Fresh Science

A safer treatment for pregnant heroin-dependent women has been investigated by researchers from the University of Western Australia. The medication naltrexone was found to reduce the risks associated with heroin use during pregnancy. Naltrexone fights the effects of opioid drugs such as heroin, preventing the ‘high’ or euphoria they bring on. “Methadone is currently the…

Adelaide researchers have invented the world’s smallest fibre-optic probe that can simultaneously see and measure temperature deep inside the human body. “With an outer diameter of only 130 microns the probe is as thin as a single strand of human hair,” says Dr Jiawen Li from the Institute of Photonics and Advanced Sensing at the…

‘Smart socks’ are helping physiotherapists better assess and treat patients during video consultations, by providing information on weight distribution and range of movement during exercises like steps, squats or jumps. The wearable technology, developed by PhD candidate Deepti Aggarwal at The University of Melbourne, was trialled with three patients and a physiotherapist at the Royal…

An earlier test to save cattle from the toxic effects of a common fungi—and farmers millions of dollars—has been developed by Victorian researchers. “This tool will be useful for plant breeders to see if grasses are toxic, before they sow the seeds in field trials. It will fast-track choosing better pasture in plant breeding programs…