Face masks may help stop COVID-19 spreading through families

Publicly released: Fri 29 May 2020 at 0830 AEST | 1030 NZST

BMJ Global Health

Wearing face masks at home may be one way to stop COVID-19 spreading between family members, but only if they are worn before symptoms develop, according to Australian and Chinese research. They surveyed 460 people from 124 families in Beijing, China Read more about Face masks may help stop COVID-19 spreading through families

Scientists call for a contact tracing app regulator

Publicly released: Fri 29 May 2020 at 0700 AEST | 0900 NZST

Nature

British experts argue the ethical concerns around digital contact tracing apps should be weighed up by an independent body, rather than app designers or governments. They say while the apps may be temporary, they risk creating permanent, vulnerable Read more about Scientists call for a contact tracing app regulator

Baby born to COVID19 positive parents allowed to remain with them.

Publicly released: Fri 29 May 2020 at 0500 AEST | 0700 NZST

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

An Aussie mum-to-be who tested positive for COVID19 in the final stages of pregnancy went on the have an uncomplicated birth and was able to remain with her baby thanks to viral precautions such as masks and handwashing. The woman presented to Read more about Baby born to COVID19 positive parents allowed to remain with them.

Sea snakes evolved to see in the sea

Publicly released: Fri 29 May 2020 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Current Biology

Sea snakes vision evolved rapidly, over a period of just 15 million years, to allow them to see in the sea, according to Australian and international researchers. Snakes generally have limited, often two-tone, colour vision thanks largely to the Read more about Sea snakes evolved to see in the sea

Revealing how flies make decisions on the fly to survive

Publicly released: Fri 29 May 2020 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Current Biology

Many insects process visual information to make decisions about controlling their flying skills and movements- flies must decide whether to pursue prey, avoid a predator, maintain their flight trajectory or land based on their perceptions. Why is Read more about Revealing how flies make decisions on the fly to survive

New gut-brain link: how gut mucus could help treat brain disorders

Publicly released: Thu 28 May 2020 at 2230 AEST | Fri 29 May 2020 at 0030 NZST

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

Gut-bacterial imbalance is linked with neurological disorders such as autism, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s and Multiple Sclerosis, but the causes are not clear. Researchers have now identified a common thread - changes in gut mucus. Read more about New gut-brain link: how gut mucus could help treat brain disorders

The siren call of the narwhal sounds more like a chainsaw

Publicly released: Thu 28 May 2020 at 1600 AEST | 1800 NZST

Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans

Researchers tagging along on Inuit hunting expeditions have recorded the elusive sounds of the narwhal, the unicorns of the Arctic, and say they sound a bit like a chainsaw. They captured several types of sounds made by narwhals, including social Read more about The siren call of the narwhal sounds more like a chainsaw

Aussie-made 3D-printed nasal swabs could help address global shortages

Publicly released: Thu 28 May 2020 at 1530 AEST | 1730 NZST

MJA

An Aussie-made 3D-printed nasal swab has been shown to be as effective as commercially available products, and it is hoped that local production of the swabs may help address the current global shortage that has occurred thanks to COVID-19 testing. Read more about Aussie-made 3D-printed nasal swabs could help address global shortages

Relaxing social distancing could mean a resurgence of COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 28 May 2020 at 1530 AEST | 1730 NZST

Annals of Internal Medicine

Modelling from Ontario in Canada suggests that relaxing physical distancing without increasing other public health measures could result in a resurgence of COVID-19 cases. Like Australia, Ontario has so far has kept COVID-19 cases below ICU capacity, Read more about Relaxing social distancing could mean a resurgence of COVID-19

Examining the impact of major life events on wellbeing

Publicly released: Thu 28 May 2020 at 1528 AEST | 1728 NZST

SSM - Population Health

Major life events, such as marriage, death of a loved one, or bankruptcy, all affect our wellbeing. Now, for the first time, researchers have compared the differing impact of these events on the happiness and life satisfaction of Australians, and Read more about Examining the impact of major life events on wellbeing

