Tackling rheumatic fever in Māori and Pacific whānau

Publicly released: Tue 26 Mar 2019 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

If we're going to tackle high rates of rheumatic fever among Māori and Pacific families, we need to look at methods of prevention that better suit their needs, Kiwi researchers say. Rheumatic fever is a serious condition caused by an autoimmune Read more about Tackling rheumatic fever in Māori and Pacific whānau - Scimex

Treating drug and alcohol abuse in and out of prison

Publicly released: Tue 26 Mar 2019 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

ANZJPH

Interactive therapies and community-based treatments are the most effective ways to treat drug and alcohol use in prison populations, according to Aussie researchers. Alcohol and other drug use is common among men entering prison, and often linked Read more about Treating drug and alcohol abuse in and out of prison - Scimex

Can we improve Hep C care for our Indigenous population?

Publicly released: Tue 26 Mar 2019 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

ANZJPH

There are many barriers to the treatment of a chronic Hepatitis C infection, say Aussie researchers, who believe that we can get over these hurdles by optimising diagnostic pathways, improving patient engagement, and getting our GPs to interact with Read more about Can we improve Hep C care for our Indigenous population? - Scimex

‘Technoference’: We’re more tired & less productive because of our phones

Publicly released: Mon 25 Mar 2019 at 1310 AEDT | 1510 NZDT

Frontiers in Psychiatry

'Technoference' is causing an increasing number of Australians to lose sleep, be less productive at work and even try to hide their phone use, with new QUT-led research showing 24 per cent of women and 15 per cent of men can now be classified as Read more about ‘Technoference’: We’re more tired & less productive because of our phones - Scimex

3D technology finds tiny medical clues in children’s faces

Publicly released: Mon 25 Mar 2019 at 1301 AEDT | 1501 NZDT

n/a

Curtin University researchers are leading an innovative project that uses spatial technologies such as 3D mapping to analyse subtle facial features in children in order to help identify underlying medical conditions such as rare diseases. The Read more about 3D technology finds tiny medical clues in children’s faces - Scimex

Leafy greens key to maintaining muscles

Publicly released: Mon 25 Mar 2019 at 1130 AEDT | 1330 NZDT

Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle

Popeye was on to something. Eating just one cup of leafy green vegetables like spinach each day may help maintain muscle strength and mobility into old age, according to Australian researchers. Media Release. From:Edith Cowan University. Leafy Read more about Leafy greens key to maintaining muscles - Scimex

Is time-out damaging your child?

Publicly released: Mon 25 Mar 2019 at 0909 AEDT | 1109 NZDT

American Psychologist

Time-out as a method of discipline for toddlers and young children is a hot topic among parents and educators. Is it harmful? Does it damage the attachment bond between parent and child? New research says no. It is still one of the most effective Read more about Is time-out damaging your child? - Scimex

More efficient satellite launch platform on the horizon

Publicly released: Mon 25 Mar 2019 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

An efficient and cost-effective satellite launch platform could soon be a reality in Australia thanks to a world first engine that's being developed by University of Sydney combustion experts. Media Release. From:The University of Sydney. As part of Read more about More efficient satellite launch platform on the horizon - Scimex

Early treatment of HIV triples

Publicly released: Mon 25 Mar 2019 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

MJA

The proportion of patients with HIV infections starting antiretroviral therapy within 6 months of diagnosis has more than tripled over the past decade, thanks to new guideline recommendations and reduced drug toxicity, say Australian researchers. Read more about Early treatment of HIV triples - Scimex

Indigenous cultural respect program fails to improve healthcare

Publicly released: Mon 25 Mar 2019 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

MJA

A year-long program, designed to improve cultural respect and improve health outcomes for Aboriginal patients, has failed to either increase the rate of Indigenous health checks or improve cross-cultural behaviours, according to Aussie researchers. Read more about Indigenous cultural respect program fails to improve healthcare - Scimex

Infant gut bugs could predict life skills

Publicly released: Sat 23 Mar 2019 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

