Print, radio, TV: the medium shapes the performer

Publicly released: Thu 21 Feb 2019 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

When different communication technologies like print, radio and television are introduced, performers which suit the medium rise to prominence, according to a US study. The researchers used biographical data from Wikipedia to understand the societal Read more about Print, radio, TV: the medium shapes the performer - Scimex

No landing zone! Zebra stripes make terrible landing strips for horse flies

Publicly released: Thu 21 Feb 2019 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Zebra stripes may be a defence against predators after all, but not the huge lions and leopards you might expect! International research has revealed that the stripes may help to stop horse flies from landing on and biting zebras. The flies were Read more about No landing zone! Zebra stripes make terrible landing strips for horse flies - Scimex

Testosterone protects male embryos in mice

Publicly released: Thu 21 Feb 2019 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Nature

Testosterone has a helpful anti-inflammatory effect, and international researchers suggest that it could help the survival rates of male baby mice. Inflammation is dangerous to embryo growth, and the researchers replicated the anti-inflammatory Read more about Testosterone protects male embryos in mice - Scimex

Neptune's 'new' mini moon Hippocamp may have been created by comets

Publicly released: Thu 21 Feb 2019 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Nature

Neptune's newly discovered smallest moon, named Hippocamp, might have formed out of a comet impact with its brother Proteus, according to US research. The study used Hubble Space Telescope observations of the moons of Neptune to determine how Read more about Neptune's 'new' mini moon Hippocamp may have been created by comets - Scimex

Suicide in young teens and teen girls characterised by bullying and abuse

Publicly released: Thu 21 Feb 2019 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

ANZJPH

The characteristics of suicide differ between younger and older adolescents, and between male and female teens, according to Australian research which found that females and younger teens aged 13-16 are more likely to have experienced abuse, peer Read more about Suicide in young teens and teen girls characterised by bullying and abuse - Scimex

Gen Z are self harming by overdosing on paracetamol and prescription drugs

Publicly released: Thu 21 Feb 2019 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

BMJ Open

Young Generation Z Australians, born after 1997, are increasingly engaging in self-harm by poisoning themselves with substances such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and antidepressants, according to Australian research. The study of calls to the New South Read more about Gen Z are self harming by overdosing on paracetamol and prescription drugs - Scimex

High brain iron associated with risk of cognitive loss in Alzheimer’s disease

Publicly released: Wed 20 Feb 2019 at 1435 AEDT | 1635 NZDT

Molecular Psychiatry

Researchers from the Melbourne Dementia Research Centre at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and University of Melbourne believe they have solved the mystery of why 30 per cent of people who have high levels of the amyloid Read more about High brain iron associated with risk of cognitive loss in Alzheimer’s disease - Scimex

Potential link between vitamin D deficiency and loss of brain plasticity

Publicly released: Wed 20 Feb 2019 at 1340 AEDT | 1540 NZDT

Trends in Neuroscience

University of Queensland research may explain why vitamin D is vital for brain health, and how deficiency leads to disorders including depression and schizophrenia. Media Release. From:Queensland Brain Institute. University of Queensland research Read more about Potential link between vitamin D deficiency and loss of brain plasticity - Scimex

Rainfall and temperature predicts bird colouration

Publicly released: Wed 20 Feb 2019 at 1318 AEDT | 1518 NZDT

An international study led by a Monash ornithologist has found variation in rainfall and temperature can affect the colours of birds. The study provides a new framework that can be used to understand how future changes in climate will affect animals. Read more about Rainfall and temperature predicts bird colouration - Scimex

Curtin study calls for new mining rules to protect animals in site restorations

Publicly released: Wed 20 Feb 2019 at 1301 AEDT | 1501 NZDT

Pacific Conservation Biology

New Curtin research has found the impact of mining on animals is overlooked in most mine site restoration assessments, prompting a call for greater onus to be put on mine operators to restore animal communities after mining. The study, published in Read more about Curtin study calls for new mining rules to protect animals in site restorations - Scimex

