Removing new neurons reduce seizures in mice

Publicly released: Tue 16 Jul 2019 at 0300 AEST | 0500 NZST

JNeurosci

Removing new neurons (brain cells) born after brain injury has been found to reduce seizures in mice, international researchers have found, which has potential to help prevent post-injury epilepsy. The brain regenerates neurons after injury, but Read more about Removing new neurons reduce seizures in mice - Scimex

The AI solving Rubik's cubes in reverse

Publicly released: Tue 16 Jul 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Machine Learning

An algorithm developed by international researchers to solve complex puzzles in the shortest number of moves possible, such as Rubik's Cubes, has been solving them in reverse. The algorithm is called DeepCubeA and starts from the completed puzzle, Read more about The AI solving Rubik's cubes in reverse - Scimex

More US kids removed from drug-affected homes

Publicly released: Tue 16 Jul 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Pediatrics

The number of children entering foster care due to parental drug use has more than doubled between 2000 and 2017 in the US, which matches growing rates of opioid use and overdose deaths, medical experts say. In a research letter, US authors examined Read more about More US kids removed from drug-affected homes - Scimex

Maternal secrets of our earliest ancestors unlocked

Publicly released: Tue 16 Jul 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature

New research brings to light for the first time the evolution of maternal roles and parenting responsibilities in one of our oldest evolutionary ancestors. Australopithecus africanus mothers breastfed their infants for the first 12 months after birth Read more about Maternal secrets of our earliest ancestors unlocked - Scimex

Enthusiasm is outpacing evidence for the Keto Diet

Publicly released: Tue 16 Jul 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Internal Medicine

The wildly popular Ketogenic Diet is not the obesity-busting, diabetes-curing diet people believe it to be, according to an editorial by US doctors. The authors list a few studies that cite weight loss as a benefit of the Keto Diet, but point out Read more about Enthusiasm is outpacing evidence for the Keto Diet - Scimex

Cannabis treatment counters addiction: first study of its kind

Publicly released: Tue 16 Jul 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Internal Medicine

An Australian study has demonstrated that cannabis-based medication helps tackle dependency on cannabis, one of the most widely used drugs globally. A paper about the University of Sydney and NSW Health clinical trial provides the first strong Read more about Cannabis treatment counters addiction: first study of its kind - Scimex

Aerogel shields on Mars - a greenhouse to grow martian plants under

Publicly released: Tue 16 Jul 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Astronomy

Shields made from a thin layer of a special foam called aerogel could be the answer to making plants grow on Mars, according to international researchers, who suggest that silica aerogels could be used to build greenhouse style shields on the red Read more about Aerogel shields on Mars - a greenhouse to grow martian plants under - Scimex

Identifying the first genes linked to anorexia nervosa

Publicly released: Tue 16 Jul 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Genetics

A new large-scale genome-wide association study published in Nature Genetics, has identified eight genetic variants significantly associated with anorexia nervosa; and the research shows that the origins of this serious disorder appear to be both Read more about Identifying the first genes linked to anorexia nervosa - Scimex

Sea level rise may not drown low-lying Pacific atolls

Publicly released: Tue 16 Jul 2019 at 0000 AEST | 0200 NZST

Geology

Sea-level rise simulation suggests that low-lying Pacific islands such as those in Tuvalu, Tokelau and Kiribati are likely to adapt to the effects of climate change rather than simply sink beneath the waves, according to Kiwi researchers. The Read more about Sea level rise may not drown low-lying Pacific atolls - Scimex

Green light for a new generation of dynamic materials

Publicly released: Mon 15 Jul 2019 at 1333 AEST | 1533 NZST

Journal of the American Chemical Society

Researchers from Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Belgium’s Ghent University (UGent) and Germany’s Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have pioneered a novel, dynamic, reprogrammable material – by using green LED light and, Read more about Green light for a new generation of dynamic materials - Scimex

Out of Africa and into an archaic human melting pot

Publicly released: Mon 15 Jul 2019 at 1300 AEST | 1500 NZST

PNAS

Genetic analysis has revealed that the ancestors of modern humans interbred with at least five different archaic human groups as they moved out of Africa and across Eurasia. Media Release. From:The University of Adelaide. Genetic analysis has Read more about Out of Africa and into an archaic human melting pot - Scimex

BACKGROUND BRIEFING: 5G Jitters - how safe is 5G for our health?

Publicly released: Mon 15 Jul 2019 at 1200 AEST | 1400 NZST

With the imminent roll-out of 5G around the country, concerns have been raised about a raft of potential issues from cancer to espionage. How different is 5G from 4G technology and what does the science say about the possible impacts of the Read more about BACKGROUND BRIEFING: 5G Jitters - how safe is 5G for our health? - Scimex

Academies call on health minsters to resolve health data issues

Publicly released: Mon 15 Jul 2019 at 1100 AEST | 1300 NZST

Regulatory barriers that limit timely access to population and health data must be resolved to achieve better health outcomes for Australians, according to leading scientists and medical health researchers. The Australian Academy of Science and the Read more about Academies call on health minsters to resolve health data issues - Scimex

High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) may prevent cognitive decline

Publicly released: Mon 15 Jul 2019 at 1019 AEST | 1219 NZST

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise

High intensity interval training (HIIT) may be doing more than just keeping you fit and strong – it may also help prevent age-related cognitive illnesses, such as dementia. Media Release. From:The University of Queensland. A University of Read more about High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) may prevent cognitive decline - Scimex

Ancient Roman port history unveiled

Publicly released: Mon 15 Jul 2019 at 0800 AEST | 1000 NZST

Quaternary International

A team of international researchers led by La Trobe University and the University of Melbourne have, for the first time worldwide, applied marine geology techniques at an ancient harbour archaeological site to uncover ancient harbour technologies of Read more about Ancient Roman port history unveiled - Scimex

Baby blue-tongues are born smart

Publicly released: Mon 15 Jul 2019 at 0800 AEST | 1000 NZST

Animal Behaviour

Young Australian eastern blue-tongue lizards (Tiliqua scincoides) are every bit as clever as adults, researchers have found. Life is hard for baby blue-tongues. As soon as they are born, they are on their own, with neither parental support nor Read more about Baby blue-tongues are born smart - Scimex

New guidelines on treating work-related mental health conditions

Publicly released: Mon 15 Jul 2019 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

MJA

New guidelines have been released for how to diagnose and treat people with work-related mental health conditions. The 11 recommendations aim to help GPs to assess symptoms and determine if a mental health condition has arisen as a result of work Read more about New guidelines on treating work-related mental health conditions - Scimex

Older Australians taking multiple medicines may be putting health at risk

Publicly released: Mon 15 Jul 2019 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

Medical Journal of Australia

The number of Australians over the age of 70 taking five medicines or more a day has risen to nearly one million people and is increasing, according to a new study led by The University of Western Australia in collaboration with UNSW, Sydney. The Read more about Older Australians taking multiple medicines may be putting health at risk - Scimex

Health care strain could be relived through improved primary care for elderly

Publicly released: Mon 15 Jul 2019 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

Perspectives

Improving primary care for the ageing population could be the key to relieving strain on the health-care system and emergency departments, according to Australian researchers. They recommend policy and practice changes to focus on the benefits of Read more about Health care strain could be relived through improved primary care for elderly - Scimex

Early or underweight babies may have trouble finding love

Publicly released: Sat 13 Jul 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

Ever feel like your cupid has stagefright? Having a rocky start to life may explain why you struggle with traditional transitions to adulthood like finding a partner and starting a family, UK scientists say. They carried out a meta-analysis of 21 Read more about Early or underweight babies may have trouble finding love - Scimex