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Spice up your solar panels by adding a touch of chili
Joule
Scientists in China and Sweden have determined that a pinch of capsaicin, the chemical compound that gives chilli peppers their spicy sting, may be a secret ingredient for more stable and efficient perovskite solar cells. They found that sprinkling Read more about Spice up your solar panels by adding a touch of chili
InternationalEast China Normal University, China -
EXPERT REACTION: World-first study shows increased atmospheric CO2 levels damage young lungs, in mice
Environmental Health Perspectives
Australian researchers who have conducted the first study looking at the direct health impacts of predicted carbon dioxide levels say the results are worrying and highlight the urgent need for more research into the issue. Conducted in mice, the Read more about EXPERT REACTION: World-first study shows increased atmospheric CO2 levels damage young lungs, in mice
Australia; WA; ACTTelethon Kids Institute|Curtin University|The University of Western Australia... -
Expert prognosis for the planet – we’re on track for a ghastly future
Frontiers in Conservation Science
An international group of 17 leading scientists have produced a comprehensive yet concise assessment of the state of civilization, warning that the outlook is more dire and dangerous than is generally understood. A loss of biodiversity and Read more about Expert prognosis for the planet – we’re on track for a ghastly future
Australia; International; SAFlinders University -
New cathode material for high-performing sodium ion batteries could benefit large scale energy storage
Nature Materials
A new type of electrode material, a sodium-rich layered oxide, did not show voltage fading on cycling ANSTO contributed to a large international collaboration on advanced sodium ion batteries led by French researchers, which provides a direction for Read more about New cathode material for high-performing sodium ion batteries could benefit large scale energy storage
Australia; International; NSWAustralian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)... -
Birdsong finds rhythm between science and art
Native Western Australian birds are the composers and stars of an engaging new music project at Edith Cowan University. Native Western Australian birds are the composers and stars of an engaging new music project at Edith Cowan University. Western Read more about Birdsong finds rhythm between science and art
Australia; WAEdith Cowan University -
Just one drink a day may set your heart a-flutter
European Heart Journal
European researchers have linked one small alcoholic drink a day with an increase in the risk of atrial fibrillation - an irregular and often rapid heart rate in the upper chambers of the heart that beat out of sync with the bottom half. In the past, Read more about Just one drink a day may set your heart a-flutter
InternationalUniversity Heart & Vascular Center Hamburg, Germany -
Snakes evolve a magnetic way to be resistant to venom
Proceedings of the Royal Society B
Snakes may have evolved a neat way of not being killed by their own toxic venom and it works in much the same way as when the same sides of a magnet repel each other, according to Australian research. Snake neurotoxins have evolved to have lots of Read more about Snakes evolve a magnetic way to be resistant to venom
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
We may have discovered the reason flies are so darn hard to swat
Proceedings of the Royal Society B
International researchers may have figured out why there are no flies on houseflies when it comes to outsmarting us. Houseflies use specialised hind-wings called halteres to stabilise their bodies during takeoff, allowing them to take off more Read more about We may have discovered the reason flies are so darn hard to swat
InternationalCase Western Reserve University, USA -
Telling a really big lie turns us into copycats
Royal Society Open Science
Dutch and UK researchers say we start to mimic the actions of an interviewer when asked to tell them a huge whopper of a lie. They used motion capture to monitor the behaviour of liar and lie-ee as the fibbers told progressively bigger untruths. We Read more about Telling a really big lie turns us into copycats
InternationalErasmus Universiteit Rotterdam, The Netherlands -
Redesigning our cities could help stop diseases spreading
Proceedings of the Royal Society A
US and Mexican scientists say city design plays an important role in how infectious diseases spread. They looked at neighbourhood-level census data for Guadalajara, a city in western Mexico, and found that daily patterns of people's movements Read more about Redesigning our cities could help stop diseases spreading
InternationalUniversity of California, San Diego, USA -
EXPERT REACTION: Scientists call for pause to AstraZeneca vaccine rollout
