-
The same beer waste that gives us Vegemite could help us recycle metal waste
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
Spent brewer's yeast - the basis of our much-loved breakfast spread Vegemite - can be used multiple times to pull metals out of water, say international researchers. They say this pre-Vegemite was able to pull metals such as aluminium, zinc and Read more about The same beer waste that gives us Vegemite could help us recycle metal waste
InternationalUniversity of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria -
History repeats as Coral Bay faces mass loss of coral and fish life
Journal of Coral Reefs
A perfect storm of environmental factors has seen a monumental loss of fish and coral life at a popular area of Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia’s Gascoyne region — however Curtin University research into the event shows there is hope it will Read more about History repeats as Coral Bay faces mass loss of coral and fish life
Australia; WACurtin University|Western Australian Museum -
COVID-19 dropped global life expectancy by 1.6 years
The Lancet
During the pandemic, global life expectancy dropped by 1. 6 years, reversing previous trends towards longer life expectancies. The study, which updates estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2021, estimates that the pandemic caused Read more about COVID-19 dropped global life expectancy by 1.6 years
Australia; New Zealand; Pacific; NSW; VIC; QLD; SA; WA; TAS; NT; ACTThe University of Melbourne|The University of New South Wales... -
More than half of aged care residents are on antidepressants
Journal of American Medical Directors Association (JAMDA)
A new study by the Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA), based at SAHMRI, has found six out of ten Australian aged care residents are taking antidepressant medication. A new study by the Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA), based at SAHMRI, has Read more about More than half of aged care residents are on antidepressants
Australia; SASouth Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) -
Mixed results for older women taking calcium and vitamin D supplements
Annals of Internal Medicine
Taking calcium and vitamin D supplements in older age is linked to mixed long term health outcomes in women, according to an international study that found the supplements were associated in a reduced risk of dying of cancer but an almost equal Read more about Mixed results for older women taking calcium and vitamin D supplements
InternationalUniversity of Arizona, USA -
Love on the land: Helping farmers grow healthy relationships
Life on the land can be great, but it can also put a lot of pressure on romantic relationships. Now, rural health experts from the University of South Australia have launched a new online resource to help farmers build and maintain a healthy Read more about Love on the land: Helping farmers grow healthy relationships
Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia -
Helping reduce the global shortage of diabetes and weight loss drug semaglutide
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
Semaglutide is part of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor targeting family of peptide drugs which are mainly used to treat diabetes but are difficult and expensive to make. An international team of researchers led by Professor Akhter Read more about Helping reduce the global shortage of diabetes and weight loss drug semaglutide
Australia; VICFlorey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health -
Can good sleep make us more empathetic?
JNeurosci
Lack of sleep makes us less helpful and altruistic, according to a small study by international researchers. The team measured sleep activity in the brain during a normal night of sleep, then asked them to play a game where participants were given Read more about Can good sleep make us more empathetic?
InternationalUniversity of Bern, Switzerland -
Indigenous fire management started 11,000 years ago
Nature Geoscience
James Cook University researchers have discovered Indigenous fire management in northern Australia was being practiced at least 11,000 years ago – and it has implications for fire management practices today. JCU’s Distinguished Professor Michael Read more about Indigenous fire management started 11,000 years ago
Australia; QLD; SAJames Cook University|Flinders University|ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage (CABAH) -
Hauraki Gulf saw heatwave conditions for 85% of 2022
NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH
The sea surface temperature in the Hauraki Gulf has been measured since 1967, showing a steady and abnormal rise reflected in other global datasets. Marine Heat Waves (MHWs) have significant impacts on coastal ecosystems, and the current rate of MHW Read more about Hauraki Gulf saw heatwave conditions for 85% of 2022
New ZealandUniversity of Auckland|University of Waikato|National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) -
Could AI be used to make discharge summaries easier for patients to understand
JAMA Network Open
Hospital patients can access their discharge summary, which contains all the information about their hospital stay, through their health record, however, these summaries are often full of technical language and difficult to understand. A team of Read more about Could AI be used to make discharge summaries easier for patients to understand
InternationalNew York University, USA -
Metabolic syndrome, such as high blood sugar and blood pressure, linked to increased risk of cancer
Cancer
People with persistent and worsening metabolic syndrome, which includes conditions such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess abdominal fat, and abnormal cholesterol, may be at higher risk of developing various types of cancer, according Read more about Metabolic syndrome, such as high blood sugar and blood pressure, linked to increased risk of cancer
InternationalBeijing Shijitan Hospital of Capital Medical University, China -
Most childhood cancer survivors aren't getting the ongoing tests they need as adults
Canadian Medical Association Journal
Most survivors of childhood cancer don’t get the tests needed to detect serious long-term adverse effects, according to Canadian researchers. The team looked at data from 3241 childhood cancer survivors in Canada between 1984 and 2014. They Read more about Most childhood cancer survivors aren't getting the ongoing tests they need as adults
InternationalWomen’s College Hospital, Canada -
New Zealand bottlenose dolphins have regional accents
New Zealand Journal of Zoology
Bottlenose dolphins in Doubtful Sound whistle differently than ones near Great Barrier Island. The two populations studied showed clear differences in the style, duration and pitch of their acoustic communications, a pattern that has been noticed in Read more about New Zealand bottlenose dolphins have regional accents
New ZealandMassey University|University of Otago -
Warning not to pick or eat wild mushrooms because of deathcap poisoning risk
Wild mushrooms are popping up around Australia this Autumn after wet weather, so today the Food Safety Information Council is is issuing its annual warning to be extremely careful around wild mushrooms because of the deadly, deathcap mushroom Read more about Warning not to pick or eat wild mushrooms because of deathcap poisoning risk
Australia; ACTFood Safety Information Council -
EXPERT REACTION: Can we bring coral reefs back from the brink?
