Heatwave trends accelerate worldwide

Publicly released: Fri 3 Jul 2020 at 1900 AEST | 2100 NZST

Nature Communications

Trends that have seen heatwaves become hotter, longer and more frequent in almost every region of the world are accelerating according to new research published in Nature Communications. The researchers have also developed a new heatwave metric, Read more about Heatwave trends accelerate worldwide

New nano-engineering strategy shows potential for improved advanced energy storage

Publicly released: Fri 3 Jul 2020 at 1900 AEST | 2100 NZST

Nature Communications

Renewable energy infrastructure, such as wind and solar, needs large-scale energy storage systems. Recent promising research using beyond-lithium ion batteries have been hampered by a lack of suitable electrode materials. Scientists using a strategy Read more about New nano-engineering strategy shows potential for improved advanced energy storage

Novel biomarker discovery could lead to early diagnosis for deadly preeclampsia

Publicly released: Fri 3 Jul 2020 at 1800 AEST | 2000 NZST

Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism

Preeclampsia is a dangerous condition that worldwide kills over 70,000 women and 500,000 babies each year. The discovery of two new biomarkers has the potential to predict key underlying causes of the disease and could lead to the early diagnosis Read more about Novel biomarker discovery could lead to early diagnosis for deadly preeclampsia

New group of trapdoor spiders discovered in eastern Australia

Publicly released: Fri 3 Jul 2020 at 1300 AEST | 1500 NZST

Cladistics

A new group of trapdoor spiders that builds burrows hidden by camouflaged doors has been discovered in eastern Australia. One of the almost 20 new species found in this group occurs in the suburbs of Brisbane. The research team from Griffith Read more about New group of trapdoor spiders discovered in eastern Australia

More caution needed to keep older adults safe from COVID-19

Publicly released: Fri 3 Jul 2020 at 1100 AEST | 1300 NZST

PLOS One

When it comes to measures to prevent COVID-19, older people aren't being as cautious as expected, according to new survey data from 27 countries, including Australia. Older adults might be expected to be more compliant with social distancing rules, Read more about More caution needed to keep older adults safe from COVID-19

Preprint about a 'more contagious strain' of coronavirus changed in peer review

Publicly released: Fri 3 Jul 2020 at 1053 AEST | 1253 NZST

Cell

In early May, news broke about a reportedly more contagious variant of the COVID-19 virus, based on a piece of non-peer-reviewed research independently published online. The preprint stated a variant of the virus had a particular mutation to its Read more about Preprint about a 'more contagious strain' of coronavirus changed in peer review

Fish are far more vulnerable to global warming than previously thought

Publicly released: Fri 3 Jul 2020 at 0830 AEST | 1030 NZST

Science

A research review has found fish species around the world are at greater risk from climate change than previously realised. German scientists analysed published research on nearly 700 marine and freshwater fish species to understand which stages of Read more about Fish are far more vulnerable to global warming than previously thought

Testing tuberculosis vaccine combinations for COVID-19

Publicly released: Fri 3 Jul 2020 at 0600 AEST | 0800 NZST

Sydney researchers are taking an innovative approach to designing potential COVID-19 vaccines - using a tuberculosis vaccine to deliver components of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Early results from pre-clinical testing in mice are promising. Read more about Testing tuberculosis vaccine combinations for COVID-19

It's a dog's life: our furry friends are much older than we think

Publicly released: Fri 3 Jul 2020 at 0500 AEST | 0700 NZST

Cell Systems

Scientists in the US have debunked the well-known 'rule of paw' that one dog year is the equivalent of seven human years. Instead, the researchers have devised a more accurate formula to calculate your pooch's age based on the chemical changes in Read more about It's a dog's life: our furry friends are much older than we think

Call for immunology to return to the wild

Publicly released: Fri 3 Jul 2020 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

Science

Integrating a more diverse set of species and environments could enhance the biomedical research cycle, according to a 'Perspectives' article from more than 10 universities and research institutes, led by a University of Tasmania researcher. The Read more about Call for immunology to return to the wild