The Australian and New Zealand Society for Immunology says the federal government should immediately pause the planned rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine because it may not be effective enough to generate herd immunity. Below, Aussie scientists Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Scientists call for pause to AstraZeneca vaccine rollout
Australia; SAAustralian Science Media Centre -
More women are temporarily conscious during surgery than we thought, despite general anaesthesia
Anaesthesia
A UK study of awareness during pregnancy-related surgery under general anaesthesia shows around 1 in 250 women may be temporarily conscious during the surgery, and some may experience long-term psychological harm. Some women temporarily regain Read more about More women are temporarily conscious during surgery than we thought, despite general anaesthesia
InternationalUniversity College London Hospitals, UK -
Impact of COVID lockdown on aeromedical retrievals
Internal Medicine Journal
New data released this week by Australian researchers reveals the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown period on aeromedical retrievals in rural and remote regions. New data released this week by Australian researchers reveals the impact of the COVID-19 Read more about Impact of COVID lockdown on aeromedical retrievals
Australia; VIC; QLD; SA; WA; ACTUniversity of South Australia|The University of Western Australia... -
Exploring the reasons why some women use force
In the context of family relationships, women who use force generally do so because they want power rather than because they have power, according to new research. Women who use force commonly also see themselves as responsible for their actions, Read more about Exploring the reasons why some women use force
Australia; VICThe University of Melbourne -
There may be no limits to heart health benefits of exercise
PLOS Medicine
Get your joggers back on, folks! International and Australian researchers suggest there is no limit to how much physical activity can benefit your heart. The team collected data on over 90,000 participants' physical activity, and say that the people Read more about There may be no limits to heart health benefits of exercise
Australia; NSW; VICThe University of New South Wales|George Institute for Global Health... -
The pen is mightier for barking geckos
New Zealand Journal of Ecology
Establishing new populations of geckos could be more successful if the geckos are initially forced to stay in a confined space, according to new research from the University of Otago and the Department of Conservation. Nineteen barking geckos spent Read more about The pen is mightier for barking geckos
New ZealandUniversity of Otago|Department of Conservation -
Bias in genetic studies may explain beneficial effects of alcohol on health
Nature Communications
Genetic studies that rely on self-reported drinking may be biased by misreporting and changes in behaviour, according to Australian research, which may explain conflicting reports about links between alcohol and health. Drinking too much has long Read more about Bias in genetic studies may explain beneficial effects of alcohol on health
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland|Institute for Molecular Bioscience... -
People with autism are more than 3 times as likely to attempt suicide
JAMA Network Open
Australian-led research looked at rates of suicide attempts and suicide among autistic and non-autistic individuals in more than 6 million Danish people over the age of 10, and say those with a diagnosed autism spectrum disorder had more than Read more about People with autism are more than 3 times as likely to attempt suicide
Australia; International; QLD; ACTGriffith University|The Australian National University -
Most microplastics in the Arctic are polyester fibres from textiles
Nature Communications
Synthetic fibres make up around 92 per cent of microplastic pollution in near-surface seawater across the Arctic, and around 73 per cent of this is polyester, resembling fibres used in textiles, according to Canadian scientists. The team looked at Read more about Most microplastics in the Arctic are polyester fibres from textiles
InternationalOcean Wise Conservation Association, Canada -
New study of Earth’s crust shows global growth spurt three billion years ago
Nature Communications
Curtin University researchers have used ancient crystals from eroded rocks found in stream sediments in Greenland to successfully test the theory that portions of Earth’s ancient crust acted as ‘seeds’ from which later generations of crust grew Read more about New study of Earth’s crust shows global growth spurt three billion years ago
Australia; WACurtin University -
EXPERT REACTION: Has there been a global insect apocalypse?
PNAS
Many insect populations around the world are decreasing by 1-2 per cent every year, but this may not be as simple as an insect 'apocalypse' across the board, according to a series of 12 research papers being published in PNAS. For example, in the Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Has there been a global insect apocalypse?
