'Molecular shield' in the nose could one day treat common hayfever trigger, mouse study suggests

Publicly released: Fri 11 Jul 2025 at 1400 AEST, 1600 NZST

Frontiers in Immunology

A 'molecular shield' that could neutralise the pollen particles that cause hay fever has been developed by international researchers in a proof-of-concept study in mice. The team developed an antibody that specifically targets mugwort pollen – an... Read more about 'Molecular shield' in the nose could one day treat common hayfever trigger, mouse study suggests

Artificial sweeteners leave bitter aftertaste for the environment

Publicly released: Fri 11 Jul 2025 at 1305 AEST, 1505 NZST

Journal of Hazardous Material

New research has found increasing levels of artificial sweeteners in wastewater treatment plants, with downstream impacts on the environment. Artificial sweeteners, widely used in soft drinks, processed foods and sugar-free products such as... Read more about Artificial sweeteners leave bitter aftertaste for the environment

We dammed so much water it moved Earth's poles

Publicly released: Fri 11 Jul 2025 at 1158 AEST, 1358 NZST

Geophysical Research Letters

Over the past two centuries, humans have locked up enough water in dams to shift Earth’s poles slightly away from the planet’s axis of rotation, according to new research. The construction of nearly 7,000 dams from 1835 to 2011 shifted the poles... Read more about We dammed so much water it moved Earth's poles

Untapped potential of semen for men’s health

Publicly released: Fri 11 Jul 2025 at 1153 AEST, 1353 NZST

Nature Reviews Urology

Semen analysis is traditionally used as part of male fertility assessments, but researchers from the University of Adelaide believe it has the potential to promote healthier lifestyles. Semen analysis is traditionally used as part of male fertility... Read more about Untapped potential of semen for men’s health

Are sports playing the role of religion in modern life?

Publicly released: Fri 11 Jul 2025 at 1043 AEST, 1243 NZST

The connection sports fans have to their teams is strikingly similar to religious faith, according to a new book by an Australian expert in sports management. The book discusses the neurological and psychological parallels between people of faith... Read more about Are sports playing the role of religion in modern life?

Using First Nations calendars for solar power forecasting

Publicly released: Fri 11 Jul 2025 at 1019 AEST, 1219 NZST

IEEE Open Journal of the Computer Society

The in-depth observations of First Nations seasonal calendars could be key to improving solar power forecasting, according to a world-first study by Charles Darwin University. The in-depth observations of First Nations seasonal calendars could be... Read more about Using First Nations calendars for solar power forecasting

High-tech dive into 'mighty bite' of ancient lungfish

Publicly released: Fri 11 Jul 2025 at 1000 AEST, 1200 NZST

iScience.

Predatory fish that evolved into the first terrestrial animals on Earth are still revealing insights into the origins of mammals – including new research into the eating habits of lobe-finned fish which inhabited an ancient reef in northern... Read more about High-tech dive into 'mighty bite' of ancient lungfish

Staying physically active cuts risk of early death by 40%

Publicly released: Fri 11 Jul 2025 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

British Journal of Sports Medicine

Adults who stay consistently active throughout their life can lower their risk of early death by up to 40%, a global study led by The University of Queensland has found. Researchers summarised data of 85 studies from more than 8 million people,... Read more about Staying physically active cuts risk of early death by 40%

Nerve pain drug may increase risk of dementia

Publicly released: Fri 11 Jul 2025 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine

Receiving six or more prescriptions of the drug gabapentin for low back pain is linked with increased risks of developing dementia by 29% and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by 85%, according to US scientists, compared with people who were not... Read more about Nerve pain drug may increase risk of dementia

Exposure to a common type of medication could make you age faster

Publicly released: Fri 11 Jul 2025 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

High exposure to a type of drug often used to treat a range of medical conditions is linked to a faster decline in physical performance in older age, according to Australian and international research. Anticholinergic drugs are used to treat... Read more about Exposure to a common type of medication could make you age faster

Most high-risk mental health calls to 1737 come from women and teens

Publicly released: Fri 11 Jul 2025 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

