Understanding enzyme could help produce frost-resistant crops

Publicly released: Fri 19 Oct 2018 at 1330 AEDT | 1530 NZDT

New Phytologist

Western Australia researchers have found that an enzyme in plants, ATP Synthase, plays a critical role in how plants respond to the cold. The discovery could be used to produce frost-resistant crops, which would save the agricultural industry Read more about Understanding enzyme could help produce frost-resistant crops - Scimex

Waitaha penguin was also in the North

Publicly released: Fri 19 Oct 2018 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

New Zealand Journal of Zoology

The extinct, native Waitaha penguin also bred in the North Island, not just the coastal South Island and Stewart Island as previously thought, according to an analysis of archaeological evidence. Though the related subantarctic yellow-eyed penguin, Read more about Waitaha penguin was also in the North - Scimex

Point of care cancer diagnoses one phone ‘click’ closer

Publicly released: Fri 19 Oct 2018 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

Analytical Chemistry

A low cost, easy to use device, designed to be attached to a smart phone, demonstrates that detecting the very early stages of common diseases such as prostate cancer could be as simple as taking a picture. Media Release. From:University of Read more about Point of care cancer diagnoses one phone ‘click’ closer - Scimex

Where will the wave hit?

Publicly released: Fri 19 Oct 2018 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

Nature Communications

Flooding from waves is a serious concern for coral reef-fringed coastlines, especially as sea level rise means the reefs will be overtopped by waves more often. New Zealand researchers have developed a model to better understand at what point waves Read more about Where will the wave hit? - Scimex

Eating leafy greens could help prevent macular degeneration

Publicly released: Fri 19 Oct 2018 at 0844 AEDT | 1044 NZDT

Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

A new study has shown that eating vegetable nitrates, found mainly in green leafy vegetables and beetroot, could help reduce your risk of developing early-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Funder: The Blue Mountains Eye Study was funded Read more about Eating leafy greens could help prevent macular degeneration - Scimex

Sydney researchers collaborate internationally to discover four new MS genes

Publicly released: Fri 19 Oct 2018 at 0836 AEDT | 1036 NZDT

Cell

In one of the largest human genetic studies ever undertaken, researchers at the Westmead Institute for Medical Research have contributed to the discovery of four new genes contributing to the devastating neurological disease, multiple sclerosis (MS). Read more about Sydney researchers collaborate internationally to discover four new MS genes - Scimex

EXPERT REACTION: Aussie trial offers new hope to cystic fibrosis patients

Publicly released: Fri 19 Oct 2018 at 0245 AEDT | 0445 NZDT

NEJM

An Australian-led trial has found that adding a new drug, known as VX-445, to two existing treatments significantly improved the lung function of patients with cystic fibrosis. This new drug helped patients who had both one and two copies of the Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Aussie trial offers new hope to cystic fibrosis patients - Scimex

Could Leonardo da Vinci's wonky eye explain his artistic genius?

Publicly released: Fri 19 Oct 2018 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

JAMA Ophthalmology

A UK analysis of six pictures and sculptures portraying Leonardo da Vinci suggests he may have had a condition called exotropia - a misalignment of the eyes that causes them to look outward (the opposite of being cross-eyed). This could have Read more about Could Leonardo da Vinci's wonky eye explain his artistic genius? - Scimex

A 150-million-year old piranha-like fish is first to eat flesh

Publicly released: Fri 19 Oct 2018 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

Current Biology

A 150-million-year old fish fossil with teeth like piranha is the oldest flesh eating fish ever discovered, according to Australian researchers. The fish which lived at the time of the dinosaurs was found alongside it's victims, other fish with Read more about A 150-million-year old piranha-like fish is first to eat flesh - Scimex

ANU researchers find new disease

Publicly released: Fri 19 Oct 2018 at 0100 AEDT | 0300 NZDT

The Journal of Experimental Medicine

Researchers at The Australian National University (ANU) have discovered a new genetic disease and a method for detecting more unexplained medical conditions. Media Release. From:The Australian National University. Researchers at The Australian Read more about ANU researchers find new disease - Scimex

