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New device targets affordable mobile community tests for kidney disease
Methods
Kidney disease is a growing global problem, with a new portable device developed by Flinders University showcasing some of the science and innovation being thrown at the issue. With World Kidney Day highlighting how chronic kidney disease affects Read more about New device targets affordable mobile community tests for kidney disease
Australia; SAFlinders University -
Call to improve challenging behaviour support services under the NDIS
Australian Journal of Social Issues
The Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme funds positive behaviour support (PBS) for people living with disabilities with challenging behaviour support needs. Led by Flinders University, a new study of 392 NDIS-registered behaviour Read more about Call to improve challenging behaviour support services under the NDIS
Australia; VIC; SAFlinders University|Deakin University -
Hope for treating sleep disorders, no pills required
Frontiers in Sleep
Are sleeping pills the only solution for insomnia? Not according to Flinders University’s Dr Alexander Sweetman, who says that using self-guided digital behavioural therapy is an alternative solution that should be considered. Are sleeping pills Read more about Hope for treating sleep disorders, no pills required
Australia; International; SA; WAFlinders University|The University of Western Australia -
Maternal health support critical in the development of children born to mothers with pre-existing diabetes
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Research from Edith Cowan University (ECU) has found that intrauterine exposure to diabetes could be a crucial factor in the mental and psychomotor development of children, particularly those younger than 12 months. Maternal health support critical Read more about Maternal health support critical in the development of children born to mothers with pre-existing diabetes
Australia; WAEdith Cowan University -
Record efficiency for next-gen roll-to-roll printed solar cells
Nature Communications
This clean energy discovery is set to expand the boundaries of where solar cells can be used, in ways that were previously unimaginable. Scientists from Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, have led an international team to a clean energy Read more about Record efficiency for next-gen roll-to-roll printed solar cells
AustraliaCSIRO -
The coral is listening
Royal Society Open Science
Coral larvae were drawn to settle in sites with attractive soundscapes, according to a new paper. The custom solar-powered soundscapes mimicked those of healthy reef ecosystems, and saw markedly higher rates (up to seven times) of larval settlement Read more about The coral is listening
InternationalWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution, USA; Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA -
Smart magpies are thanks to nurture more than nature
Royal Society Open Science
We all know how smart Aussie magpies are, but Aussie researchers wanted to test whether those smarts were mostly inherited, or something the bird brains learned from their flock. The researchers tested maggies and their fledglings' ability to learn Read more about Smart magpies are thanks to nurture more than nature
Australia; NSW; WAThe University of Western Australia|Macquarie University -
Emperor penguin populations are in decline
Proceedings of the Royal Society B
The global population of emperor penguins is declining by around −1. 3% per year, according to Australian, NZ and international researchers, although they don't yet know the reason why. The researchers found that in 2018 there were around 24,000 Read more about Emperor penguin populations are in decline
Australia; New Zealand; TASUniversity of Canterbury|Australian Antarctic Division -
Are journals too focused on publishing research in English?
Proceedings of the Royal Society B
Most scientific journals are making minimal effort to overcome the barriers non-English speakers face when it comes to publishing peer-reviewed research, according to an Australian study. The team surveyed policies of 736 biological sciences Read more about Are journals too focused on publishing research in English?
