National University of Samoa

Melbourne researchers have shown a type of leukaemia can be successfully ‘reversed’ by coaxing the cancer cells back into normal development. The discovery was made using a model of B-progenitor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL), the most common cancer affecting children. Researchers from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute showed that switching off a gene called Pax5 could

“The important thing is that scientists themselves take on the challenge of building the central steering mechanism for science: its evaluation system.” In an editorial accompanying an ebook titled “Beyond open access: visions for open evaluation of scientific papers by post-publication peer review,” Nikolaus Kriegeskorte argues that scientists, not publishers, are in the best position

Scientists have developed a 3-D printing method capable of producing highly uniform ‘blocks’ of embryonic stem cells. These cells – capable of generating all cell types in the body – could be used as the ‘Lego bricks’ to build tissue constructs, larger structures of tissues, and potentially even micro-organs. The results are published today, Wednesday

Patients with sleep disorders could be studied nonintrusively at home using wireless signals. More than 50 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders, and diseases including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s can also disrupt sleep. Diagnosing and monitoring these conditions usually requires attaching electrodes and a variety of other sensors to patients, which can further disrupt their sleep.

iDevices seem to be the control interface of choice for increasing numbers of remote controlled devices – just look at Parrot’s AR.Drone and the iPhly app. Now Griffin, a company well known for its range of iPhone, iPod and iPad accessories, has joined the growing number of iPhone controlled flying gizmos with its HELO TC

New ideas for making sodium sulfur batteries could make them the answer for taming the variability of wind and solar power. EaglePicher Technologies, a manufacturer of specialized batteries for military and space programs, is partnered with the federal government to develop a powerful battery storage technology to help utilities smooth out the ups and downs

By using eye-tracking technology to automatically control a pair of autofocus lenses, engineers have created a prototype for “autofocals” designed to restore proper vision in people who would ordinarily need progressive lenses. Though it may not have the sting of death and taxes, presbyopia is another of life’s guarantees. This vision defect plagues most of

Their work may greatly facilitate the rapid screening—less than five minutes—of many drugs, infectious diseases, and cancers. Since the beginning of time, living organisms have developed ingenious mechanisms to monitor their environment. As part of an international study, a team of researchers has adapted some of these natural mechanisms to detect specific molecules such as

Researchers from North Carolina State University and the University of Eastern Finland have developed new “sensing skin” technology designed to serve as an early warning system for concrete structures, allowing authorities to respond quickly to damage in everything from nuclear facilities to bridges. “The idea is to identify problems quickly so that they can be