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Bonobos are less chill than we thought
Current Biology
New international research has debunked the idea that bonobos are less aggressive than chimpanzees. Over the course of the study, bonobos had three times as many physical aggressions as chimpanzees. However, while male bonobos were almost Read more about Bonobos are less chill than we thought
InternationalUniversité Toulouse Capitole -
Reducing cholesterol in kids with high levels may help prevent heart disease later in life
JAMA
Kids who have high levels of 'bad' cholesterol (non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) during childhood are at an increased risk of heart disease later in life, but Australian researchers have found that this risk is reduced if their cholesterol Read more about Reducing cholesterol in kids with high levels may help prevent heart disease later in life
Australia; VICBaker Heart and Diabetes Institute -
Softer tumours may fuel more aggressive spread of triple-negative breast cancer
Advanced Science
Researchers have discovered how the mechanical properties of tumours can prime cancer cells to better survive their spread to other organs in a study using biomaterials that mimic the properties of tumours and experiments in mice. Softer tumours Read more about Softer tumours may fuel more aggressive spread of triple-negative breast cancer
Australia; NSWGarvan Institute of Medical Research -
Inflammation discovery to help fight liver disease
Science Signaling
QIMR Berghofer scientists have discovered the mechanism that causes severe inflammation among millions of people with chronic liver disease. In a world-first, QIMR Berghofer scientists have discovered the mechanism that causes severe inflammation Read more about Inflammation discovery to help fight liver disease
Australia; QLDQIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute|The University of Queensland -
Polyester pollution is disrupting life on the seafloor
Marine Pollution Bulletin
New Zealand and international researchers have found that tiny plastic fibres from polyester materials are messing with the way organic matter is usually broken down on the seafloor. The effects of these microplastics differed depending on the Read more about Polyester pollution is disrupting life on the seafloor
Australia; New Zealand; InternationalUniversity of Auckland|University of Otago|University of Florida, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of Cape Town -
Beep boop (signed)! Underwater robots can speak sign language now
Computer Networks
Divers rely on sign-based communication to rely information underwater. Increasingly, underwater robots share this space with human divers, and communication between the two is important. Using a pre-existing set of common dive signs, a team of Read more about Beep boop (signed)! Underwater robots can speak sign language now
Australia; New ZealandUniversity of Auckland|University of Zagreb, Croatia -
Trouble on the horizon: how to make an impact based warning
International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction
When a disaster looms, impact based warnings can be more useful for the public than outright likelihoods. It's one thing to hear "it might rain", but another to hear "we're expecting treefalls and slips in your neighborhood". To issue these warnings, Read more about Trouble on the horizon: how to make an impact based warning
New Zealand; InternationalGNS Science|Massey University -
Post-Covid kids aren't walking to school like they used to
Journal of Transport & Health
The Covid lockdown period has disrupted Kiwi kids who walk to school, with students 42% less likely to return to their usual walking commute, new research finds. It's potentially accelerated an existing trend, with the study authors saying that Read more about Post-Covid kids aren't walking to school like they used to
New ZealandUniversity of Otago|AGILE Research Ltd., Auckland University of Technology, -
Saving Queensland’s earless dragons
Remote cameras and conservation dogs will be deployed as part of a University of Queensland research project aiming to conserve four threatened Queensland reptile species. Remote cameras and conservation dogs will be deployed as part of a Read more about Saving Queensland’s earless dragons
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
Displaced Ukrainians who remained in the country have increased anxiety and PTSD
PLOS Global Public Health
Displaced Ukrainians experience high levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and generalized anxiety, according to a survey of mental health of over 8000 people who were either refugees or people displaced within Ukraine. The participants Read more about Displaced Ukrainians who remained in the country have increased anxiety and PTSD
InternationalUniversity of Southampton, UK -
Extreme sea levels during heatwaves are becoming more frequent
Communications Earth & Environment
New international research has found that 40% of the world's coastlines saw a significant increase in simultaneous heatwaves and extreme sea level rise, especially in tropical regions such as the Pacific Islands. Under a high emissions scenario, the Read more about Extreme sea levels during heatwaves are becoming more frequent
Pacific; InternationalThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China -
More empathetic doctors may be better at treating chronic pain
JAMA Network Open
Doctors who are more empathetic towards their patients may be better at treating chronic pain, according to international researchers. The team asked 1,470 chronic pain patients to rate their doctor's empathy using a questionnaire, and followed Read more about More empathetic doctors may be better at treating chronic pain
InternationalUniversity of North Texas, USA -
Vaping took our youth by storm - will we let snus do the same?
NZMJ
As NZ's smokefree commitments dwindle, experts worry that youth-targeted, multi-flavoured, "freedom"-branded snus may resonate with young people the way vaping has. Snus, a tobacco pouch which is placed under the lip, has roots in 18th century Read more about Vaping took our youth by storm - will we let snus do the same?
New ZealandUniversity of Otago -
Older people often taking more meds than needed
NZMJ
Of 173 residents of a retirement village outside Auckland, researchers recommended that 135 (78%) change their prescription habits. Many of their prescriptions were outdated, with certain cardiac medications and PPIs most commonly recommended to be Read more about Older people often taking more meds than needed
New ZealandUniversity of Auckland -
Young drinkers are ending up in ED less
New Zealand Medical Journal
Since 2017, the demographic of drinker that ends up in the Christchurch Hospital Emergency Department is getting older. People aged 18-24 dropped from 28% to 16% of all alcohol-related intakes, while the 65+ demographic rose from 12% to 24%. The Read more about Young drinkers are ending up in ED less
New ZealandUniversity of Otago -
Ketamine hurts your bladder, makes you pee more
NZMJ
Recreational ketamine use is rapidly rising in Aotearoa, with young people typically snorting the drug in powdered form. Alongside the drug's rise in popularity, two Kiwi urologists have noticed increasing rates of "ketamine bladder syndrome". They Read more about Ketamine hurts your bladder, makes you pee more
New ZealandCanterbury District Health Board (CHDB) -
New focus for chronic liver disease care
Hepatology
New research from Flinders Medical Centre and Flinders University has provided evidence that improved models of care can benefit patients with decompensated cirrhosis - an acute deterioration in liver function in a patient with cirrhosis. The study Read more about New focus for chronic liver disease care
Australia; SAFlinders University -
Australian science key to a future made in Australia
The Australian Academy of Science welcomes the Prime Minister's announcement of his government’s intention to legislate a Future Made in Australia Act. President of the Australian Academy of Science Professor Chennupati Jagadish said, “A future Read more about Australian science key to a future made in Australia
AustraliaAustralian Academy of Science -
New platform to help understand how bushfire smoke harms the lungs and heart
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
A team of researchers led by Professor Jay Horvat and Dr Henry Gomez have developed a world-first platform to define the impact of exposure to landscape fire smoke on the heart and lungs. The researchers found that short and long-term exposure to Read more about New platform to help understand how bushfire smoke harms the lungs and heart
Australia; NSWThe University of Newcastle -
CORRECTION: EXPERT REACTION: Australia [has not] recorded zero COVID-19 deaths for at least a week
Media reports based on data from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care had suggested Australia recorded no deaths associated with COVID-19 for a week, although experts have warned that data delays meant the most recent data Read more about CORRECTION: EXPERT REACTION: Australia [has not] recorded zero COVID-19 deaths for at least a week
Australia; VIC; QLD; SA; WA; ACTAustralian Science Media Centre