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Paving the way towards a cure for HIV

Dr Monsef Benkirane will discuss his recent discovery that is paving the way towards a cure for HIV at a Australia-France symposium co-hosted by the Australian Academy of Science and the French Embassy today.

“The most notable advance against HIV has been the use of a combination of anti-retroviral drugs, but after 15 years it has still been unable to eradicate the virus completely,” he said.

“The persistence of HIV results from the establishment of viral reservoirs insensitive to anti-retroviral therapy and poor visibility to the immune system.”

First new treatment for lupus in more than 50 years

Bemimulab has recently been approved by the US Federal Drug Administration as the first new treatment for lupus in more than 50 years.

Professor Fabienne Mackay will describe its journey from the bench to the bedside at the Australian Academy of Science’s Australia-France Biomedical Research Symposium today at 10.15 am.

“Elevated levels of a B-cell activation factor called BAFF have been detected in the serum of patients with various autoimmune conditions like lupus, “she explains.

Fast tracking innovative cancer therapies

Drug repositioning – testing already approved drugs for new medical indications – is a strategy to fast track innovative cancer therapies into the clinic, according to Dr Eddy Pasquier who will present at the Australian Academy of Science’s Australia-France biomedical research symposium today.

Dr Eddy Pasquier from the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia, says that beta-blockers which are commonly used for managing hypertension, may also increase the efficacy of chemotherapy.

Urgent boost needed for science and maths education

The Australian Academy of Science today urged the Federal Government to redouble its efforts to attract and retain university students in science and mathematics.

The Academy’s Executive Committee of Council today met to discuss a $403.6 million cut to HECS support for science, mathematics and statistics students, announced this week in the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook 2011-2012.

Australian rabbit experiment is an evolution classic

The biological control of pest rabbit populations in Australia by myxoma virus has provided an evolutionary experiment that is still having an impact on international science more than 50 year later, according to Dr Peter Kerr.

2012 Academy awards for scientific excellence announced

The winners of the Australian Academy of Science 2012 awards for scientific excellence have been announced.

Honorific awards of a medal and monetary prize are presented to career researchers for life-long achievements and outstanding early-career researchers under the age of 40. In addition, the Academy gives a number of awards for research support.

In 2012, the Academy will award a total of $218 000 in honorific medals and research support.

In announcing the medals and awards, Academy President Professor Suzanne Cory said:

Academy welcomes Nobel science education commitment

Australian Academy of Science President, Professor Suzanne Cory, today warmly welcomed Nobel Laureate Professor Brian Schmidt’s generous donation to the Academy’s primary school science program, Primary Connections: linking science with literacy.

The Australian astronomer will deliver his Nobel Lecture in Physics in Stockholm tomorrow. He has donated $100,000 of his Nobel Prize money to the education program.

Transforming biomedical education in the 21st century

The Australian Academy of Science is hosting a national forum on biomedical education on Monday to help university instruction keep pace with the progress of biomedical science in the 21st century.

Ahead of the Game: Biomedical Science Education into the 21st Century Forum will be officially opened by Australia’s Chief Scientist Professor Ian Chubb on Monday 12 December 2011 at 9 am at the Shine Dome in Canberra.

Academy welcomes new Science and Education Ministers

The Australian Academy of Science today welcomed the Government’s decision to bring science, research, innovation, and industry together with skills and tertiary education under the stewardship of two Cabinet ministers with a strong track record of achievement.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard today announced that Senator Chris Evans will take over the skills, science and research portfolio, while retaining tertiary education. Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Minister Greg Combet will assume responsibility for industry and innovation.

Academy welcomes new Council members

A Nobel Laureate, the creator of the cervical cancer vaccine, a Eureka prize winner and woman pioneer in mathematics are among the Australian Academy of Science’s new Council members.

“I’m extremely grateful to the retiring members for their dedication and commitment to the promotion of science,” said President of the Academy, Professor Suzanne Cory.

“We are delighted to have such high calibre new members of Council and look forward to welcoming them in May next year.”

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