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A Week In Science – 1 March 2013

[ By franceneconnor on March 1, 2013 ]
Continent lost beneath the ocean Article from BBC Creating perfect virtual humans Baby brains develop speech processes in the womb Article from Daily Mail Bendy batteries Article from NBC News Producing hydrogen from methane Article ... Continue Reading »

History of the X-ray

[ By Petra Dzurovcinova on November 27, 2012 ]
It could be argued that the discovery of the X-ray was one of the most pivotal steps in medical technology - and yet like Alexander Fleming’s penicillin, Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen made the find almost completely by accident. The year was 1895, and the German physicist Röntgen was ... Continue Reading »

A Week In Science – 5 October 2012

[ By Petra Dzurovcinova on October 5, 2012 ]
http://vimeo.com/50740422 The Great Barrier Reef has lost nearly 50% of its coral cover in last 27 years. Article from the New York Times Roman and Chinese empires 2000 years ago caused significant increases in greenhouse gas emissions Article from the Sydney Morning Herald Compound found in Black Mamba snake ... Continue Reading »

A Week In Science – 28 September 2012

[ By Petra Dzurovcinova on September 28, 2012 ]
http://vimeo.com/50280511 Sumatran Earthquakes in April may have caused formation of new plate boundary and triggered other quakes around world Article from Scientific American Bisphenol A may damage reproductive system Article from the Herald Sun Castration could lead to longer life by as much as 19 years Article ... Continue Reading »

You and your skin – the price of beauty

[ By Petra Dzurovcinova on August 24, 2012 ]
Good skin can make you feel young, alive and supermodel-esque. But good skin is not just about good aesthetics, far more important is the role of skin in keeping us healthy. Unfortunately, our beauty-obsessed culture has helped to overlook this fact, and now we may be doing our skin more ... Continue Reading »

Cheryl Hutchens: Artistic Process – Measuring Body Parts

[ By Petra Dzurovcinova on August 7, 2012 ]
I would like to share with you the process I used to calculate the volume of my heart using my fist. It is understood that your fist is about the same size as you heart. Without getting some high-tech medical scanning done, using water displacement was the best method I ... Continue Reading »

Cheryl Hutchens

[ By freya on July 6, 2012 ]
Cheryl Hutchens is an Adelaide based textile artist with an interest in biology and the human condition. She has always had a passion for making with fabric and stitch and after receiving a Bachelor of Visual Art from the South Australian School of Art in 1999 she studied dressmaking at ... Continue Reading »

Beth Evans

[ By freya on July 5, 2012 ]
Beth Evans is a visual artist with a background as a chiropractor and osteopath. Working from the Tannery Print Studio in Adelaide, Beth creates artwork that takes its inspiration from her former career as a health professional. Her work includes artists books, printmaking and small-scale bronze sculpture. She created her first ... Continue Reading »

Forever Young

[ By Petra Dzurovcinova on June 27, 2012 ]
Your skin is one of the most visible indicators of age - so what can you do to keep looking young? We watched an advance screening of Catalyst TV's special ‘Skin Deep’, focusing on sun damage and the search for eternal youth. We then continued the live discussion, hosted by ... Continue Reading »

Unfamiliar faces

[ By freya on June 14, 2012 ]
“I make the face into a landscape. And I journey across that landscape like Gulliver’s Lilliputians, crawling over the face of a giant, not knowing, that they were on the face of a giant.” - Chuck Close. Chuck Close is an American painter, famous for his intimate portraits. Up close his ... Continue Reading »

RiAus PDplus: Regenerative Medicine

[ By Petra Dzurovcinova on May 2, 2012 ]
It’s been a common theme of science fiction for decades – the lone scientist striving to grow human body parts in the laboratory. But, will new research finally make regenerative medicine a reality? The development of a complete human from a tiny embryo is undoubtedly one of nature’s most miraculous ... Continue Reading »

Can we talk?

[ By Petra Dzurovcinova on April 16, 2012 ]
A review of the Let’s talk about SEX! event Last week's RiAus event, Let's Talk About SEX!, was an opportunity to talk about all the things that are too embarrassing to ask elsewhere.  Before we got to the panel discussion, we watched a screening of the Catalyst special ... Continue Reading »

Let’s talk about SEX!

[ By Petra Dzurovcinova on March 16, 2012 ]
Sex is a natural bodily process, yet most are hesitant to talk about their experiences. Why? Meet our panel of “sexperts” as we discuss sexual wellbeing. The event included an early screening of ABC TV's Catalyst sex special. Our host, Dr Maryanne Demasi from ABC TV’s Catalyst program was joined by a panel ... Continue Reading »

Donating organs: donating life and changing lives

[ By Petra Dzurovcinova on February 29, 2012 ]
Conversations about organ donation are often over before they have begun.  It's an uncomfortable topic to discuss at the best of times. Wednesday night's informal panel discussion at the Science Exchange gave us an opportunity to talk freely about organ donation. Experts Toby Coates, a renal transplant ... Continue Reading »

Guts for brains

[ By freya on February 20, 2012 ]
My introduction to neuroscience Giving up studying biology at the tender age of 13, to head along my path to Engineering, means that I now know very little about what is inside my body, where it is or how it works. Until embarrassingly recently I actually thought my stomach was located ... Continue Reading »

Were the women of Pompeii really fat and hairy?

