Australasian Science: Australia's authority on science since 1938
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Botulism Paralysed
Botox acts by paralysing small groups of muscles when injected in the face.
By Callista Harper & Frederic A. Meunier
A new class of inhibitors could prevent infection by a neurotoxin classified as a Category A biological weapon.
A/Prof Frederic A. Meunier is a NHMRC Senior Research Fellow and head of the Neuronal Trafficking Laboratory at the Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland. Callista Harper is a PhD student in his group.
The full text of this article can be purchased from Informit.
Browse Briefs
By Stephen Luntz
Brief bites of science news for subscribers only.
The full text of this article can be purchased from Informit.
Jagged Little Pill
By Michael Cook
If a morality pill can induce moral behaviour, what could governments do with an “immorality pill” to control its citizens, law enforcers and soldiers?
Michael Cook is editor of the bioethics newsletter BioEdge.
The full text of this article can be purchased from Informit.
Like a Rinehart Cowboy
By Ian Lowe
Will more anti-climate change cowboys ride into the media spotlight following Gina Rinehart’s purchase of a stake in Fairfax?
Ian Lowe is Emeritus Professor of science, technology and society at Griffith University.
The full text of this article can be purchased from Informit.
Opinions Under Fire
By Phil Gibbons
An analysis of Victoria’s Black Saturday fires has provided important evidence about which factors save houses. The study highlights the difference between opinion and evidence.
Dr Philip Gibbons is a Key Researcher with the National Environmental Research Program Environmental Decisions Hub, which forms part of the Environmental Decisions Group.
The full text of this article can be purchased from Informit.
How a Woman’s Fertility Affects Men’s Speech
By Magdeline Lum
Men become more creative in their conversations when they detect subtle signals that a woman is fertile.
The full text of this article can be purchased from Informit.
Checking the Facts
By Peter Bowditch
How much can you rely on what you read without checking the facts yourself?
Peter Bowditch is a former President of Australian Skeptics Inc. (www.skeptics.com.au).
The full text of this article can be purchased from Informit.
“Ping Pong” Planets
By David Reneke
News from the space and astronomy communities around the world.
David Reneke is an astronomy lecturer and teacher, a feature writer for major Australian newspapers and magazines, and a science correspondent for ABC and commercial radio. Subscribe to David’s free Astro-Space newsletter at www.davidreneke.com
The full text of this article can be purchased from Informit.
Enhancing Women’s Career Prospects
By Mark Toner
Women need better career options and more control over their professional lives.
Dr Mark Toner FTSE is a company director and management consultant and Immediate Past Chair of Australian Science Innovations. With Gunilla Burrowes he runs a gender consulting business, Gender Matters. Ms Burrowes is an electrical engineer with extensive experience with gender issues in engineering.
The full text of this article can be purchased from Informit.
