How snakes lost their legs

A novel x-ray imaging technology called synchrotron laminography is helping scientists better understand how snakes lost their legs in the course of evolution.

http://www.esrf.eu/news/general/Snake-with-leg/

Step towards early detection of Alzheimer's

CSIRO’s Jose Varghese and University of Melbourne collaborators used x-ray crystalllography at the Australian Synchrotron to reveal the structure of a key protein involved in Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers fused the protein to a shark antibody to stop the protein from self-assembling.

http://www.csiro.au/news/Alzheimers-diseases-research-inroads.html

Fade to brown

The reason why the bright yellows in some of Vincent van Gogh's paintings have turned brown is a complex chemical reaction involving the reduction of chromium VI to chromium III. The finding could help identify ways to stop some of the artist’s most famous paintings from fading..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12453610
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ac102424h

Metal work ahead

Scientists are using the Canadian Light Source to help them develop new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques for accurately mapping metals such as iron, copper, manganese and zinc in the living brain.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/dementia/scientists-look-to-new-imaging-techniques-to-map-and-measure-metals-in-the-brain/article1914809/

Protein residues found in ancient reptile skin

UK researchers have combined synchrotron x-ray and laboratory infrared techniques to map trace metals and organic compounds in a 50-million-year-old fossilised reptile skin, revealing the presence of protein residues.

http://www.manchester.ac.uk/aboutus/news/display/?id=6850

Researchers mind the gap

A puzzling gap in the electronic structures of some high-temperature superconductors could indicate a new phase of matter.

http://home.slac.stanford.edu/pressreleases/2011/20110324.htm

Keith Nugent appointed Director

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/australias-synchrotron-appoints-new-director/story-e6frgcjx-1226013719836
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/technology/8217652/nugent-appointed-head-of-synchrotron

X marks the spot

Ted Baker, Chairman of the Australian Synchrotron's Science Advisory Committee, and Andrew Peele, the new Head of Science, were recently interviewed by The Age newspaper.

http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/x-marks-spot-for-new-images-to-boost-cancer-research-20110404-1cyef.html
http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/high-beams-light-way-to-the-future-20110404-1cyee.html

Head of Science speaks out

Head of Science Andrew Peele spoke to Australian Life Scientist about how the synchrotron aims to work with life scientists to produce world-class research.

http://www.lifescientist.com.au/article/376222/new_head_science_australian_synchrotron_talks_life_science_research/?fp=4&fpid=1013

Other AS staff who have recently featured in the media include accelerator physicist Mark Boland, who was interviewed on Channel 10’s Scope science show on 24 March 2011.