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Why getting in touch with our ‘gerbil brain’ could help machines listen better
Current Biology
Macquarie University researchers have debunked a 75-year-old theory about how humans determine where sounds are coming from, and it could unlock the secret to creating a next generation of more adaptable and efficient hearing devices ranging from Read more about Why getting in touch with our ‘gerbil brain’ could help machines listen better
Australia; NSWMacquarie University -
How did the early COVID-19 pandemic impact birth outcomes in Australia?
Aussie mums who had babies during the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic saw some surprising positive birth outcomes, according to a report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The report compiles birth outcome statistics from Read more about How did the early COVID-19 pandemic impact birth outcomes in Australia?
AustraliaAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) -
New super-pure silicon chip opens path to powerful quantum computers
Communication Materials
Researchers at the Universities of Melbourne and Manchester have invented a technique for manufacturing highly purified silicon that brings powerful quantum computers a big step closer. Researchers at the Universities of Melbourne and Manchester Read more about New super-pure silicon chip opens path to powerful quantum computers
Australia; VICThe University of Melbourne|University of Manchester -
New rock art discoveries in Eastern Sudan reaffirm catastrophic climate change
The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology
New archaeological findings from the hyper-arid Atbai Desert, in Eastern Sudan, indicate the Sahara Desert was once a lush and green environment. New archaeological findings from the hyper-arid Atbai Desert, in Eastern Sudan, indicate the Sahara Read more about New rock art discoveries in Eastern Sudan reaffirm catastrophic climate change
Australia; International; NSWMacquarie University -
Naltrexone offers hope for Long COVID patients
Frontiers in Immunology
Researchers from Griffith University’s National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases (NCNED) have made a discovery that could bring relief to those struggling with Long COVID. They've identified a way to restore the faulty function of Read more about Naltrexone offers hope for Long COVID patients
Australia; QLDGriffith University|Mater Research -
Meth houses: More should be done to test for and tackle contamination
the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
A new Flinders University study has found less than 10% of suspected methamphetamine contamination in residences are reported to council environmental health officers (EHOs), raising further concerns more regulations are needed to manage safety and Read more about Meth houses: More should be done to test for and tackle contamination
Australia; NSW; SAFlinders University -
Testing high risk babies at 3 months of age could help identify cerebral palsy
JAMA Network Open
Early testing of three- or four-month-old babies who are at high risk of cerebral palsy was able to reliably predict the condition and its severity at two and three years old, according to Australian research. The study looked at 116 babies who were Read more about Testing high risk babies at 3 months of age could help identify cerebral palsy
Australia; VICMonash University|Hudson Institute of Medical Research... -
Over 30% of Aussies with difficult-to-treat asthma may be current smokers
Respirology
36. 2% of Aussies with difficult-to-treat asthma may also be current smokers, according to an Aussie survey of 6,048 people with asthma, which found that 21. 7% met the international criteria for difficult-to-treat asthma. The study also found that Read more about Over 30% of Aussies with difficult-to-treat asthma may be current smokers
Australia; NSWMacquarie University|The University of New South Wales... -
Nicotine-free substance could help people quit vaping
JAMA Internal Medicine
Cytisinicline, a compound found naturally in plants, could help people quit nicotine vaping, according to international research. Cytisinicline is used as a quit-smoking product in Central and Eastern Europe because it can help reduce nicotine Read more about Nicotine-free substance could help people quit vaping
InternationalHarvard Medical School, USA -
7g of olive oil a day could reduce your risk of death from dementia
JAMA Network Open
Olive oil could be linked with a lower risk of dementia-related death, particularly in women, according to international researchers who looked at data from 92,383 adults observed over 28 years. They found the consumption of more than 7g per day of Read more about 7g of olive oil a day could reduce your risk of death from dementia
InternationalHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, USA -
Relaxation therapy might help mums produce more milk
JAMA Pediatrics
British and Malaysian researchers reviewing 16 previous studies say that relaxation interventions were associated with an increase in milk production in mums, and subsequent additional weight to their bubs. The researchers say listening to music, Read more about Relaxation therapy might help mums produce more milk
InternationalUniversity of Oxford, UK -
How Venus dried up
Nature
US researchers have proposed a new possible reason as to why our spicy celestial neighbour Venus lost most of its water. They say a chemical reaction called HCO+ dissociative recombination - a process that would double the loss of water into space Read more about How Venus dried up
InternationalUniversity of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA -
Carrying 2 copies of a particular form of this gene may cause a distinct type of Alzheimer's
Nature Medicine
Spanish and US scientists say almost everyone they investigated who had two copies of a particular form of a gene called APOE, a form called APOE4, went on to develop signs of Alzheimer's disease, which may mean it's a distinct genetic form of the Read more about Carrying 2 copies of a particular form of this gene may cause a distinct type of Alzheimer's
InternationalHospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau - Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Spain -
AI technology is showing cultural biases, here's why and what can be done
AI is the fastest growing technology in the world, but there is growing concern about its ability to consider and represent diverse communities. Prominent AI applications are showing racial biases and a lack of diversity and cultural sensitivity. AI Read more about AI technology is showing cultural biases, here's why and what can be done
Australia; WAMurdoch University -
Lifestyle advice from your GP can be helpful, but only if it's offered
Medical Journal of Australia
People may be more likely to make healthy changes to their lifestyle if advised by their GP, but most Australians say they've never received such advice, according to a survey of just over 13,000 people. The survey asked participants about their Read more about Lifestyle advice from your GP can be helpful, but only if it's offered
Australia; QLDBond University -
Shaping a science system to support our national ambitions
The Australian Academy of Science is developing a ten-year plan to demonstrate how science needs to evolve to achieve our national ambitions and advance Australian interests locally and globally. ‘Australian Science, Australia’s Future: Science Read more about Shaping a science system to support our national ambitions
AustraliaAustralian Academy of Science -
Surfaces on the move: dynamic liquefaction
Advanced Science
The boundary between solid metal and liquid metal can be much less ‘solid’ than we ever suspected. RMIT researchers have discovered that the liquid-solid boundary can fluctuate back and forth, with metal atoms near the surface breaking free from Read more about Surfaces on the move: dynamic liquefaction
Australia; NSW; VICARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies (FLEET)... -
Income loss for informal caregivers of loved ones with arthritis set to rise
BMJ Open
Australians lose hundreds of millions of dollars in income each year as people become carers for loved ones with arthritis, according to Australian research. The researchers say arthritis can be debilitating and research shows it is a common reason Read more about Income loss for informal caregivers of loved ones with arthritis set to rise
Australia; NSW; QLD; ACTMacquarie University|Griffith University|The University of Queensland... -
Details of dairy farm worker infected with highly pathogenic bird flu in the US
New England Journal of Medicine
In April, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced there had been a case of the highly pathogenic bird flu, H5N1, in a dairy farm worker in the US and now scientists have published details about the case. The researchers found Read more about Details of dairy farm worker infected with highly pathogenic bird flu in the US
InternationalCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, USA -
How common is resident-to-resident aggression in assisted living facilities?
JAMA Network Open
15. 2% of assisted living residents are estimated to have been involved in instances of aggression within a month, according to an international study including six facilities in the US. The team interviewed staff and able residents of the Read more about How common is resident-to-resident aggression in assisted living facilities?
InternationalCornell University, USA