Tanning beds may be linked to greater risk of endometriosis

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 1105 AEDT | 1305 NZDT

Human Reproduction

Tanning beds and getting sunburns may be linked to a greater risk of developing endometriosis, according to a new study that analysed survey data of more than 95,000 American women from 1989 to 2015. Researchers found that women who had used tanning Read more about Tanning beds may be linked to greater risk of endometriosis

Kiwi 'sixth sense' evolved in the time of the dinosaurs

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

An organ that gives Kiwi and some other birds a "sixth sense" to find buried prey probably arose before those birds evolved to what they are today. A comparative study of 353 living bird species, such as Kiwi, shorebirds, and ibises, and six fossil Read more about Kiwi 'sixth sense' evolved in the time of the dinosaurs

People interpret screams and gasps based on context

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Royal Society Open Science

People usually interpret harsh 'nonvocal' sounds, like a scream or a gasp, as signifying a negative emotion, but new research has found that people can interpret the same sounds differently if other context is available. European researchers asked Read more about People interpret screams and gasps based on context

More midwives could save millions of lives

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The Lancet Global Health

Increasing the number of midwives and their level of care could reduce birth-related deaths by two thirds in low and middle income countries over the next 15 years. Too few midwives, along with poor training and support, result in inadequate care Read more about More midwives could save millions of lives

Targets for avoidable sight loss ‘not being met’: 30-year study finds

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The Lancet Global Health

A new global study has found no significant reduction in the number of people with treatable sight loss since 2010. Published in The Lancet Global Health, it examined population-based surveys of eye disease worldwide from 1980 and found public Read more about Targets for avoidable sight loss ‘not being met’: 30-year study finds

Don't drink the hand sanitiser - it can kill

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

BMJ Evidence Based Medicine

You might think it goes without saying, but two deaths identified in UK coroners’ reports are a reminder to all of us not to swallow alcohol-based hand sanitiser. The report also refers to an Australian case where a six year old was diagnosed Read more about Don't drink the hand sanitiser - it can kill

Swift action needed to help critically endangered parrot

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

Animal Conversation

There could be fewer than 300 swift parrots left in the wild, according to new research from The Australian National University (ANU). Read more about Swift action needed to help critically endangered parrot

Using forests to limit global warming to 1.5°C may cost more than $500bn

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Communications

US scientists have estimated the cost of using forestry to reduce greenhouse gas emissions enough to limit global warming to 1. 5°C, and say it's likely to be around US$393bn (roughly AU$535bn). For this cost, forest management activities could Read more about Using forests to limit global warming to 1.5°C may cost more than $500bn

EXPERT REACTION: Māori and Pacific academics paid and promoted less

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

MAI Journal

New research finds a substantial pay gap and significantly lower chance of promotion for Māori and Pacific academics in New Zealand universities compared to their other colleagues. Māori and Pacific women are the most impacted, with a $7,700 pay Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Māori and Pacific academics paid and promoted less

Cannabidiol (CBD) in cannabis does not impair driving, landmark study shows

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)

New research shows from the Lambert Initiative at the University of Sydney shows that cannabidiol is safe for driving and the intoxicating effects of THC in cannabis fade in hours. The results have big implications for regulation of medical cannabis Read more about Cannabidiol (CBD) in cannabis does not impair driving, landmark study shows

There’s a fungus among us: Deadly fungal disease could threaten Australia’s iconic lizards

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 2100 AEDT | 2300 NZDT

Scientific Reports

A team of scientists have today announced the discovery of a deadly fungal disease affecting wild lizards across Australia. The condition, referred to as ‘Yellow Fungus Disease’, is dreaded by captive reptile keepers across the globe, who know Read more about There’s a fungus among us: Deadly fungal disease could threaten Australia’s iconic lizards

Pumping a nanoparticle to lase at low power

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 2100 AEDT | 2300 NZDT

Nature Communications

A laser pointer small enough to get inside a cancer cell and stop its "engine"? The stuff of science fiction? Scientists working at the nanoscale are chipping away at how to build miniature laser devices capable of intracellular bio-imaging and Read more about Pumping a nanoparticle to lase at low power

Curtin collision models impact the future of energy

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 1915 AEDT | 2115 NZDT

Atomic Data and Nuclear Data Tables

A new Curtin University-created database of electron-molecule reactions is a major step forward in making nuclear fusion power a reality, by allowing researchers to accurately model plasmas containing molecular hydrogen. Read more about Curtin collision models impact the future of energy

Hatch to commercialise Grade Engineering

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 1620 AEDT | 1820 NZDT

Developed by the Brisbane-based Cooperative Research Centre for Optimising Resource Extraction (CRC ORE), Grade Engineering is an innovative suite of Australian-developed mining technologies that is set to be taken worldwide. Grade Engineering makes Read more about Hatch to commercialise Grade Engineering

80 year old WA snapper is the world's oldest tropical reef fish

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 1222 AEDT | 1422 NZDT

Coral Reefs

An 81-year-old midnight snapper caught off the coast of Western Australia has taken the title of the oldest tropical reef fish recorded anywhere in the world. The octogenarian fish was found at the Rowley Shoals—about 300km west of Broome—and Read more about 80 year old WA snapper is the world's oldest tropical reef fish

SARS-CoV-2 might enter the brain through your nose

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 1201 AEDT | 1401 NZDT

Nature Neuroscience

SARS-CoV-2 might enter the brain of people through the nose, according to an autopsy study which may help explain the neurological symptoms such as loss of smell, taste, headache, fatigue and nausea. Previous research had described the presence of Read more about SARS-CoV-2 might enter the brain through your nose

EXPERT REACTION: Moderna vaccine reports 100% efficacy against severe COVID

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

Overnight, Moderna has reported further results of their Phase 3 COVID vaccine study. The results, based on 30,000 participants, included 196 cases of COVID-19, of which 30 cases were severe. According to the company, the vaccine's efficacy was 94. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Moderna vaccine reports 100% efficacy against severe COVID

Sheep and beef farms hold a quarter of NZ’s native vegetation

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 1007 AEDT | 1207 NZDT

New Zealand Journal of Ecology

New Zealand researchers have mapped out an estimate of where native plants and forests are dispersed throughout the country, finding that sheep and beef farms contain 17 per cent of the country’s remaining native forest and a quarter of the Read more about Sheep and beef farms hold a quarter of NZ’s native vegetation

NEWS BRIEFING: Hayabusa2 capsule set to land on Aussie soil with space rocks on board

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

FULL BRIEFING RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE While food delivery services have been getting a good workout over the past year, space nerds around the world have eagerly awaited a different kind of package. Hayabusa2 is set for another milestone in its Read more about NEWS BRIEFING: Hayabusa2 capsule set to land on Aussie soil with space rocks on board

Pets, touch and COVID-19: why our furry friends are lifesavers

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

Journal of Behavioral Economics for Policy

A new study published by University of South Australia researchers points to the lifesaving role that pets have played in 2020 and why governments need to sit up and take notice. Read more about Pets, touch and COVID-19: why our furry friends are lifesavers