Taking Vitamin D is unlikely to help your heart

Publicly released: Thu 20 Jun 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Cardiology

Taking vitamin D supplements probably won't lower your risk of heart attack or stroke, according to an analysis of 21 clinical trials looking at over 80, 000 patients. The study, which included three Australian trials, found taking vitamin D Read more about Taking Vitamin D is unlikely to help your heart - Scimex

Kindy kids who struggle to pay attention may earn less as adults

Publicly released: Thu 20 Jun 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Psychiatry

Kindergarten kids who struggle to concentrate and are easily distracted are more likely to be on lower incomes as adults, according to Canadian research. The study followed 5- and 6-year-old kids for 30 years to see if there were any links between Read more about Kindy kids who struggle to pay attention may earn less as adults - Scimex

Labelling autistic kids as 'high functioning' may stop them from getting the help they need

Publicly released: Thu 20 Jun 2019 at 0030 AEST | 0230 NZST

Autism

‘High functioning autism’is a term used for people with autism spectrum disorder without an intellectual disability (as measured through IQ tests), and it has become synonymous with expectations of greater functional skills and better long-term Read more about Labelling autistic kids as 'high functioning' may stop them from getting the help they need - Scimex

56 new species of arachnids found in WA's North West

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jun 2019 at 1544 AEST | 1744 NZST

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution

Researchers at The University of Western Australia and the Western Australian Museum have discovered 56 new species of arachnids, known as schizomids, in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. The research, published in Molecular Phylogenetics and Read more about 56 new species of arachnids found in WA's North West - Scimex

EXPERT REACTION: Vaccine mishap in Sydney

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jun 2019 at 1440 AEST | 1640 NZST

It has just been reported that authorities are trying to contact thousands of patients vaccinated by two Sydney GPs after vaccines were found to have expired or not been stored properly. The vaccines administered by the two GPs included measles Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Vaccine mishap in Sydney - Scimex

Wind farm noise ‘possible annoyance’ at 3.5km

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jun 2019 at 1412 AEST | 1612 NZST

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Audible and potentially annoying indoor low-frequency noise from a wind farm is present for about 16 per cent of the time at distances up to 3.5km, field data recorded in South Australia shows. The noise described as ‘thumping’or Read more about Wind farm noise ‘possible annoyance’ at 3.5km - Scimex

EXPERT REACTION: Victorian euthanasia law

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jun 2019 at 1136 AEST | 1336 NZST

With Victoria's Voluntary Assisted Dying law coming into effect today, Australian experts respond to the new legislation. Expert Reaction. These comments have been collated by the Science Media Centre to provide a variety of expert perspectives on Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Victorian euthanasia law  - Scimex

Irregular heart beat linked to increased dementia risk

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jun 2019 at 0905 AEST | 1105 NZST

European Heart Journal

Atrial fibrillation (AF) – an irregular and often abnormally fast heartbeat – is associated with a 50 per cent increased risk of dementia, according to international researchers. The study looked at over 260, 000 people over age 60 in Korea over Read more about Irregular heart beat linked to increased dementia risk - Scimex

Workplaces helped spread Zika

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jun 2019 at 0901 AEST | 1101 NZST

Journal of the Royal Society Interface

Within several weeks of Zika first being found in Singapore, the virus had spread across multiple parts of the island, with about 100 confirmed cases a week over the following month. Because Zika is a legally notifiable disease in Singapore, Read more about Workplaces helped spread Zika - Scimex

'Loot boxes' in video games linked to problem gambling

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jun 2019 at 0901 AEST | 1101 NZST

Royal Society Open Science

Video game 'loot boxes', which can be bought with real-world money, bear a striking resemblance to gambling as the contents of the boxes are randomised and their value can vary dramatically. Because many of these games are played by adolescents, Read more about 'Loot boxes' in video games linked to problem gambling - Scimex

Eating yoghurt may help men avoid bowel cancer

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jun 2019 at 0830 AEST | 1030 NZST

Gut

Eating two or more weekly servings of yoghurt may help to lower the risk of developing the abnormal growths (adenomas) which precede the development of bowel cancer, at least in men, according to US and Chinese scientists. The researchers looked at Read more about Eating yoghurt may help men avoid bowel cancer - Scimex

Fitter middle-aged men may breathe easier later

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jun 2019 at 0830 AEST | 1030 NZST

Thorax

Good heart and lung fitness in middle age is associated with a lower long term risk of developing the lung condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), suggests Danish research which tracked 4, 730 men over 46 years. They found the Read more about Fitter middle-aged men may breathe easier later - Scimex

Many women unaware of the risks of alcohol and developing breast cancer

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jun 2019 at 0830 AEST | 1030 NZST

BMJ Open

Only one in five women attending a breast scan in the UK are aware that alcohol increases your risk of breast cancer, say British researchers, who add that only half of the staff of a National Health Service centre knew about the risks. As breast Read more about Many women unaware of the risks of alcohol and developing breast cancer - Scimex

Smoking dope while pregnant increases risk of preterm birth, other complications

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jun 2019 at 0545 AEST | 0745 NZST

JAMA

A Canadian study of 661, 617 women, 9, 427 of whom were cannabis users, found using the drug while pregnant doubled the risk of preterm birth, from 6 per cent in non-users to 12 per cent in users. Cannabis users also had an increased risk of Read more about Smoking dope while pregnant increases risk of preterm birth, other complications - Scimex

Treating inflamed brains could ease ringing in the ears

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jun 2019 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

PLOS Biology

Ringing in the ears, called tinnitus, and other hearing loss-related disorders could be linked to inflammation in a sound-processing part of the brain, according to researchers studying the condition in mice. In mice with noise-induced hearing loss, Read more about Treating inflamed brains could ease ringing in the ears - Scimex

Alcohol-fuelled violence legislation leads to increased preloading

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jun 2019 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

PLOS One

A three-year QLD alcohol legislation study has found an increase in inebriation as people enter night-time entertainment districts (NEDs). Additionally, they found there was no decrease in alcohol consumption within NEDs. Patrons are entering NEDs Read more about Alcohol-fuelled violence legislation leads to increased preloading - Scimex

Recognising voices through vibration

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jun 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Communications

If you've uttered the phrase "Alexa, play some music" you'll know that voice recognition technology is growing, but researchers are still perfecting the best way to pick up our voices. South Korean researchers have developed a new skin-attachable Read more about Recognising voices through vibration - Scimex

How frozen soap bubbles create 'snow globes'

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jun 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Communications

Hopefully it's not cold enough in your bathroom to test this one out, but when soap bubbles freeze under certain conditions they can create an effect similar to snow globes, where ice crystals swirl around. Scientists wanted to figure out why this Read more about How frozen soap bubbles create 'snow globes' - Scimex

Suicide continues to rise among US teens, young adults

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jun 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA

Looking at data from 2017, US and Israeli researchers say an upward trend in suicide among teens and young adults in the USA since 2000 is continuing. Suicide rates between ages 15 and 24 are at their highest point since 2000, with 6, 241 cases in Read more about Suicide continues to rise among US teens, young adults - Scimex

Leaving microbes out of climate change conversation has major consequences, experts warn

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jun 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Reviews Microbiology

An international group of leading microbiologists have issued a warning, saying that not including microbes – the support system of the biosphere – in the climate change equation will have major negative flow-on effects. Funder: This Consensus Read more about Leaving microbes out of climate change conversation has major consequences, experts warn - Scimex