Bianca Nogrady

Corticosteroids quadruple risk of tennis elbow recurrence at 1 year

March 5, 2013No Comments

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

Devil of a disease

February 28, 2013No Comments

From Ecos Magazine, 25 February 2013: It’s difficult to imagine how anyone involved with saving the Tasmanian devil could find much cause for optimism. Devil numbers are plummeting so drastically that if nothing is done, they could become extinct in the wild within two decades. But conservation efforts recently reached a significant milestone that may … Continue reading Devil of a disease

Lights, lipids, action

February 26, 2013No Comments

From Monash Magazine, February 2013: Sophisticated technology that packages medicines, sends them into the body and releases them as required has the potential to transform life for people with macular degeneration and a range of other serious diseases. If medicines could be designed in a way that allowed them to be sent to the right … Continue reading Lights, lipids, action

Tooth decay bacteria evolved as diet changed

February 18, 2013No Comments

From ABC Science, News in Science, February 18, 2013: Mesolithic hunter-gatherers living on a meat-dominated, grain-free diet had much healthier mouths that we have today, with almost no cavities and gum disease-associated bacteria, a genetic study of ancient dental plaque has revealed. The international team of researchers, led by a group at the Australian Centre … Continue reading Tooth decay bacteria evolved as diet changed

New myopia genes uncovered

February 15, 2013No Comments

From ABC Science, News in Science, 11 February 2013: An international team of researchers has identified 24 new genes linked to short-sightedness. The discovery may one day help with the development of new treatments for a condition that affects billions of people around the world. The meta-analysis of genetic data from more than 46,000 individuals … Continue reading New myopia genes uncovered

Asthma drug treats diabetes in obese mice

February 15, 2013No Comments

From ABC Science, News in Science, 11 February 2013: A drug used to treat asthma and mouth ulcers has shown promise in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes in obesity, according to a study in mice. Researchers found that obese mice treated with the drug amlexanox not only lost a significant amount of weight, … Continue reading Asthma drug treats diabetes in obese mice

Men contribute more than sperm to pregnancy

November 28, 2012No Comments

From ABC Science Online, News in Science, 28 November: Men may contribute far more to a successful pregnancy than just sperm, with evidence suggesting seminal fluid primes a woman’s immune system to be more receptive to the foetus. Researchers from the University of Adelaide have found a mechanism that may explain why women who have … Continue reading Men contribute more than sperm to pregnancy

DNA dating study kills off ‘Jurassic Park’

October 18, 2012No Comments

From ABC Science Online, News in Science, 10 October: Reconstructing dinosaurs from ancient DNA has been dealt a blow with a new study finding genetic material can only last one million years. An international team of researchers reached the finding after analysing DNA extracted from bones of the extinct New Zealand moa. They found that … Continue reading DNA dating study kills off ‘Jurassic Park’

Temperament gives ‘red flags’ for autism

September 11, 2012No Comments

From ABC Science Online, News in Science, 10 September 2012: Lack of cuddliness and a fixation with textures, sounds and smells in children under two years of age could be signs of autism, say researchers. They say such patterns in temperament could be used to help detect the disorder earlier and tailor treatment, giving behavioural … Continue reading Temperament gives ‘red flags’ for autism

Asbestos may raise risk of non-lung cancers

August 27, 2012No Comments

From ABC Science Online, News in Science, 27 August 2012: Children exposed to blue asbestos may face more wide-ranging health problems in adulthood than mesothelioma and lung cancer, according to an Australian study. Researchers from Western Australia analysed health data from children who lived at Wittenoom, a now-abandoned WA town where blue asbestos was mined … Continue reading Asbestos may raise risk of non-lung cancers