EXPERT REACTION: Breast density and cancer risk

Publicly released: Tue 26 Sep 2017 at 1330 AEST / 1630 NZDT

An Australian expert comments on media reports that women with higher breast density are at a higher risk of breast cancer. Attachments:. The University of Adelaide. Web page. media release from the INformation FORum on Mammographic Density. Expert Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Breast density and cancer risk - Scimex

CSIRO invests in one of the world’s most sophisticated satellites

Publicly released: Tue 26 Sep 2017 at 1300 AEST / 1600 NZDT

CSIRO has secured access to one of the world’s most sophisticated high-performance satellites, giving Australian scientists direct control over which data the satellite collects over our region and placing the national science agency at the Read more about CSIRO invests in one of the world’s most sophisticated satellites - Scimex

Child abuse can change brain structure

Publicly released: Tue 26 Sep 2017 at 0900 AEST / 1200 NZDT

American Journal of Psychiatry

Canadian researchers have detected tiny changes to brain structure in people who suffered severe abuse as children. Their research shows that traumatic childhood experiences can impair the structure and functioning of cells in a part of the brain Read more about Child abuse can change brain structure - Scimex

Should doctors let parents make bad medical decisions for kids?

Publicly released: Tue 26 Sep 2017 at 0830 AEST / 1130 NZDT

Journal of Medical Ethics

It is widely accepted that when parents are refusing medical treatment for their kids, doctors should overrule parents if a child's life is at risk. But what if mum and dad are requesting a treatment that is merely 'second best'? An Australian-led Read more about Should doctors let parents make bad medical decisions for kids? - Scimex

Certain vaginal bacteria could increase your risk of chlam-ing up

Publicly released: Tue 26 Sep 2017 at 0830 AEST / 1130 NZDT

Sexually Transmitted Infections

A small study by Dutch scientists has found a link between the presence of certain vaginal bacteria and an increased risk of chlamydia. Of 122 healthy women that were swabbed in an STI clinic in The Netherlands, 61 were positive for chlamydia in Read more about Certain vaginal bacteria could increase your risk of chlam-ing up - Scimex

Activity trackers mostly used by the young and rich

Publicly released: Tue 26 Sep 2017 at 0700 AEST / 1000 NZDT

Annals of Internal Medicine

More and more people are using activity trackers, such as Fitbits, but it's mostly the young and those with higher incomes, according to a US study. The authors surveyed tracker use across 4.4 million people who had access to a wellness program and Read more about Activity trackers mostly used by the young and rich - Scimex

Lactation hormone also helps mum mice bond with bubs

Publicly released: Tue 26 Sep 2017 at 0600 AEST / 0900 NZDT

PNAS

The hormone that helps new mums produce milk also plays a role in helping to establish a nurturing link between mother and baby, according to a new study in mice from the University of Otago. To see how this hormone (prolactin) influenced behaviour, Read more about Lactation hormone also helps mum mice bond with bubs - Scimex

Pandas aren’t out of the (bamboo) woods yet

Publicly released: Tue 26 Sep 2017 at 0100 AEST / 0400 NZDT

Nature Ecology & Evolution

While panda numbers are growing, their habitat is still shrinking, according to new research from China. Pandas lost their endangered status last year thanks to conservation efforts boosting adult numbers, but the researchers say panda habitats are Read more about Pandas aren’t out of the (bamboo) woods yet - Scimex

Food stamps reduce healthcare costs among low-wage earners

Publicly released: Tue 26 Sep 2017 at 0100 AEST / 0400 NZDT

JAMA Internal Medicine.

