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Genomics experts dispute nine genes linked to congenital heart condition

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Geneticists and heart specialists around the world had previously reported 17 genes to cause long QT syndrome, a little-known inherited heart condition. However, the Clinical Genome Resource’s (ClinGen) expert panel has critically reevaluated the scientific evidence for all 17 reported genes, disputing nine of the genes and revealing only three of the genes to be definitively … Read more

Earth’s most biodiverse ecosystems face a perfect storm

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A combination of climate change, extreme weather and pressure from local human activity is causing a collapse in global biodiversity and ecosystems across the tropics, new research shows. The study, published today, mapped over 100 locations where tropical forests and coral reefs have been affected by climate extremes such as hurricanes, floods, heatwaves, droughts and … Read more

Researchers track down Australia’s ‘missing’ manta rays

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More than 11,000 manta ray sighting records – from scuba divers, aerial surveys and online submissions – have helped researchers better understand reef manta ray distribution around Australia, and they have confirmed ‘missing’ ray populations. The study, led by University of Queensland PhD candidate Amelia Armstrong, is the first step towards understanding the connectivity of reef … Read more

Living near major roads linked to increased risk of dementia, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and MS

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Living near major roads or highways is linked to higher incidence of dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis (MS), suggests new research published this week in the journal Environmental Health. Researchers from the University of British Columbia analyzed data for 678,000 adults in Metro Vancouver. They found that living less than 50 metres from … Read more

UQ responds to coronavirus pandemic

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The University of Queensland has been asked to develop a vaccine for the recent coronavirus outbreak at unprecedented speed, using new technology. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) has requested the University use its recently developed rapid response technology to develop a new vaccine, which could be available worldwide in as little as six months. … Read more

Safer viruses for vaccine research and diagnosis

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A new technology to produce safer ‘hybrid’ viruses at high volumes for use in vaccines and diagnostics for mosquito-borne diseases has been developed at The University of Queensland. Researchers from UQ and QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute have exploited the benign characteristics of the Binjari virus – inert to humans – to produce ‘dangerous looking’ … Read more

Pristine circumstellar material in the young supernova remnant Cassiopeia A

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Supernovae and their young remnants often interact with the circumstellar material ejected at the end of the progenitor stars’ lifetime. By studying the physical and chemical characteristics of this material, we can learn how massive stars stripped off their envelopes and exploded, which is crucial for understanding the connection between the diverse types of supernovae … Read more

Expert in visual neuroscience has international award in his sights

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Pioneering discoveries about the ‘extraordinarily strange’ visual systems of shrimps – that could improve early detection of cancer – have been recognised with an international prize. University of Queensland researcher Professor Justin Marshall shared the Rank Prize for Optoelectronics with long-term colleague Professor Tom Cronin from University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Optoelectronics focuses on light-emitting or light-detecting devices, and the pair has revealed … Read more