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Echidnapus identified from an ‘Age of Monotremes’
Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology
Australian researchers have found evidence of the oldest known platypus and a new species, dubbed ‘echidnapus’, which has a platypus-like anatomy alongside features that more closely resemble an echidna. Published today in the Alcheringa: An Read more about Echidnapus identified from an ‘Age of Monotremes’
Australia; NSW; VIC; WAAustralian Museum|Museums Victoria|The University of New South Wales... -
Pre- and early-term births increased during US heatwaves, especially among poorer people
JAMA Network Open
A study that looked at more than 53 million births in 50 US cities and surrounds between 1993 and 2017, accounting for more than half of all US births during the period, found rates of pre- and early-term births increased during heatwaves, Read more about Pre- and early-term births increased during US heatwaves, especially among poorer people
InternationalUniversity of Nevada, USA -
Untreated milk from bird flu infected cows poses a risk if consumed
New England Journal of Medicine
Untreated milk from cows infected with the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu virus can infect susceptible animals that consume it, according to US research. When mice were fed the untreated milk from infected cows they showed signs of illness from the Read more about Untreated milk from bird flu infected cows poses a risk if consumed
InternationalUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison, USA -
COVID-19 eliminated a decade of progress in global level of life expectancy
The COVID-19 pandemic wiped out nearly a decade of progress in improving life expectancy within just two years, according to the latest edition of the World Health Statistics released by the World Health Organization (WHO). Between 2019 and 2021, Read more about COVID-19 eliminated a decade of progress in global level of life expectancy
InternationalWorld Health Organization (WHO) -
Semaglutide found to reduce risk of kidney disease and death
New England Journal of Medicine
Popular diabetes medication semaglutide has been found to prevent kidney failure and reduce deaths in people with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Semaglutide, more widely known by brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, significantly reduces Read more about Semaglutide found to reduce risk of kidney disease and death
Australia; International; NSWThe University of New South Wales -
Pig to person kidney transplants showed early signs of rejection
Med
With the first living recipient of a pig kidney passing away earlier this month, researchers are investigating what goes on at a cellular level during these pig-to-human transplants, and they have identified early signs of organ rejection in two Read more about Pig to person kidney transplants showed early signs of rejection
InternationalNYU Langone Health, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, USA -
Masks work and we should use them more, say researchers
Clinical Microbiology Reviews
A sweeping review of international research has found strong and consistent evidence that masks prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses. The authors call on researchers to stop debating the question of whether masks work and instead focus on how Read more about Masks work and we should use them more, say researchers
Australia; New Zealand; InternationalUniversity of Otago|The University of New South Wales... -
Urgent action on superbugs could save 750,000 lives a year
The Lancet
Almost five million people per year are dying around the world from infections linked to antimicrobial resistance, according to international authors of a new Lancet series who say 750,000 of these deaths could be prevented each year through vaccines Read more about Urgent action on superbugs could save 750,000 lives a year
InternationalOne Health Trust, India -
EXPERT REACTION: Little bush moa genome shines a light on NZ's extinct native birds
Science Advances
Using ancient DNA recovered from a fossil bone, scientists have reconstructed the genome of the turkey-sized little bush moa, which went extinct 500-600 years ago. This work allows the scientists to estimate a likely long-term population size of Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Little bush moa genome shines a light on NZ's extinct native birds
New Zealand; InternationalHarvard University, USA -
Distrust in climate scientists comes from a minority, but their skepticism is powerful
PLOS Climate
The majority of the public trust climate scientists nowadays, according to a narrative review by international researchers who say the minority who distrust climate scientists are a driving force in inaction on climate change. The team reviewed Read more about Distrust in climate scientists comes from a minority, but their skepticism is powerful
InternationalHarvard University, USA -
Around 1.24% of pregnant Aussies may be using e-cigs, mainly to quit smoking
Drug & Alcohol Review
A survey of 4024 pregnant Aussies in one district of NSW found 1. 24% were using e-cigarettes, and more than half of them (52%) were using e-cigs to quit smoking regular cigarettes. Current or ex-smokers were the most likely to use e-cigs, the study Read more about Around 1.24% of pregnant Aussies may be using e-cigs, mainly to quit smoking
Australia; NSWThe University of Newcastle|NSW Government -
Exposure to 'chemical soup' in the womb linked to health problems in kids
JAMA Network Open
Exposure to widespread mixtures of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the womb is linked with an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome - early warning signs of serious conditions including heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes - Read more about Exposure to 'chemical soup' in the womb linked to health problems in kids
Australia; InternationalUniversity of Granada, Spain -
Ants like energy-drink levels of caffeine and it could help control pest species
iScience
Ants who find an energy-drink-like dose of caffeine and sugar become more efficient at navigating back to it after fetching the rest of their nest, according to international researchers. Seeking to find better ways to control ecologically harmful Read more about Ants like energy-drink levels of caffeine and it could help control pest species
InternationalUniversity of Regensburg, Germany -
If your partner's snoring drives you mad, get them MAD (mandibular advancement devices)
JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery
Mandibular advancement devices (MAD), which look a lot like sports mouthguards, are more effective at preventing snoring than the old 'tennis balls in a bra worn backwards' approach, or 'positional therapy' as it's known in science-speak, even when Read more about If your partner's snoring drives you mad, get them MAD (mandibular advancement devices)
InternationalWashington University, USA -
Donating a kidney probably won't affect your health in the long term
JAMA
Canadian and Australian scientists say kidney donors' health returns to normal following donation and there appear to be no major negative health effects of living with just a single kidney for more than seven years following donation. They followed Read more about Donating a kidney probably won't affect your health in the long term
Australia; International; WAThe University of Western Australia|Victoria Hospital, Canada -
Alzheimer's - a new perspective on an old disease
Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association
In a review article, an international team of scientists argues the case for a new mechanism to explain Alzheimer's disease involving a group of neurons called the isodendritic core (responsible for arousal and sleep/wake cycles). Unlike other Read more about Alzheimer's - a new perspective on an old disease
InternationalNeuro-Bio Ltd, King's College London, Oxford University, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Miguel Hernández University, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona -
Bigger is better: male proboscis monkeys’ enhanced noses evolved to attract mates
Scientific Reports
When it comes to the animal kingdom, bigger is better. Well, at least for proboscis monkeys, famously known for their long, large and droopy noses. Researchers from The Australian National University (ANU) have provided a potential explanation for Read more about Bigger is better: male proboscis monkeys’ enhanced noses evolved to attract mates
Australia; ACTThe Australian National University -
The world probably has less clean water than we thought
Nature Climate Change
Current estimates of the amount of water available to people around the world are based solely on the amount of water there is, and not whether that water is of a high enough quality to use, according to Dutch researchers. That means we've Read more about The world probably has less clean water than we thought
InternationalUtrecht University, the Netherlands -
Aussie school-based 'Health4Life' program sees only short term improvements in mental health symptoms
Nature Mental Health
An Australian school-based health program, which targets six lifestyle risk factors: diet, sleep, physical activity, screentime, alcohol use and smoking, has shown no improvement over usual health education in reducing depressive, anxiety or Read more about Aussie school-based 'Health4Life' program sees only short term improvements in mental health symptoms
Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney -
Wild chickpea genes could help us develop a better chickpea
Nature Genetics
Australian and international researchers have sequenced the DNA of eight wild chickpea relatives and identified genes which could help us develop an 'elite' chickpea. The researchers pulled the genomes of the eight wild relatives and two cultivated Read more about Wild chickpea genes could help us develop a better chickpea
Australia; WAThe University of Western Australia|Murdoch University...