Australia; NSW; VIC; QLDThe University of Queensland|The University of New South Wales... -
Fishing gear is trapping whales and causing problems, even when it's minor
Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
North Atlantic right whales are getting stuck in fishing gear, according to Aussie researchers who say even if they survive it can cause all kinds of issues. The team used information about 199 females sighted between 1977 and 2018, combined with Read more about Fishing gear is trapping whales and causing problems, even when it's minor
Australia; NSW; QLDMacquarie University|Griffith University -
EXPERT REACTION: Apple cider vinegar may help young obese people to lose weight
BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health
A small study has found that a small amount of apple cider vinegar every day may help overweight or obese people lose weight and reduce their BMI. The study included 120 people aged between 12 and 25, split into groups that either drank a placebo Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Apple cider vinegar may help young obese people to lose weight
Australia; International; NSW; QLD; SAHoly Spirit University of Kaslik, Lebanon -
Covid vaccine linked to lower risk of heart complications after Covid infection
Heart
New research looking at data from 20 million people found that getting a Covid jab was linked to reduced risks of heart failure, clotting within the veins of a limb, and blood clotting in the artery for up to a year after SARS-CoV-2 infection. This Read more about Covid vaccine linked to lower risk of heart complications after Covid infection
InternationalUniversity of Oxford, UK; see PDF for full list of author affiliation -
GP visits for musculoskeletal problems linked to weight in primary school girls
Archives of Disease in Childhood
Primary school girls between age four and 11 are more likely to see a GP at least once about musculoskeletal problems, such as knee and back issues, if their BMI is considered overweight or obese compared to ‘healthy’ weight peers, according to Read more about GP visits for musculoskeletal problems linked to weight in primary school girls
InternationalQueen Mary University of London, UK -
Unlocking the secrets to animals’ speed
Nature Communications
How does nature dictate how fast an animal can go? An international team of physicists, biologists and palaeontologists think they have an answer. One that could even change our understanding of extinct animals, and how robots might move in the Read more about Unlocking the secrets to animals’ speed
Australia; QLDUniversity of the Sunshine Coast|The University of Queensland... -
Craving inclusion: Revealing barriers to eating out for people with disability
Public Health Research and Practice
Many people with disability feel isolated and excluded from eating out, research shows. Eating out is a highly valued everyday social activity, as well as a great way to celebrate, catch up with family and friends, and conduct business. A recent Read more about Craving inclusion: Revealing barriers to eating out for people with disability
Australia; NSW; ACTUniversity of Technology Sydney (UTS)|The Australian National University -
JWST reveals a massive and ancient galaxy that challenges our models of the young Universe
Nature Astronomy
An international research team have made unprecedentedly detailed observations of the earliest merger of galaxies ever witnessed. They suggest stars developed much faster and more efficiently than we thought. They used the James Webb Space Telescope Read more about JWST reveals a massive and ancient galaxy that challenges our models of the young Universe
Australia; VICARC Centre of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3D (ASTRO 3D)... -
Who knew that eating poo was so vital for birds’ survival?
Biological Reviews
New research led by the University of South Australia and published in Biological Reviews explains how eating faeces (known as coprophagy) shapes wild birds’ digestive tracts, enabling them to absorb lost or deficient nutrients and adjust to Read more about Who knew that eating poo was so vital for birds’ survival?
Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia|University of Technology Sydney (UTS) -
Women with depression might face higher heart health risks than men
JACC: Asia
People with depression face a higher risk of heart disease, but more women experience heart disease following a depression diagnosis than men, according to international researchers. The team looked at over 4. 1 million patients aged 36-52, Read more about Women with depression might face higher heart health risks than men
InternationalUniversity of Tokyo, Japan -
New approach to understanding extent of lung cancer at diagnosis
Lancet Respiratory Medicine
An Australian study has highlighted a way to improve pre-treatment testing of lung cancer patients, to better detect cancers that may have unknowingly spread. An Australian study has highlighted a way to improve pre-treatment testing of lung cancer Read more about New approach to understanding extent of lung cancer at diagnosis
Australia; VICPeter MacCallum Cancer Centre|The University of Melbourne... -
Most male mammals are not larger than females
Nature Communications
Males are not larger than females in most mammal species, contrary to common belief, according to international researchers. The team compared male and female body masses of 429 species in the wild, and found that in most cases, such as lemurs, Read more about Most male mammals are not larger than females
InternationalPrinceton University, USA -
Soft wearable throat patch could help people with voice disorders to speak
Nature Communications
A soft, wearable, non-invasive patch may help people with voice disorders to speak, according to international researchers, who developed a magnetoelastic patch that adheres to the throat and uses AI to translate muscle movements into words. The Read more about Soft wearable throat patch could help people with voice disorders to speak
InternationalUniversity of California, USA -
DNA protecting gene’s crucial role in brain disorders revealed
Nature Communications
University of Adelaide researchers now know more about a mysterious gene’s role in maintaining healthy DNA – a crucial development that could lead to new treatments for life-threatening illnesses including neurodevelopmental disorders, some Read more about DNA protecting gene’s crucial role in brain disorders revealed
Australia; International; SAThe University of Adelaide -
Could ADHD medication be linked to lower death rates?