What to go to uni? That choice is partly down to your DNA

Publicly released: Fri 19 Oct 2018 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Scientific Reports

Genetics plays a significant role in whether young people choose to go to university, which university they choose to attend, and how well they do, according to a UK study. Using data on twins the researchers found that genetic factors explained 57 Read more about What to go to uni? That choice is partly down to your DNA - Scimex

Climate change could further pressure bumblebees

Publicly released: Fri 19 Oct 2018 at 0000 AEDT | 0200 NZDT

Scientific Reports

Bumblebees are already having a hard time, but things could be even worse under climate change, according to Canadian researchers. Because the pollinators are vulnerable to extreme temperatures, many species move to higher latitudes, but the Read more about Climate change could further pressure bumblebees - Scimex

Gene-editing zebrafish to learn about human disease

Publicly released: Fri 19 Oct 2018 at 0000 AEDT | 0200 NZDT

Disease Models & Mechanisms

Zebrafish are an increasingly popular study organism thanks to their quick breeding cycle, transparent embryos and being cheap to care for in large numbers. Now researchers are combining the gene-editing tool CRISPR-Cas9 and zebrafish research in Read more about Gene-editing zebrafish to learn about human disease - Scimex

Did eating starchy foods give humans an evolutionary advantage?

Publicly released: Thu 18 Oct 2018 at 1300 AEDT | 1500 NZDT

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Gene AMY1, which kickstarts digestion of starch in the mouth, is associated with blood glucose levels and digestion of carbohydrates, with implications for understanding human evolutionary biology and the gut microbiome. Media Release. From:The Read more about Did eating starchy foods give humans an evolutionary advantage? - Scimex

Human trial success signals next stage of malaria vaccine development

Publicly released: Thu 18 Oct 2018 at 1045 AEDT | 1245 NZDT

BMC Medicine

Initial success in human clinical trials has given hope for the next stage in the development of a new malaria vaccine. In a world first, researchers from Griffith University’ s Institute for Glycomics trialed the use of a whole parasite Read more about Human trial success signals next stage of malaria vaccine development - Scimex

Climate stress will make cities more vulnerable

Publicly released: Thu 18 Oct 2018 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

Science Advances

The fall of Angkor has long puzzled historians, archaeologists and scientists, but now a University of Sydney research team is one step closer to discovering what led to the city’s demise -- and it comes with a warning for modern urban communities. Read more about Climate stress will make cities more vulnerable - Scimex

Antarctica's ice shelf sings to itself

Publicly released: Thu 18 Oct 2018 at 0930 AEDT | 1130 NZDT

Geophysical Research Letters

Winds blowing across snow dunes on Antarctica’s Ross Ice Shelf cause the massive ice slab’s surface to vibrate, producing a near-constant drumroll of seismic "tones". Through the use of seismographs across the shelf over 2 years, US scientists Read more about Antarctica's ice shelf sings to itself - Scimex

Australian PrEP trial leads to unprecedented reductions in HIV transmission

Publicly released: Thu 18 Oct 2018 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

The Lancet HIV

Recent HIV infections in gay and bisexual men in New South Wales (NSW) have declined by almost one-third following the trial of an HIV prevention medication called PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis), according to Kirby Institute research published Read more about Australian PrEP trial leads to unprecedented reductions in HIV transmission - Scimex

VR may help you feel empathy as you walk in someone else's shoes

Publicly released: Thu 18 Oct 2018 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Virtual Reality (VR) could be a useful tool to encourage empathy, helpful behaviour, and positive attitudes towards marginalised groups, according to US research. The researchers had people either read written information about homelessness, or they Read more about VR may help you feel empathy as you walk in someone else's shoes - Scimex

Doubt over earliest signs of life puts Aussie fossils back on top as the oldest

Publicly released: Thu 18 Oct 2018 at 0400 AEDT | 0600 NZDT

Nature

In 2016, researchers described 3.7-billion-year-old structures in Greenland rocks, a claim which if proven would bump Aussie fossils from the Pilbara out of the record books as the world's oldest form of life ever discovered. But further research Read more about Doubt over earliest signs of life puts Aussie fossils back on top as the oldest - Scimex