InternationalUniversity of Connecticut, USA -
Slave labour is being used to meet our demand for PPE in the pandemic
Annals of Internal Medicine
COVID-19-related increases in supply and demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) are likely to have exacerbated the prevalence of forced labour in global PPE supply chains, according to international scientists. They cite the example of a New Read more about Slave labour is being used to meet our demand for PPE in the pandemic
InternationalCleveland Clinic, USA -
That extra cup of coffee might cut prostate cancer risk
BMJ Open
Drinking several cups of coffee every day may be linked to a lower risk of developing prostate cancer, suggests a pooled data analysis of the available evidence. Each additional daily cup of the brew was associated with a reduction in risk of nearly Read more about That extra cup of coffee might cut prostate cancer risk
InternationalShengjing Hospital of China Medical University, China -
Gut bugs could influence COVID-19 severity
Gut
The variety and volume of bacteria in the gut, known as the microbiome, may influence the severity of COVID-19, as well as the magnitude of the immune system response to the infection, suggests Chinese research. The researchers analysed poo samples Read more about Gut bugs could influence COVID-19 severity
InternationalThe Chinese University of Hong Kong, China -
Saliva-based COVID-19 testing is as effective and cheaper than uncomfortable nasal swabs
Annals of Internal Medicine
Saliva-based sampling for detecting COVID-19 is similarly sensitive and less costly than nasal swabs, according to a review of the available evidence by Canadian and Brazilian researchers. As well as being uncomfortable for the recipient, nasal Read more about Saliva-based COVID-19 testing is as effective and cheaper than uncomfortable nasal swabs
InternationalMcGill University, Canada -
Stick to supportive shoes if you have knee pain
Annals of Internal Medicine
Though they may look daggier than flat-bottomed hipster shoes, a supportive shoe might help alleviate that niggling knee pain, say Aussie scientists. Recently, it has been argued that a flat and flexible shoe might allow more of a 'barefoot' Read more about Stick to supportive shoes if you have knee pain
Australia; VICThe University of Melbourne -
COVID-19 pandemic disrupted heart disease diagnosis and treatment
Journal of the American College of Cardiology
The COVID-19 pandemic delayed and disrupted heart disease diagnosis and timely treatment across the world, according to Australian and international researchers. They found that cardiac diagnostic procedure volumes decreased 42 per cent from March Read more about COVID-19 pandemic disrupted heart disease diagnosis and treatment
Australia; International; VICThe University of Melbourne|Columbia University, USA -
Working against antibiotic-resistance
Nature Microbiology
New research published today in the prestigious journal Nature Microbiology has discovered how to revert antibiotic-resistance in one of the most dangerous superbugs. A major risk of being hospitalised is catching a bacterial infection. Hospitals, Read more about Working against antibiotic-resistance
Australia; VICMonash University -
Extreme drought area expected to double by the end of the century
Nature Climate Change
By the end of this century, the global land area and population in extreme-to-exceptional drought could more than double, according to international research. The study looked at the water available globally in lakes and reservoirs, rivers, wetlands Read more about Extreme drought area expected to double by the end of the century
Australia; InternationalMichigan State University, USA -
Unlocking the secrets of star formation
Nature Astronomy
A new study by an international team of researchers has used computer power to map the so-called sonic scale, showing the key role turbulence plays in star formation. A new study by an international team of researchers has used computer power to Read more about Unlocking the secrets of star formation
