Science & Technology
Shared antibodies may push COVID-19 variants, study finds
Researchers have found that people recovering from COVID-19 and those vaccinated against the causative virus, SARS-CoV-2, produce identical clones, or groups, of antibody-producing white blood cells.
Neutralizing the SARS-CoV-2 sugar coat
Researchers have identified two sugar-binding proteins that impede the viral entry of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants. The team may have found the ‘Achilles’ heel’ of the virus, with potential for pan-variant therapeutic interventions.
Shark diversity unaffected when the dinosaurs were wiped out, study finds
A global catastrophe 66 million years ago led to the extinction of all non-avian dinosaurs, and large marine reptiles like mosasaurs and plesiosaurs. But what happened to the sharks? According to a new study, shark-tooth diversity remained relatively c…
Mutation-mapping tool could yield stronger COVID boosters, universal vaccines
Researchers have developed a platform which can quickly identify common mutations on the SARS-CoV-2 virus that allow it to escape antibodies and infect cells, which could inform the development of more effective booster vaccines and tailored antibody t…
Graphene binds drugs which kill bacteria on medical implants
Bacterial infections relating to medical implants place a huge burden on healthcare and cause great suffering to patients worldwide. Now, researchers have developed a new method to prevent such infections, by covering a graphene-based material with bac…
Researchers find a ‘fearsome dragon’ that soared over outback Queensland
Australia’s largest flying reptile has been uncovered, a pterosaur with an estimated seven-meter wingspan that soared like a dragon above the ancient, vast inland sea once covering much of outback Queensland.