Latest News

1. Infant safe sleep improved with email and text reminders

   

   Publicly released: Wed 26 Jul 2017 at 0100 AEST / 0300 NZST

   JAMA

   2017-07-26 01:00. A study of 1, 600 mothers found those who received regular emails or text messages reminding them of safe sleep practices for their bubs were more likely to stick to the advice, according to a US study. A national public awareness Read more about Infant safe sleep improved with email and text reminders - Scimex

   InternationalUniversity of Virginia, USA

   • Health / Medical
   • Society / Lifestyle

   SMC Pick

   Note for journalists:

   For details on obtaining the paper, contact us. Australian newspapers have permission from the journal to run this story in print on the day the embargo lifts, with the strict proviso that nothing can appear online until after the embargo lifts.

   Name:

   Rachel Moon (via Joshua Barney)

   Position:

   Corresponding author

   Email:

   JDB9A@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu

2. Psychopaths are fast learners when it comes to being fast liars

   

   Publicly released: Wed 26 Jul 2017 at 0001 AEST / 0201 NZST

   Translational Psychiatry

   2017-07-26 00:01. People who score highly in the 'psychopath test', which measures traits associated with the condition, are better at learning to lie than the rest of us, according to Chinese scientists. They trained people to give truthful or Read more about Psychopaths are fast learners when it comes to being fast liars - Scimex

   InternationalThe University of Hong Kong, China

   • Health / Medical
   • Society / Lifestyle
   • Business / Politics

   SMC Pick

   Note for journalists:

   Name:

   Matthew Lam

   Phone:

   +44 20 3192 2722

   Position:

   Press Manger

   Email:

   matthew.lam@biomedcentral.com

3. Effective HIV treatment halts HIV transmission among homosexual couples, study finds

   

   Publicly released: Tue 25 Jul 2017 at 1800 AEST / 2000 NZST

   IAS Conference on HIV Science

   2017-07-25 18:00. Results from the largest study to analyse HIV transmission risk among homosexual couples with differing HIV status have shown that HIV positive men who are on treatment that makes the virus undetectable, do not transmit HIV to Read more about Effective HIV treatment halts HIV transmission among homosexual couples, study finds - Scimex

   Australia; NSWThe Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society

   • Health / Medical
   • Society / Lifestyle

   SMC Pick

   Note for journalists:

   Professor Andrew Grulich is attending the IAS meeting in Paris and is available for interview by phone between 2pm - 5pm AEST on the 25 and 26 July 2017.

   Name:

   Luci Bamford

   Phone:

   +61 2 9385 0550

   Position:

   Media and Communications Manager

   Email:

   lbamford@kirby.unsw.edu.au

4. Dragonfly brains predict the path of their prey

   

   Publicly released: Tue 25 Jul 2017 at 1600 AEST / 1800 NZST

   eLife

   2017-07-25 16:00. New research from Australia and Sweden has shown how a dragonfly's brain anticipates the movement of its prey, enabling it to hunt successfully. This knowledge could lead to innovations in fields such as robot vision. Location of Read more about Dragonfly brains predict the path of their prey - Scimex

   Australia; SAThe University of Adelaide|La Trobe University|Lund University

   • Environment / Climate / Energy
   • Tech / Engineering / Space
   • Other Science

   SMC Pick

   Note for journalists:

   The link to the paper will not go live until the embargo has lifted.

   Name:

   Dr Steven Wiederman

   Phone:

   +61 8 8313 4435

   Position:

   Author

   Email:

   steven.wiederman@adelaide.edu.au

5. South Australia cultivates bright young researchers

   

   Publicly released: Tue 25 Jul 2017 at 1405 AEST / 1605 NZST

   2017-07-25 14:05. South Australia prides itself on being at the forefront of scientific innovation and these eight young researchers are a glowing example of that. Early career researchers who are leading the charge have been recognised with Read more about South Australia cultivates bright young researchers - Scimex

   Australia; SAAustralian Institute of Policy and Science

   • Health / Medical
   • Environment / Climate / Energy

   SMC Pick

   Note for journalists:

   Name:

   Camille Thomson

   Position:

