Collaborative Artwork Between Newcastle-Based Artist and UON Researcher Unveiled at HMRI

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A Newcastle-based artist and reproduction expert have collaborated to produce a new piece of art unveiled at the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) overnight.

This year's HMRI Art Series is the product of a collaboration between Researcher of the Year, Professor Brett Nixon and visual artist, Mitch Revs. 

The University of Newcastle's Professor Nixon is a member of the HMRI Pregnancy and Reproduction team, and his research focuses on genetic and environmental factors which impact the quality of sperm. 

At the HMRI Community Seminar last night, Professor Nixon said seeing his work come to life brought tears to his eyes. 

"I've devoted my life to this research field, not for the accolades but more to try and improve the outcomes for people that are suffering from infertility," he said.  

"I'm very touched by what Mitch has brought out of our research. He's a genuine artist."

The one-off artwork titled "Seedling" aims to shed a light on the crucial need for more researchers in the fields of infertility and reproduction, and showcase the significant fertility research being run out of laboratories in the Hunter. 

Mitch Revs was specially chosen to produce the artwork for this year's Series, and said he couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity to be a part of a worthy cause. 

"My biggest fear was not being able to reflect him (Brett) how he needs to be reflected; I felt a lot of pressure around the objective because I wanted to do a good job," Mitch said. 

"To have my work displayed at HMRI is a massive honour and achievement for me; it's one of those boxes everyone wants to tick." 

"Hopefully we can raise some much needed funds when we auction the artwork in a few weeks." 

"Seedling" will be auctioned at the HMRI Ball on Saturday June 17th. 

The money raised from the auction will go towards funding more vital research projects in the Hunter. 

Image: Mitch Revs

Image: Michelle Lawson

Hunter researchers make major step forward in melanoma treatment

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Researchers at the Hunter Medical Research Institute and University of Newcastle have made a breakthrough in treating late-stage melanoma.

Using a combination of two existing drug treatments, they've managed to significantly improve survival times for patients.

Professor Nikola Bowden says the results are exciting. 

"This clinical trial was people with melanoma who are resistant to all our current treatments," she said.

"What we did was take really old chemotherapy drugs and repurpose them to treat the patients and then to put them back on their previous immunotherapy treatment."

"The combination has worked really well."

The team says it was able to re-sensitise cancer cells to immunotherapy, through the combination of Azacitidine and Carboplatin.

It's been investigating their potential since 2015, with 20 people taking part in the trial between 2017 and 2021.

The patients survived an average of 47 weeks, and four of the patients are still alive today.

A second stage of trials is now underway using updated immunotherapy drugs, and initial results suggest it could be even more promising. 

"This group of patients have no other treatment options and have a very short prognosis usually," Prof Bowden said.

"It's an option for them, when all the other drugs have stopped working, and there's potential that it will work in other cancers as well."

Image credit: Hunter Medical Research Institute.

Solar-powered car departs Newcastle for Australian round trip

BY DAKOTA TAIT

An electric car has embarked on the first leg of a round trip of Australia on Friday, departing Newcastle for a journey largely powered by the sun.

The University of Newcastle team is attempting to cover just over 15,000 kilometres in a few months, aiming to cover around 130 kilometres a day.

The vehicle will be charged mostly by solar panels, though they'll use conventional charging points in urban areas.

Professor Paul Dastoor, Director of the Centre for Organic Electronics, says it's a chance to do away of some of the so-called 'range anxiety' around long-distance trips. 

"We're taking an electric vehicle - a Tesla - anti-clockwise around Australia, charged by printed solar," he said. "The sort of lightweight renewable energy technology we've developed here at the University of Newcastle."

"It's our first opportunity to road-test printed solar. This journey is all about expanding people's appreciation of electric vehicles."

Each of the 18 printed solar sheets is 18 metres long and weighs 12 kilograms, but they will be rolled up and stored in the boot while the car's on the road.

It takes around six hours to charge the car for 160 kilometres of driving, but the team's estimated the charging costs for the entire trip at just $80.

The team will also be visiting schools around the country to deliver a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Roadshow. 

"It gives us an opportunity to actually test the technology we've developed and also to deliver an education program across Australia," Prof Dastoor said.

"Being able to go out to regional, rural, and outback schools, and talk to them about how the science they're learning in their classroom translates to university studies, to research, and then ultimately, technology that will change people's lives."

Image credit: Charge Around Australia.

Citizen scientists call for temperature research after Mannering Park fish kill

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Citizen scientists are calling for more research into thermal pollution in the wake of a mass fish kill at Mannering Park in August.

