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

Well preserved fossils in Southern China show a rich variety of flora and fauna

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

Science

A fossil site in Southern China has been found to hold extraordinarily-well preserved fossils from the Cambrian period, say international researchers. These types of preservation sites - known as Burgess Shale sites - have the best evidence of flora Read more about Well preserved fossils in Southern China show a rich variety of flora and fauna - Scimex

Frozen testicles: helping infertile male cancer survivors to have children

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

Science

A healthy monkey has been born as a result of cryogenically preserved grafts of immature tissues from testicles. Once thawed, theses grafts started to produce sperm and led to the birth of a healthy baby monkey named Grady. International researchers Read more about Frozen testicles: helping infertile male cancer survivors to have children - Scimex

EXPERT REACTION: Drinks sweetened with high fructose corn syrup boost gut tumour growth in mice

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

Science

Consuming even moderate amounts of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), a common ingredient in sugary drinks in the USA, enhanced tumour growth in mice that were prone to developing intestinal cancer, according to international scientists. They fed Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Drinks sweetened with high fructose corn syrup boost gut tumour growth in mice - Scimex

How exercise could help the adult brain to grow

Publicly released: Fri 22 Mar 2019 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

Stem Cell Reports

An international team from The University of Queensland and Center for Regenerative Therapies Technische Universität Dresden, Germany, have discovered a mechanism via which exercise increases new neuron generation in the brain. It’s long been Read more about How exercise could help the adult brain to grow - Scimex

From rocket to rocket fuel: Plant waste could power planes

Publicly released: Fri 22 Mar 2019 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

Joule

Plant waste from agriculture and timber harvesting could be converted into high-density aviation fuel, according to Chinese scientists who say they have produced more complex compounds than previously created for use as high-density aviation fuel. Read more about From rocket to rocket fuel: Plant waste could power planes - Scimex

UNSW Canberra researchers develop new water sterilisation method

Publicly released: Fri 22 Mar 2019 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Technology developed by UNSW Canberra researchers could provide an environmentally friendly, cost-effective method of sterilising water. The technology bubbles un-pressurised carbon dioxide (CO2) through wastewater in a bubble column, effectively Read more about UNSW Canberra researchers develop new water sterilisation method - Scimex

UNSW Canberra-led climate change study highlights the importance of acting now

Publicly released: Fri 22 Mar 2019 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Geophysical Research Letters

The link between human-caused climate change and some extreme weather events such as heatwaves has long been established. However, while previous studies have focused only on current extreme events, a UNSW Canberra-led project is looking towards the Read more about UNSW Canberra-led climate change study highlights the importance of acting now - Scimex

Sex before sport is ok

Publicly released: Thu 21 Mar 2019 at 1500 AEDT | 1700 NZDT

Sexual Medicine

Muhammad Ali, who famously abstained from sex before a boxing match, was depriving himself unnecessarily it seems, as US and Mexican researchers have found that sexual activity the night before does not affect athletic performance. The small study Read more about Sex before sport is ok - Scimex

EXPERT REACTION: Early life pesticide exposure linked to autism risk

Publicly released: Thu 21 Mar 2019 at 1400 AEDT | 1600 NZDT

BMJ

Exposure to common agricultural pesticides before birth and in the first year of life has been linked to a small to moderately increased risk of autism spectrum disorder, according to US research. The researchers say their findings support efforts Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Early life pesticide exposure linked to autism risk - Scimex

Groundwater science key to Murray-Darling future

Publicly released: Thu 21 Mar 2019 at 1200 AEDT | 1400 NZDT

Understanding how much water is recharged into aquifers and the connection between aquifers and rivers is crucial for water management in the Murray-Darling Basin. Improving our understanding of these critical processes is the subject of new water Read more about Groundwater science key to Murray-Darling future - Scimex