JAMA
The initiation of ADHD medication could reduce death rates in those who need it, according to international researchers. The team looked at data from 148,578 people diagnosed with ADHD in Sweden, and found the initial dispensation of ADHD medication Read more about Could ADHD medication be linked to lower death rates?
InternationalKarolinska Institutet, Sweden -
Our furry friends caused 12,000 human hospitalisations in Australia in a year
From mid 2021 to mid 2022, 12,000 Australians were hospitalised with an injury related to pet cats and dogs, according to a report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare that says 53% of all injuries related to animal contact are caused Read more about Our furry friends caused 12,000 human hospitalisations in Australia in a year
AustraliaAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) -
Census data reveals stark gap in asthma risk for inner and outer city kids
The journal of allergy and clinical immunology (JACI)
Children who live in the outer suburbs of Australia’s four biggest cities are twice as likely to have asthma as those living in inner city areas, according to a new study based on health data captured in the last Australian Census. The data was Read more about Census data reveals stark gap in asthma risk for inner and outer city kids
Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; WATelethon Kids Institute|Curtin University -
Increasing disability employment could boost national economy by billions
A new report by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre at Curtin University reveals there has been no improvement in employment rates for people with disability in Australia over the last two decades, despite extensive policy reforms and greatly Read more about Increasing disability employment could boost national economy by billions
Australia; WACurtin University -
Mars attracts: how Earth’s interactions with the red planet drive deep-sea circulation
Nature Communications
Research from the University of Sydney and Sorbonne University suggests that giant whirlpools in warming oceans could run counter to ocean stagnation that some have predicted could impact the Gulf Stream. The team used the geological record of the Read more about Mars attracts: how Earth’s interactions with the red planet drive deep-sea circulation
Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney -
The same beer waste that gives us Vegemite could help us recycle metal waste
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
Spent brewer's yeast - the basis of our much-loved breakfast spread Vegemite - can be used multiple times to pull metals out of water, say international researchers. They say this pre-Vegemite was able to pull metals such as aluminium, zinc and Read more about The same beer waste that gives us Vegemite could help us recycle metal waste
InternationalUniversity of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria -
History repeats as Coral Bay faces mass loss of coral and fish life
Journal of Coral Reefs
A perfect storm of environmental factors has seen a monumental loss of fish and coral life at a popular area of Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia’s Gascoyne region — however Curtin University research into the event shows there is hope it will Read more about History repeats as Coral Bay faces mass loss of coral and fish life
Australia; WACurtin University|Western Australian Museum -
COVID-19 dropped global life expectancy by 1.6 years
The Lancet
During the pandemic, global life expectancy dropped by 1. 6 years, reversing previous trends towards longer life expectancies. The study, which updates estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2021, estimates that the pandemic caused Read more about COVID-19 dropped global life expectancy by 1.6 years
Australia; New Zealand; Pacific; NSW; VIC; QLD; SA; WA; TAS; NT; ACTThe University of Melbourne|The University of New South Wales... -
More than half of aged care residents are on antidepressants
Journal of American Medical Directors Association (JAMDA)
A new study by the Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA), based at SAHMRI, has found six out of ten Australian aged care residents are taking antidepressant medication. A new study by the Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA), based at SAHMRI, has Read more about More than half of aged care residents are on antidepressants
Australia; SASouth Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) -
Mixed results for older women taking calcium and vitamin D supplements
Annals of Internal Medicine
Taking calcium and vitamin D supplements in older age is linked to mixed long term health outcomes in women, according to an international study that found the supplements were associated in a reduced risk of dying of cancer but an almost equal Read more about Mixed results for older women taking calcium and vitamin D supplements
InternationalUniversity of Arizona, USA -
Love on the land: Helping farmers grow healthy relationships
Life on the land can be great, but it can also put a lot of pressure on romantic relationships. Now, rural health experts from the University of South Australia have launched a new online resource to help farmers build and maintain a healthy Read more about Love on the land: Helping farmers grow healthy relationships
Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia -
Helping reduce the global shortage of diabetes and weight loss drug semaglutide
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
Semaglutide is part of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor targeting family of peptide drugs which are mainly used to treat diabetes but are difficult and expensive to make. An international team of researchers led by Professor Akhter Read more about Helping reduce the global shortage of diabetes and weight loss drug semaglutide
Australia; VICFlorey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health -
Can good sleep make us more empathetic?
