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Monash University


Malnutrition, shaping up to be a first world problem

Researchers found that a western-style high fat diet can affect the immune system prior to weight gain, altering T cell responses and potentially leading to autoimmune disease. The study revealed that dietary lipids directly influence T cell activation and responsiveness by changing the composition of the T cell membrane.

SourceMonash University·JournalThe Journal of Immunology·DateJul 17, 2016

Stellar mystery deepens

A Monash University-led research team has discovered that about half of the stars in the M4 globular cluster are dying prematurely, skipping the Red Giant phase and becoming White Dwarfs millions of years ahead of schedule. The cause of this phenomenon remains a mystery, but it is believed to only occur in sodium-rich/oxygen-poor stars.

SourceMonash University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMay 18, 2016

E. coli 'anchors' provide novel way to hijack superbugs

Researchers at Monash University discovered a potential novel way to treat antibiotic-resistant superbugs by targeting the E. coli cell membrane's anchoring filaments. The 'anchors' are crucial for the bacteria to latch onto the urinary tract surface, and blocking them could lead to effective treatment.

SourceMonash University·JournalNature Microbiology·DateMay 16, 2016

Cosmic dust reveals Earth's ancient atmosphere

A new study published in Nature found that Earth's ancient upper atmosphere contained about the same amount of oxygen as today, with a methane haze layer separating the oxygen-rich upper layer from the lower, oxygen-starved atmosphere. This challenges the accepted view that Earth's ancient atmosphere was oxygen-poor.

SourceMonash University·JournalNature·DateMay 11, 2016

Capturing 'black gold' with light

Graphene, known as 'black gold', has high surface area and can effectively purify contaminated water due to its unique structure. Using light, researchers can extract the graphene and contaminants, enabling easier purification.

SourceMonash University·JournalNanoscale·DateMar 16, 2016

Turning T cell immunology on its head

Researchers at Monash University discovered that regulatory T cells can function even when their receptors bind to MHC in a completely different orientation, challenging established views on the immune system. This finding opens up new avenues for investigating and potentially treating autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes.

SourceMonash University·JournalNature Immunology·DateOct 5, 2015

AFL, NRL, and cricket promoting alcohol to children

New research from Monash University finds that Australian children and adolescents receive millions of exposures to alcohol advertising during daytime TV viewing of AFL, NRL, and Cricket. The study suggests removing a clause allowing alcohol advertising during daytime in sport could halve children's exposure.

SourceMonash University·JournalDrug and Alcohol Review·DateSep 18, 2015

Air pollution from wildfires may ignite heart hazards

Researchers found a strong association between exposure to tiny particulate pollutants from wildfire smoke and the risk of heart-related incidents, including cardiac arrests, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations. The study suggests that fine particulate matter may act as a trigger factor for acute cardiovascular events.

SourceMonash University·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateJul 15, 2015

Policies on children's tech exposure confusing

A review of 34 countries' policies on children's exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) from technology found varying degrees of advice. Dr. Mary Redmayne recommends minimizing exposure by turning off devices at night, using flight mode, and storing them 20cm away from the body.

SourceMonash University·JournalElectromagnetic Biology and Medicine·DateJul 6, 2015

Extreme exercise linked to blood poisoning

Researchers at Monash University found that extreme endurance events can lead to sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Fitter individuals with a steady training program can adapt and counteract this effect without side effects.

SourceMonash University·JournalInternational Journal of Sports Medicine·DateJun 16, 2015

Night driving restriction reduces young driver crashes

Research from Monash University and Harvard Medical School reveals that restricting teenagers from driving unsupervised at night can significantly reduce car crashes. The study found a 19% decrease in crash rates for drivers aged 16-17, as well as substantial reductions in nighttime crashes and fatal injuries.

SourceMonash University·JournalHealth Affairs·DateJun 16, 2015

Australian researcher helps with Ebola vaccine trials

A team of researchers, led by Dr. Steve Bellan and including Associate Professor Manoj Gambhir from Monash University, have identified the most effective human trial design for testing Ebola vaccines in Sierra Leone. The study suggests that a modified randomized control trial is the best approach to detect an effective and safe vaccine.

SourceMonash University·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateMay 18, 2015

Lives could be saved with hepatitis C treatment

A new therapy with high cure rates is available, but the high cost of direct acting antiviral (DAA) treatment limits access for many hepatitis C virus patients. Increasing treatment efficacy and accessibility could avert significant liver-related deaths and end-stage liver disease in Australia.

