Some big developments in the prevention of mosquito borne diseases have been made, with Professor Alan Cowman FAA FRS and his team at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute showing that the malaria parasite cannot penetrate a human red blood cell when key proteins are removed.
There have also been steps taken towards controlling the Zika virus by Professor Scott O’Neill FAA and his team at Monash University, finding that a naturally occurring bacteria—Wolbachia—stops the replication of the virus in the mosquito.
In other health news, Professor David Cooper FAA has said that even though Australia may have beaten AIDS, we need to keep working towards a golden bullet for HIV.
Professor Colin Masters FAA FTSE is calling for more participants for the study he is leading in to Alzheimer’s disease.
The Friends of Science in Medicine, led by Professor Marcello Costa FAA, has conducted a study that concludes there is no clinical benefit for acupuncture.
Professor Naomi Wray FAA was involved in analysing data from more than 30,000 people, which led to the discovery of three new genes, which increase the risk of motor neuron disease.
Australia’s first whole-genome testing service has been launched by the Garvin Institute, which is headed by Professor John Mattick AO FAA.
Fellows have also been acknowledged for their work, with outgoing President of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) Trust, Professor John Shine AO FAA being thanked for his work by the Deputy Premier of NSW and Professor Brian Anderson AC FAA FRS honoured by the Australian National University, which has named a building after him.
Professor Peter Gill FAA provided expert advice on DNA evidence as part of a 10-year investigation in to the murder of Adelaide schoolgirl, Louise Bell.
Finally, Professor Brian Schmidt AC FAA FRS Nobel Laureate has provided some insights in to how he managed his team to achieve research worthy of a Nobel Prize.
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