Author Archives: Nick Lavars

Alzheimer’s blood test may replace invasive spinal taps for diagnosis

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A new blood test could offer a new way of detecting Alzheimer's disease early on

Alzheimer’s disease is not an easy one to diagnose, with physicians relying on expensive PET scans and fluid sampling to make a decision on a patient’s wellbeing. Some exciting advances are being made when it comes to blood-testing, however, that could change the game by offering clearer insights into the disease during its earlier stages. The latest example of this offers a particularly promising pathway forward, with an ability to spot a traditionally hard-to-detect protein called tau, considered a key biomarker of the disease.

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Alphabet launches Tidal, a moonshot to save the world’s oceans

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It covers almost three quarters of the Earth, but we know only a fraction of what lies beneath the ocean’s surface. Google’s parent company Alphabet has today launched a new initiative called Tidal aimed at changing that, with an overarching objective … Continue reading Alphabet launches Tidal, a moonshot to save the world’s oceans→

Australian summers now a full month longer, says climate change report

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From the Himalayas to the Arctic, global warming is making for longer and drier summer seasons with significant consequences to the landscape. Australia, which just experienced its hottest and driest year on record and was then ravaged by devastating b… Continue reading Australian summers now a full month longer, says climate change report→

Experimental Parkinson’s drug reduces involuntary movement in monkeys

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A drug targeting the brain's serotonin system has showed an ability to reduce Parkinson's symptoms in a newly published study

Parkinson’s patients can suffer from a range of symptoms affecting their movement including something known as dyskinesia, which causes involuntary motion of body parts and makes everyday tasks a tricky undertaking. A new study exploring the potential of an experimental drug to reduce its severity has returned some promising results, with monkeys undergoing treatment exhibiting much improved symptoms thereafter.

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NASA records huge drop in China’s pollution after coronavirus outbreak

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As sections of China’s workforce grind to a halt to combat the spread of the deadly coronavirus, it appears to be having a dramatic effect on the country’s notorious pollution levels. Satellite data has revealed “significant decreases” in nitrogen diox… Continue reading NASA records huge drop in China’s pollution after coronavirus outbreak→

The art of VR storytelling with Phoria’s Trent Clews-de Castella

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While tales of environmental degradation through books, documentary film-making or radio bulletins can certainly have compelling effect, the unique experiences offered by augmented and virtual realities are opening up entirely new possibilities when it… Continue reading The art of VR storytelling with Phoria’s Trent Clews-de Castella→

Tiny magnetized robots become “warehouse” workers for biotech research

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Scientists working with microfluids as part of biotechnology research often rely on large, clunky machines to manage the samples, but this tinkering could one day be handled by tiny robots that make the process far more efficient. Engineers at the Univ… Continue reading Tiny magnetized robots become “warehouse” workers for biotech research→

Breath test accurately detects a known precursor of esophageal cancer

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Esophageal cancer is a difficult one to detect during its early stages, with most diagnosed only once the disease is well advanced, making it a difficult one to treat. A new type of breath test developed by scientists in the Netherlands could offer a c… Continue reading Breath test accurately detects a known precursor of esophageal cancer→

Deaf moths use commercial-grade noise-cancelling to dodge hungry bats

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While many insects that would otherwise become bat food rely on the sounds created by the nocturnal creatures to dodge their advances, deaf species of moth have no such luxury. These critters do have another trick up their sleeve, it turns out, with re… Continue reading Deaf moths use commercial-grade noise-cancelling to dodge hungry bats→

China’s Chang’e-4 probe peers beneath the surface of Moon’s far side

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The Chang'e-4 lander, as seen by the Yutu 2 rover

China’s pioneering mission to explore the far side of the Moon continues to shed new light on this relatively unknown territory, with scientists using instruments aboard the unmanned Chang’e-4 spacecraft to peek beneath the surface for the first time. The probe’s rover module has used onboard radar to penetrate deep into the Moon to help scientists build a picture of the subsurface structure, offering new clues on its turbulent history.

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