Genetics indicate why some people get more severe COVID

Publicly released: Sat 12 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature

Genetic variants that are linked to the development of life-threatening illness in patients with COVID-19 have been identified and several are involved in inflammatory processes and the body’s response to invading viruses. The researchers looked Read more about Genetics indicate why some people get more severe COVID

A different kind of 27 club - Mass extinctions seem to follow a 27-million-year-cycle

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 1601 AEDT | 1801 NZDT

Historical Biology

Mass extinctions of land-dwelling animals—including amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds— seem to follow a cycle of about 27 million years, according to researchers from the US, who found that major asteroid impacts and devastating volcanic Read more about A different kind of 27 club - Mass extinctions seem to follow a 27-million-year-cycle

On a "road to hell" at the current pace of action on climate change, say ex-UN climate leaders

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 1300 AEDT | 1500 NZDT

Climate Policy

Four former senior members of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) secretariat, say that the global response to climate change is completely insufficient and leaves the world on a “road to hell”. In reviewing 30 Read more about On a "road to hell" at the current pace of action on climate change, say ex-UN climate leaders

Changes in breathing rate could signal COVID before symptoms start

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 1255 AEDT | 1455 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Changes in peoples breathing rate overnight may help detect COVID-19 before sysmptoms start, say Australian researchers. They developed a model based on respiratory rate that was able to identify 20 per cent of COVID-19 positive individuals prior to Read more about Changes in breathing rate could signal COVID before symptoms start

Vitamin D the clue to more autism spectrum disorder in boys

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 1230 AEDT | 1430 NZDT

Molecular Autism

A deficiency in Vitamin D on the mother’s side could explain why autism spectrum disorder is three times more common in boys, say researchers from The University of Queensland. In their latest study, Professor Darryl Eyles and Dr Asad Ali from Read more about Vitamin D the clue to more autism spectrum disorder in boys

EXPERT REACTION: UQ COVID vaccine abandoned after HIV antibody positives

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 1200 AEDT | 1400 NZDT

UQ and CSL have this morning confirmed they are abandoning their trials of an Australian COVID-19 vaccine after recipients generated HIV antibodies during phase 1 tests. This means the antibodies produced by the vaccine can interfere with HIV Read more about EXPERT REACTION: UQ COVID vaccine abandoned after HIV antibody positives

The AusSMC's Top 10 WEIRD Science Stories 2020

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 1130 AEDT | 1330 NZDT

2020 was certainly a weird year, so perhaps it's not surprising that it produced a bumper crop of weird and wonderful science yarns. We heard an unenthusiastic voice from beyond the grave when researchers recreated the vocal tract of an ancient Read more about The AusSMC's Top 10 WEIRD Science Stories 2020

Detecting SARS-CoV-2 with a smartphone camera

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 1130 AEDT | 1330 NZDT

Cell

International researchers, including an Aussie, have developed a device that can, with the help of a smartphone camera, detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in a nasal swab. The test makes use of the gene-splicing CRISPR-Cas technology to be able to Read more about Detecting SARS-CoV-2 with a smartphone camera

EXPERT REACTION: Global Carbon Budget - unprecedented emissions slowdown thanks to COVID

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Earth System Science Data

Global emission could decline by around 7 per cent in 2020, according to the latest Global Carbon Budget. The report has found the decrease in emissions in 2020 appears more pronounced in the US, EU and India, partly due to pre-existing downward Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Global Carbon Budget - unprecedented emissions slowdown thanks to COVID

Music may help soothe post-op pain

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The British Medical Journal

Listening to soothing music and words while under general anaesthetic may lead to less pain following surgery. A trial conducted in Germany found that 191 patients who listened to background music and positive suggestions during their surgery had Read more about Music may help soothe post-op pain