Australia; QLD; ACTThe Australian National University|Queensland University of Technology (QUT)... -
Lots of oral sex could increase your risk of mouth and throat cancer
Cancer
Having more than 10 prior oral sex partners has been linked to a 4. 3-times greater likelihood of having human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancer of the mouth and throat, say US researchers. The study also found that having oral sex at a younger Read more about Lots of oral sex could increase your risk of mouth and throat cancer
InternationalJohns Hopkins University, USA -
Sports voucher program found to encourage kids to be more active
BMC Public Health
A Sydney-led study has found that an exercise program designed to encourage children and adolescents to be more active was successful in increasing their physical activity, with increases continuing over a 6 month period. The goal of the study was Read more about Sports voucher program found to encourage kids to be more active
Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney -
Frozen egg wastage prompts calls for women to donate unused eggs
BMJ Ethics
As more women postpone childbearing for social reasons and freeze their eggs, new research reveals that most don’t end up using them, leading to wastage. Current estimates suggest that less than one in five women who freeze their eggs will return Read more about Frozen egg wastage prompts calls for women to donate unused eggs
Australia; VICThe University of Melbourne -
'The Meg' shark had giant babies that ate their unhatched siblings in the womb
Historical Biology
Megalodon or megatooth sharks, which lived nearly worldwide roughly 15-3. 6 million years ago, may have given birth to the largest babies in the shark world making it almost as terrifying IRL as in the sci-fi epic 'The Meg'. Researchers from the US Read more about 'The Meg' shark had giant babies that ate their unhatched siblings in the womb
InternationalDePaul University, USA -
Meaningful lockdown activity is more satisfying than busyness
PLOS ONE
With much of the world practising varying degrees of social distancing and lockdown, researchers have been investigating the key to happiness in isolation. New research shows people who pursue meaningful activities – things they enjoy doing – Read more about Meaningful lockdown activity is more satisfying than busyness
Australia; NSWRMIT University|Charles Sturt University -
Lingering symptoms and diminishing immunity raise long-term concerns over COVID-19
The Lancet
More than three-quarters of COVID-19 patients have at least one ongoing symptom six months after initially becoming unwell, according to international researchers who surveyed over 1,700 patients in Wuhan, China. The most common persistent symptom Read more about Lingering symptoms and diminishing immunity raise long-term concerns over COVID-19
InternationalWuhan Research Center for Communicable Disease Diagnosis and Treatment, China -
Tasmanian tiger pups found to be extraordinarily similar to wolf pups
Communications Biology
Researchers have established that there are more similarities between the thylacine and the wolf than previously thought. Micro-CT scanning and digital reconstructions have been used to compare the skulls of the Tasmanian tiger (thylacine) and wolf Read more about Tasmanian tiger pups found to be extraordinarily similar to wolf pups
Australia; VIC; TASThe University of Melbourne -
Increased trust in government and science amid pandemic
Australian Journal of Public Administration
New Curtin University research has found a dramatic increase in people’s trust in government in Australia and New Zealand as a result of the COVID pandemic. New Curtin University research has found a dramatic increase in people’s trust in Read more about Increased trust in government and science amid pandemic
Australia; New ZealandCurtin University -
Call to end the 'war on drugs' and free non-violent drug users from jail
The American Journal of Bioethics.