E-cigarette smokers' mouths show signs of severe gum disease

Publicly released: Thu 28 May 2020 at 1400 AEST | 1600 NZST

Science Advances

A study showing the first experimental evidence of how e-cigarettes affect people’s mouths has concluded that users have a stressed oral environment. E-cigarette users’ mouths were pathogen-rich, with an altered level of microbes suggesting they Read more about E-cigarette smokers' mouths show signs of severe gum disease

World’s largest ‘lava lamp bubble’ under NZ

Publicly released: Thu 28 May 2020 at 1309 AEST | 1509 NZST

Science Advances

Kiwi researchers have discovered remnants of the world’s largest volcanic outpouring under the surface of the Earth. The researchers say it was created 120 million years ago when a giant plume of hot rock rose rapidly from the Earth’s core to Read more about World’s largest ‘lava lamp bubble’ under NZ

For now, psychology is our best anti-coronavirus tool

Publicly released: Thu 28 May 2020 at 1230 AEST | 1430 NZST

Aside from a vaccine or cure, knowledge of human behaviour and psychology may be the best means of controlling the spread of COVID-19. In a new, freely available book, University of Queensland psychologist Professor Jolanda Jetten said Read more about For now, psychology is our best anti-coronavirus tool

Epigenetics tell the story of trauma and recovery

Publicly released: Thu 28 May 2020 at 0900 AEST | 1100 NZST

Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice and Policy

A world-first study of the epigenetics of post-traumatic growth and resilience points the way for further research into how people can overcome the negative impacts of trauma after events such as bushfires, serious motor vehicle accidents, domestic Read more about Epigenetics tell the story of trauma and recovery

US medical leaders have 'extensive' financial links to industry

Publicly released: Thu 28 May 2020 at 0830 AEST | 1030 NZST

The BMJ

There are extensive financial relationships between the leaders of influential US professional medical associations and industry, according to Australian researchers. These powerful doctors' groups have enormous influence globally, say the authors, Read more about US medical leaders have 'extensive' financial links to industry

EXPERT REACTION: How common is asymptomatic COVID-19?

Publicly released: Thu 28 May 2020 at 0830 AEST | 1030 NZST

Thorax

Two papers published today highlight the asymptomatic nature of COVID-19. In a JAMA Network Open paper, researchers highlight that in a study of 78 patients, 42. 3 per cent were found to show no symptoms. In an unrelated study by Australian authors, Read more about EXPERT REACTION: How common is asymptomatic COVID-19?

Predator dinos may have turned to cannibalism during tough times

Publicly released: Thu 28 May 2020 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

PLOS One

U. S. researchers have found nearly 2,000 dinosaur bones in the state of Colorado with Allosaurus bite marks - many of which were inflicted on other Allosaurus. Around half of those bites were on less nutritious body parts, suggesting this predator Read more about Predator dinos may have turned to cannibalism during tough times

Hahahahaha, Duuuuude, Yeeessss! Tweets reveal how we streeeeeetch words

Publicly released: Thu 28 May 2020 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

PLOS ONE

A team of awessssssommmmmmmmmeeeeee researchers from the US has identified thousands of 'stretchable' words by analysing around 100 billion tweets. The huuuuuge undertaking shines a light on everyday language patterns that are rarely captured by Read more about Hahahahaha, Duuuuude, Yeeessss! Tweets reveal how we streeeeeetch words

Cyclones can damage even distant reefs

Publicly released: Thu 28 May 2020 at 0201 AEST | 0401 NZST

Global Change Biology

A study led by Dr Marji Puotinen from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) sounds a warning about the way strong cyclone winds build extreme seas that affect coral reefs in Australia and around the world. Read more about Cyclones can damage even distant reefs

NEWS BRIEFING: Uncovering the mystery behind the Universe's missing matter

Publicly released: Thu 28 May 2020 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature

BRIEFING RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE Aussie astronomers have used mysterious fast radio bursts to solve a decades-old mystery of ‘missing matter’, long predicted to exist in the Universe but never detected—until now. The researchers were able to Read more about NEWS BRIEFING: Uncovering the mystery behind the Universe's missing matter