   General Manager

   Email:

   tallpoppies@aips.net.au

6. Microsoft AI / quantum press conference at nanoscience hub

   

   Publicly released: Tue 25 Jul 2017 at 0900 AEST / 1100 NZST

   2017-07-25 09:00. Hear about Microsoft’s new partnership to redouble its quantum computing bet – expanding its efforts to Australia embedded at the University of Sydney- at an announcement on the morning of Tuesday , 25 July 2017. The media Read more about Microsoft AI / quantum press conference at nanoscience hub - Scimex

   Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney

   • Tech / Engineering / Space
   • Business / Politics

   SMC Pick

   Note for journalists:

   Name:

   Vivienne Reiner

   Position:

   Media contact

   Email:

   vivienne.reiner@sydney.edu.au

7. Our best friends help keep their humans moving

   

   Publicly released: Tue 25 Jul 2017 at 0830 AEST / 1030 NZST

   Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health

   2017-07-25 08:30. It's hard to ignore Fido begging to go out for walk, and UK researchers say the puppy-dog eyes guilt trip helps keep dog owners active. The researchers looked at pedometer data from over 3, 000 adults aged between 49 and 91 to Read more about Our best friends help keep their humans moving - Scimex

   InternationalUniversity of East Anglia, UK

   • Health / Medical
   • Society / Lifestyle

   SMC Pick

   Note for journalists:

   Australian morning newspapers must wait until the next day to run this story in print.

   Name:

   Andy Jones

   Phone:

   +44 1603 593 496

   Position:

   Corresponding author

   Email:

   press@uea.ac.uk

8. The costs of declining vaccination rates

   

   Publicly released: Tue 25 Jul 2017 at 0100 AEST / 0300 NZST

   JAMA Pediatrics

   2017-07-25 01:00. Declining rates of childhood MMR vaccinations have seen the return of measles and mumps to developed countries. A US study estimates that a 5 per cent drop in vaccination in US children aged 2-11 would result in a three-fold Read more about The costs of declining vaccination rates - Scimex

   InternationalStanford University, USA

   • Health / Medical
   • Business / Politics

   SMC Pick

   Note for journalists:

   For details on obtaining the paper, contact us. Australian newspapers have permission from the journal to run this story in print on the day the embargo lifts, with the strict proviso that nothing can appear online until after the embargo lifts.

   Name:

   Nathan Lo (via Ruthann Ricther)

   Position:

   Corresponding author

   Email:

   richter1@stanford.edu

9. Sea-level rise: should I stay or should I go?

   

   Publicly released: Tue 25 Jul 2017 at 0100 AEST / 0300 NZST

   Nature Climate Change

   2017-07-25 01:00. It's hard to know how you'll react to a changing environment, but it appears that many islanders would rather adapt to sea-level change than flee, according to an international team of researchers. They base this assumption on Read more about Sea-level rise: should I stay or should I go? - Scimex

   InternationalUniversity of Tokyo, Japan

   • Environment / Climate / Energy
   • Society / Lifestyle

   SMC Pick

   Note for journalists:

   Australian and New Zealand newspapers have permission from the journal to run this story in print on the day the embargo lifts, with the strict proviso that nothing can appear online until after the embargo lifts.

   Name:

   Ma. Laurice Jamero

   Phone:

   +81 4 7136 4877

   Position:

   Author

   Email:

   laujamero@s.k.u-tokyo.ac.jp

10. Death-star or planet? Evicted planets free float in space

    

    Publicly released: Tue 25 Jul 2017 at 0100 AEST / 0300 NZST

    Nature

    2017-07-25 01:00. Becoming untethered in space is somewhat of a nightmare for astronauts, but it can happen to planets too when they are ejected from host stars. These free-floating planets are no longer bound by gravity and ones the size of Jupiter Read more about Death-star or planet? Evicted planets free float in space - Scimex

    InternationalWarsaw University Observatory, Poland

    • Tech / Engineering / Space

    SMC Pick

    Note for journalists:

    Images and video available. Australian and New Zealand newspapers have permission from the journal to run this story in print on the day the embargo lifts, with the strict proviso that nothing can appear online until after the embargo lifts.

