BLOGS WEBSITE
Category: Science Stories
Science Stories: An Engineering approach to curing Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic Fibrosis Airway Disease is an inherited life-long disorder for which there is no cure. Although there have been recent advances in treatments that have extended the lives of patients, these treatments have not removed the symptoms or the need for life-long medications and procedures. Dr Martin Donnelley, a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Cystic Fibrosis […]
Comments Off on Science Stories: An Engineering approach to curing Cystic Fibrosis
Science Stories: Hemoglobin and fertility – what’s the connection?
Hemoglobin has been studied extensively in red blood cells – it acts to carry oxygen and carbon dioxide through the body. When it was discovered inside the oocyte it initiated a wave of questions and a new research direction. What role is hemoglobin playing inside the oocyte and what affect does this have on fertility? […]
Comments Off on Science Stories: Hemoglobin and fertility – what’s the connection?
Science Stories: Hope for parents – preterm children can catch up
In Australia approximately 9% of babies are born preterm (less than 37 weeks gestation), and there is compelling evidence that the effects of preterm birth persist over life. Babies born preterm often face life-long setbacks in development and education and may be prone to continuing health challenges. Dr Luke Schneider, a Postdoctoral Research Officer at […]
Comments Off on Science Stories: Hope for parents – preterm children can catch up
Science Stories: Is shift work harming your baby?
Approximately 16% of the working population in Australia are shift workers, with females accounting for almost half – 48%. Shift workers are at greater risk of developing a range of health problems including increased weight gain, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and even breast cancer. However, working shifts during pregnancy may also negatively affect the developing baby. […]
Comments Off on Science Stories: Is shift work harming your baby?
Science Stories: A new approach to improve IVF success
At least 1 in 6 Australian couples experience infertility and now 4% of children are conceived by IVF – and this number is on the rise. Age is the largest cause of infertility and increasingly women are having children later in life, and turning to IVF. However, IVF is not a magic solution that works […]
Science Stories: Fit for a gene – how sex-biased gene expression contributes to fetal growth
It is well known that there are sex differences in fetal growth in utero. Males are, on average, larger than females at birth – demonstrating that males grow faster in utero. However, this difference in fetal growth has other consequences. Several studies have shown that the sex of the fetus can also influence the risk […]
Comments Off on Science Stories: Fit for a gene – how sex-biased gene expression contributes to fetal growth
Science Stories: Is chronic pain a symptom of the brain?
Two people experience the same injury. Both receive identical treatment and rehabilitation programs – so naturally we would expect to see similar results. Unfortunately this is not always the case. Six months later one patient has fully recovered, while the other develops a chronic pain condition. What has caused the transition to chronic pain and […]
Comments Off on Science Stories: Is chronic pain a symptom of the brain?
Science Stories: Quality control in protein production ensures normal brain development
In 2013 the Robinson Institute’s Jozef Gecz published two studies reporting on a critical quality control process known as ‘NMD’ in regulating brain development. The papers are important not only because they shed light on how some cases of intellectual disability and other brain disorders develop, but also due to broader implications relating to how […]
Comments Off on Science Stories: Quality control in protein production ensures normal brain development
Science Stories: Exciting new target for schizophrenia diagnosis and treatment
A new focus for understanding the molecular basis of schizophrenia has been identified thanks to research performed by the Robinson Institute’s Quenten Schwarz and colleagues. The work identifies that a brain protein known as 14-3-3 zeta is important in a mouse model of schizophrenia, and suggests that targeted diagnostic tools and treatment options for humans […]
Comments Off on Science Stories: Exciting new target for schizophrenia diagnosis and treatment
Science Stories: Longer not always better in twin pregnancies
Hospitals in South Australia and across the world are changing the way they manage twin pregnancies thanks to research lead by The Robinson Institute’s Professor Jodie Dodd. Published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in June 2012, the Twins Timing of Birth Randomised Trial shows that delivery of twin babies at 37 weeks […]