DIY crop speed breeding system to boost drought research

Publicly released: Sat 17 Nov 2018 at 0301 AEDT | 0501 NZDT

Nature Protocols

Plant speed breeding could be part of the solution to minimise the devastating effects of drought and climate change on crops in the future, according to a University of Queensland researcher. Media Release. From:The University of Queensland. Plant Read more about DIY crop speed breeding system to boost drought research - Scimex

How heavy you were, not are, could help identify your risk of dying

Publicly released: Sat 17 Nov 2018 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA

US researchers suggest that your weight throughout your life may be a better means of identifying whether you're at a higher risk of dying than your current weight. The team says that, as most studies look at body mass index (BMI) and weight at a Read more about How heavy you were, not are, could help identify your risk of dying - Scimex

Scientists vote on weighty issue – the redefinition of the kilogram

Publicly released: Fri 16 Nov 2018 at 1254 AEDT | 1454 NZDT

International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM) meeting

Leaders of the international measurement community from more than 60 countries will come together today in France for an historic vote on changes to the metric system, which will lead to a landmark redefinition of the kilogram. Media Release. Read more about Scientists vote on weighty issue – the redefinition of the kilogram - Scimex

Warming microbes may shrink Southern Ocean carbon sink

Publicly released: Fri 16 Nov 2018 at 1045 AEDT | 1245 NZDT

Aquatic Microbial Ecology

The amount of carbon locked away in the depths of the Southern Ocean could fall by almost 20 per cent by 2100 as warming waters lead to increased microbial activity, according to new IMAS research. The Southern Ocean absorbs a large proportion of Read more about Warming microbes may shrink Southern Ocean carbon sink - Scimex

Inhaling deodorant lethal for young man

Publicly released: Fri 16 Nov 2018 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

BMJ Case Reports

Doctors in the Netherlands have warned of the dangers of inhaling deodorant spray following the death of a 19-year-old man who was in a detox clinic. In the absence of other drugs, the young man - who was receiving rehab treatment for ketamine and Read more about Inhaling deodorant lethal for young man - Scimex

Footballer's health screen not fail-safe

Publicly released: Fri 16 Nov 2018 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

British Journal of Sports Medicine

Mandatory health screening for footballers at the start of a season can still miss crucial problems, according to an eight-year study of 600 Norwegian professional players. UEFA and FIFA have made these health checks mandatory, but even when they Read more about Footballer's health screen not fail-safe - Scimex

Ommmmm: effortless meditation could help PTSD

Publicly released: Fri 16 Nov 2018 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The Lancet Psychiatry

A type of meditation known as transcendental meditation may help decrease the severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Transcendental meditation relies on the practice of effortlessly thinking of a mantra without concentration or other Read more about Ommmmm: effortless meditation could help PTSD - Scimex

Solar storm may have detonated mines during Vietnam War

Publicly released: Fri 16 Nov 2018 at 0800 AEDT | 1000 NZDT

Space Weather

A declassified report from the Vietnam War has led researchers to suggest a strong solar storm in 1972 caused widespread disturbance to satellites and spacecraft and may have detonated more than 4000 mines. The solar storm was so strong, the Read more about Solar storm may have detonated mines during Vietnam War - Scimex

Diet and health: fat, guts, fasting and 'the athletic diet'

Publicly released: Fri 16 Nov 2018 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

Science

The connections and controversies between what we eat and our well-being are analysed in four reviews that cover four major areas: what influences our gut microbiota, benefits of intermittent fasting, how much fat we should eat and what types, and Read more about Diet and health: fat, guts, fasting and 'the athletic diet' - Scimex

Omega-3 reduces risk of prematurity

Publicly released: Fri 16 Nov 2018 at 0545 AEDT | 0745 NZDT

Cochrane Library

Increased intake of omega-3 long-chain fatty acids during pregnancy has been found to reduce the risk of premature birth. The Cochrane review into Omega-3 fatty acid addition during pregnancy was conducted by SAHMRI’s Healthy Mothers, Babies and Read more about Omega-3 reduces risk of prematurity - Scimex

Dengue and Zika a one-two punch

Publicly released: Fri 16 Nov 2018 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Cell Host & Microbe

Babies born to women who have previously had a dengue fever infection seem to be more vulnerable to a severe Zika infection, and the reverse has also been found in Zika-immune mice. Both diseases are caused by certain types of viruses that seem to Read more about Dengue and Zika a one-two punch - Scimex

What can Twitter teach us about 'social jetlag'?