    Name:

    Przemek Mróz

    Position:

    Author

    Email:

    pmroz@astrouw.edu.pl

11. EXPERT REACTION: Extreme El Niños twice as common in a 1.5C warmer world

    

    Publicly released: Tue 25 Jul 2017 at 0100 AEST / 0300 NZST

    Nature Climate Change

    2017-07-25 01:00. Australian-led research has found that even if global warming is kept to only 1.5C, extreme El Niño events are likely to become twice as common. The study found that increasing global temperatures matched up with an increase in Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Extreme El Niños twice as common in a 1.5C warmer world - Scimex

    Australia; NSW; TASCSIRO

    • Environment / Climate / Energy

    SMC Pick

    Note for journalists:

    Australian and New Zealand newspapers have permission from the journal to run this story in print on the day the embargo lifts, with the strict proviso that nothing can appear online until after the embargo lifts. AusSMC is gathering independent expert comments ahead of the embargo lifting.

    Name:

    Wenju Cai

    Phone:

    +61 3 9239 4419

    Position:

    Lead Author

    Email:

    wenju.cai@csiro.au

12. Fly into your future with Griffith Engineering

    

    Publicly released: Tue 25 Jul 2017 at 0001 AEST / 0201 NZST

    2017-07-25 00:01. Griffith University is further equipping students for jobs of the future with the introduction of a new Unmanned Aerial Vehicles major. The major in Electronics and UAV will begin in the Griffith School of Engineering next year as Read more about Fly into your future with Griffith Engineering - Scimex

    Australia; New Zealand; International; VICGriffith University

    • Environment / Climate / Energy
    • Society / Lifestyle
    • Tech / Engineering / Space
    • Other Science

    Name:

    Stephanie Bedo

    Email:

    s.bedo@griffith.edu.au

13. Hidden sugars unmasked on Australia’s supermarket shelves

    

    Publicly released: Tue 25 Jul 2017 at 0001 AEST / 0201 NZST

    Nutrients

    2017-07-25 00:01. A new study by The George Institute for Global Health has revealed around 70 per cent of packaged foods contain added sugar. The findings, published in Nutrients, highlight the need for added sugar to be declared on packaging and Read more about Hidden sugars unmasked on Australia’s supermarket shelves - Scimex

    Australia; NSWGeorge Institute for Global Health

    • Health / Medical
    • Society / Lifestyle
    • Business / Politics

    SMC Pick

    Note for journalists:

    Professor Bruce Neal is available for print, TV and radio interviews. Co-author Sanne Peters is in the UK. Contributing author, Public Health Lawyer Alexandra Jones is also free for interviews.

    Name:

    Julia Timms

    Position:

    Media Manager

    Email:

    jtimms@georgeinstitute.org.au

14. New research could point the way to halt Alzheimer’s disease: Australian trial set to begin

    

    Publicly released: Tue 25 Jul 2017 at 0001 AEST / 0201 NZST

    Brain

    2017-07-25 00:01. New results released today point the way toward a potential new Alzheimer’s disease therapy, which will soon be trialled in Australia’s major cities. Location of Interest:. Australia. VIC. Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Read more about New research could point the way to halt Alzheimer’s disease: Australian trial set to begin - Scimex

    Australia; VICFlorey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health|CSIRO

    • Health / Medical

    SMC Pick

    Note for journalists:

    Professor Bush and Dr Ayton are available for interview

    Name:

    Tom Keeble

    Phone:

    +61 3 9035 7748

    Position:

    Neuroscience Communications and Media

    Email:

    thomas.keeble@florey.edu.au

15. Long-acting injection to manage HIV

    

    Publicly released: Mon 24 Jul 2017 at 1800 AEST / 2000 NZST

    The Lancet

    2017-07-24 18:00. An injectable antiretroviral therapy consisting of two drugs given to patients every month or two may be as effective as a daily oral dose of the drugs in suppressing the HIV virus, according to international researchers. A phase Read more about Long-acting injection to manage HIV - Scimex

    Australia; InternationalThe University of Adelaide|The University of New South Wales|ViiV Healthcare, USA

    • Health / Medical
    • Society / Lifestyle

    SMC Pick

    Note for journalists:

    Note the late embargo time.

