr Shwathy Ramesan from RMIT
Drugs can be delivered into individual cells by using
soundwaves, Melbourne researchers have discovered.
Adapting a technique used in the telecommunications
industry for decades, Dr Shwathy Ramesan from RMIT, and colleagues, used the
mechanical force of sound to push against cell walls and deliver drugs more
effectively than treatments currently in use.
The new technique aids in silencing genes responsible for
some diseases, including cancer, by switching them on or off.
Australian invention promises massive boost to lithium production
CSIRO and Monash University’s Matthew Hill received the Solomon Award for developing ‘magic crystals’ with dozens of applications from cleaning gases and liquids to mining and drug production.
Cheaper cleaner lithium mining for future cars and batteries is the newest application. It’s being developed with US company Energy Exploration Technologies (EnergyX).
Public events in Sydney 11 Nov, Melbourne 18 Nov and online
Case studies/patients also available from the Mito Foundation.
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is
inviting all Australians to provide their views on the use of a new assisted
reproductive technology that might assist in preventing certain rare mitochondrial
diseases but which requires careful ethical and social consideration.
Consultation is open until Friday 29 November 2019.
NHMRC invited all Australians to provide their views on the
use of a new assisted reproductive technology that might assist in preventing
certain rare mitochondrial diseases, but which requires careful ethical and
social consideration. Consultation is open until 29 November. An issues paper
is available at www.nhmrc.gov.au/mito.
On Saturday 19 October in Adelaide, NHMRC held its first
major event of the consultation – a citizens’ panel. Around 20 citizens randomly
selected from across Australia met over two weekends to hear from experts and
then prepared their own position statement.
Mitochondrial donation might be able to assist in the
prevention of mitochondrial DNA disease in an estimated 60 births per year in
this country. However, there are social and ethical issues to consider
including:
using mitochondrial DNA from a donor
(using IVF technology) so that the child has DNA from three people
the
rights of children to know their full genetic heritage
the
potential risks and benefits of the technology, and
the
implications for future generations.
Mitochondrial
donation is in limited use in the UK and some other countries, but not
Australia. NHMRC is asking the Australian community to consider the social and
ethical issues associated with mitochondrial donation and will then provide
advice to the Australian Government.
Details on further events will be provided in future
announcements.
CONTACT
Niall Byrne (on location) M: 0417 131 977 E: niall@scienceinpublic.com.au
NHMRC Media Team M:
0422 008 512 E: media@nhmrc.gov.au
We’re holding a series of courses at JCU in Cairns and Townsville.
Meet working journalists from TV, radio and online, learn what they need, and how to keep it accurate – Cairns on Tuesday 17 September, Townsville on 19 September and Monday 23 September.
Find out how to talk to business, government and the community: Cairns on Wednesday 18 September, Townsville on Friday 20 September.
Michael won the award – presented at a glittering ceremony
at the Australian Museum in Sydney on Wednesday, August 28 – for a feature he
wrote on plastic pollution. The story was published in Cosmos magazine.
At the time of publication, Michael was also features
editor of the magazine, working alongside editor Andrew Masterson – who is now
editor-in-chief at Science In Public.
Highlights from day eight of National Science Week’s nine-day ‘week’
166 events and exhibitions, 13 online activities, and dozens of great stories and talent.
National and international talent, researchers, experts, and other interesting people available for interview around the country. Plenty of photo opportunities.
Adelaide
The lifecycle of a parasitic wasp as performance art—scientists perform their science
New South Wales
Kick the physics out of a footy, science and extreme sport at Sydney Olympic Park
Drones, 3D printing, and robots on the catwalk, in Wagga Wagga
Tasmania
Tasty science, snotty science, Antarctic secrets and the man headed to Mars, in Hobart
Sarah Lloyd says slime moulds are nature’s miniature jewels—ask and see why, in Westbury
20-23 June 2018 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
International Society for Stem Cell Research 2018 Annual Meeting: 2,500+ stem cell scientists from 50 countries will hear from 150+ speakers including:
Lab-grown mini-brains make new connections
Fred ‘Rusty’ Gage (USA) is making mini-brains from human stem cells in the lab. But in order for these new tissues to function, they need to become well-connected.
Fred is pioneering research to explore how transplanted human neural organoids (mini-organs) can mature into tissues with blood vessel and nerve connections. This work could lead to methods of replacing brain tissue lost to stroke or disease, and repairing spinal cords damaged by trauma.
Tracing blood back to its beginnings to tackle leukaemia
Right now, the stem cells in your bone marrow are making one billion new red blood cells per minute. Andrew Elefanty (Australia) is studying both embryonic stem cells and more specialised blood-forming stem cells to reveal how our body makes blood and what leads to leukaemia and other blood diseases. He will reveal his team’s latest insights. [continue reading…]