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) concluded earlier this week, the mass death was sparked when winds and cooler weather met the warmer water temperatures cause by the discharge of Vales Point Power Station, overturning the water column.

The Hunter Community Environment Centre (HCEC) agrees with the EPA's verdict, but argues it's a sign more research into the issue is needed.

Senior Researcher Paul Winn says it's already having an impact. 

"That thermal pollution is already known to have caused the almost total loss of seagrass in Wyee Bay, and the EPA reacted to that loss, and reduced its thermal pollution," he said.

"But what we're mostly concerned about is the impact on the broader ecosystem - the impact on the fishing, on the fish species, and the species mix that we're going to get."

It's likely a number of tropical species attracted by or adapted to the warmer water in the bay were also shocked by the event. 

Chemical pollution and toxicity levels were normal, though nitrogen and phosphorus testing indicated the sediment had been disturbed, likely when the water column was overturned.

The EPA says it has deployed a smart buoy at Wyee Point to monitor the lake, but the HCEC is pushing for a full study.

"When these power stations were built, they were built just to make power," Mr Winn said. "They didn't really care whether they were going to have an impact or not."

"Now I think people have moved since then, and we expect a lot more from our industries and we expect more from our regulators. We want to make sure these industrial plants are going to be able to continue to be operated, up until their closure date, in a safe manner."

Vales Point Power Station is due to close its doors in 2029, though Delta Electricity has indicated in the past it would seek to extend its lifespan.

Mr Winn says simply closing the station won't resolve the issue, however.

"At some stage this power station is going to close," he said. "And the concerns that we have for this closure is that this thermal pollution, these ecosystems have adapted to to some degree over the years, with the introduction of eagle rays and green turtles."

"If that thermal pollution is turned off when the power station closes, we're likely to see a much larger and broader fish kill, because those warmer adapted species aren't going to be able to survive any more."

"We need to reduce that thermal pollution over some period of time, to allow those species and those ecosystems to adapt, and that's currently not being contemplated by either the EPA or the power station."

Image credit: Hunter Community Environment Centre.

Hunter Valley legless lizard confirmed as new species

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A legless lizard found in the Hunter Valley has been identified as a brand new species. 

The Hunter Valley Delma, discovered in 2012, was originally believed to be a new population of the Striped Delma. 

But scientists at the Australian Museum, noticing the species had barred lips and wasn't as strongly striped, conducted genetic testing and confirmed the local lizard was a new species.

It's the first species of legless lizard endemic to New South Wales, but it's believed it could have evaded researchers for so long because it usually lives in burrows and under grass tussocks, and avoids contact with humans.

Scientists say the species is likely to be threatened, due to development, mining, and agriculture across the Hunter Valley.

Image credit: Australian Museum.

University of Newcastle researchers discover secret to decline in male fertility

BY DAKOTA TAIT

University of Newcastle researchers believe they might have figured out the reason why male fertility has plummeted over the past 50 years.

A new study has found environmental stressors, such as radio frequency energy and PFAS contamination, could affect men and their fertility. 

 

These sorts of stressors were originally not thought to be able to effect DNA, but could disrupt sperm through their RNA, and even prove lethal to embryos.

Dr Geoffry De Iuliis, Dr Shaun Roman, Professor Brett Nixon and lead author and PhD candidate Natalie Trigg made the discovery using a chemical called acrylamide as a stressor on sperm in the lab. 

The range of possible environmental stressors isn't yet known, but could be wide and even common.

Dr De Iuliis says the revelations are a game-changer for how we think about conception. 

"These more subtle environmental exposures, while not directly disrupting the DNA, can modify these RNA species, which we now understand are really important in directing that early embryo development process, so it certainly does have implications for fertility," Dr De Iuliis said. 

"Because we understand much of the mechanisms now, how the RNA species are affected, we might be able to manipulate this prior to IVF."

"So we understand what a good RNA profile is, in a sperm, and we might be able to modify that, which if you follow the logic through, would mean improving the quality of embryo development."

It's now suspected this process could be a critical factor in explaining why sperm fertility has declined over the last half-century. 

Dr De Iuliis says understanding this phenomenon also opens the door to new approaches to treatment.

"The big take home message I think from this is that it puts more emphasis on men's health immediately prior to conception," Dr De Iuliis said.

"The next part of this work will be to looking at educating people on this, particularly men, and they may have to take more responsibility in terms of their personal health."

Cauliflower coral decline putting Port Stephens food chain at risk

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A decline in coral habitats off Port Stephens and the Central Coast could spell doom for local ecosystems.

