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Riskiest skateboard wipeouts revealed
Injury Prevention
Canadian researchers have revealed the riskiest moves in the skatepark when it comes to injury and say it might be worth grading the different features based on the level of expertise needed to pull off those sick moves safely, fellow kids. They Read more about Riskiest skateboard wipeouts revealed
InternationalUniversity of Guelph, Canada -
Free electric vehicle charging at work? It’s possible with optimum solar
Renewable Energy
The global surge in electric vehicle sales has prompted an Australian university to explore how it could offer free or nominal EV charging facilities to staff and students by optimising its solar PV system and minimising workplace electricity costs. Read more about Free electric vehicle charging at work? It’s possible with optimum solar
Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia -
Melbourne-made COVID-19 vaccines show robust boosting potential
eBioMedicine
Two Melbourne-made COVID-19 vaccines have shown strong potential to be an improved approach for boosting immunity to SARS-CoV-2 variants according to interim results of a Phase 1 clinical trial. Melbourne-made COVID-19 vaccines show robust boosting Read more about Melbourne-made COVID-19 vaccines show robust boosting potential
Australia; International; VIC; SAThe Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity... -
Could bushfires be spreading carcinogenic dust?
Nature Communications
Wildfires might cause more health problems than smoke and dust inhalation, according to international researchers who say the fires also increase the abundance of toxic metals in the environment. The team analysed soils and ash produced from the Read more about Could bushfires be spreading carcinogenic dust?
InternationalStanford University, USA -
Free-ranging domestic cats may be cat-astrophic for wild species
Nature Communications
Our pointy-eared overlords are cat-astrophic for the environment, according to Aussie and international researchers who say free-ranging domestic cats eat more than 2,000 other animal species. The team compiled a database of scientific records of Read more about Free-ranging domestic cats may be cat-astrophic for wild species
Australia; New Zealand; NSW; NTThe University of Sydney|Charles Darwin University -
Cannabis use during pregnancy associated with higher risk of complications
JAMA
Exposure to cannabis during pregnancy is linked to an increased risk of a range of complications including stillbirth and preterm birth, according to international researchers. The team collected data on over 9,000 women who had supplied urine Read more about Cannabis use during pregnancy associated with higher risk of complications
InternationalUniversity of Utah Health, USA -
How to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from NZ's power system, while avoiding cold showers
Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand
Greater use of electricity and more uptake of renewable energies such as wind and solar present challenges for power systems and distribution networks. It will be very expensive to upgrade infrastructure, but spreading out power use and therefore Read more about How to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from NZ's power system, while avoiding cold showers
New ZealandUniversity of Canterbury -
Trial may bring hope to children with rare muscle disorder
Australian researchers are at the forefront of a new clinical trial that may bring hope to children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and their families. Australian researchers are at the forefront of a new clinical trial that may bring hope to Read more about Trial may bring hope to children with rare muscle disorder
Australia; VICMurdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) -
Blending the school curriculum to create eco warriors
Teaching Science
They’re among our youngest citizens, but when children learn about sustainability in their own backyard, they’re more likely to protect the environment, say University of South Australia researchers. They’re among our youngest citizens, but Read more about Blending the school curriculum to create eco warriors
Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia -
Discovering two new genetic variants for Alzheimer’s disease
Scientific Reports
Alzheimer’s disease is the most predominate form of dementia. With Australia's growing and ageing population dementia rates are predicted to double by 2058. Research scientists at CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, have used AI to Read more about Discovering two new genetic variants for Alzheimer’s disease
Australia; ACTCSIRO -
EXPERT REACTION: Draft COP28 agreement text criticised for fossil fuel omission
A draft agreement at the COP28 climate change summit was released overnight, and a group of countries including Australia have criticised the lack of a commitment within the draft to 'phase out' or 'phase down' fossil fuels. The agreement Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Draft COP28 agreement text criticised for fossil fuel omission
Australia; Pacific; VIC; QLD; WA; TAS; ACTAustralian Science Media Centre -
Ukraine may have lost 20% of its pre-war scientific research capacity
Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
Ukraine may have lost about 20% of its scientific research capacity – time directly spent by scientists on research activities – as a consequence of the Russia-Ukraine war, according to international researchers. The team surveyed 2,559 Read more about Ukraine may have lost 20% of its pre-war scientific research capacity
InternationalEcole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland -
Women need better long-term care after childbirth
The Lancet Global Health
Women are experiencing a range of health conditions following the birth of a child that could last months, years or even a lifetime, new research released in Lancet Global Health, has found. Women are experiencing a range of health conditions Read more about Women need better long-term care after childbirth
