Author: Bianca Nogrady

Bianca Nogrady is an Australian freelance science journalist, broadcaster and author - www.biancanogrady.com - @biancanogrady

Genotype plays role in schizophrenia response to folate

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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

Heart disease a 4000-year old ‘serial killer’

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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’

The early life of the West Australian dhufish

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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

Genetic technology in the management of wild fisheries

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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

No stand-out among pediatric UTI diagnostic algorithms

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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

Do environmental impact assessments protect the environment?

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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?

Environmental law reform: how much is too much?

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From Ecos magazine, 18 February 2013: Would reform of Australia’s key environmental law – referred to by industry as ‘cutting green tape’– safeguard our natural resources for current and future generations, or put them at higher risk? After Australia introduced the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999, the Australian, state and territory governments … Continue reading Environmental law reform: how much is too much?

Corticosteroids quadruple risk of tennis elbow recurrence at 1 year

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From Rheumatology News, 26 February 2013: Corticosteroids may offer short-term relief from the symptoms of lateral epicondylalgia, but they significantly increase the risk of recurrence compared with physiotherapy or placebo, according to a randomized controlled trial reported in JAMA. The 1-year study of 165 patients also examined the interaction between corticosteroids and physiotherapy, finding that … Continue reading Corticosteroids quadruple risk of tennis elbow recurrence at 1 year