Brightest object in the universe swallows a Sun every day

You’d assume that the brightest object in the known universe would be a pretty easy thing to discover, but astronomers have only just spotted it. This overlooked show-off is a supermassive black hole with the mass of 17 billion Suns, and counting – it … Continue reading Brightest object in the universe swallows a Sun every day

Simple test predicts Alzheimer’s risk, 20 years before symptoms show

Researcher Shankar Dutt with a new diagnostic tool that can isolate proteins from other biomolecules in the blood to search for signs of early neurodegeneration

Australian National University (ANU) physicists have combined nanotechnology, artificial intelligence and molecular biology to design a novel method that looks for Alzheimer’s disease protein markers in blood. These markers are tell-tale signs of early neurodegeneration, and early detection is so far the best defense we have in order to effectively intervene in Alzheimer’s progression. While there’s no cure for the disease, a 20-year jump on symptoms first appearing has the potential to significantly change health outcomes.

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Continue reading Simple test predicts Alzheimer’s risk, 20 years before symptoms show

World-first parasitic infection: 3-inch roundworm found in woman’s brain

Researchers have discovered the world’s first case of a new human parasitic infection, pulling a live roundworm picked up from a carpet python from the brain of an Australian woman. They say the case highlights the risks posed by zoonotic diseases caus… Continue reading World-first parasitic infection: 3-inch roundworm found in woman’s brain

“Puke pills” could stop introduced foxes from decimating native species

The European red fox isn’t native to Australia, but it certainly does live there now, preying on native species. In an effort to help restore the ecological balance, scientists are experimenting with putting foxes off of some of those creatures, by mak… Continue reading “Puke pills” could stop introduced foxes from decimating native species

The special on the menu tonight: A 2,000-year-old curry

The earliest base for a Southeast Asian curry has been identified on a sandstone slab excavated from the Óc Eo site in Vietnam.Continue ReadingCategory: ScienceTags: Australian National University, Vietnam, Culture, Fossils, Archeology Continue reading The special on the menu tonight: A 2,000-year-old curry

Fossilized steroids reveal “lost world” of mysterious organisms

Scientists have discovered evidence of a “lost world” of previously unknown lifeforms that inhabited Earth between 800 million and 1.6 billion years ago. Fossilized fat compounds were identified in rocks all over the world, likely produced by our ancie… Continue reading Fossilized steroids reveal “lost world” of mysterious organisms

Fossilized steroids reveal “lost world” of mysterious organisms

Scientists have discovered evidence of a “lost world” of previously unknown lifeforms that inhabited Earth between 800 million and 1.6 billion years ago. Fossilized fat compounds were identified in rocks all over the world, likely produced by our ancie… Continue reading Fossilized steroids reveal “lost world” of mysterious organisms

More magnesium may mean better brain health, especially for women

Researchers have found that consuming more magnesium leads to better brain health, especially for women.

Dementia is an incurable, debilitating disease that affects millions of people worldwide. While science continues to look for answers to treat the disease, there has been a shift towards prevention. A study has provided new evidence about the link between magnesium intake and brain health.

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Category: Health & Wellbeing, Lifestyle

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Meta-display concept could retire LCD panels in big-screen TVs

A research team from the UK’s Nottingham Trent University, the Australian National University and the University of New South Wales Canberra has developed a proof-of-concept display technology that could replace the LCD panels common to many of today’s… Continue reading Meta-display concept could retire LCD panels in big-screen TVs

Oldest meal on record dates back half a billion years

The remains of the oldest meal on record have been identified. In fossils of a strange slug-like creature called Kimberella, which lived half a billion years ago, scientists have found food molecules preserved in the gut, revealing what and how these a… Continue reading Oldest meal on record dates back half a billion years