freelance science journalist and author
Medical reporting
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
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
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
From ABC Science Online, News in Science, 17 August 2012: Being able to lie about your age may soon be a thing of the past, after a new study shows the human brain develops at a consistent rate across individuals. The finding could also advance our understanding of autism and ADHD, and be used in … Continue reading Brain scan study reveals owner’s age
From ABC Science Online, Ask an Expert, 20 August 2012: Q: Why doesn’t the skin on my fingers and underfeet go wrinkly as my grandchildren’s skin does when in the swimming pool for a long time? It used to when I was younger. I am 66. Is there something that happens to our skin as … Continue reading Why do your fingertips go wrinkly in water?
From ABC Health and Wellbeing, 14 August 2012: New research shows the current whooping cough vaccine is not as effective as its predecessor, so what’s the best way to protect children against this potentially deadly infection? A highly contagious disease, caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, whooping cough is known for its severe coughing attacks … Continue reading Whooping cough vaccine: how well is it working?
From ABC Science, News in Science, 8 August 2012: The current whooping cough vaccine offers less protection against infection but is much safer than the older whole-cell vaccine, Australian researchers have found. The study examined Queensland immunisation and disease registers, which included more than 40,000 children born in 1998 who had received the vaccine. They … Continue reading Whooping cough vaccine weaker but safer
From Scientific American, July 2009 (online May 8, 2009): Mind control has been traditionally the realm of the hypnotist, but research in the field of fluorescent proteins is opening up the possibility of controlling cellular processes, gene activity and even behavior using nothing more than infrared light. Fluorescent proteins, which are compounds that can absorb … Continue reading Deep into the red
From the ABC Health and Wellbeing , 18 March 2009: David’s troubles began after a trip to the Middle East. It might have been the hefty dose of food poisoning he copped, or the fact he spent much of the trip lugging someone else’s heavy luggage. Either way, it did not come as a huge … Continue reading Web diagnosis: healthy searching
From The Australian, 4 April 2009: THEY are called “silent angels”, little girls with beautiful faces, touched by a random genetic mutation that has rendered them speechless and robbed them of their chance of a normal life. Meredith Drakes is one of these silent angels. Now 21, she cannot speak or walk, is wheelchair-bound and … Continue reading United front tracks silent menace
Bianca Nogrady 