Current Biology
The majority of the world's coral reefs are under threat or have been damaged potentially beyond repair, but UK and Indonesian researchers suggest that efforts to restore coral not only increases their cover, but might bring back important ecosystem Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Can we bring coral reefs back from the brink?
International; NSW; QLDUniversity of Exeter, UK -
Dropping like sheep? Rising temperatures are baaad for Aussie sheep production
Nature Food
Heat stress already leads to around 2. 1 million fewer lambs being born each year, but that figure could rise to 3. 3 million if temperatures increase another 3 degrees, according to Aussie research. The study found that heat stress during mating Read more about Dropping like sheep? Rising temperatures are baaad for Aussie sheep production
Australia; SAThe University of Adelaide|SARDI (South Australian Research and Development Institute)... -
Half the expansion of irrigation this millenium has been unsustainable
Nature Water
Half the expansion of irrigation across the world since the year 2000 has been unsustainable due to the water stress in the land chosen, according to international research. The team combined official statistics on irrigation to map changes in areas Read more about Half the expansion of irrigation this millenium has been unsustainable
Australia; InternationalUniversity of Delaware, USA -
Many type 2 diabetes patients lack in lifesaving knowledge
Frontiers in Public Health
Many type 2 diabetes patients lack potentially life-saving knowledge about their disease, according to international researchers. The team gave 1200 people with diabetes a knowledge test which included sections about nutrition, signs and symptoms, Read more about Many type 2 diabetes patients lack in lifesaving knowledge
InternationalUniversity of Coimbra, Portugal -
A fresh warning from experts on the dangers of posting your kids online
JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting
Parents considering posting pictures and information of their children online should re-think how they go about it, in a new warning from Edith Cowan University (ECU) data experts. A scoping review noted that every digital post parents make about Read more about A fresh warning from experts on the dangers of posting your kids online
Australia; InternationalEdith Cowan University|University of Wollongong -
Reptile roadkill reveals new threat to endangered lizard species
Australian Zoologist
The chance sighting of a dead snake beside a sandy track in remote Western Australia, and the investigation of its stomach contents, has led Curtin University researchers to record the first known instance of a spotted mulga snake consuming a pygmy Read more about Reptile roadkill reveals new threat to endangered lizard species
Australia; WACurtin University -
Video consults for chronic knee pain as effective as in-person care
The Lancet
Australians experiencing chronic knee pain achieve similar pain reduction whether they consult with physiotherapists via video or attend in-person physiotherapy sessions, new research shows. Australians experiencing chronic knee pain achieve similar Read more about Video consults for chronic knee pain as effective as in-person care
Australia; VIC; QLDThe University of Melbourne|The University of Queensland... -
Rising shark and ray extinction risk
Science
A new analysis has found one in seven deepwater sharks and rays are threatened with extinction, with the biggest threat coming from overfishing. Deepwater sharks and rays - species that spend most of their life at depths greater than 200m - are Read more about Rising shark and ray extinction risk
Australia; International; QLDJames Cook University -
How do we get more women into healthcare and medical leadership?
Medical Journal of Australia
Cultural change is needed to increase the number of women in healthcare and medical leadership in Australia, according to Australian researchers. In a perspective piece, the authors outline how women are continually underrepresented in leadership Read more about How do we get more women into healthcare and medical leadership?