Publicly released: Fri 16 Nov 2018 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Current Biology

US scientists used Twitter to measure 'social jetlag' - the mismatch between the body's internal clock and the realities of our daily schedules - across the USA, and found our biological rhythms are disconnected from the changing hours of sunlight Read more about What can Twitter teach us about 'social jetlag'? - Scimex

Coffee fans love the bitter taste of caffeine, tea lovers loathe it

Publicly released: Fri 16 Nov 2018 at 0100 AEDT | 0300 NZDT

Scientific Reports

Australian-led research used data from the UK Biobank to link genetic variants associated with the perception of three bitter substances — caffeine, quinine and propylthiouracil [PROP] with people's preferences for drinking tea, coffee and alcohol. Read more about Coffee fans love the bitter taste of caffeine, tea lovers loathe it - Scimex

Researchers one step closer to curing childhood liver disease

Publicly released: Thu 15 Nov 2018 at 2200 AEDT | Fri 16 Nov 2018 at 0000 NZDT

A deal announced this week between a Sydney-based medical research facility and a Boston-based biotech company is set to get cures into the clinic faster. Funder: LogicBio Therapeutics. Media Release. From:Children's Medical Research Institute (CMRI) Read more about Researchers one step closer to curing childhood liver disease - Scimex

EXPERT REACTION: Fertility techniques linked to intellectual disability

Publicly released: Thu 15 Nov 2018 at 1601 AEDT | 1801 NZDT

Pediatrics

A Telethon Kids Institute study showing a link between intellectual disability and some forms of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) has reinforced the need for coordinated long-term monitoring of outcomes of children conceived using these Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Fertility techniques linked to intellectual disability - Scimex

New Brisbane pollen forecast to help allergy sufferers

Publicly released: Thu 15 Nov 2018 at 1318 AEDT | 1518 NZDT

People with hayfever and seasonal asthma can keep a check on levels of grass pollen in the air that may aggravate their allergies with the official Brisbane Pollen forecast provided by QUT researchers now available. Subtropical grasses flower around Read more about New Brisbane pollen forecast to help allergy sufferers - Scimex

Law reforms propose clearer access to surrogacy

Publicly released: Thu 15 Nov 2018 at 0959 AEDT | 1159 NZDT

Reforms proposed to South Australian surrogacy laws recommend an updated and improved non-commercial system of domestic surrogacy to protect the interests of all parties, especially those of the surrogate child. Media Release. From:The University of Read more about Law reforms propose clearer access to surrogacy - Scimex

How we use music to lull us to sleep

Publicly released: Thu 15 Nov 2018 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

An online survey of 651 people by UK scientists found around two-thirds of respondents used music to help them sleep, covering 14 genres and 545 artists. Even people who didn't report problems sleeping used music to help them nod off, and Read more about How we use music to lull us to sleep - Scimex

Stressed-out birds sing fewer and more boring songs

Publicly released: Thu 15 Nov 2018 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS One

Male songbirds stressed by factors like a lack of food in early life may have impaired singing prowess - making it harder for them to attract mates. UK authors found the males that lived more comfortable lives as nestlings sang more often as adults Read more about Stressed-out birds sing fewer and more boring songs - Scimex

Neanderthal lives not so traumatic

Publicly released: Thu 15 Nov 2018 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Nature

Neanderthals and contemporary humans experienced similar levels of head trauma, challenging a stereotype that Neanderthals lived more violent lives. This stereotype came about because we tend to compare Neanderthals to present-day cases, not to Read more about Neanderthal lives not so traumatic - Scimex