Australian researchers have developed a biological agent that may prevent Type 1 diabetes by improving an aspect of white blood cell function, which is compromised in people who develop the autoimmune disease. University of Queensland (UQ) Faculty of Medicine researcher Prof. Josephine Forbes said in a release on Thursday that lab testing showed the protein—known…

Australian researchers have isolated five strains of beneficial gut bacteria that may lead to the development of new treatments for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and reduce the risk of certain types of bowel cancer. IBD is thought to be caused by an abnormal composition of gut bacteria which creates an immune response in genetically susceptible…

Researchers at the University of Queensland have found that women with a history of miscarriage and stillbirth are at a higher risk of suffering a stroke later in life. Comparing pooled data from more than 610,000 women in Australia and six other countries, the study found that the risk of stroke increased with multiple pregnancy…

Researchers at the University of Queensland have found that a common species of worm with a taste for polystyrene may significantly contribute to plastic recycling. The team, led by Dr Chris Rinke from UQ’s School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, found that the Zophobas morio—known as ‘superworm’—enjoys munching on polystyrene and can metabolise it due to…

A leading vaccine researcher from the University of Queensland (UQ) has discovered that the chlamydia epidemic endangering koala populations in New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (QLD) is linked to a common retrovirus that is believed to suppress the marsupials’ immune systems. Associate Professor Keith Chappell and Dr Michaela Blyton, from UQ’s School of Chemistry…

The Australian government has committed $50 million (US$34.9 million) in research funding through three Queensland universities to enhance the nation’s food and beverage manufacturing potential as part of its Trailblazer program. The University of Queensland (UQ) will partner with the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), along with industry…

A study conducted by the University of Queensland (UQ) on teenagers across 44 different countries concluded that increased tax on tobacco was associated with increased e-cigarette consumption among adolescents. “We found that higher tobacco taxes were associated with higher levels of youth vaping,” said lead author Dr. Gary Chan. “This could suggest that young people…

Researchers from the University of Queensland (UQ) are developing a new skin microbiopsy device that takes smaller skin tissue samples than current devices in use, bringing possibilities of change to future diagnostics of skin cancers and other skin conditions. “Conventional skin biopsies are usually two to four millimetres in diameter, which means local anaesthetic is…

Researchers from the University of Queensland have raised concerns over the influence a spouse’s diet has on a woman’s food choices during pregnancy, as the expecting mother’s diet and health will also impact the health of their future children. “Better education and support for partners could help improve the eating habits of expectant mums, which…

Researchers in Queensland are trialling a new alternative to the delivery of the Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine by injecting the inoculation into the top layer of the skin to increase affordability and take-up numbers in Australia. “This potential approach could lower the cost of JE vaccination and protect four times as many people per vaccine…