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National survey finds Australians want government to spend much more on nature conservation
The Biodiversity Council has undertaken a national survey of attitudes to biodiversity conservation issues, revealing that Australians’ connection to, and concern for, our natural environment remains strong and that 95% of Australians support Read more about National survey finds Australians want government to spend much more on nature conservation
AustraliaBiodiversity Council|RMIT University|Monash University... -
NEWS BRIEFING and EXPERT REACTION: Are we over-medicalising menopause?
The Lancet
Briefing recording now available Viewing menopause as a health problem to be solved with hormone therapy is an over-simplified narrative and not based on evidence, according to Australian researchers. A series of literature reviews and opinion Read more about NEWS BRIEFING and EXPERT REACTION: Are we over-medicalising menopause?
Australia; VIC; QLDThe University of Melbourne|The University of Queensland -
‘The Tjakuṟa has got dreaming’ - Indigenous rangers join forces to protect the culturally significant Great Desert Skink from extinction
This March, Traditional Owners and Indigenous desert ranger groups from across an area spanning 500,000 km2 – seven times the size of Tasmania – are joining forces with scientists, land managers and the Federal Government to search for Tjakuṟa: Read more about ‘The Tjakuṟa has got dreaming’ - Indigenous rangers join forces to protect the culturally significant Great Desert Skink from extinction
Australia; SA; WA; NTIndigenous Desert Alliance, The National Environmental Science Program's Resilient Landscapes Hub. -
Less than 6 hours' sleep daily linked with higher risk of type 2 diabetes
JAMA Network Open
Are you a short sleeper? You could be at higher risk of type 2 diabetes even if you’re a healthy eater, according to international researchers. The team looked at data from 247,867 adults in the UK, and found that people sleeping less than six Read more about Less than 6 hours' sleep daily linked with higher risk of type 2 diabetes
InternationalUppsala University, Sweden -
Child screen time returned to pre-pandemic levels quickly, except for children in poverty
JAMA Network Open
The amount of time young children spent in front of screens increased during the pandemic in 2020 and while that increase subsided for most in 2021 it has remained high for children in poverty, according to international research. The team used data Read more about Child screen time returned to pre-pandemic levels quickly, except for children in poverty
InternationalNorthwestern University, USA -
Ice cores suggest 16th century pandemics may have caused declines in atmospheric CO2
Nature Communications
A pandemic-driven population decline in the 16th century may have led to declines in atmospheric CO2 levels, according to international researchers, who used ice cores from the West Antarctic Ice Sheet to determine the CO2 levels Read more about Ice cores suggest 16th century pandemics may have caused declines in atmospheric CO2
InternationalBritish Antarctic Survey, UK -
‘Like a lab in your pocket’ – new test strips raise game in gene-based diagnostics
Nature Communications
Biosensing technology developed by UNSW engineers has made it possible to create gene test strips that rival conventional lab-based tests in quality. According to the team, the test can easily detect specific gene sequences in a sample, but unlike Read more about ‘Like a lab in your pocket’ – new test strips raise game in gene-based diagnostics
Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales -
Could a digital replica of the Earth help us predict natural disasters?
Frontiers in Science
A digital replica of the Earth could help us test how climate change and human impacts could influence natural disasters, according to international research. The team looked at the common engineering strategy of the 'digital twin- - a virtual model Read more about Could a digital replica of the Earth help us predict natural disasters?