Australia; VICMonash University|Swinburne University of Technology... -
Mass fish deaths at salmon farms are becoming more common
Scientific Reports
Mass deaths at salmon farms became more common between 2012 and 2022, according to a Canadian and US study of the industry in Norway, Canada, the UK, Chile, Australia, and New Zealand, which together account for more than 92% of the world's farmed Read more about Mass fish deaths at salmon farms are becoming more common
InternationalUniversity of Victoria, Canada -
How ‘the food of the gods’ chocolate spread 5000 years ago
Scientific Reports
The modern cacao tree - whose scientific name means 'the food of the gods' - likely spread from the Amazon basin to other regions of South and Central America along trade routes, at least 5000 years ago, say international researchers. Residues found Read more about How ‘the food of the gods’ chocolate spread 5000 years ago
InternationalCIRAD, AGAP Institut, Montpellier, France -
Most GP practices in NZ have “closed books”
New Zealand Medical Journal
Most general practices in NZ have been selectively enrolling new patients or stopping new enrolments altogether, according to a survey of more than 220 GP staff. In 2022, only 28% of respondents said they freely enrolled new people. Researchers say Read more about Most GP practices in NZ have “closed books”
New ZealandVictoria University of Wellington -
Air rifles can reliably cause lethal injuries
New Zealand Medical Journal
After encountering two life-threatening thoracic injuries in their own practice, two surgeons conducted a study to assess the injuries that a commonly available air rifle could cause. They tested. 22 calibre spring-loaded airguns in a series of Read more about Air rifles can reliably cause lethal injuries
New ZealandTe Whatu Ora Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley; Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai Auckland -
Foot-eye coordination: how our vision changes in rhythm with our walking
Nature Communications
Dr Matthew Davidson and colleagues have found our visual perception dips as our feet hit the ground. Further understanding this could help develop early diagnostics for neuromuscular or psychiatric illness; understand changes in mobility as we age; Read more about Foot-eye coordination: how our vision changes in rhythm with our walking
Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney -
On International Women's Day, spare a thought for the aged care burden
Frontiers in Public Health
Women make up more than 60% of the older adult population in the Asia-Pacific, where the challenges associated with one of the fastest ageing population clusters in the world are emerging in social, political, healthcare and economic significance. A Read more about On International Women's Day, spare a thought for the aged care burden
Australia; International; QLD; SAFlinders University -
Short-sighted children may suffer from disrupted sleep
Sleep
Near-sightedness or myopia is projected to affect half of the world’s population by 2050, and it’s on the rise among children who increasingly spend time indoors away from sunlight and on screens. Poor sleep may also be a detrimental Read more about Short-sighted children may suffer from disrupted sleep
Australia; SAFlinders University -
Online toolkit helps experts protect themselves from online abuse
The Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC) has developed an online toolkit to help experts both prepare for, and respond to, trolling and harassment online, after a survey of more than 100 scientists found that one in three reported experiencing Read more about Online toolkit helps experts protect themselves from online abuse
Australia; NSW; SAAustralian Science Media Centre -
Tiny plastic fragments found in the plaques of more than half of clogged artery patients
New England Journal of Medicine
A study of 257 patients with carotid artery disease, where fatty clumps called plaques form in the arteries, found the plastic polyethylene in the artery plaques of 150 of them (58. 4%), and another plastic, polyvinyl chloride, in the plaques of 31 Read more about Tiny plastic fragments found in the plaques of more than half of clogged artery patients
InternationalThe University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Italy -
World’s largest radio telescope takes big step forward in WA’s outback
One of Earth’s biggest science facilities, destined to provide an unparalleled view of the Universe, is today a step closer to reality. The first of more than 130,000 two-metre-tall, Christmas tree-shaped antennas that will make up the SKA-Low Read more about World’s largest radio telescope takes big step forward in WA’s outback
Australia; WACSIRO|SKA Observatory -
Can too many carbs make you less attractive?
PLOS ONE
If you're looking for love, you might want to cut the carbs, according to French researchers. They asked heterosexual people to rate the attractiveness of 104 members of the opposite sex, and looked for links between attractiveness and participants' Read more about Can too many carbs make you less attractive?
