EXPERT REACTION: Surrogates may face higher risks of complications in pregnancy and after birth

Publicly released: Tue 24 Sep 2024 at 0700 AEST | 0900 NZST

Annals of Internal Medicine

Surrogates who carry another woman's egg through pregnancy may face a higher risk of health complications than women giving birth through IVF or unassisted conception, according to international research. Looking at over a decade of Canadian health Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Surrogates may face higher risks of complications in pregnancy and after birth

Suicide remains leading cause of death for young Aussies who've left the defence force

Publicly released: Tue 24 Sep 2024 at 0501 AEST | 0701 NZST

This media release contains information some readers may find distressing as it refers to data about mental health, suicide and self-harm. If you or anyone you know needs help, support is available now. Call Lifeline (Aus) on 131 114 or Beyond Blue Read more about Suicide remains leading cause of death for young Aussies who've left the defence force

New origami-inspired system turns flat-pack tubes into strong building materials

Publicly released: Tue 24 Sep 2024 at 0500 AEST | 0700 NZST

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Engineers at RMIT University have designed an innovative tubular structural system that can be packed flat for easier transport and pop up into strong building materials. This breakthrough is made possible by a self-locking system inspired by Read more about New origami-inspired system turns flat-pack tubes into strong building materials

Gamified mental health interventions could help kids with depression and ADHD

Publicly released: Tue 24 Sep 2024 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Pediatrics

Gamified mental health interventions could help young people with mental health conditions such as depression and ADHD, according to international researchers. The team analysed data from 27 studies including 2911 participants, and found digital Read more about Gamified mental health interventions could help kids with depression and ADHD

Thinking you have a concussion related brain injury could increase your risk of suicidal thoughts

Publicly released: Tue 24 Sep 2024 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Neurology

This media release contains information some readers may find distressing as it refers to data about mental health, suicide and self-harm. If you or anyone you know needs help, support is available now. Call Lifeline (Aus) on 131 114 or Beyond Blue Read more about Thinking you have a concussion related brain injury could increase your risk of suicidal thoughts

Could we use X-rays to defend the planet?

Publicly released: Tue 24 Sep 2024 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Physics

An X-ray pulse could be used to change the path of an asteroid, according to a proof-of-concept study by international researchers. The team used X-rays to target two 12mm-wide mock-up asteroids in a vacuum – one made of quartz, and the other made Read more about Could we use X-rays to defend the planet?

An octopus will team up with schools of fish to hunt their shared favourite foods

Publicly released: Tue 24 Sep 2024 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Ecology & Evolution

While octopuses usually keep to themselves, some will recruit groups of fish to hunt with, according to international researchers who say these cross-species hunting groups have a complicated relationship. The team tracked some of these hunting Read more about An octopus will team up with schools of fish to hunt their shared favourite foods

How remarkable diversity in heat tolerance can help protect coral reefs

Publicly released: Mon 23 Sep 2024 at 1900 AEST | 2100 NZST

Communications Earth and Environment

New research out of Southern Cross University has found previously undocumented variation in coral heat tolerance on the Great Barrier Reef, giving hope that corals’ own genetic resources may hold the key for us to help in its recovery and Read more about How remarkable diversity in heat tolerance can help protect coral reefs

Depression in teens and young adults may be linked to problems with brain connectivity

Publicly released: Mon 23 Sep 2024 at 1900 AEST | 2100 NZST

Nature Mental Health

Australian researchers have taken a step towards finding a biological basis for youth depression by showing that it may be related to the connections in the brain. The researchers looked at brain scans from 810 young people aged 12-25, and found Read more about Depression in teens and young adults may be linked to problems with brain connectivity

Older cancer survivors face elevated risk of stroke and heart attack

Publicly released: Mon 23 Sep 2024 at 1701 AEST | 1901 NZST

Cancer

Older cancer survivors face a higher risk of stroke, heart attack and hospital treatment for heart failure, especially if they had chemotherapy, Monash University research study data has revealed. Published in the journal CANCER, researchers Read more about Older cancer survivors face elevated risk of stroke and heart attack