[ By freya on February 16, 2012 ]
Archaologist Estelle Lazer became rather infamous in the 90s after New Scientist published an article based on her research entitled “The Fat, Hairy Women of Pompeii”. This article suggested that her research proved that many of the ladies of Pompeii were not the beauties suggested by the frescos, ... Continue Reading »

No-one is immune – the reality of organ donation

[ By Petra Dzurovcinova on February 4, 2012 ]
In recognition of DonateLife Week 2012, we explored the barrier that is the immune system. While it usually protects us from evil invaders, the immune system becomes a hindrance for organ transplantation. What is tissue matching all about? How does life change after an organ transplant? How can research make our ... Continue Reading »

Shane Burgess

[ By freya on January 10, 2012 ]
Shane is a graduate of the Masters of Physiotherapy (GE) program from the University of South Australia, and practices at Smart Health Training and Services in Keswick. He has a strong passion for musculoskeletal physiotherapy and enjoys helping individuals reach their goals. It is his belief that a physiotherapist not ... Continue Reading »

Warning on stem cell travel (18 November 2011) Adelaide Now

[ By Petra Dzurovcinova on November 18, 2011 ]
Australians are putting their lives at risk by travelling overseas for stem cell therapy not available here. That's according to Australian Stem Cells Centre director of scientific affairs and policy Dr Megan Munsie. The new $21 million research collaboration between Australia's leading research universities and research organisations in stem cell science also ... Continue Reading »

100+ by Sonia Arrison book review

[ By freya on October 28, 2011 ]
While researching for our recent RiAus event, Immortality… reality?, I was delighted to stumble upon this book published last month: 100+: How the Coming Age of Longevity Will Change Everything, From Careers and Relationships to Family and Faith.  ... Continue Reading »

A Beautiful Mind

[ By freya on October 25, 2011 ]
Scientist in the Spotlight: Dr Dylan DeLosAngeles Degree: Bachelor of Science (Biology, Neuroscience) PhD Research: The Neuroscience of Meditation PhD Title: “Electroencephalographic, Cognitive and Autonomic Correlates of States of Concentrative Meditation” Current Research: Effects of opioids on the nervous system and chronic ... Continue Reading »

Robert Norman

[ By freya on September 29, 2011 ]
Robert Norman holds a personal chair as Professor for Reproductive and Periconceptual Medicine at the University of Adelaide and is a subspecialist in reproductive medicine (CREI) and in endocrine biochemistry (FRCPA).  He is Director of the Robinson Institute at the University of Adelaide, a collection of 350 researchers in ... Continue Reading »

Matt de Neef

[ By freya on September 19, 2011 ]
Matt de Neef is Deputy Section Editor for Energy + Environment at The Conversation, having completed a Graduate Diploma in Journalism at La Trobe University in 2010. He has written for The Age’s Green Guide, the National Times, Crikey and The Punch and was co-editor of ... Continue Reading »

Gary Cairnduff

[ By freya ]
Gary Cairnduff is a sports physiotherapist with the Olympic Park Sports Medicine Centre in Melbourne. Gary is skilled in athlete screening and providing programs in order to maximise performance and prevent injury, including bike set-ups for cyclists. His interests are in the management of tendon pathology, headache, thoracic, lumbo-sacral spine, foot, ... Continue Reading »

Marian Cornett

[ By freya ]
Marian Cornett is a lecturer in Nutrition and in Physical Activity and Health. She has 21 years’ experience as an Accredited Practising Dietitian and 17 years’ experience as an Accredited Sports Dietitian.  Marian's sports experience includes providing consulting services to the Geelong Football Club. She also consults athletes involved in ... Continue Reading »

Adelaide Festival of Ideas: Immortality… reality?

[ By freya on September 2, 2011 ]
According to some researchers, the first human to live for 150 years has already been born, and the first  to live for 1000 years will probably be born within the next two decades.   Is it really possible to live to 1000? More importantly, would you want to? Human cells can ... Continue Reading »

James Byrne – Programs Co-ordinator

[ By freya on May 29, 2011 ]
James completed his PhD in Microbial Pathogenesis in 2012 where he worked primarily on determining how the molecular machinery on bacterial surfaces allows them to infect humans. While still completing his PhD James accepted a teaching role and was appointed an Associate Lecturer which honed his communication skills in preparation ... Continue Reading »

Film Club: My Sister’s Keeper

[ By freya on March 11, 2011 ]
Based on the best-selling novel by Jodi Picoult, My Sister’s Keeper tackles the emotive subject of saviour siblings. Conceived by means of in vitro fertilisation, Anna was brought into the world to be a genetic match for her older sister Kate, who suffers from acute promyelocytic leukaemia. When ... Continue Reading »

When are you dead? Brain death and organ donation

[ By freya ]
When are you dead? You might think that everyone knows the answer to this question but it’s not quite as simple as it seems. Brain death is a concept that most people find difficult to grasp and yet it is central to the donation of organs. What is brain death? ... Continue Reading »

The Oxford Lecture: Supersize me!