Australia; International; VICBurnet Institute -
Why the long face? Solving a major puzzle in mammal skull shape evolution
Biological Reviews
Horses have developed long faces simply ‘because they can,’ a team of evolutionary biologists say. In a major review of how mammalian heads evolve, scientists from Flinders University and The University of Adelaide found that adaptations to Read more about Why the long face? Solving a major puzzle in mammal skull shape evolution
Australia; SAFlinders University|The University of Adelaide -
Over half of NZ women report intimate partner violence
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
Almost two-thirds of Māori women and just over 60% NZ European women report having experienced any form of intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetimes, according to data from more than 1400 women who had ever been in a partnership. IPV Read more about Over half of NZ women report intimate partner violence
New ZealandUniversity of Auckland -
Patients told to get pregnant to treat endometriosis
BMC Women's Health
Research shows patients with endometriosis are being told to plan a pregnancy to help manage or treat the condition, despite a lack of evidence to show it reduces symptoms. The controversial advice has prompted calls to improve medical education Read more about Patients told to get pregnant to treat endometriosis
Australia; NSW; SAThe University of Adelaide|The University of Sydney... -
Simulating 30,000 years of earthquakes in Aotearoa shows which coasts most at risk from big tsunamis
Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth
Tsunamis don't happen very often and we only have a few decades of modern data, so it's difficult to assess this infrequent but potentially deadly hazard. Computer modelling can help by producing "synthetic earthquake catalogues" that simulate Read more about Simulating 30,000 years of earthquakes in Aotearoa shows which coasts most at risk from big tsunamis
New Zealand; InternationalVictoria University of Wellington|GNS Science|National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)... -
That really shucks: Pesticide pollution threatens shellfish safety
Environmental Pollution
New research led by Southern Cross University has found a cocktail of nasty pesticides in oysters and water from one of the NSW North Coast’s dominant rivers. Samples taken from the Richmond River estuary reveal 21 different pesticides, including Read more about That really shucks: Pesticide pollution threatens shellfish safety
Australia; NSWSouthern Cross University|NSW Government -
Diet and air pollution among biggest contributors to global heart disease problem
Journal of the American College of Cardiology
19. 8 million people died around the world as a result of heart disease in 2022, according to a report on the global burden on heart disease by international and Australian researchers. The report breaks own death and disability trends from heart Read more about Diet and air pollution among biggest contributors to global heart disease problem
Australia; International; NSW; WABaker Heart and Diabetes Institute|The University of Western Australia... -
AI are better than we are at guessing a negative diagnosis
JAMA Network Open
US researchers pumped medical diagnostic questions into ChatGPT and compared the AI's answers to those of over 550 practitioners. The researchers found the AI was more accurate than humans in determining a negative test result both before and after Read more about AI are better than we are at guessing a negative diagnosis
InternationalBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, USA -
Cyborg brain in a dish can do maths and 'listen' to what you're saying
Nature Electronics
US researchers have created a tiny cyborg by growing a small 'brain' in a dish and connecting it up with electronic hardware. They say this merging of computer and brain-like tissue can recognise speech, and perform complex math equations. They say Read more about Cyborg brain in a dish can do maths and 'listen' to what you're saying
InternationalIndiana University Bloomington, USA -
More bright light at night not a delight for Aotearoa's plants and animals
New Zealand Journal of Ecology
Artificial light at night is on the increase in Aotearoa, and it has negative impacts on our native flora and fauna. By studying satellite data, researchers found that although most of New Zealand (95. 2%) has no direct artificial light, the lit Read more about More bright light at night not a delight for Aotearoa's plants and animals
New ZealandTe Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology -
Tackling teen harms of social media health misinformation
JAMA Pediatrics
US researchers highlight the dangers of teens being exposed to misinformation about health on social media and suggest some measures that might help. Those include teaching teens at school to be more discerning about which information they trust and Read more about Tackling teen harms of social media health misinformation
InternationalBoston University School of Public Health, USA -
Link between intimate partner violence or childhood sexual abuse and health problems stronger than we thought
Nature Medicine
The potential mental and physical health impacts of experiencing intimate partner violence or childhood sexual abuse are more extensive than previously thought, according to international research. The team compiled a list of previous studies on the Read more about Link between intimate partner violence or childhood sexual abuse and health problems stronger than we thought
InternationalUniversity of Washington, USA -
Do we need more critters and fungi on our emoji keyboards?
iScience
Large sections of the 'tree of life' are underrepresented by our emoji keyboards, according to international researchers who say a more diverse set of emojis could help promote biodiversity conversations. The researchers looked at all the nature and Read more about Do we need more critters and fungi on our emoji keyboards?