New Zealand Medical Journal

The 1737 mental health helpline saw contact surges during major national events like COVID-19 lockdowns and the Christchurch mosque attacks. A study of over 700,000 calls and texts found that high-risk calls triggering police or ambulance... Read more about Most high-risk mental health calls to 1737 come from women and teens

Steps towards equitable lung cancer care, but barriers remain

Publicly released: Fri 11 Jul 2025 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

New Zealand Medical Journal

Differences in access to good lung cancer care may be an important driver of lower survival rates for Māori. Māori with lung cancer also have higher emergency presentation rates, poorer access to early detection, lower surgery rates and... Read more about Steps towards equitable lung cancer care, but barriers remain

Māori less likely to receive best available lung cancer treatment

Publicly released: Fri 11 Jul 2025 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

New Zealand Medical Journal

Māori and non-Māori receive anti-cancer treatment at similar rates overall, however, Māori are less likely to receive targeted therapy, which is superior to chemotherapy for many patients. This difference may help explain why Māori had higher... Read more about Māori less likely to receive best available lung cancer treatment

Psychedelic therapy for depression needs to be equitable - editorial

Publicly released: Fri 11 Jul 2025 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

New Zealand Medical Journal

The one psychiatrist in NZ who can now prescribe psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression has expressed concern about this treatment only being available for the privileged few who can pay out of pocket. In an editorial for the New Zealand... Read more about Psychedelic therapy for depression needs to be equitable - editorial

Hot weather causes children to sweat at the same rate as adults, study shows

Publicly released: Thu 10 Jul 2025 at 1516 AEST, 1716 NZST

British Journal of Sports Medicine

New research from the University of Sydney has found that children are at a similar risk of dehydration and hyperthermia in extreme heat as adults, contradicting previous advice that children are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. The study... Read more about Hot weather causes children to sweat at the same rate as adults, study shows

Superbugs in wastewater? Just add rhubarb and turmeric

Publicly released: Thu 10 Jul 2025 at 1400 AEST, 1600 NZST

Frontiers in Microbiology

US and Chinese scientists say curcumin, found in turmeric, and emodin, from rhubarb, are effective ways of killing off some types of bacteria that have developed resistance to antibiotics. The team tested samples from a wastewater treatment plant in... Read more about Superbugs in wastewater? Just add rhubarb and turmeric

Feral-free zones spark small mammal boom in Australian desert

Publicly released: Thu 10 Jul 2025 at 1330 AEST, 1530 NZST

Proceedings of the Royal Society B

A 26-year study at the Arid Recovery Reserve reveals how removing invasive predators like cats and foxes triggers a dramatic reshaping of desert small mammal communities. The removal of invasive feral animals like cats and foxes from a fenced... Read more about Feral-free zones spark small mammal boom in Australian desert

Global vaccine stockpiles prevented more than 5.8 million cases

Publicly released: Thu 10 Jul 2025 at 1152 AEST, 1352 NZST

BMJ Global Health

A new study from the Burnet Institute revealed the critical role of global vaccine stockpiles in preventing the spread of deadly diseases during outbreaks at a time when routine immunisation rates are falling globally — due to factors like vaccine... Read more about Global vaccine stockpiles prevented more than 5.8 million cases

Cancer survivors could be missing out on exercise benefits

Publicly released: Thu 10 Jul 2025 at 1112 AEST, 1312 NZST

Supportive Care in Cancer

It’s widely accepted that exercise can help people living with cancer, but new Edith Cowan University (ECU) research shows many oncology healthcare providers aren’t regularly including it in their treatment plans. Cancer survivors could be... Read more about Cancer survivors could be missing out on exercise benefits

Tracking insect and bug health in a heartbeat from a digital camera

Publicly released: Thu 10 Jul 2025 at 0934 AEST, 1134 NZST

Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology

In a pilot study, University of South Australia researchers have used video footage of insects to extract their heart rates without touching or disturbing them. The innovation could transform how scientists monitor the health and stress levels of... Read more about Tracking insect and bug health in a heartbeat from a digital camera