Science/Technology/Environment
Unravelling kidney disease and its complications
Macquarie researchers are a step closer to determining the link that can cause patients with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) to die of heart failure. PKD is a genetic disease that primarily affects the kidneys by causing fluid-filled cysts to develop in the kidneys, leading to chronic renal failure. However, cardiovascular disease is a common complication of PKD and researchers have long pu...
Alumni Profile – Peter Logan
From science lab to award-winning vineyard Winemaker Peter Logan (BSc 1992) once dreamt of being a musician, but gave it all up to study science at Macquarie. Majoring in biology and chemistry, after graduation Peter went into the pharmaceutical world, working as a process chemist until he found his true calling in the vineyard. “Studying at Macquarie taught me that the education gaine...
Creating stepping stones to healthier habitats
More than half of Australia's threatened species occur within the urban fringe: Sydney alone is home to 68 threatened birds, 28 threatened mammals and five threatened frogs. For residents concerned about disappearing wildlife the scale of the issue can be overwhelming, but a new online tool is helping to create wildlife-friendly stopovers between existing corridors. The team at Macquarie’...
Holding the past in your hands
For students, holding a piece of the past in their hands can be a powerful learning experience – one that has traditionally been denied because of the fragility and value of most archaeological remains. Macquarie University has pioneered a new technique that allows superb replicas of artefacts to be created inexpensively allowing students, researchers and passionate amateur historians to ...
Seven Deadly Colours: The Genius of Nature’s Palette
Macquarie alumnus Professor Andrew Parker (PhD 1996) has recently revised and updated international bestseller Seven Deadly Colours: The Genius of Nature's Palette. The book uses vivid examples to demonstrate the vital role played by colour in the struggle for life, as well as the variety of methods of producing colour that have evolved in nature, and their implications for animal lifestyle...
Announcing a new project to establish a Chair of Surgical Oncology at Macquarie University, in memory of pioneering oncologist Professor Fred Stephens
In 2015, Macquarie University and pioneering surgical oncologist Professor Fred Stephens announced a partnership to establish a Chair of Surgical Oncology at Macquarie, ensuring a dedicated research and development position for this revolutionary form of cancer treatment. Professor Stephens, who sadly passed away in November 2015 at the age of 88, was a pioneer in the field of surgical onco...