SourceMonash University·JournalThe Medical Journal of Australia·DateMay 17, 2015

Popular media influences choice of childbirth

A Monash University study found that women's expectations and attitudes about birth are shaped by popular media, particularly magazines, leading to biased decision-making. Women exposed to magazine articles endorsing non-medicalised birth were more likely to change their intention towards a natural birth.

SourceMonash University·JournalWomen & Health·DateMay 7, 2015

New research into health benefits of coffee

Monash researchers, in collaboration with Illycaffè, conducted a comprehensive study on the behavior of free radicals and antioxidants during coffee brewing. They discovered that under certain conditions, coffee can act as an antioxidant, providing a deeper understanding of its potential health benefits.

SourceMonash University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 30, 2015

Brain scans reveal how people 'justify' killing

A new study led by Monash researcher Dr Pascal Molenberghs found that brain activity in the lateral orbitofrontal cortex increases with guilt when participants imagine unjustified violence, but not when imagining justified violence. The research provides insights into how people justify extreme violence in certain situations, such as war.

SourceMonash University·JournalSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·DateApr 8, 2015

Review of global guidelines for sepsis needed

A Monash University study reviewed over a million ICU patients in Australia and New Zealand, finding one in eight did not meet current sepsis criteria. The classic definition of sepsis may be missing critically ill patients, particularly the elderly or those on medications that affect heart rate or immune systems.

SourceMonash University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 20, 2015

Scientists override the body's inflammatory response

Researchers have deciphered the mechanism of interleukin 37 (IL-37), a powerful inhibitor of inflammation, revealing its ability to regulate and control inflammation by binding to specific receptors on target cells. The findings hold promise for developing new drugs to treat inflammatory diseases such as stroke, heart attack, and autoi...

SourceMonash University·JournalNature Immunology·DateMar 2, 2015

The failure of the Medicare principle of universality

A new study published in the Medical Journal of Australia found that Australia's mental health care system is multi-tiered rather than universal, with those living in disadvantaged areas receiving fewer services and from less highly trained providers. The research highlights a disparity in access to psychiatric and clinical psychologis...

SourceMonash University·JournalThe Medical Journal of Australia·DateMar 1, 2015

Soft drink tax could improve health of the nation

A new study suggests that an excise tax on sugar-sweetened drinks can effectively reduce consumption rates, especially among heavy drinkers. The research found that adding a 20 cents per litre tax was more effective than a sales tax of similar levels in lowering consumption rates.

SourceMonash University·JournalHealth Economics·DateMar 1, 2015

New pathways discovered to prevent blindness

Scientists at Monash University have made a major breakthrough in understanding how the brain adapts to vision loss by discovering a second pathway for visual information. This new pathway, through the pulvinar area of the brain, plays a crucial role in rerouting visual information following injury or trauma.

SourceMonash University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 16, 2015

Wikipedia use -- nothing to be ashamed about

A study by Monash University found that while seven in eight students use Wikipedia, it's not considered the most useful education resource. Academics and universities should integrate Wikipedia into teaching and learning to support students' scholarship.

SourceMonash University·JournalJournal of Higher Education Policy and Management·DateFeb 11, 2015

Actions and beliefs behind climate change stance

A new study found that climate change sceptics and believers share integrated expressions of self, forming specific social identities. The researchers suggest building support for mitigation policies requires approaches beyond science education, focusing on changing relationships between groups.

SourceMonash University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateFeb 2, 2015

Skin based immunity secrets revealed

Researchers have discovered a new mechanism by which immune cells in the skin function as the body's 'border control'. This finding could improve how we fight some infections, allergies and auto-immune diseases. The discovery of CD1a molecule reveals how it interacts with lipid molecules to identify foreign invaders.

SourceMonash University·JournalNature Immunology·DateFeb 2, 2015

Can Lean Management improve hospitals?

A new study from Monash University and RMIT investigated the application of Lean Six Sigma in a hospital emergency department. The researchers found that introducing these methods can help streamline processes, improve costs, and enhance patient discharge processes.

Unlocking the kidney riddle in newborns

Researchers discovered that babies born with smaller kidneys are more likely to develop chronic kidney disease and high blood pressure as adults. The study found enhanced nerve activity and an inability to respond to nitric oxide promote kidney injury.

SourceMonash University·JournalCirculation·DateJan 26, 2015

The devil is in the detail

A team of researchers studied the red devil cichlid, a species with two color variants, and found that the darker individuals can alter their brightness to match their environment, while the gold-colored fish cannot. This ability may play a crucial role in maintaining color frequencies in the wild.

SourceMonash University·JournalJournal of Evolutionary Biology·DateJan 8, 2015