Head start is best for first 1000 days

Publicly released: Mon 25 Sep 2017 at 0001 AEST / 0301 NZDT

A new evidence paper has highlighted the astonishing rates of child development from conception to the end of age two and the benefit of a holistic approach to children’ s health. The First Thousand Days has shown children are affected in multiple Read more about Head start is best for first 1000 days - Scimex

Giving life after death - Australia's 'untapped potential' for organ donation

Publicly released: Mon 25 Sep 2017 at 0001 AEST / 0301 NZDT

Medical Journal of Australia

Australia has the potential to boost its organ donation rates by more than 25 per cent, according to a new study. The researchers looked at 8780 deaths in 75 Australian hospitals, and found 506 potential donors for whom organ donation had not been Read more about Giving life after death - Australia's 'untapped potential' for organ donation - Scimex

NEWS BRIEFING: Choosing Wisely - the medical tests, treatments and procedures Australia should rethink

Publicly released: Mon 25 Sep 2017 at 0001 AEST / 0301 NZDT

BRIEFING RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE The latest list of medical tests, treatments and procedures that should be questioned by patients and doctors has been released by Choosing Wisely Australia, an initiative that aims to identify practices that may not Read more about NEWS BRIEFING: Choosing Wisely - the medical tests, treatments and procedures Australia should rethink - Scimex

Smartphone apps reduce depression

Publicly released: Sat 23 Sep 2017 at 0001 AEST / 0201 NZST

World Psychiatry

New Australian-led research has confirmed that smartphone apps are an effective treatment option for depression, paving the way for safe and accessible interventions for the millions of people around the world diagnosed with this condition. Media Read more about Smartphone apps reduce depression - Scimex

Sunswift solar race car visits outback towns on way to World Solar Challenge

Publicly released: Fri 22 Sep 2017 at 1200 AEST / 1400 NZST

Sunswift Violet, a sleek four-seat sedan designed and built by engineering students at UNSW, is on a 4, 800km journey across the outback on its way to compete in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in October. The car, which has a top speed of 130 Read more about Sunswift solar race car visits outback towns on way to World Solar Challenge - Scimex

UK experts support pelvic mesh implants in some situations

Publicly released: Fri 22 Sep 2017 at 1130 AEST / 1330 NZST

Colorectal Disease

With legal action in Australia, the UK and the US proceeding over controversial pelvic mesh implants, the UK-based Pelvic Floor Society has issued a statement supporting the use of pelvic mesh for constipation and rectal prolapse. They say Read more about UK experts support pelvic mesh implants in some situations - Scimex

No major side effects from giving blood more frequently

Publicly released: Fri 22 Sep 2017 at 1100 AEST / 1300 NZST

The Lancet

Giving blood more frequently could help increase blood donor stocks and doesn't appear to have major side effects, according to the first randomised trial of blood donation. In the UK, men can donate every 12 weeks and women every 16 weeks (in New Read more about No major side effects from giving blood more frequently - Scimex

Link between sexually transmitted virus and underweight babies

Publicly released: Fri 22 Sep 2017 at 1030 AEST / 1230 NZST

Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine

Women carrying the sexually transmitted HPV infection prior to two years of giving birth are 50 per cent more likely to have a tiny baby, new research shows. Media Release. From:University of South Australia. Women carrying the sexually transmitted Read more about Link between sexually transmitted virus and underweight babies - Scimex

New technologies can help preserve coral reefs

Publicly released: Fri 22 Sep 2017 at 1000 AEST / 1200 NZST

Nature Ecology & Evolution

A collective of scientists and reef managers says new technological interventions are needed to save coral reefs under climate change. Interventions include helping the establishment and growth of corals that are more likely to survive warmer waters Read more about New technologies can help preserve coral reefs - Scimex

International Astronautical Congress 2017 media briefing

Publicly released: Fri 22 Sep 2017 at 1000 AEST / 1200 NZST

The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) and the Space Industry Association of Australia (SIAA) invite you to the IAC2017 media briefing this Sunday 24th September at 11am at the new East Building of the Adelaide Convention Centre. Media Read more about International Astronautical Congress 2017 media briefing - Scimex

