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When we knocked that asteroid moon off course, we may have completely changed its shape
Nature Astronomy
The asteroid moon Dimorphos may have been reshaped after NASA smashed a spacecraft called the DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) planetary defence demonstrator into it back in 2022, according to international scientists. As well as knocking Read more about When we knocked that asteroid moon off course, we may have completely changed its shape
InternationalUniversity of Bern, Switzerland -
Patch treatment shows promise for treating milk allergies in children
JAMA Pediatrics
An immunotherapy patch could help treat milk allergies in children, according to international research. The Viaskin platform - also currently being investigated for peanut allergies - involves applying a patch daily that delivers a small amount of Read more about Patch treatment shows promise for treating milk allergies in children
InternationalSeattle Allergy and Asthma Research Institute, USA -
What do we know about why young people are drinking less?
Drug and Alcohol Review
There's been a decline in the drinking of alcohol among young people in recent years, and Australian researchers say there's a lot we still don't know about why, and what impact it will have. In an editorial, the researchers discuss a range of Read more about What do we know about why young people are drinking less?
Australia; VIC; WACurtin University|La Trobe University|Burnet Institute... -
New gene-screening technology to boost crop disease resistance
Nature Plants
Decades of research in synthetic biology, genetics and molecular plant pathology have yielded an advancement in molecular plant pathology. Scientists at CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, have achieved an advancement in molecular plant Read more about New gene-screening technology to boost crop disease resistance
AustraliaCSIRO -
Antibody combo shows promise for hard to treat cancers
CANCER
A combination of two antibodies which target and boost the immune system, have shown promising results against hard to treat solid tumours in an early-stage clinical trial. The drugs, called CS1002 and CS1003 (or nofazinlimab), were trialled in Read more about Antibody combo shows promise for hard to treat cancers
Australia; NSW; VIC; SAThe University of Adelaide|The Alfred|Southern Medical Day Care Centre, The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Box Hill Hospital, Albury‐Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre, Orange Health Service, CStone Pharmaceuticals -
Pacific field tips lead to discoveries about the birds and bees of Fiji
Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
Eight new Pacific bee species and new insights into Fijian bird behaviour on Viti Levu Island have been described in new scientific studies led by Flinders University. The studies, both funded by field work supported by the Australian Government’s Read more about Pacific field tips lead to discoveries about the birds and bees of Fiji
Australia; Pacific; International; NSW; SAFlinders University|University of South Australia|The University of the South Pacific -
Corporate race to use AI puts public at risk
AI and Ethics
A rush by Australian companies to use generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) is escalating the privacy and security risks to the public as well as to staff, customers and stakeholders, according to a new study. The University of the Sunshine Coast Read more about Corporate race to use AI puts public at risk
Australia; QLDUniversity of the Sunshine Coast -
Looking for ways to stem the rise of microplastics
1st Nano and Microplastics Australian Conference
The amount of plastic entering the oceans is expected to triple 2040, with 14 million tonnes already impacting marine ecosystems according to the United Nations. In the environment, plastic waste breaks down into micro- and nano-size particles or Read more about Looking for ways to stem the rise of microplastics
Australia; SAFlinders University -
Good things don’t come in threes for Antarctic sea ice
Journal of Climate
As this month marks the third consecutive summer with extremely low sea-ice cover around Antarctica, new statistical research points to fundamental changes taking place in the polar Southern Ocean. As this month marks the third consecutive summer Read more about Good things don’t come in threes for Antarctic sea ice
Australia; TASUniversity of Tasmania|Bureau of Meteorology|Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS)... -
Targeting inflammatory protein could help treat severe asthma
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Australian scientists have developed a promising new treatment for asthma, targeting an inflammatory protein that is often resistant to steroids. The finding comes in the wake of a national spike in asthma deaths, with South Australia recording the Read more about Targeting inflammatory protein could help treat severe asthma
AustraliaUniversity of South Australia|RMIT University|The University of Adelaide... -
3D printed titanium structure shows supernatural strength
Advanced Materials
A 3D printed ‘metamaterial’ boasting levels of strength for weight not normally seen in nature or manufacturing could change how we make everything from medical implants to aircraft or rocket parts. A 3D printed ‘metamaterial’ boasting Read more about 3D printed titanium structure shows supernatural strength
Australia; VICRMIT University -
A step closer to understanding hydrogen’s greatest challenge
Nature Communications
Why hydrogen causes steels to become brittle and crack is the great conundrum of engineers and researchers looking to develop large-scale transport and storage solutions for the hydrogen age – an era Australia hopes to lead by 2030. Solving Read more about A step closer to understanding hydrogen’s greatest challenge
Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney|The University of New South Wales -
CSIRO helps Heritage NSW solve 120-year maritime mystery of the SS Nemesis
An investigation by CSIRO, conducted for Heritage NSW, has helped identify the wreck of a steamship that disappeared off Australia’s east coast in 1904. A CSIRO team aboard research vessel (RV) Investigator has helped Heritage NSW solve a 120-year Read more about CSIRO helps Heritage NSW solve 120-year maritime mystery of the SS Nemesis
Australia; NSWCSIRO|NSW Government -
Drug shows promise for treating multiple food allergies
New England Journal of Medicine
A drug called omalizumab is safe and an effective treatment for multiple food allergies, according to clinical trials of the treatment in 462 people aged between one and 55, including 180 who took part in a 'gold standard' randomised controlled Read more about Drug shows promise for treating multiple food allergies
InternationalJohns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA -
What do Australia's scientists think of the Universities Accord final report?