Some habitats of the so-called cauliflower coral Dendronephthya australis are predicted to have declined by up to 90 percent - the species is the first soft coral in Australia to be labelled as threatened.

Researchers at the University of Newcastle found that while fish don't feed on the corals themselves, they do feed on other marine animals and invertebrates that do.

Dr Vincent Raoult says it's this simple fact that puts the entire food chain at risk.

"We found that a lot of the small organisms that live on or within the soft corals actually get most of their food from eating that soft coral," Dr Raoult said.

"What's important about that is, is that those small animals, they're important food sources for those larger fishes."

It's believed natural sand movements and the freshening of water from rain events, as well as human interference from boat anchoring and fishing entanglement, has triggered the decline.

But Dr Raoult says it's not too late to change our habits and turn things around.

"One of the things that's very important to do is to monitor those populations, to note the exact extent of the habitat of soft corals," Dr Raoult said.

"We need to try and explore other areas to see if they occur anywhere else, and Port Stephens Fisheries are developing a whole project to try and grow the soft corals in lab conditions, so they can be replanted in those lost habitats."

Image credit: marine.nsw.gov.au

Newcastle Researchers Set to Revolutionize Diabetes Testing for Millions Around the World

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A pain-free diabetes test developed at the University of Newcastle is set to change millions of lives around the world, after receiving $6 million in funding from the Federal Government to help get the product to market.

Led by Professor Paul Dastoor, a team at the Centre for Organic Electronics worked to create a biosensor which tests saliva for glucose, in place of the traditional finger-prick blood tests used since the 1960s.

The biosensors are the size of a stick of chewing gum and use the reaction between saliva and a natural enzyme to produce an electrical current and detect tiny levels of glucose - and all you have to do is lick it.

"It's been said that non-invasive glucose testing is the Holy Grail of this entire area," Prof Dastoor said.

"We have nearly 500 million people with diabetes - and if you've got diabetes, you know what you have to do - you have to stab yourself four to ten times a day. What we've been able to do now is to develop a technology where you just need to use your saliva."

The sensors are currently being manufactured on a small-scale at the University, but the technology is printed using electronic ink and has the potential to be produced at a larger scale.

It's hoped the Federal grant will be enough to get the first manufacturing facility for the sensors up and running, with the production line set to start by at least 2023.

The technology is also the first University of Newcastle invention to show up on an international stock exchange.

Prof Dastoor says he's "super excited" to see the sensors hit the shelves, as well as their potential to shake up other industries and areas.

"In terms of other applications, this printed biosensor technology is a platform technology," Prof Dastoor said. 

"For example, we're already working to with colleagues at Harvard University on a test, if you like, for COVID, for COVID antibodies. And we're now heading towards tests for biomarkers for cancer, for hormones, and for allergens."

Hunter Researchers Hoping to Break Ground in Dementia Battle

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Hunter researchers are set to launch two new studies hoping to identify dementia risk in older people and even delay progression of the disease.

The studies will focus on finding out if the buildup of plaques thought to cause Alzheimer's will work as a predictive test. 

There's also potential new approaches to antibody therapy could help remove the beta amyloid protein which makes up the plaques, slowing or reversing dementia symptoms.

The efforts are part of a collaboration between the Hunter Medical Research Institute and the Australian Dementia Network, in conjunction with international drug companies.

Professor Michael Breakspear, the neuroscientist leading the team, says the trials are a great opportunity for the Hunter.

"This is what's really new about these clinical trials, and the one that we've got here in Newcastle," Prof Breakspear said.

"We can find people in the community who look like they're really on that dangerous path to dementia and they've got amyloid in their brain, and for the first time we can offer them a treatment that will stop that accumulation of amyloid."

Researchers are currently looking for local participants to sign up to the trials.

Prof Breakspear says the first trial will involve cognitive assessments, genetic studies, and brain scans, while the second will focus on finding out if the antibody treatments are effective.

"It would be great to be able to identify people in their late 50s, 60s, and early 70s, and say, we think you're highly likely to be developing dementia," Prof Breakspear said.

"Here are some treatments we can offer you at the moment that will delay or even reverse or prevent what otherwise might happen in 10 or 15 years."

People interested in taking part in the trial can find out more at https://www.australiandementianetwork.org.au/i-am-a-member-of-the-public-or-consumer/volunteer-for-trials/.

Hunter Researchers to Trial World-First Treatment for Ice Addicts

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Researchers at the Hunter Medical Research Institute are now recruiting participants for a world-first clinical trial to help methamphetamine addicts break their dependence with an existing drug. 

