Latest news with #Skink
Economic Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Economic Times
How Australian skinks developed immunity to deadly snake venom: Breakthrough research may transform antivenom science
Synopsis University of Queensland researchers discovered that Australian skinks evolved molecular defenses against snake venom through mutations in their nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. These mutations, found independently across skink species, prevent venom from binding, ensuring survival. This convergent evolution, also seen in honey badgers and mongooses, offers insights for developing novel antivenoms and understanding evolutionary adaptations to venomous predators. Australian skinks may have developed immunity to deadly snake venom In a groundbreaking study led by the University of Queensland (UQ), scientists have uncovered how Australian skinks such as the Major Skink ( Bellatorias frerei ) have evolved remarkable molecular defenses that shield them from even the most potent snake venoms—a discovery with sweeping implications for medicine and evolutionary found 25 independent mutations in the skinks' nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, a crucial muscle site that venom neurotoxins typically target to paralyze prey. These mutations block venom from attaching, thus maintaining nerve-muscle communication and survival—transforming what would be a fatal bite for most animals into a survivable encounter for skinks. 'Australian skinks have evolved tiny changes in a critical muscle receptor, called the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. This receptor is normally the target of neurotoxins which bind to it and block nerve-muscle communication causing rapid paralysis and death. But in a stunning example of a natural counterpunch, we found that on 25 occasions skinks independently developed mutations at that binding site to block venom from attaching,' said Professor Bryan Fry, lead author and UQ zoologist. Some mutations add sugar molecules to the receptor, physically blocking toxins. Others substitute specific amino acids—most notably arginine at position 187—creating a resistant muscle site. These adaptations were validated through experiments simulating venom attacks; in some cases, the modified receptors didn't respond to venom at study astonishingly revealed that the Major Skink shares the same mutation found in honey badgers, famous for their resistance to cobra venom, and in mongooses that prey on venomous snakes. This recurring molecular defense across distant species shows the immense evolutionary pressure exerted by snake venom and highlights 'convergent evolution'—nature repeatedly finds the same solution to the same lethal problem. The implications of these findings are profound. By understanding exactly how skinks neutralize venom, scientists may develop novel antivenoms and therapies for neurotoxic snakebites in humans. First author Dr. Uthpala Chandrasekara, who led laboratory tests, noted: 'It's fascinating to think that one tiny change in a protein can mean the difference between life and death when facing a highly venomous predator. The more we learn about how venom resistance works in nature, the more tools we have for the design of novel antivenoms.' This evolutionary battle traces back millions of years to when venomous elapid snakes colonized Australia. Skinks, once defenseless, were driven to evolve resistance—sometimes repeatedly, in separate lineages. Scientists estimate that 27.5% of hundreds of studied skinks show elements of this resistance, contributing to the species' success in predator-rich environments. The research, carried out in collaboration with museums across Australia and published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences , equips scientists with insight into natural 'venom-proofing.'
Scoop
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
e4444e Shares ‘Skink' Ahead Of Authentic Natural Tradition Release Next Friday
e4444e – the moniker of experimental Awabakal/Newcastle multi-instrumentalist Romy Church – shares 'Skink', the final single from forthcoming album Authentic Natural Tradition, which arrives next Friday, May 31 via Dinosaur City. 'Skink' is a kind of lover's lament taking the form of small, fragmented vignettes: strong windows, a skink coming around a wall, and a moment of seeing someone as they really are. An image, as Church sings, of life's "lonely carousel." Church says it was inspired by the 'feeling of wind rushing over you while you sit still.' The song contains a similar gentle force, beginning with unaccompanied acoustic guitar that slowly builds with soft synths and xylophone. Authentic Natural Tradition might be Church's most direct statement, with the cloudy arrangements of his previous record (I Spend All Day Drawing a Circle) cleared to make way for breathy vocals, bittersweet lyrics and delicate guitars and percussion. On this album, Church's reflections float to the surface of his tracks, clear-eyed and bracing. Lyrics are not buried deep into the mix, but slice through. Meanwhile, the album's lyrics push against linearity, playing with the haphazard nature of dreams and the subconscious. Celestial forces, strange associations and juxtaposing images abound on Authentic Natural Tradition, but the record never feels lofty or out of grasp. Rather, Church's abstract tales feel grounded, through their visceral emotions and invocations of the natural world. Like I Spend All Day Drawing a Circle, Church recorded, performed and mixed the album by himself, with a few friends dropping by to add in live drums and guitar hooks. The title is a sly joke – Church wanting to put aside alternative tunings and revisit more simple chord hooks. He was also poking fun at himself. As he says, the album reflects the 'tradition' he's created over his past four records, with Church becoming increasingly aware of his own fixations, themes and sounds. Yet, Authentic Natural Tradition sees Church expanding his palette like never before, with dips into psych-rock, ghostly techno and sprawling country. Authentic Natural Tradition continues e4444e's prolific and expansive output, joining last year's Soft Sighing Dusk I Never See You, I Spend All Day Drawing a Circle (2023), Autumnal Eve (2021) and Australian Music Prize-nominated Coldstream Road (2020), as well as a string of self-released EPs and stand-alone singles. Cited by The Guardian as 'one of the best young artists in the country', his work has been met with widespread acclaim from NME, Rolling Stone Australia, The Music, The Australian and Fashion Journal among others, with regular plays and praise across FBi Radio (Album of the Week x 4), 2SER (rotation), Triple R, 2SER and more. Live, e4444e has shared stages with Emma Russack, Godtet, thatboykwame and Body Type, among others, plus landed a coveted slot on innovative Gadigal land/Sydney venue, Phoenix Central Park's Season III program. Authentic Natural Tradition singles 'Liberation', 'Crutch' and 'Skink' have been embraced by Spotify with adds to New Music Friday, Indie Arrivals, Fresh Finds, Fresh Finds Indie, Fresh Finds AU & NZ, and cover spots on Tapestry and Alt Here, with additional support from rage ('Liberation' scored a Wild One feature on release), Rolling Stone AU, FBi Radio, RTR, 2SER, 4ZZZ and 3RRR, David Dean Burkhart and Newcastle Herald among others, alongside debuts on the NZ RadioScope Alternative Airplay Chart. Authentic Natural Tradition is out next Friday, May 30 via Dinosaur City. Pre-order the album on limited-edition, recycled 12" vinyl and stream the singles now.