The Australian Academy of Science welcomes the Australian Universities Accord Final Report released today. Academy President Professor Chennupati Jagadish said the report warns that unless the nation continues to produce more knowledge, skills, Read more about What do Australia's scientists think of the Universities Accord final report?
AustraliaAustralian Academy of Science -
Aussies are using social media to normalise some of our problematic drinking behaviours
PLOS ONE
Young fathers are some of the most common types of Aussies who are talking about their alcohol on social media, according to Australian research. The team used data from a social media analytics platform to analyse how much Aussies talk about Read more about Aussies are using social media to normalise some of our problematic drinking behaviours
Australia; VICLa Trobe University -
Legalised weed linked to more workplace injuries among younger people
JAMA Health Forum
US researchers say there's an uptick in workplace injuries for younger people in states with legalised recreational marijuana. Since 2012, 24 states and Washington, DC have legalised possession and sales of small quantities of the drug, so the Read more about Legalised weed linked to more workplace injuries among younger people
InternationalSan Diego State University, USA -
Australian experiment on-board Swedish rocket launch
A new type of electromagnetic shield designed and manufactured at RMIT will be launched into space in the three-day launch window opening on 25 February, Central European Time. A new type of electromagnetic shield designed and manufactured at RMIT Read more about Australian experiment on-board Swedish rocket launch
Australia; International; VICRMIT University -
'Cruel wellbeing’ approach adds to teachers’ stress
British Journal of Sociology of Education
New Curtin research has found the challenges and problems faced by overworked teachers are being compounded by expectations placed on them to manage their own wellbeing, while the impact of working conditions and broader policies on teacher welfare Read more about 'Cruel wellbeing’ approach adds to teachers’ stress
Australia; WACurtin University -
Wake-up call for us all to establish regular healthy sleeping patterns
Sleep Health
It’s official. Getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep a night is currently out of reach for almost one-third of the population as Flinders University experts found 31% of adults had average sleep durations outside the recommended range. The Read more about Wake-up call for us all to establish regular healthy sleeping patterns
Australia; International; NSW; SAFlinders University|The University of New South Wales -
Is ChatGPT a better person than you?
PNAS
US scientists say ChatGPT-4 has aced their Turing test, proving itself indistinguishable from a real human, even when statistical methods were used to try and detect it. In fact, ChatGPT-4 displayed more humanity than some of the humans it was Read more about Is ChatGPT a better person than you?
InternationalUniversity of Michigan, USA, Stanford University, USA -
Smartphone videos of your baby could help detect cerebral palsy
PLOS Digital Health
Those cute videos you have on your phone of your baby squirming and rolling could be used to help detect cerebral palsy, according to new Australian research. Cerebral palsy is the most common cause of physical disability in childhood, and while Read more about Smartphone videos of your baby could help detect cerebral palsy
Australia; VICMurdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI)|The University of Melbourne -
Friend or foe, how do food inspectors maintain safety standards in Australia?
Food Control
Australia’s high standards of food safety inspections set the bar high for cafes, restaurants and other shop owners to maintain hygiene standards but new research by environmental health experts promotes the potential for more uniform and possible Read more about Friend or foe, how do food inspectors maintain safety standards in Australia?