Child donors’ psychological risk unknown

Publicly released: Wed 20 Feb 2019 at 1142 AEDT | 1342 NZDT

It is accepted medical practice that child siblings, even as young as six months, can be used as bone marrow or blood stem cell donors to save a brother or sister with a life-threatening illness. Harvesting of marrow or blood stem cells has no Read more about Child donors’ psychological risk unknown - Scimex

Bee-ing right-handed saves time

Publicly released: Wed 20 Feb 2019 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Biology Letters

It seems like Derek Zoolander isn't the only non-ambiturner, as a US scientist discovered that bees prefer to turn right when entering new locations. Unlike the aforementioned really, really, really, ridiculously good looking model, the bees seem to Read more about Bee-ing right-handed saves time - Scimex

Lady Treefrogs hop to it for easy boys

Publicly released: Wed 20 Feb 2019 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

US researchers say that female Green Treefrogs will chase after easy to access boy-frogs, rather than those that they really want. The team says that the lady-hoppers will sometimes choose a mate based on how much energy they are prepared to use to Read more about Lady Treefrogs hop to it for easy boys - Scimex

How will intertidal species adapt to worsening ocean acidification?

Publicly released: Wed 20 Feb 2019 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society B

Natural tidal cycles need to be considered to predict the impacts of climate change on species living in intertidal zones, say international researchers. For intertidal species such as mussels, the changes in tides influence their physiological and Read more about How will intertidal species adapt to worsening ocean acidification? - Scimex

Introduced daisy changes its appearance on Australian beaches, defying evolutionary expectations

Publicly released: Wed 20 Feb 2019 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society B

In less than a century since it was introduced to Australia, the South African beach daisy has drastically changed its appearance – a clear and unusual example of rapid evolution in plants, a new study led by UNSW scientists has shown. Funder: Read more about Introduced daisy changes its appearance on Australian beaches, defying evolutionary expectations - Scimex

Understanding drivers of coral reef recovery: a long-term study in western Pacific island of Palau

Publicly released: Wed 20 Feb 2019 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society B

New research on reef recovery shows corals need 9 to 12 years to fully recover following large disturbance events such as mass bleaching and storm damage. The findings are from Southern Cross University PhD researcher Marine Gouezo, who works with Read more about Understanding drivers of coral reef recovery: a long-term study in western Pacific island of Palau - Scimex

Acupuncture could offer relief from menopause

Publicly released: Wed 20 Feb 2019 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

BMJ Open

Hot flushes? Mood swings? Sleepless nights? If you're having a hard time with menopause, you could consider acupuncture as an alternative if you who can’t, or don’t want to use hormone replacement therapy (HRT), according to Danish researchers. Read more about Acupuncture could offer relief from menopause - Scimex

Gut benefits of moving away from a high fat diet

Publicly released: Wed 20 Feb 2019 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The BMJ

Eating a high fat diet may affect the type and amount of healthy gut bacteria you have. A team of researchers, including a New Zealander, collected gut bacteria from participants of normal weight who followed either a low, medium or high-fat diet Read more about Gut benefits of moving away from a high fat diet - Scimex

Global elimination of cervical cancer is 'within reach'

Publicly released: Wed 20 Feb 2019 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The Lancet Oncology

Cervical cancer could be eliminated as a major public health problem in 149 out of 181 countries by 2100, according to Australian researchers. Australia is expected to have less than four cases for every 100 000 women by 2035, and now researchers Read more about Global elimination of cervical cancer is 'within reach' - Scimex

Australia’s 10 worst invasive species

Publicly released: Wed 20 Feb 2019 at 1018 AEDT | 1218 NZDT

Pacific Conservation Biology

New research has shown that invasive or pest species are a problem for 1, 257 threatened species in Australia, or about four out of five species. The research which has been published in Pacific Conservation Biology also identified the top ten Read more about Australia’s 10 worst invasive species - Scimex