InternationalNational Research Council, Italy -
Teens with a high BMI may face increased risk of early kidney disease
JAMA Pediatrics
Having a higher BMI as a teen could increase your risk of developing chronic kidney disease early in life, according to international research. The team looked at health data from over 600,000 Israeli people as teenagers, and looked at who went on Read more about Teens with a high BMI may face increased risk of early kidney disease
InternationalSheba Medical Center, Israel -
Environmental stress rather than genetics influenced height differences in early Neolithic people
Nature Human Behaviour
Neolithic men in northern Europe may have been taller than women because they were culturally more protected from environmental stress, according to international researchers. The team compared the heights of over 1500 Neolithic people from the Read more about Environmental stress rather than genetics influenced height differences in early Neolithic people
InternationalUniversity of Pennsylvania, USA -
Portable, non-invasive, mind-reading AI turns thoughts into text
NeurIPS (Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems)
Researchers from the GrapheneX-UTS Human-centric Artificial Intelligence Centre have developed a portable, non-invasive system that can decode silent thoughts and turn them into text. In a world-first, researchers from the GrapheneX-UTS Read more about Portable, non-invasive, mind-reading AI turns thoughts into text
Australia; International; NSWUniversity of Technology Sydney (UTS)|The University of Sydney -
Organ-on-a-chip model helps to unlock answers to vascular ageing
ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
While there is widespread attention given to external ageing, how we age internally is vitally important for long-term health. Using a novel “organ-on-a-chip” model, our Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute researchers have discovered a potential Read more about Organ-on-a-chip model helps to unlock answers to vascular ageing
Australia; VICBaker Heart and Diabetes Institute|RMIT University... -
Holidays crank up kilos for Aussie kids
BMC Public Health
On the cusp of summer holidays, Aussie kids are looking forward to some well-deserved time off. But too much downtime could create health problems, as new research shows that holidays are the prime time for excessive weight gain in kids. On the cusp Read more about Holidays crank up kilos for Aussie kids
Australia; VIC; SAUniversity of South Australia|Flinders University|Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) -
Hormonal contraceptives could increase breast cancer risk for women with BRCA1 gene abnormalities
San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
Taking hormonal contraceptives, such as 'the pill', could add to breast cancer risk for women with BRCA1 gene abnormalities who have a heightened lifetime risk for this cancer, according to a study led by Peter Mac and Cancer Council Victoria, which Read more about Hormonal contraceptives could increase breast cancer risk for women with BRCA1 gene abnormalities
Australia; VICPeter MacCallum Cancer Centre|Cancer Council Victoria -
Trust issues prevent sharing of vital health and welfare data in Australia
Journal of Medical Systems
A lack of trust between institutions in Australia is a bigger hurdle to the easy sharing of health and social welfare data than perceived state legislation obstacles – which researchers say largely don’t have a detrimental effect in Australia. Read more about Trust issues prevent sharing of vital health and welfare data in Australia
Australia; QLD; SAFlinders University|Queensland University of Technology (QUT)... -
Snapping shrimp create rowdy reef in Kimberley Marine Park
Underwater reefs are generally thought of as tranquil places — however some truly unruly residents make one such area off the coast of northwestern Australia anything but quiet. Underwater reefs are generally thought of as tranquil places — Read more about Snapping shrimp create rowdy reef in Kimberley Marine Park
Australia; International; SA; WACurtin University|Edith Cowan University|University of South Australia -
Advanced imaging predicts the recovery of children with brain injury
Journal of Neurotrauma
Researchers from The University of Queensland have used an advanced imaging technique to predict the recovery of children from a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) with an 87 per cent success rate. Researchers from The University of Queensland have Read more about Advanced imaging predicts the recovery of children with brain injury
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
We need to talk about social chatbots and their impact on neurodiverse people
Journal of Behavioural Addicitions
New research shows that social chatbots could be doing more harm than good for neurodiverse people, entrenching social isolation and reinforcing dysfunctional habits among many people with autism, anxiety and limited social skills. The UniSA Read more about We need to talk about social chatbots and their impact on neurodiverse people
Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia|Flinders University -
How to enjoy the Festive Season on a budget and be food safe – Dollars and sense
The Food Safety Information Council today released their food safety tips about how to enjoy the Festive Season and Summer entertaining on a budget and also be food safe. We are all looking forward this summer to getting together with Read more about How to enjoy the Festive Season on a budget and be food safe – Dollars and sense
AustraliaFood Safety Information Council -
Are we asking the right questions about Predator Free New Zealand?
New Zealand Journal of Ecology
The Predator Free New Zealand programme has become hugely popular, inspired and driven by community action. However, an article in the New Zealand Journal of Ecology says that predators are just one of the pressures on Aotearoa's indigenous wildlife, Read more about Are we asking the right questions about Predator Free New Zealand?