Your gut bugs as an infant could indicate what your fine motor, communication, personal and social skills will be like by age three, according to US research. The study investigated the gut microbes of 309 infants between three and six months old, Read more about Infant gut bugs could predict life skills - Scimex

Aspirin to fight an expensive global killer infection

Publicly released: Fri 22 Mar 2019 at 1200 AEDT | 1400 NZDT

The Journal of Infectious Diseases

Research led by the Centenary Institute in Sydney has found a brand new target for treating drug-resistant tuberculosis; our scientists have uncovered that the tuberculosis bacterium hijacks platelets from the body’s blood clotting system to Read more about Aspirin to fight an expensive global killer infection - Scimex

Automated detection of eye surface cancer

Publicly released: Fri 22 Mar 2019 at 1116 AEDT | 1316 NZDT

The Ocular Surface

Researchers have developed a new automated non-invasive technique for diagnosing eye surface cancer (ocular surface squamous neoplasia or OSSN). The technique has the potential to reduce the need for biopsies, prevent therapy delays and make Read more about Automated detection of eye surface cancer - Scimex

Childhood trauma linked with recurring depression

Publicly released: Fri 22 Mar 2019 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Lancet

Experiencing trauma at a young age may have a lasting effect on brain structure, increasing the risk of developing a major depressive disorder later in life. In a German study of 110 patients, images from MRIs found a quirk in the brains of people Read more about Childhood trauma linked with recurring depression - Scimex

Melanoma survivors face increased risk of further cancer

Publicly released: Fri 22 Mar 2019 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

Journal of Investigative Dermatology

Research from the University of the Sunshine Coast and Cancer Council Queensland has revealed that people who have survived an in situ melanoma are at increased risk of developing another cancer, not necessarily another melanoma. Media Release. Read more about Melanoma survivors face increased risk of further cancer - Scimex

Volunteers wanted to help unlock the secrets of our Universe

Publicly released: Fri 22 Mar 2019 at 0906 AEDT | 1106 NZDT

In a new citizen science project launched today— known as AstroQuest— researchers are looking for volunteers to study images of galaxies and figure out which light is coming from which galaxy. AstroQuest is a chance for anyone who’s interested Read more about Volunteers wanted to help unlock the secrets of our Universe - Scimex

An ‘Airbnb’ for energy could help homes share spare power

Publicly released: Fri 22 Mar 2019 at 0845 AEDT | 1045 NZDT

Could the future of energy lie in the sharing economy? Research shows energy sharing platforms may be key to supporting our transition to new tech and cleaner power, while delivering for consumers. Funder: Energy Consumers Australia Limited. Media Read more about An ‘Airbnb’ for energy could help homes share spare power - Scimex

Kids feel safer in US states with stricter gun laws

Publicly released: Fri 22 Mar 2019 at 0700 AEDT | 0900 NZDT

Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health

In a week where New Zealand's gun laws have been urgently overhauled, new research has shown the effects of state-wide gun laws on high school safety in the US, where bearing arms is a constitutional right. Researchers used data from a survey of Read more about Kids feel safer in US states with stricter gun laws - Scimex

Hayabusa2 spacecraft reaches spinning-top asteroid

Publicly released: Fri 22 Mar 2019 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Science

After a commute that lasted more than three years, the unmanned Hayabusa2 spacecraft has arrived at the asteroid Ryugu - on a mission to gather data on the shape, mass and history of the space debris. Ryugu is a near-earth asteroid shaped like a Read more about Hayabusa2 spacecraft reaches spinning-top asteroid - Scimex

There's no such place as 'away', even for microplastics

Publicly released: Fri 22 Mar 2019 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

JGR Oceans

When microplastics are flushed out to sea, most of them end up in the subtropical ocean gyres - also known as garbage patches - that circle the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. A new modelling study shows how these plastics end up in the gyres through Read more about There's no such place as 'away', even for microplastics - Scimex