Non-violent offenders serving time for drug use or possession should be freed immediately and their convictions erased, according to more than 60 international experts, including Australians. The experts, including bioethicists, drug experts, legal Read more about Call to end the 'war on drugs' and free non-violent drug users from jail
Australia; International; NSWThe University of Sydney|Yale University USA, Dublin City University Ireland, Columbia University USA -
New defence against dengue and emerging mosquito-borne viruses
Science
New treatments to cut the global death rate from dengue, Zika and West Nile viruses could result from research led by The University of Queensland. Associate Professor Daniel Watterson from UQ’s School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences said Read more about New defence against dengue and emerging mosquito-borne viruses
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
COVID-19 likely lingered longer than reported in Wuhan
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
COVID-19 likely lingered longer in Wuhan than what was reported, according to international researchers who tested more than 60,000 healthy people in China for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The researchers tested for two kinds of antibodies: IgG, which Read more about COVID-19 likely lingered longer than reported in Wuhan
InternationalWuhan University, China -
If COVID vaccines just shortened the infectious period they'd save millions of lives and billions of dollars
PLOS Computational Biology
A vaccine or medication which shortened the infectious period of COVID-19 could potentially prevent millions of cases and save billions of dollars, according to US computer modelling. The researchers created a computer model that simulates the Read more about If COVID vaccines just shortened the infectious period they'd save millions of lives and billions of dollars
InternationalCity University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, USA -
NEWS BRIEFING: BOM Annual Climate Statement 2020 - Australia's 4th-warmest year on record
BRIEFING RECORDING AVAILABLE The Bureau of Meteorology's (BOM) Annual Climate Statement summarises the previous year, providing information on temperature, rainfall and significant weather in Australia. Bureau scientists say 2020 was Australia's Read more about NEWS BRIEFING: BOM Annual Climate Statement 2020 - Australia's 4th-warmest year on record
Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; SA; WA; TAS; NT; ACTBureau of Meteorology -
Feeding wolves scraps may be why you have a pupper now
Scientific Reports
Handing over leftover meat to wolves during harsh winters may have led to the early domestication of dogs around the end of the last ice age - 29,000 to 14,000 years ago - say European researchers. The team suggests that, where we would usually have Read more about Feeding wolves scraps may be why you have a pupper now
InternationalFinnish Food Authority, Helsinki, Finland -
Identical twins no longer genetically identical early in development
Nature Genetics
Identical twins have genetic differences that begin in the early stages of embryonic development, according to international research. Identical twins come from a single sperm and egg but cell division during embryonic growth can lead to genetic Read more about Identical twins no longer genetically identical early in development
InternationaldeCODE genetics/Amgen, Iceland -
More than half of all COVID-19 is spread by people without symptoms
JAMA Network Open
More than half of all transmission of COVID-19 is from people without COVID-19 symptoms, according to US modelling. The modelling suggests that 59 per cent of all transmission came from people without symptoms comprising 35 per cent from people Read more about More than half of all COVID-19 is spread by people without symptoms
InternationalUS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -
CMRI expands gene therapy research partnership with LogicBio Therapeutics
Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) is pleased to announce that its partnership with LogicBio Therapeutics to develop the next generation of viral vectors for gene therapy applications has been extended for another two years and two new Read more about CMRI expands gene therapy research partnership with LogicBio Therapeutics
Australia; International; NSWChildren's Medical Research Institute (CMRI) -
Australia’s Black Summer a climate wake-up call
Communications Earth & Environment
The 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires are a “wake up call” demonstrating the extreme effects of climate change in Australia, according to a group of experts who’ve published a new study examining the factors that caused the disaster. The 2019/20 Read more about Australia’s Black Summer a climate wake-up call
Australia; ACTThe Australian National University|ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes (CLEx) -
Breatharian bacteria breakdown greenhouse gases and toxic pollutants
Nature Microbiology
Soil bacteria play a much greater role in regulating our atmosphere than previously thought. A recent study led by Monash University has revealed diverse bacteria in soils can breakdown trace gases, such as the toxic pollutant carbon monoxide and Read more about Breatharian bacteria breakdown greenhouse gases and toxic pollutants
Australia; VICMonash University -
EXPERT REACTION: Aussie COVID vaccine rollout brought forward to February
The rollout of a coronavirus vaccine in Australia will be brought forward to next month, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison saying the first groups are expected to receive the jab in mid-to-late-February. The PM said the first groups to receive the Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Aussie COVID vaccine rollout brought forward to February
Australia; NSW; VIC; SA; TAS; ACTAustralian Science Media Centre
EXPERT Q&A: Answering your questions about COVID-19 variants
With reports of new COVID-19 strains emerging in the UK, South Africa, and Brazil, an Australian expert a...
Mantis males must wrestle if they don't want to lose their heads
The praying mantis has a reputation for cannibalism because females often eat males before they get a cha...
Bee gone? A quarter of bee species haven’t been seen in 30 years
While reports and records of animal species have increased dramatically over the last few decades, the nu...
Resources for journalists
Links to expert comments, media briefings and the latest COVID-19 news and research here