Food stamp programmes can reduce health care expenditures among low-income earners in the US, according to a study examining the new food stamp programme in the US known as SNAP. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps those who Read more about Food stamps reduce healthcare costs among low-wage earners - Scimex

Kids play longer with guns after seeing them on TV

Publicly released: Tue 26 Sep 2017 at 0100 AEST / 0400 NZDT

JAMA Pediatrics

Kids who watched a PG-rated video containing guns played with a real gun longer and pulled the trigger more often than children who saw the same movie minus guns, according to a US study. After pairs of children watched the video, they were left to Read more about Kids play longer with guns after seeing them on TV - Scimex

Tycho’s supernova parents not so hot or bright

Publicly released: Tue 26 Sep 2017 at 0100 AEST / 0400 NZDT

Nature Astronomy

International research led by a Monash researcher has shed new light on the origins of the famous Tycho’s supernova. Media Release. From:Monash University. International research led by a Monash researcher has shed new light on the origins of the Read more about Tycho’s supernova parents not so hot or bright - Scimex

Winding back the cellular clock to mimic the earliest cells in the embryo

Publicly released: Tue 26 Sep 2017 at 0100 AEST / 0400 NZDT

Nature Methods

Despite decades of research, reprogramming cells so they can develop into any kind of cell in the body - called 'naive' pluripotent stem cells - remains a challenge. Stem cells are pluripotent for only a short window before becoming 'primed' to Read more about Winding back the cellular clock to mimic the earliest cells in the embryo - Scimex

Meteorite impacts kick-started plate-tectonic processes on early Earth

Publicly released: Tue 26 Sep 2017 at 0100 AEST / 0400 NZDT

Nature Geoscience

A new international study led by researchers at Macquarie University has found that giant meteorite impacts may have helped to kick-start our planet’ s global tectonic processes and magnetic field. The study explores the effect of meteorite Read more about Meteorite impacts kick-started plate-tectonic processes on early Earth - Scimex

Summer could be one long heatwave if planet hits 2°C

Publicly released: Mon 25 Sep 2017 at 2042 AEST / 2342 NZDT

Scientific Reports

Summer in some regions of the world will become one long heatwave even if global average temperatures rise only 2 C above pre-industrial levels. Certain regions may become close to unliveable if temperatures increase by 5 C. See how they will change Read more about Summer could be one long heatwave if planet hits 2°C - Scimex

Tackling hep C in drug users - what works?

Publicly released: Mon 25 Sep 2017 at 1600 AEST / 1900 NZDT

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

Needle sharing is an incredibly common way of spreading hepatitis C, with almost 50 per cent of people who inject drugs carrying the virus. An international research team, including two Australians, looked at whether needle exchanges and opioid Read more about Tackling hep C in drug users - what works? - Scimex

International Astronautical Congress

Publicly released: Mon 25 Sep 2017 at 1530 AEST / 1830 NZDT

International Astronautical Congress

The International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide is bringing space experts from across the globe together to discuss this year's theme of “ Unlocking imagination, fostering innovation and strengthening security”. The AusSMC will be filming Read more about International Astronautical Congress - Scimex

US cancer patients willing to use medical marijuana after legalisation

Publicly released: Mon 25 Sep 2017 at 1401 AEST / 1701 NZDT

CANCER

A quarter of cancer patients used cannabis for physical and psychological symptoms over the space of a year, according to a US study which looked at medical marijuana use in a state where the drug is legalised. The researchers found legalisation Read more about US cancer patients willing to use medical marijuana after legalisation - Scimex

EXPERT REACTION: Likely eruption of Bali’s Mount Agung

Publicly released: Mon 25 Sep 2017 at 1352 AEST / 1652 NZDT

Tremors from Bali's Mount Agung are reportedly increasing, suggesting an eruption is imminent. Below Australian experts comment. Attachments:. Bureau of Meteorology. Web page. Volcanic ash fact sheet. Expert Reaction. These comments have been Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Likely eruption of Bali’s Mount Agung - Scimex

EXPERT REACTION: Australia set to launch own space agency

Publicly released: Mon 25 Sep 2017 at 1130 AEST / 1430 NZDT

The 68th International Astronautical Congress

It has just been reported that Australia will create its own national space agency. Astronomy experts from around the country comment on the announcement below. Expert Reaction. These comments have been collated by the Science Media Centre to Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Australia set to launch own space agency - Scimex

Depression more common in people sexual harassed by colleagues

Publicly released: Mon 25 Sep 2017 at 1000 AEST / 1300 NZDT

BMC Public Health

People sexually harassed by colleagues are significantly more likely to have clinical depression, according to a Danish study. The researchers found depressive symptoms were more severe for people harassed by colleagues than those harassed by Read more about Depression more common in people sexual harassed by colleagues - Scimex