    Name:

    David Margolis

    Phone:

    +1 919 766 0755

    Position:

    Lead Author

    Email:

    david.a.margolis@viivhealthcare.com

16. Overweight teens may be more likely to get colorectal cancer later

    

    Publicly released: Mon 24 Jul 2017 at 1524 AEST / 1724 NZST

    CANCER

    2017-07-24 15:24. Being overweight or obese during your teens may increase the risk of developing colon cancer in adulthood, according to Israeli scientists who looked at data from almost 1.8 million Jewish people. And adolescent obesity is Read more about Overweight teens may be more likely to get colorectal cancer later - Scimex

    InternationalRabin Medical Center, Israel

    • Health / Medical
    • Society / Lifestyle

    SMC Pick

    Note for journalists:

    Name:

    Zohar Levi

    Position:

    Author

    Email:

    zohar.levi.gastroenterology@gmail.com

17. Tai chi may help keep oldies stable

    

    Publicly released: Mon 24 Jul 2017 at 1401 AEST / 1601 NZST

    Journal of the American Geriatrics Society

    2017-07-24 14:01. Tai chi may help reduce the number of falls in both the older adult population and at-risk adults, according to Spanish researchers who brought together the data from 10 different trials. They found that tai chi significantly Read more about Tai chi may help keep oldies stable - Scimex

    InternationalUniversity of Jaen, Spain

    • Health / Medical
    • Society / Lifestyle
    • Sport

    SMC Pick

    Note for journalists:

    Name:

    Rafael Del-Pino-Casado

    Position:

    Author

    Email:

    rdelpino@ujaen.es

18. Will this Aussie robot be Amazon’s ‘pick’ of the bunch?

    

    Publicly released: Mon 24 Jul 2017 at 1108 AEST / 1308 NZST

    2017-07-24 11:08. It’s the competition that could save Amazon.com billions in logistics – and QUT’s custom-built robot may be the winning solution. Location of Interest:. Australia. QLD. SA. ACT. Tech / Engineering / Space. Last updated:Mon 24 Read more about Will this Aussie robot be Amazon’s ‘pick’ of the bunch? - Scimex

    Australia; QLD; SA; ACT

    • Tech / Engineering / Space

    SMC Pick

    Note for journalists:

    Name:

    Kate Haggman

    Phone:

    +61 7 3138 0358

    Position:

    QUT Media

    Email:

    kate.haggman@qut.edu.au

19. Do climate consensus campaigns create public doubt?

    

    Publicly released: Mon 24 Jul 2017 at 0901 AEST / 1101 NZST

    Environmental Communication

    2017-07-24 09:01. Campaigns that focus on convincing the public that scientists agree on climate change issues are likely to backfire and may even harm policy efforts, say UK experts. They say that stats such as '97 per cent of climate scientists Read more about Do climate consensus campaigns create public doubt? - Scimex

    InternationalUniversity of Sheffield, UK; University of Nottingham, UK; Kings College, UK

    • Environment / Climate / Energy
    • Society / Lifestyle
    • Business / Politics

    SMC Pick

    Note for journalists:

    Name:

    Reiner Grundmann

    Position:

    Author

    Email:

    reiner.grundmann@nottingham.ac.uk

20. 'Teacher toad’ plan to cut deadly cane toad threat

    

    Publicly released: Mon 24 Jul 2017 at 0900 AEST / 1100 NZST

    2017-07-24 09:00. The University of Sydney’s Professor Rick Shine hopes to reduce the deadly threat from cane toads invading Australia’s Kimberley region by teaching native predators to eat small toads instead of large ones. Location of Interest: Read more about 'Teacher toad’ plan to cut deadly cane toad threat - Scimex

    Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney

    • Environment / Climate / Energy
    • Rural / Agricultural

    SMC Pick

    Note for journalists:

    Media embargo 9am Monday 24 July 2017

    Name:

    Dan Gaffney

    Position:

    Media adviser

    Email:

    daniel.gaffney@sydney.edu.au