freelance science journalist and author
From ABC Science News Online, 10 February 2014: Astronomers have discovered the oldest known star, born in the fiery wake of a first generation supernova after the Big Bang. The star, with the catchy name SMSS J031300.362670839.3, came to the attention of an international team of astronomers because of its unique chemical fingerprint showing it … Continue reading Oldest known star discovered
From ABC News in Science, 16 January 2014: Biodegradable microparticles could dramatically reduce the inflammatory damage that occurs during a heart attack, potentially making the difference between life and death. The study, conducted on mice, found that the microparticles significantly reduced the amount of scarring in the heart tissue and promoted repair. The serendipitous discovery … Continue reading Microparticles could reduce heart attack damage
From ABC Science, 2 December 2013: Faecal microbiota transplantation – also known as ‘faecal transplants’ – restores bacterial diversity and quickly relieves the symptoms of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, according to a new study. Researchers compared the gut bacteria of 14 individuals who had Clostriduium difficile infection as a consequence of antibiotic treatment, before and after faecal … Continue reading Poop transplants boost gut defences
From ABC News in Science, 31 May 2013: It’s not quite the ‘smart gene’ but researchers have identified a small number of genetic markers associated with educational attainment. A genome-wide association study using genetic data from more than 100,000 individuals found three genetic markers that were significantly linked to an individual’s numbers of years of … Continue reading Degrees of learning in the genes
From ABC News in Science, 22 April 2013: Average temperatures around the world in the last thirty years of the 20th century were higher than any other time in nearly 1400 years. That’s the conclusion of the first climate reconstruction to examine global climate change from a regional perspective by an international network of climatologists … Continue reading Late 20th century hottest in over 1000 years
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 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 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 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
Bianca Nogrady 