InternationalUniversity of Montpellier, France -
What might contribute to you losing your hearing differs between men and women
PLOS ONE
Korean researchers say our weight, whether we smoke, and what hormones we have been exposed to may have a part to play in age-related hearing loss, but that depends on our gender assigned at birth. The researchers investigated the lives of just shy Read more about What might contribute to you losing your hearing differs between men and women
InternationalChungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, Republic of Korea -
High BMIs might mean a high chance of depression
PLOS ONE
Irish researchers have suggested that having a higher BMI and waist-height ratio has a significant association with having depression. The researchers took a random selection of close to 2000 people aged 46-73 years, and measured their BMI, how Read more about High BMIs might mean a high chance of depression
InternationalUniversity College Cork, Cork, Ireland -
Eating fish and eggs during pregnancy could help your child develop at a healthy weight
PLOS ONE
Fish and eggs are likely both important foods to eat during pregnancy to give a child the best chance of growing up at a healthy weight, according to Australian research. The team used data from a study that looked at the weight of children Read more about Eating fish and eggs during pregnancy could help your child develop at a healthy weight
Australia; QLDUniversity of Southern Queensland -
Men may be biologically more susceptible to COVID-19 symptoms
PLOS ONE
Men may have different, and possibly worse, responses to a COVID-19 infection, according to international research. The team used data from a wearable medical device worn by 82 people who developed COVID-19. The researchers say comparing the Read more about Men may be biologically more susceptible to COVID-19 symptoms
InternationalPrivate University in the Principality of Liechtenstein -
ADHD medication linked with small increase in heart risk
JAMA Network Open
ADHD medication methylphenidate (commonly sold as Ritalin and Concerta) could be associated with a small increase in risk of heart problems, according to international research. The team looked at heart problems including heart disease, abnormal Read more about ADHD medication linked with small increase in heart risk
InternationalÖrebro University, Sweden -
Earliest European human tools found in Ukraine
Nature
Artefacts from an archaeological site at Korolevo in Ukraine estimated to be around 1. 4 million years old are the earliest securely dated evidence for the presence of early humans - known as hominins - in Europe, according to international Read more about Earliest European human tools found in Ukraine
Australia; International; VICLa Trobe University|Czech Academy of Sciences, Czechia -
Chimps can learn to solve puzzles by watching each other
Nature Human Behaviour
Chimpanzees can learn from watching each other (known as social learning) according to international researchers who say the findings suggest that chimps may have the capacity for cultural evolution, previously thought to be uniquely human. The team Read more about Chimps can learn to solve puzzles by watching each other
InternationalUtrecht University, The Netherlands -
Kids with eczema may be more likely to have learning and memory difficulties
JAMA Dermatology
Kids with atopic dermatitis often referred to as eczema, may be more likely to have learning and memory difficulties, according to a US study, however, this link was primarily in kids with neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD. The study of Read more about Kids with eczema may be more likely to have learning and memory difficulties
InternationalJohns Hopkins University, USA -
Hive mind! Bees can teach their friends to solve complex puzzles
Nature
Bumblebees can teach each other new behaviours that are too complex for them to learn alone, according to international researchers who made a two-step puzzlebox, which required bees to move an obstacle, then open a lid to reveal a sweet reward. Read more about Hive mind! Bees can teach their friends to solve complex puzzles
InternationalUniversity of Sheffield, UK -
Sinking US cities vulnerable to sea-level rises
Nature
A considerable amount of land in 32 US coastal cities, including Boston, New Orleans, and San Francisco, could be at risk of flooding by 2050, according to international researchers. The findings, which are supported by flooding models and also take Read more about Sinking US cities vulnerable to sea-level rises
InternationalVirginia Tech, USA -
How does makeup affect our skin during exercise?
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology
For skin health, it might be best to remove your makeup before working out, according to a small study by Korean researchers. The team put cream foundation on half the faces of 43 college students (20 males and 23 females), including the forehead Read more about How does makeup affect our skin during exercise?
InternationalKorea National University of Education, South Korea -
Improving women’s fertility choices: avoiding environmental catastrophe caused by population growth
Frontiers in Public Health
Declining fertility rates and ageing populations in Western nations have recently set off alarm bells, but continued global population growth will actually raise the pressure billions more people place on a destroyed environment, according to new Read more about Improving women’s fertility choices: avoiding environmental catastrophe caused by population growth
Australia; International; SA; WAFlinders University|Telethon Kids Institute|The University of Western Australia -
Aussie licenced venues are clinging to cigarette vending machines
ANZJPH
One hundred years after the introduction of cigarette vending machines in Australia, Aussie researchers have found businesses have no plans to consign them to history. The research, conducted with over 800 owners and managers of alcohol-licenced Read more about Aussie licenced venues are clinging to cigarette vending machines
Australia; NSW; QLD; WAThe University of Sydney|Western Sydney University... -
Documentary series showcases the science of sleep
Australian sleep experts were given just eight weeks to develop and run a sleep treatment program that diagnosed and treated more than 30 volunteers and achieved a >80 per cent success rate. In a world first, Australian sleep experts were given just Read more about Documentary series showcases the science of sleep
Australia; SAFlinders University -
Birds, beetles and spiders can be a useful alternative to pesticides
Proceedings of the Royal Society B
Birds, beetles and spiders that are natural predators for crop-damaging pests can be a successful alternative to pesticides, according to international researchers. The team conducted a meta-analysis of studies testing the effectiveness of a variety Read more about Birds, beetles and spiders can be a useful alternative to pesticides
InternationalFederal Rural University of Pernambuco, Brazil