Australia; New Zealand; International; VIC; SAFlinders University|La Trobe University -
No clear link between weather and common muscle and joint symptoms
Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism
There is no clear connection between the weather and back, knee or hip pain, a University of Sydney led study has found, challenging a common belief that changes in weather parameters, such as temperature and humidity can trigger musculoskeletal Read more about No clear link between weather and common muscle and joint symptoms
Australia; International; NSW; VICThe University of Sydney|Monash University -
Zinc discovery holds promise for people with cystic fibrosis
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)
Researchers found that in people with CF, immune cells called macrophages are defective in a zinc pathway that the body uses to kill bacteria - it may partly explain why they’re more susceptible to bacterial infections. The researchers also Read more about Zinc discovery holds promise for people with cystic fibrosis
Australia; International; QLDThe University of Queensland|Institute for Molecular Bioscience -
Fitter female Aussie rules footy players may be more skilful, but not less likely to be injured
PLOS ONE
An Australian study of 223 female Australian football players across five competition levels found fitter players tend to be more technically skilled, but are not necessarily less likely to injure themselves. The researchers measured physical Read more about Fitter female Aussie rules footy players may be more skilful, but not less likely to be injured
Australia; New Zealand; VIC; QLDBond University|AUT University|Victoria University -
The effects of trauma can be very different for men and women
JAMA Network Open
US and Danish scientists investigated the outcomes for 1. 3 million Danish people in the five years that followed a traumatic experience, and found men were more likely to turn to drink and drugs to cope, while women were more likely to develop Read more about The effects of trauma can be very different for men and women
InternationalUniversity of California, USA -
Transgender men who don't get periods may still need to be using contraception
Cell Reports Medicine
Some transgender men who no longer have periods as a result of their gender-affirming hormone treatment could still be at risk of pregnancy, according to international research. The team looked at the ovaries of 52 trans men after gender-affirming Read more about Transgender men who don't get periods may still need to be using contraception
InternationalAmsterdam UMC, The Netherlands -
Reading mouse minds lets scientists know where they are and where they're looking
Biophysical Journal
Using artificial intelligence (AI), US scientists have been able to decode the brain activity of a mouse to tell where it was located and which direction it was facing. The work was funded by and involved the US army, but before you freak out about Read more about Reading mouse minds lets scientists know where they are and where they're looking
InternationalUniversity of Tennessee Knoxville, USA -
EXPERT REACTION: Big data detects COVID-19 vaccine safety signals
Vaccine
International researchers have linked very rare neurological, blood and heart related medical conditions to COVID-19 vaccines by using big data to better understand and monitor vaccine safety. However, the findings translated to an extremely small Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Big data detects COVID-19 vaccine safety signals
Australia; NSW; VICMurdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI)|The University of Sydney... -
Experts warn of 'short term gain and long term pain' in public-private partnership hospitals
New Zealand Medical Journal
Experts have warned that public-private partnerships for hospitals could result in unacceptable disparities in standards of care. In a NZMJ editorial, they write that while private, user-pays hospital systems can 'exist happily and productively' Read more about Experts warn of 'short term gain and long term pain' in public-private partnership hospitals
New ZealandUniversity of Otago -
Mice surprise: researchers discover new native species
Molecular Ecology
Australia can lay claim to two new species of native rodent thanks to a study from The Australian National University (ANU). The aptly named delicate mouse was previously thought to be a single species spanning a massive stretch of the country from Read more about Mice surprise: researchers discover new native species
Australia; NSW; QLD; SA; WA; NT; ACTThe Australian National University|CSIRO|Macquarie University... -
Long Covid brain fog may be due to a failure of your brain's defences against your blood
Nature Neuroscience
Irish scientists say the brain fog some people experience as part of Long Covid is linked to disruptions in the blood-brain barrier, which usually protects your brain from anything potentially damaging in your blood. They used brain imaging Read more about Long Covid brain fog may be due to a failure of your brain's defences against your blood
InternationalSt James’s Hospital, Ireland, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland -
First reports of severe coral bleaching this summer as the Great Barrier Reef warms up
As ocean temperatures continue to warm over the Great Barrier Reef this summer, James Cook University scientists have reported areas of moderate to severe coral bleaching around the Keppel Islands, offshore from Rockhampton. As ocean temperatures Read more about First reports of severe coral bleaching this summer as the Great Barrier Reef warms up
Australia; QLDJames Cook University|Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER) -
Eavesdropping on endangered pink cockatoos with AI and bioacoustics
AI and bioacoustics are helping QUT researchers understand and protect endangered species like Qld’s Eastern Pink Cockatoo – they’ve identified hotspots of calling activity and a breeding hollow on an Australian Wildlife Conservancy sanctuary Read more about Eavesdropping on endangered pink cockatoos with AI and bioacoustics
Australia; QLDQueensland University of Technology (QUT)|Australian Wildlife Conservancy -
Men with fertility problems and their families at increased risk of several cancers
Human Reproduction
US scientists say men with fertility problems and their families are more likely than those without such issues to develop a range of different cancers. The study of 786 US men with fertility problems and 5,764 fertile men found the increased risk Read more about Men with fertility problems and their families at increased risk of several cancers
InternationalUniversity of Utah, USA -