The LiMA study hopes to find out if a high dosage of lisdexamfetamine, currently approved to treat ADHD, could be effective in reducing methamphetamine use and easing cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Professor Adrian Dunlop, Director of Drug and Alcohol Clinical Services at Hunter New England Health, says the research could be helpful in curbing Australia's high rates of ice abuse.

"We've consistently seen methamphetamine users presenting for treatment over the past decade in Newcastle and across the Hunter region," Prof Dunlop said.

"While counselling is effective for many people with less problematic methamphetamine use, we currently don't have a proven medication treatment for severe methamphetamine dependence."

Dexamphetamine, of which lisdexamfetamine is a slow release form, has already had promising results in treating ice dependence.

But Lisdexamfetamine has a slower onset of action and is much more difficult for the body to use in a non-medical way.

"If you crush up the drug and inject it, you are not going to get a rush because it still has to be turned into dexamphetamine in your blood," Prof Dunlop said.

The study has already recruited 142 people and is looking for 38 more.

Participants will receive either lisdexamfetamine or a placebo medication, as well as access to counselling services.

People interested in taking part can contact Hunter New England Health Drug and Alcohol Clinical Services at 0417656352 or 0438065230, or on the study's website at www.limastudy.info.

Newcastle Professor Uncovers Sugar Secrets and Opens the Door to Diet Fruit

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A University of Newcastle researcher has collaborated with Chinese scientists to uncover the secrets of sugar in plants - opening the door to the possibility of creating 'diet fruit'.

Professor Yong-Ling Ruan at the University's School of Environmental and Life Sciences, spent seven years on the groundbreaking study, examining the how, why, and where of sugar distribution in plant cells.

The team identified the indicators which decided how much sugar was transported and stored in different parts of a plant, such as the leaves or the fruit.

"The research basically is to unlock some of the secrets about how this transport works together to determine how much sugar should be getting in, or not," Professor Ruan said.

"Knowing that can put us in a position to potentially manipulate those processes to either increase or decrease the sugar levels in the plant itself."

Zooming in on apples and tomatoes, the team discovered two types of sugar transporters which moved glucose around on a molecular level.

Professor Ruan said the research could help farmers improve their crop yields or even to develop special low sugar fruit for diabetics.

"We could manipulate the sugar levels in say, tomato fruit, or apple, or peach, or sugar cane, and increase the yield for farmers," Professor Ruan said.

"Or we could potentially reduce the levels of sugars but still maintain the sweetness, the taste, so that it's a so-called diet fruit."

Professor Ruan said the potential of the research in agriculture and industry was huge.

"For this particular research we used apples and tomatoes as a model system," Professor Ruan said.

"But I can envisage the same or similar mechanisms in peach, pear, or chili - you name it."

University of Newcastle Graduate Lands Spot at Ivy League College

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A University of Newcastle graduate has landed a spot at Brown University, a prestigious Ivy League school in the United States and one of the world's leading research universities.

Sam Parker, an Electrical Engineering graduate, will pursue a PhD in Biomedical Engineering with a focus on research into brain computer interfaces - devices which are able to interpret the electrochemical signals of the brain into information used to control computers or prosthetic limbs.

Mr Parker was awarded Best Project at the University of Newcastle for his final year project work on developing a 3D-printed, brain-controlled robotic arm.

"When you want to move your hand or really do anything, your brain generates an electrical signal, and that electrical signal can be measured on your scalp," said Mr Parker. "What my project did, was it decoded those electrical signals and then was able to figure out whether you were trying to open your hand or close your hand."

With Brown University at the forefront of brain computer interface research, Mr Parker hopes the opportunity will bring him closer to his dream of helping amputees or sufferers of paralysis by restoring some of their lost limb function through the use of this technology.

"When I was in early high school I thought there was such an injustice, people could be in the prime of their life and and then be struck down by an injury or an illness and have reduced upper limb function, relying on other people for care, not able to feed themselves or clothe themselves," said Mr Parker.

"I thought about what I could do to try and help these people, give them a second grasp on life, and give them their independence back."

Mr Parker, a 2020 John Monash scholar, plans to relocate to Rhode Island this August to commence his studies.

"It's a little bit anxiety inducing, but I've got a pretty good support network over there," he said. "I've got a few friends and I've got some family over there, so I'm taking all the appropriate precautions."

"It's going to be a little bit scary, but I'm sure I'm going to be adapting pretty quick."

Electrical Engineering Graduate Sam Parker poses with his final year project.