Tracking drug use using mobile phone data... and urine

Publicly released: Fri 22 Sep 2017 at 1000 AEST / 1200 NZST

Environmental Science & Technology

The unlikely (and unsavoury) combination of sewage and mobile phone data can give accurate measures of drug use, according to an Australian led study. Monitoring sewage is a tried and tested method for tracking drug use - recreational or not - at a Read more about Tracking drug use using mobile phone data... and urine - Scimex

Re-introduction of native mammals helps restore arid landscapes

Publicly released: Fri 22 Sep 2017 at 0930 AEST / 1130 NZST

Functional Ecology

Small native mammals including bettongs are much bigger consumers of plant seeds than had been realised, and their loss due to predation by foxes and feral cats has likely caused significant changes to vegetation in outback Australia, UNSW Sydney Read more about Re-introduction of native mammals helps restore arid landscapes - Scimex

South Island kids have higher rates of inflammatory bowel disease

Publicly released: Fri 22 Sep 2017 at 0900 AEST / 1100 NZST

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Kiwi kids in the South Island are much more likely to suffer from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) than North Island kids, according to a new study from the University of Otago. The authors say this might be due to differences in sunlight levels, Read more about South Island kids have higher rates of inflammatory bowel disease - Scimex

EXPERT REACTION A bit of exercise a day keeps the death away

Publicly released: Fri 22 Sep 2017 at 0830 AEST / 1030 NZST

The Lancet

People who do half an hour of exercise, five times a week have a much lower risk of death and heart disease, according to an international study. Looking at data from over 130, 000 people, the researchers suggest 30 minutes of exercise could Read more about EXPERT REACTION A bit of exercise a day keeps the death away - Scimex

Is emergency prep only for the privileged?

Publicly released: Fri 22 Sep 2017 at 0700 AEST / 0900 NZST

International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction

Being ready for a disaster with stocks of food and other supplies is not a luxury all can afford, as many cannot afford everyday supplies let alone those set aside for emergencies, according to a new study by Massey Univerity researchers. They say Read more about Is emergency prep only for the privileged? - Scimex

Local councils leading smokefree action outdoors

Publicly released: Fri 22 Sep 2017 at 0700 AEST / 0900 NZST

New Zealand Medical Journal

Local councils are leading outdoor smokefree action around NZ — mostly in outdoor dining, large outdoor work sites, ski-fields, and parts of downtown areas — say public health experts from the University of Otago. Making outdoor dining smokefree Read more about Local councils leading smokefree action outdoors - Scimex

Love rat - sexual touching brings on puberty sooner in rodents

Publicly released: Fri 22 Sep 2017 at 0400 AEST / 0600 NZST

PLOS Biology

The bad touch: puberty can be induced by sexual touch — at least in female rats — a German study has found. While hormones play the largest role, social cues such as sexual touching are also known to affect puberty in mammals. The researchers Read more about Love rat - sexual touching brings on puberty sooner in rodents - Scimex

Cosmic ray particles found to come from distant galaxies

Publicly released: Fri 22 Sep 2017 at 0400 AEST / 0600 NZST

Science

A global collaboration of scientists including members from the University of Adelaide have discovered for the first time that cosmic ray particles bombarding Earth originate from other galaxies far outside our own Milky Way. The finding by the Read more about Cosmic ray particles found to come from distant galaxies - Scimex

One-two punch wakes dormant HIV cells and knocks them out

Publicly released: Fri 22 Sep 2017 at 0400 AEST / 0600 NZST

PLOS Pathogens

It's sometimes unwise to wake a sleeping beast, but a new molecule 'kicks and kills' persistent HIV cells, according to a US study in mice. HIV can persist in cells for years, but this molecule — found in an immobile marine animal — can wake Read more about One-two punch wakes dormant HIV cells and knocks them out - Scimex

Your brain registers familiar faces, whether you notice them or not

Publicly released: Fri 22 Sep 2017 at 0200 AEST / 0400 NZST

Current Biology

Hey, was that Justin Bieber? Particular cells in your brain light up every time you recognise a face, and now German researchers have found that the face-sensitive neurons fire even when we're not paying attention. The researchers recorded the Read more about Your brain registers familiar faces, whether you notice them or not - Scimex