Australia spends about $140 per person on public health measures, but it's hard to know exactly what they are

Publicly released: Mon 23 Sep 2024 at 1540 AEST | 1740 NZST

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

In the financial year 2019-2020, Australian governments spent $140 per person on public health initiatives, according to Australian researchers who say this accounts for 1. 8% of the country's health budget. The team conducted a review of publicly Read more about Australia spends about $140 per person on public health measures, but it's hard to know exactly what they are

Drug overdose could be more likely in patients who leave hospital against medical advice

Publicly released: Mon 23 Sep 2024 at 1401 AEST | 1601 NZST

Canadian Medical Association Journal

Patients who initiate a premature or “before medically advised” hospital discharge are ten times more likely to experience drug overdose in the following month, according to Canadian researchers. The team examined health data from 189,808 Read more about Drug overdose could be more likely in patients who leave hospital against medical advice

1 in 20 Australian women could have experienced some form of reproductive coercion from a partner

Publicly released: Mon 23 Sep 2024 at 1400 AEST | 1600 NZST

Medical Journal of Australia

This media release contains information about family, domestic or sexual violence. If you need help immediately call emergency services on triple-0. If you or anyone you know needs help, support is available now. Call 1800 Respect National Helpline Read more about 1 in 20 Australian women could have experienced some form of reproductive coercion from a partner

Paternal gut health may affect the physical and mental health of offspring

Publicly released: Mon 23 Sep 2024 at 1329 AEST | 1529 NZST

Brain and Behavior

Florey researchers have shown, for the first time, that a father’s gut health plays a role in offspring physiology and behaviour. The mix of bacteria in the gut (microbiota) is affected by external influences such as diet, exercise and stress. Read more about Paternal gut health may affect the physical and mental health of offspring

Play, learn and empathise: New video game redefines the neurodiverse narrative

Publicly released: Mon 23 Sep 2024 at 1223 AEST | 1423 NZST

Dr Emery, Lecturer of Game Design and Digital Media at UniSA, is leading the development of a short video game designed to explore living as someone who is neurodivergent in a world that’s designed for neurotypical people. The game – Life Read more about Play, learn and empathise: New video game redefines the neurodiverse narrative

New cell type discovered

Publicly released: Mon 23 Sep 2024 at 1146 AEST | 1346 NZST

Nature Communications

A team of SAHMRI scientists has discovered a completely new type of cell which has the potential to enhance the future of tissue repair and generation. The cells, dubbed ‘EndoMac progenitors’, possess the unique ability to transform into two Read more about New cell type discovered

Antidepressants may improve brain function

Publicly released: Mon 23 Sep 2024 at 0805 AEST | 1005 NZST

European College of Neuropsychopharmacology conference / Biological Psychiatry

Antidepressants, known as SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), may actually improve people's brain function as well as their mood, according to Danish research being presented at the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology conference Read more about Antidepressants may improve brain function

Improving rural health research and training in NZ

Publicly released: Mon 23 Sep 2024 at 0800 AEST | 1000 NZST

Journal of The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners

A new editorial argues the growth of rural health research and education in New Zealand has been “sluggish” at best, and is often carried out by academics with no experience living and working in rural areas. The author highlights three Read more about Improving rural health research and training in NZ

Largest group of critically endangered night parrots discovered in Western Australia

Publicly released: Mon 23 Sep 2024 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

Wildlife Research

There may be as many as 50 critically endangered night parrots living in the Ngururrpa Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) in the far east of Western Australia's Pilbara region, according to Australian researchers, who say it is the largest known Read more about Largest group of critically endangered night parrots discovered in Western Australia

Psychedelic psilocybin could offer positive long term effects for depression

Publicly released: Sun 22 Sep 2024 at 0931 AEST | 1131 NZST

Lancet eClinicalMedicine & ECNP Congress

Psychedelic drug psilocybin could be similar to standard SSRI antidepressants in improving depressive symptoms, according to a small study by international researchers who add that psilocybin might even offer additional longer-term benefits. The Read more about Psychedelic psilocybin could offer positive long term effects for depression