There may be no safe level of air pollution for our heart and lungs
The BMJ
Two papers from the US and China suggest that there is no safe threshold for our air quality in respect to our heart and lung health. The team say both short and long term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2. 5) in our air is linked to an Read more about There may be no safe level of air pollution for our heart and lungs
InternationalHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA -
Immunotherapy could offer remission from autoimmune disease
New England Journal of Medicine
A small trial of immunotherapy for the treatment of autoimmune diseases including lupus, sclerosis and myositis, has found that treatment with CAR T-cells led to significant improvement and in some cases complete remission of the diseases. CAR Read more about Immunotherapy could offer remission from autoimmune disease
InternationalFriedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Germany -
Rhythm of your heart holds the key to treating trauma
Frontiers in Psychiatry
Knowing how your heart beats can help identify the best way to treat post-traumatic stress, according to Australian researchers. A team from Murdoch University have discovered that a simple measure of heart rate variability, taken at rest or during Read more about Rhythm of your heart holds the key to treating trauma
Australia; International; WAMurdoch University -
New insight into gene uncovers its link to incurable birth defect
eLife
Researchers have unravelled how mutations in a gene can lead to an incurable neurodevelopmental disorder that causes abnormal brain development in newborns and infants. Researchers have unravelled how mutations in a gene can lead to an incurable Read more about New insight into gene uncovers its link to incurable birth defect
Australia; VICWEHI|La Trobe University -
Climate change increases the risk of preterm births by 60% and will devastate children’s health without fast global action
Science of the Total Environment
Increased numbers of preterm births, higher incidence of respiratory disease and death, and more children in hospitals are some of the stark health outcomes the world is facing from the impacts of extreme climate change. This morbid reality will Read more about Climate change increases the risk of preterm births by 60% and will devastate children’s health without fast global action
Australia; International; SA; WAFlinders University|ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage (CABAH)... -
High blood pressure still biggest killer of Australians
PLOS ONE
New research led by The George Institute for Global Health and UNSW Sydney confirms that high blood pressure (hypertension) persists as the leading cause of death in Australia, reinforcing the need for a concerted national effort to shift the dial Read more about High blood pressure still biggest killer of Australians
Australia; NSW; VIC; WAGeorge Institute for Global Health|The University of New South Wales... -
The Life of Brain? 'Movies' with sound illuminate patterns of brain activity
PLOS ONE
US scientists have translated complex brain imaging data into 'movies', or short videos with accompanying musical soundtracks to be more precise (there's not much of a plot). They say their approach could potentially help interpret what happens in Read more about The Life of Brain? 'Movies' with sound illuminate patterns of brain activity
InternationalColumbia University, USA -
Blood test could determine diabetes risks
Journal of Translational Medicine
A blood test could potentially be used to assess a patient’s risk of type 2 diabetes, a new study from Edith Cowan University (ECU) has found. Blood test could determine diabetes risks A blood test could potentially be used to assess a Read more about Blood test could determine diabetes risks
Australia; WAEdith Cowan University -
Which of the world's favourite meals have the biggest impact on biodiversity?
PLOS ONE
A range of steak dishes popular in Brazil are some of the meals with the highest impact on local biodiversity, while several vegetarian dishes from India also have a large impact, according to international research. The team used online lists of Read more about Which of the world's favourite meals have the biggest impact on biodiversity?
InternationalNational University of Singapore -
Youth community spaces help make cities mental health friendly
Nature
Access to free and safe community hubs is the most important factor in improving mental health for youth living in cities, according to a survey of 500 experts from across the globe including Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, and Papua New Guinea. Read more about Youth community spaces help make cities mental health friendly
Australia; New Zealand; Pacific; International; VICThe University of Melbourne|Orygen|Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA -
Acupuncture may help veterans with PTSD
JAMA Psychiatry
A US 'gold standard' clinical trial comparing acupuncture with sham acupuncture for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 71 combat veterans found receiving genuine acupuncture was effective as a treatment and had positive Read more about Acupuncture may help veterans with PTSD
InternationalTibor Rubin VA Medical Center, USA -
Newly discovered prehistoric dolphin may have used its jaw to imprison fish
Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand
New Zealand scientists have discovered a new species of ancient dolphin with splayed out teeth, suggesting it hunted its prey in a very unique way. The researchers theorise the dolphin could have swept through schools of small fish in shallow waters, Read more about Newly discovered prehistoric dolphin may have used its jaw to imprison fish
New ZealandUniversity of Otago|Moulton College, UK -
Get your nan moving to protect her heart
JAMA Cardiology
US researchers investigating the heart health of close to 6,000 women aged 63 to 99 say regular physical activity and less time sitting around was linked to better heart health. The team strapped fitness trackers to the women and found those who had Read more about Get your nan moving to protect her heart
InternationalUniversity at Buffalo, USA -
A specialised larynx allows humpbacks to sing, but they're being drowned out by shipping noise
Nature
Exactly how baleen whales, including humpbacks, sing to each other over such long distances has long puzzled scientists, but now an international team has discovered that specific vocal structures in the larynx convert aerodynamic vibrations into Read more about A specialised larynx allows humpbacks to sing, but they're being drowned out by shipping noise
InternationalUniversity of Southern Denmark, Denmark