Honey, I killed the superbug (The Australian)
Australian researchers have discovered a cure-all right under their noses - a honey sold in health food shops as a natural medicine.

New diabetes epidemic theory (ScienceAlert)
A new “fertility first” hypothesis published this week proposes that the global epidemic of Type 2 diabetes has its origins in the struggle, over millennia, to sustain human fertility in environments defined by famine.

Bilbies bring deserts back to life (Cosmos Magazine)
Foraging bilbies and bettongs play a role in conserving Australia's desert plantlife, whereas rabbits contribute to its destruction, according to new research.

Log On To Beat Depression (Science Daily)
In a discovery that could lead to new treatment approaches for depression, researchers have shown that Internet-based therapy programs are as effective as face-to-face therapies in combating the illness.

A young NSW researcher is giving new hope to sufferers of conditions like motor neurone, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Henry Chung, a PhD student from the University of New South Wales, was recently named as the winner of the inaugural Paul Brock Scholarship for stem cell research.

Henry will be using the scholarship funding to investigate whether stem cells, specifically Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPS), can be used to treat people with incurable and terminal neurological diseases. He hopes his research will help to gain new insights into potential treatments.

iPS stem cells are cells that are treated to resemble embryonic stem cells in that they have the ability to regenerate and form into virtually any cell in the human body. It is hoped that iPS cells can eventually be used to replace or repair damaged or diseased cells.

The scholarship is named after Dr Paul Brock AM, a motor neurone disease sufferer who is widely recognised for his significant contributions to public debate on stem cell science. Dr Brock congratulated Henry on his successful application and wished him well in his research efforts.

Media release >>