[ By freya on March 9, 2011 ]
The early origins of a life of obesity Women who enter pregnancy overweight or obese are at greater risk of developing diabetes in pregnancy. They are also at greater risk of having a large baby, who, in turn, may have an increased risk of developing obesity in later life. This lecture ... Continue Reading »

Friday Exchange: The Heart Library Project and Heartsong

[ By freya on March 6, 2011 ]
The heart has been the seat of love and emotion throughout the ages, but what does science tell us about what keeps us ticking?  Changes in heart rate (heart-rate variability) can be affected by all sorts of things - including hormones, sleep-wake cycle, meals, stress - and can have important ... Continue Reading »

Mind Matters @ Wodonga

[ By Petra Dzurovcinova on March 1, 2011 | Filed under: Uncategorized ]
Why do London taxi drivers have larger areas of the brain associated with navigation? Can you 'train your brain' in the same way you can train for a marathon? Can a stimulating environment really delay onset of brain diseases like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's? The brain is hugely complex, with vast neural networks ... Continue Reading »

Scones and a Scientist

[ By Petra Dzurovcinova | Filed under: Uncategorized ]
Have you or someone you know been affected by neurological disease? Are you a health professional working in this field? This morning tea gave you the opportunity to ask questions of a leading neuroscience researcher Anthony Hannan from the Florey Neuroscience Institutes during Brain Awareness Week. Related Content View the article from Shepparton ... Continue Reading »

Prof Graeme Clark AO

[ By on January 29, 2011 ]
Born: 1935 Graeme Clark is responsible for the pioneering research and development of the Bionic Ear, a multiple-channel Cochlear Implant. The Cochlear Implant has brought hearing and speech understanding to more than thousands of people with a severe-to-profound hearing loss around the world. His research resulted in ... Continue Reading »

Veer it like Viduka!

[ By Petra Dzurovcinova on January 21, 2011 ]
Veer it like Viduka! saw nearly 2000 people descend on Hindmarsh Stadium to watch the launch of our specially produced DVD on the science of football, and to put the theory into practice under the careful watch of Adelaide United and South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) players. Hosted by SBS's Damien ... Continue Reading »

Robyn Moffitt

[ By on January 16, 2011 ]
Dr Robyn Moffitt is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow  at CSIRO Food and Nutritional Sciences. She obtained her Bachelor in Psychology (Hons) from Flinders University and Masters in Psychology (Organisation & Human Factors) from the University of Adelaide. She recently completed her PhD in the School of Psychology at Flinders University. The research ... Continue Reading »

Michael Alpers

[ By editor ]
Professor Michael Alpers has dedicated his life to the understanding of the mysterious fatal neurological disease kuru. As a new medical graduate, Adelaide-born Alpers travelled to the Okapa patrol post in Papua New Guinea in 1961 to start work as a research doctor with the Department of Public Health. His ... Continue Reading »

John Eccles

[ By ]
Born: 1903, Melbourne Died: 1967, Locarno, Switzerland John Eccles graduated from Melbourne University in Medicine and went to Magdalen College, Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, gaining first class honours in Natural Sciences. He went on to earn a  D. Phil. in 1929 for a thesis on excitation and inhibition. ... Continue Reading »

Ian Gibbins

[ By editor on January 15, 2011 ]
Ian Gibbins is a neuroscientist and a Professor of Anatomy and Histology at Flinders University. He is also a published poet and electronic musician, with work featured on ABC Radio National and in Best Australian Poems 2008. In 2010 Gibbins was short-listed for the Newcastle Poetry Prize. Gibbins is internationally recognised ... Continue Reading »

Frank MacFarlane Burnet

[ By ]
Born: 1899, Died: 1985, Port Fairy, Victoria, Australia Frank MacFarlane Burnet was educated at the University of Melbourne and completed his medical residency at the (Royal) Melbourne Hospital, before being appointed a senior resident in pathology at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Research in Pathology and Medicine. He ... Continue Reading »

Caroline Finch

[ By ]
Professor Caroline Finch is Research Professor of Human Movement Science at the University of Ballarat and a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Principal Research Fellow. Her research focus is in the population health area of injury prevention and safety promotion, with a particular focus on ... Continue Reading »

Broken Heart Syndrome

[ By on December 2, 2010 ]
How do you develop real heart failure due to depression? Well first we have to quickly do a course in cardiac physiology 101. It has everything to do with how your heart works. Essentially, electrical signals are generated in a patch of cells called the sinoatrial node (SA node), which is ... Continue Reading »
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