InternationalNational Research Council, Italy -
WMO says El Niño has weakened but impacts continue
This year's El Niño, one of the five strongest on record, peaked in December 2023 and is gradually weakening, but will continue to influence global climate in the coming months, according to an update from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO Read more about WMO says El Niño has weakened but impacts continue
InternationalWorld Meteorological Organization (WMO) -
Audit of food donations prompts call for new nutrition and safety standards
food policy and nutrients
New Curtin University research that analysed a whopping 85,000 kilograms of food donated to Foodbank WA over five days has prompted calls for an overhaul of laws and policies to ensure safe and nutritious food is available for its vulnerable clients. Read more about Audit of food donations prompts call for new nutrition and safety standards
Australia; WACurtin University -
Very low proportion of young people seeking gender-affirming care subsequently reidentify with their birth-registered sex
JAMA Pediatrics
An Australian study has found that a very low proportion of young people who initiate gender-affirming treatment at a gender clinic end up reidentifying back with their birth-registered sex. The study of 548 patients referred to paediatric gender Read more about Very low proportion of young people seeking gender-affirming care subsequently reidentify with their birth-registered sex
Australia; WATelethon Kids Institute|The University of Western Australia... -
Transforming early learning through curiosity and interest
Early Child Development and Care
The key to boosting a child’s cognitive and emotional development lies in promoting an active interest in topics or activities, Griffith University researchers have found. The key to boosting a child’s cognitive and emotional development lies in Read more about Transforming early learning through curiosity and interest
Australia; QLDGriffith University -
Shift in lesser-known blood types linked to Australia’s increasing ethnicity
Pathology - The Journal of the Royal College of Pathologists Australia
The first study to determine the prevalence of lesser-known blood groups within the Australian population that need to be “matched” during a blood transfusion shows they have changed, most likely due to increasing ethnic diversity. While the Read more about Shift in lesser-known blood types linked to Australia’s increasing ethnicity
Australia; NSW; ACTAustralian Red Cross -
Gen Z’s climate anxiety is real and needs action — for everyone’s wellbeing
Sustainable Earth Reviews
Australian young people have major concerns about climate change, which is having a significant impact on their lives and could have broader consequences decades into the future. New Curtin University research has shown Australian young people have Read more about Gen Z’s climate anxiety is real and needs action — for everyone’s wellbeing
Australia; WACurtin University -
Next-gen printed flexible solar cells launched into space
ACS Applied Energy Materials
Australian-made flexible solar cells will orbit the Earth in a test to evaluate them as a reliable energy source for future space endeavours. State-of-the-art printed flexible solar cell technology developed by Australia’s national science agency, Read more about Next-gen printed flexible solar cells launched into space
Australia; VICCSIRO -
Economic abuse affects one in seven Kiwi women
Journal of Interpersonal Violence
New research pulling data from 1464 NZ women who have been in a relationship has shown that economic abuse is common, affecting about 15%. Researchers found that the most prevalent act was a refusal to provide money for household expenses, reported Read more about Economic abuse affects one in seven Kiwi women
New ZealandUniversity of Auckland -
Proceed with caution – the meteoric rise of zero-alcohol drinks
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
New research from Flinders University has revealed that parents are feeling conflicted, confused and concerned when it comes to zero-alcohol beer, wine and spirts and adolescents. New research from Flinders University has revealed that parents are Read more about Proceed with caution – the meteoric rise of zero-alcohol drinks
Australia; NSW; VIC; SA; NTFlinders University|The University of Adelaide|George Institute for Global Health... -
Being a manager improves job satisfaction, but not stress levels
PLOS ONE
Being the manager improves your job satisfaction but not your stress levels according to Aussie and international research. The study of more than 700 workers and bosses found that levels of stress were similar among managers and employees but being Read more about Being a manager improves job satisfaction, but not stress levels
Australia; VICSwinburne University of Technology|Universite´ Clermont Auvergne, France -
NEWS BRIEFING: Toddlers' screen time replacing vital language opportunities
JAMA Pediatrics
The average three-year-old could be missing out on more than 1,100 adult words, 840 vocalisations, and 194 conversations per day thanks to modern screen use, according to Aussie researchers. The team used Fitbit-like devices, worn by kids for Read more about NEWS BRIEFING: Toddlers' screen time replacing vital language opportunities
Australia; International; SA; WATelethon Kids Institute|The University of Adelaide... -
Jupiter's moon Europa might not be as habitable as we thought
Nature Astronomy
Often thought as one of the locations we could head to after we wreck the planet, Jupiter's moon Europa might not actually be as habitable as we first thought. US and European researchers found the icy moon to produce less oxygen than first thought. Read more about Jupiter's moon Europa might not be as habitable as we thought
InternationalPrinceton University, Princeton, NJ, USA