Daily Archives: December 16, 2015
Filamentous bacteriophage organize bacterial biofilms into liquid crystals
At sites of chronic infection, bacteria form biofilms, clusters of bacteria encased within a slimy, polymer-rich coating called the matrix. Biofilms are of concern because bacteria within biofilms become tolerant not only to environmental stresses, but also
Should you be taking a statin drug?
Millions of patients are currently treated with cholesterol-lowering statin drugs that are prescribed to prolong life and prevent heart attacks. For patients who have never had a heart attack or stroke (primary prevention), statin therapy is typically
From cell to society: a nutritional intervention to offset the age-related loss in lean tissue mass
Society is aware of obesity. Defined by the WHO, obesity is an abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. A 40y person with normal BMI will progress to obesity at 70y through an annual gain
What does the PROMISE trial mean for cardiac CT?
Current guidelines recommend functional testing (FT) such as exercise tests or nuclear tests (with very high radiation exposures) to identify those patients who have chest pain that may benefit from stents or bypass surgery. Unfortunately, a vast
Case study of a successful metals recovery project
As we continue to invent, manufacture, and consume countless numbers and types of consumer goods, we need an increasing study supply of raw materials, especially metals. Although the earth’s metal resources are finite, we continue to mine
Changes in anti-predator behaviour of prey after large predator declines
Large carnivores are suffering severe declines worldwide due to their vulnerability to habitat loss, emerging diseases and persecution. Their loss has been attributed to changes in the abundance and behaviour of other species, including small mammals and
Compounds from Australian Eucalypts: the next wonder-drug for cancer?
If there is one tree that every Australian can relate to, then it would be the none other than the Eucalypt. No wonder they are considered as the only trees that have the power to unite the
Forecasting malaria using environmental and clinical predictors
In 1911, Christophers developed an early-warning system for malaria epidemics in Punjab based on rainfall, fever-related deaths and wheat prices. Since that initial system, researchers and practitioners have continued to search for determinants of spatial and temporal
Controlling gene expression in bacteria
Gene expression enables cells to implement the instructions encoded within the genes on their DNA. Being able to control gene expression is therefore key to this most fundamental biological process, so determining cell fate and behaviour. Cells
Analysis of volatile organic compounds
Entombed victims under the ruins of collapsed buildings, because of natural or man-made disasters, patiently wait for help in order to be identified, detected, safely extricated and finally saved by urban search rescue (USAR) teams. This is
A platform for measuring carbon and nitrogen levels of metabolism-related genes in durum wheat
Multiple lines of evidence confirm that as a result of human activities the greenhouse gas emissions are rising more rapidly than predicted and, consequently, the world is warming more quickly. Global climate change threatens for food security
Adolescents with gender dysphoria
As soon as young children acquire language most will start understanding that they are a boy or a girl and they will increasingly feel and behave in accordance with the gender assigned to them at birth. Some
Multiminerals in mammals: longevity, organ biology and other things
Whenever we pick up a bottle of multimineral supplement, some chemical elements often appear on the list of ingredients: sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and so on. How are they important to us? Well, our bones
Tricking the body into building new heart valves and blood vessels
When heart valves or small blood vessels fail, surgically implanting a replacement can be a life-saving operation. Right now, replacement blood vessels are harvested from the patient’s leg or chest, which is an additional invasive procedure. Heart
