Pale melanomas masked by albino gene

Publicly released: Thu 24 Sep 2020 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

PLOS ONE

People with pale coloured melanomas are more likely to have a gene mutation associated with albinism, University of Queensland research has found. Read more about Pale melanomas masked by albino gene

Scientists map the potential for natural forest regrowth to capture carbon

Publicly released: Thu 24 Sep 2020 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature

A major new study that maps potential aboveground carbon accumulation rates for forest regrowth across the globe has been published in the journal Nature. Researchers from Australia’s national science agency CSIRO joined scientists from 17 other Read more about Scientists map the potential for natural forest regrowth to capture carbon

Seeing how the other half lives could increase support for taxing wealthy people

Publicly released: Thu 24 Sep 2020 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature

The mere presence of a luxury car may influence people’s opinions about taxing the wealthy, according to research conducted in South Africa. The researchers asked members of the public to sign a petition, either about increasing taxes on the Read more about Seeing how the other half lives could increase support for taxing wealthy people

This tiny wearable wind 'turbine' could keep your phone charged

Publicly released: Thu 24 Sep 2020 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Cell Reports Physical Science

Chinese researchers have developed a tiny device the size of a coin that can be attached to your arm and generates power from the breeze of your arms swinging as you walk. The device is not technically a turbine, but consists of two plastic strips Read more about This tiny wearable wind 'turbine' could keep your phone charged

Cannabis during pregnancy linked to mental health problems in kids

Publicly released: Thu 24 Sep 2020 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Psychiatry

Being exposed to cannabis in the womb may negatively affect kids' mental health later in childhood, according to US researchers. They looked at data from 11,489 children, 655 of whom had been exposed to cannabis prenatally, and found cannabis Read more about Cannabis during pregnancy linked to mental health problems in kids

NSW Drug Court reduces risk of reconviction in the long term

Publicly released: Thu 24 Sep 2020 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

Treating drug related offenders is far more effective than sending them to prison according to new research conducted jointly by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) and the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), UNSW Read more about NSW Drug Court reduces risk of reconviction in the long term

Metformin treatment linked to slowed cognitive decline

Publicly released: Thu 24 Sep 2020 at 0000 AEST | 0200 NZST

Diabetes Care

A six-year study of older Australians with type 2 diabetes has uncovered a link between metformin use, slower cognitive decline and lower dementia rates. Read more about Metformin treatment linked to slowed cognitive decline

“Save me Seymour!” Urgent conservation needed for world’s carnivorous plants

Publicly released: Wed 23 Sep 2020 at 1803 AEST | 2003 NZST

Global Ecology and Conservation

New international research led by Curtin University has found approximately a quarter of carnivorous plant species across the world may be at risk of extinction due to global climate change, illegal poaching, and the clearing of land for agriculture, Read more about “Save me Seymour!” Urgent conservation needed for world’s carnivorous plants

Time to rethink the link between testosterone and masculinity

Publicly released: Wed 23 Sep 2020 at 1706 AEST | 1906 NZST

Journal of Men's Health

New research by the Freemason's Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing has shown the public perception that ‘too much testosterone’ increases stereotypical masculine traits in men might not be true at all. Read more about Time to rethink the link between testosterone and masculinity

EXPERT REACTION: E-cigarettes to be available on prescription

Publicly released: Wed 23 Sep 2020 at 1525 AEST | 1725 NZST

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has today announced its interim decision to amend the Poisons Standard to classify nicotine for human use as a prescription-only medication, rather than a dangerous poison. The proposed Schedule 4 entry Read more about EXPERT REACTION: E-cigarettes to be available on prescription

Could COVID-19 spread through viral tears?

Publicly released: Wed 23 Sep 2020 at 1451 AEST | 1651 NZST

American Journal of Ophthalmology

New Zealand researchers have taken a close look at the link between COVID-19 and our eyes. After reviewing the literature, they say that a small percentage of COVID-19 patients develop conjunctivitis, and that genetic material from the SARS-CoV-2 Read more about Could COVID-19 spread through viral tears?

Life in lockdown: health-wise, it’s not as bad as you think

Publicly released: Wed 23 Sep 2020 at 1207 AEST | 1407 NZST

While Victorians continue to endure restrictions from a second wave of COVID-19, new research from the University of South Australia is providing much-needed good news about people’s overall health and wellbeing following lockdown. Read more about Life in lockdown: health-wise, it’s not as bad as you think

COVID-19 herd immunity approach is impractical, modelling shows

Publicly released: Wed 23 Sep 2020 at 1200 AEST | 1400 NZST

PNAS

Strategies aiming to produce herd immunity to COVID-19 would require constant and very precise fine-tuning of social distancing and self-isolation guidelines, according to new modelling by researchers in the USA. Rules would have to be adjusted on a Read more about COVID-19 herd immunity approach is impractical, modelling shows

Testing time for pills in space

Publicly released: Wed 23 Sep 2020 at 1150 AEST | 1350 NZST

Pills are being sent into space to test how they cope with the rigours of one of the harshest environments known. The University of Adelaide is studying how exposure to microgravity and space radiation affects the stability of pharmaceutical tablet Read more about Testing time for pills in space

Dealing with fussy eating in children

Publicly released: Wed 23 Sep 2020 at 0930 AEST | 1130 NZST

If meals with your children are ruled by what they refuse to eat, consider a UNSW Sydney dietitian’s advice on how to tackle fussy eating and win mealtime back. Read more about Dealing with fussy eating in children

COVID-19 may have initially spread faster than we thought thanks to 'superspreaders'

Publicly released: Wed 23 Sep 2020 at 0901 AEST | 1101 NZST

Royal Society Open Science

The initial rate of spread of COVID-19, known as the R0 rate, may have been underestimated during the early stages of the pandemic, according to Polish scientists. They used computer models to investigate the spread of the virus in China, USA and Read more about COVID-19 may have initially spread faster than we thought thanks to 'superspreaders'

All work and all play makes Fido a very good boy

Publicly released: Wed 23 Sep 2020 at 0901 AEST | 1101 NZST

Biology Letters

Working dog breeds aren't just hard workers, they're also the most playful breeds, according to Swedish and Hungarian researchers. They analysed a Swedish database of data on how playful 132 different breeds are with their owners and other people, Read more about All work and all play makes Fido a very good boy

Quit tobacco to help your heart

Publicly released: Wed 23 Sep 2020 at 0900 AEST | 1100 NZST

Tobacco is responsible for one fifth of all deaths from coronary heart disease, according to new research by the WHO. An international team of researchers, including scientists in Australia, found an increased risk of heart disease for both regular Read more about Quit tobacco to help your heart

People with asymptomatic COVID-19 have as much virus in their system as those with symptoms

Publicly released: Wed 23 Sep 2020 at 0830 AEST | 1030 NZST

Thorax

People with asymptomatic COVID-19 infection have as much coronavirus in their noses and throats as those with symptoms, according to research from South Korea. Given how many of these people there are--a fifth of those infected, the study findings Read more about People with asymptomatic COVID-19 have as much virus in their system as those with symptoms

Don’t risk illegal food purchases or sales on social media

Publicly released: Wed 23 Sep 2020 at 0800 AEST | 1000 NZST

The Food Safety Information Council is warning Australians not to buy or sell food, prepared in unregulated home kitchens, that is being offered on social media sites such as Facebook and WeChat. This practice has increased significantly since the Read more about Don’t risk illegal food purchases or sales on social media