New ZealandUniversity of Waikato -
World-first system to monitor the ‘seafood basket’ of Australia
A bio-rich region that provides much of the country’s seafood is the first site in Australia to demonstrate CSIRO's AquaWatch technology works. Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has completed initial testing of a ‘weather service’ Read more about World-first system to monitor the ‘seafood basket’ of Australia
AustraliaCSIRO -
Polyethylene waste could be a thing of the past
Science Advances
An international and Australian team of experts undertaking fundamental research has developed a way of using polyethylene waste (PE) as a feedstock and converted it into valuable chemicals, via light-driven photocatalysis. PE is the most widely Read more about Polyethylene waste could be a thing of the past
Australia; SAThe University of Adelaide -
City living may be making more kids short-sighted
JAMA Network Open
A Chinese study of nearly 200,000 elementary school students found short-sightedness is more common among kids who live in cities than those who live in the countryside. However, the eyesight of shortsighted kids in cities deteriorated less quickly Read more about City living may be making more kids short-sighted
InternationalTianjin Eye Hospital, China -
Decades of data show warming and acidification of Atlantic Ocean
Frontiers in Marine Science
The Atlantic Ocean near Bermuda is now warmer and more acidic than it was 40 years ago, according to international researchers who have been monitoring the area since the late 1980s. Researchers have been collecting monthly data at a site 80 Read more about Decades of data show warming and acidification of Atlantic Ocean
InternationalArizona State University, USA -
Coral reefs in peril from record-breaking ocean heat
Science
Record breaking marine heatwaves will cause devastating mass coral bleaching worldwide in the next few years, according to a University of Queensland coral reef scientist. Record breaking marine heatwaves will cause devastating mass coral bleaching Read more about Coral reefs in peril from record-breaking ocean heat
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland|James Cook University -
Even small amounts of physical activity could be valuable in late-stage lung cancer
Journal of Clinical Medicine
New research has found less than five minutes of daily physical activity could be linked with prolonged life in people living with inoperable forms of lung disease. Lung cancer kills more people globally each year than any other type of cancer, Read more about Even small amounts of physical activity could be valuable in late-stage lung cancer
Australia; SA; WACurtin University|Edith Cowan University|University of South Australia -
Transforming waste into strength: Graphene trend in concrete recycling
Resources, Conservation and Recycling
Amid the rubble of large-scale earthquake, war or other disaster – and as ageing buildings and infrastructure are replaced – mountains of concrete are often taken to landfill or pounded into rubble for roads. For a more sustainable approach, Read more about Transforming waste into strength: Graphene trend in concrete recycling
Australia; VIC; SAFlinders University|The University of Melbourne -
Suburban backyard home to more than 1,000 species
Ecology
A challenge among three housemates to identify species around their inner-Brisbane home has resulted in an academic research paper, showcasing the rich biodiversity in urban landscapes. A challenge among three housemates to identify species around Read more about Suburban backyard home to more than 1,000 species
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
New therapeutic tool to selectively kill cancer cells
Cell Chemical Biology
Scientists have found a new way to impair cancer cell growth which they hope will lead to the development of new treatments. A team from Children’s Medical Research Institute has discovered a new way to impair cancer cell growth, which could lead Read more about New therapeutic tool to selectively kill cancer cells
Australia; NSWChildren's Medical Research Institute (CMRI) -
New Zealand's medical students not reflecting our diverse communities
BMJ Open
Māori and Pacific medical students are still underrepresented in our medical schools, as are students from low socioeconomic and rural backgrounds, according to a new analysis of New Zealand medical student data from 2016-2020. The authors say Read more about New Zealand's medical students not reflecting our diverse communities
New ZealandUniversity of Auckland|University of Otago|AUT University... -
Medical research: The ones to watch in 2024
Nature Medicine
The medical journal Nature Medicine has featured 11 clinical trials that are likely to have an impact on medicine in 2024. This year’s feature highlights include an app allowing women with no prior experience to help other women in the community Read more about Medical research: The ones to watch in 2024
Australia; InternationalSpringer Nature -
Mediterranean green turtles set to expand their nesting area under climate change
Scientific Reports
The more the climate warms, the further green sea turtles will expand their nesting range along the Mediterranean Coast, according to international researchers who say their nesting range could expand by over 60% under worst-case climate scenarios. Read more about Mediterranean green turtles set to expand their nesting area under climate change
InternationalViale Dell’Università, Italy -
Can breast cancer gene carriers have children safely after having the disease?
JAMA
Young breast cancer survivors who carry a BRCA genetic mutation, which is linked to an increased risk of the disease, appear to be able to become pregnant safely after cancer treatment, according to Australian and international researchers. The Read more about Can breast cancer gene carriers have children safely after having the disease?
Australia; International; VICPeter MacCallum Cancer Centre|The University of Melbourne...
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