Making and breaking friendships in Brazil

Publicly released: Fri 3 Jul 2020 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

PLOS ONE

Being able to meet lots of people, pick your friends and dump romantic partners is a societal freedom Kiwis are used to, but not all cultures have. Now Kiwi and Japanese researchers have surveyed Brazilians in the first country-wide study of Read more about Making and breaking friendships in Brazil

Those with COVID-19 could also be at increased risk of stroke

Publicly released: Fri 3 Jul 2020 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Neurology

Patients with COVID-19 may also be at heightened risk of stroke, according to international researchers who looked at 3,402 patients at two hospitals in New York City. The researchers compared patients with COVID-19 at these hospitals to patients Read more about Those with COVID-19 could also be at increased risk of stroke

Compulsive internet use by teens linked to emotional issues

Publicly released: Fri 3 Jul 2020 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

Emotion

A new study has found internet addiction in teenagers leads to difficulty regulating emotions. However there was no evidence that pre-existing emotional issues are a predictor of obsessive internet use. The paper is the first longitudinal study to Read more about Compulsive internet use by teens linked to emotional issues

Social distancing superstars helped slow US COVID-19 spread

Publicly released: Thu 2 Jul 2020 at 1600 AEST | 1800 NZST

The Lancet Infectious Diseases

People who proactively started social distancing before government policies were in place may have helped slow the spread of COVID-19 in the US, according to international researchers who looked at real-world mobile phone data between January and Read more about Social distancing superstars helped slow US COVID-19 spread

Mothering in domestic violence: protecting children behind closed doors

Publicly released: Thu 2 Jul 2020 at 1600 AEST | 1800 NZST

Qualitative Social Work

As emerging data shows an alarming rise of domestic violence during the pandemic, researchers at the University of South Australia are urging practitioners to look beyond clinical observations and focus on the strengths that mothers exercise to Read more about Mothering in domestic violence: protecting children behind closed doors

Hot flushes and night sweats linked to 70% increase in cardiovascular disease

Publicly released: Thu 2 Jul 2020 at 1051 AEST | 1251 NZST

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

New research from The University of Queensland has found that women who have hot flushes and night sweats after menopause are 70 per cent more likely to have heart attacks, angina and strokes. Read more about Hot flushes and night sweats linked to 70% increase in cardiovascular disease

Review raises questions about family violence therapies

Publicly released: Thu 2 Jul 2020 at 1000 AEST | 1200 NZST

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

A major University of Melbourne-led review has questioned whether women's ongoing need for safety, support and holistic healing following family violence are adequately addressed by current therapies. Read more about Review raises questions about family violence therapies

Climate change threat to tropical plants

Publicly released: Thu 2 Jul 2020 at 0930 AEST | 1130 NZST

Global Ecology and Biogeography

Half of the world’s tropical plant species may struggle to germinate by 2070 because of global warming, a new UNSW study predicts. Their study analysed almost 10,000 records for more than 1300 species from the Kew Gardens’ global seed Read more about Climate change threat to tropical plants

'Immunity passport' test misses one in three COVID-19 cases on average

Publicly released: Thu 2 Jul 2020 at 0830 AEST | 1030 NZST

The BMJ

An international team of researchers have reviewed the evidence for using COVID-19 antibody tests, based on 40 published studies. When test results were pooled together, they ranged from 66 to 97. 8 per cent accurate at correctly detecting COVID-19 Read more about 'Immunity passport' test misses one in three COVID-19 cases on average

Meeting exercise guidelines may lower your risk of death

Publicly released: Thu 2 Jul 2020 at 0830 AEST | 1030 NZST

The BMJ

Meeting weekly exercise recommendations is linked to a lower risk of death, say international and Aussie researchers. The authors looked at the link between meeting the 2018 US physical activity guidelines – 150 minutes of moderate-intensity Read more about Meeting exercise guidelines may lower your risk of death