freelance science journalist and author
From ABC News in Science, 9 April 2013: After aeons of speculation, science has finally answered the biggest question of all – Does penis size matter? – with a resounding ‘yes’. Australian researchers have found that penis size is just as important as height when it comes to female assessment of male attractiveness, and that … Continue reading It’s official: penis size does matter
From ABC News in Science, 4 April 2013: Amyloid proteins may have been wrongfully accused as the culprits behind Alzheimer’s disease, new research in mice suggests. Two studies – one Australian, one from the US – have examined the role amyloid proteins play in the brain with one study suggesting that far from being a … Continue reading Alzheimer’s culprit may be ‘innocent’
From Clinical Psychiatry News, 19 March 2013: The deficit subtype of schizophrenia is characterized by white matter tract disruption, while all subtypes of schizophrenia feature a reduction in cortical thickness, a cross-sectional neuroimaging study has found. Patients with deficit schizophrenia showed significant disruption of white matter at the right inferior longitudinal fasciculus, the right arcuate … Continue reading Neuroimaging reveals characteristics of deficit schizophrenia
From Clinical Psychiatry News, 19 March 2013: Folate and vitamin B12 supplements may improve the negative symptoms of schizophrenia but only in patients with a genetic variant that influences folate metabolism, a study has shown. “Although four such variants have previously been associated with negative symptom severity, the genotype that contributed most strongly to treatment … Continue reading Genotype plays role in schizophrenia response to folate
From ABC News in Science, 11 March 2013: The diseased arteries of ancient mummies are challenging modern assumptions about the causes of cardiovascular disease. Whole-body CT scans of 137 mummies from different countries, cultures and lifestyles spanning 4000 years of history has found evidence of hardened arteries in at least one-third of the mummies. The … Continue reading Heart disease a 4000-year old ‘serial killer’
From Fish magazine, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, March 2013: For a fish as prevalent and important as the West Australian Dhufish, its offspring have remained under the research radar for a remarkably long time. Endemic to Western Australia, the Dhufish (Glaucosoma hebraicum) is a favourite of recreational and commercial fishers. But, until recently, little … Continue reading The early life of the West Australian dhufish
From Fish magazine, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, March 2013: Genetic technology provides a powerful new tool to understand how wild fish populations live, grow and change, and help ensure the longterm sustainability of wild fisheries. Genetic technology has an enormous amount to offer the industry, from those in the fisheries right through to the … Continue reading Genetic technology in the management of wild fisheries
From ABC News in Science, 4 March 2013: Eating green leafy vegetables may boost a newly discovered genetic pathway that is essential for intestinal health, new research suggests. The study has discovered a gene known as T-bet is responsible for production of a type of cell that helps repair the lining of the gut and … Continue reading Green veges may boost gut health
From Pediatric News, 6 March 2013: There is no one perfect diagnostic algorithm for children with a first uncomplicated febrile urinary tract infection, according to a retrospective cohort simulation comparing six diagnostic approaches for yield, cost, and radiation dose. Five diagnostic algorithms possibly using ultrasound, voiding cystourethrography (VCUG), and late technetium99 dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scan … Continue reading No stand-out among pediatric UTI diagnostic algorithms
From ABC Environment, 6 March 2013: BUSINESSES PROTESTS AGAINST the cost and delay associated with environmental impact assessments (EIAs). Green groups say they are not rigorous enough and that few projects are ever knocked back. Environmental consultants plead for more time, better funding and broader scope. The wider community clamours for its voice to be … Continue reading Do environmental impact assessments protect the environment?
Bianca Nogrady 