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Headlines 19 As our latest grant recipients prepare to make strides with their research, there have been other neuroscience developments around the globe. Here's some of the interesting advances we are following overseas, that the Neurological Foundation does not contribute funding to. Australia Anewhydrogel that could transform theway Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions are treated has been developed by researchers from theAustralianNational University (ANU) and the Florey Institute of Neuroscience andMental Health. The newmaterial ismade fromnatural amino acids – the building blocks of proteins – and acts as a gateway to facilitate the safe transfer of stemcells into the brain and restore damaged tissue by releasing a growth-enabling protein calledGDNF. China A new study at Shanghai Jiao Tong University reporting the identification of rare de novo genetic mutations in obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) patients allows for a greater understanding of this disorder and might provide information for the development of new therapies. Japan A new study by Kyoto University suggests that people with early- stage Parkinson’s disease who regularly do one to two hours of moderate exercise twice a week, like walking or gardening, may have less trouble balancing, walking and doing daily activities. References neurological.org.nz/aroundtheglobe