JNeurosci
Lack of sleep makes us less helpful and altruistic, according to a small study by international researchers. The team measured sleep activity in the brain during a normal night of sleep, then asked them to play a game where participants were given Read more about Can good sleep make us more empathetic?
InternationalUniversity of Bern, Switzerland -
Indigenous fire management started 11,000 years ago
Nature Geoscience
James Cook University researchers have discovered Indigenous fire management in northern Australia was being practiced at least 11,000 years ago – and it has implications for fire management practices today. JCU’s Distinguished Professor Michael Read more about Indigenous fire management started 11,000 years ago
Australia; QLD; SAJames Cook University|Flinders University|ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage (CABAH) -
Hauraki Gulf saw heatwave conditions for 85% of 2022
NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH
The sea surface temperature in the Hauraki Gulf has been measured since 1967, showing a steady and abnormal rise reflected in other global datasets. Marine Heat Waves (MHWs) have significant impacts on coastal ecosystems, and the current rate of MHW Read more about Hauraki Gulf saw heatwave conditions for 85% of 2022
New ZealandUniversity of Auckland|University of Waikato|National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) -
Could AI be used to make discharge summaries easier for patients to understand
JAMA Network Open
Hospital patients can access their discharge summary, which contains all the information about their hospital stay, through their health record, however, these summaries are often full of technical language and difficult to understand. A team of Read more about Could AI be used to make discharge summaries easier for patients to understand
InternationalNew York University, USA -
Metabolic syndrome, such as high blood sugar and blood pressure, linked to increased risk of cancer
Cancer
People with persistent and worsening metabolic syndrome, which includes conditions such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess abdominal fat, and abnormal cholesterol, may be at higher risk of developing various types of cancer, according Read more about Metabolic syndrome, such as high blood sugar and blood pressure, linked to increased risk of cancer
InternationalBeijing Shijitan Hospital of Capital Medical University, China -
Most childhood cancer survivors aren't getting the ongoing tests they need as adults
Canadian Medical Association Journal
Most survivors of childhood cancer don’t get the tests needed to detect serious long-term adverse effects, according to Canadian researchers. The team looked at data from 3241 childhood cancer survivors in Canada between 1984 and 2014. They Read more about Most childhood cancer survivors aren't getting the ongoing tests they need as adults
InternationalWomen’s College Hospital, Canada -
New Zealand bottlenose dolphins have regional accents
New Zealand Journal of Zoology
Bottlenose dolphins in Doubtful Sound whistle differently than ones near Great Barrier Island. The two populations studied showed clear differences in the style, duration and pitch of their acoustic communications, a pattern that has been noticed in Read more about New Zealand bottlenose dolphins have regional accents
New ZealandMassey University|University of Otago -
Warning not to pick or eat wild mushrooms because of deathcap poisoning risk
Wild mushrooms are popping up around Australia this Autumn after wet weather, so today the Food Safety Information Council is is issuing its annual warning to be extremely careful around wild mushrooms because of the deadly, deathcap mushroom Read more about Warning not to pick or eat wild mushrooms because of deathcap poisoning risk
Australia; ACTFood Safety Information Council -
EXPERT REACTION: Can we bring coral reefs back from the brink?
Current Biology
The majority of the world's coral reefs are under threat or have been damaged potentially beyond repair, but UK and Indonesian researchers suggest that efforts to restore coral not only increases their cover, but might bring back important ecosystem Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Can we bring coral reefs back from the brink?
International; NSW; QLDUniversity of Exeter, UK -
Dropping like sheep? Rising temperatures are baaad for Aussie sheep production
Nature Food
Heat stress already leads to around 2. 1 million fewer lambs being born each year, but that figure could rise to 3. 3 million if temperatures increase another 3 degrees, according to Aussie research. The study found that heat stress during mating Read more about Dropping like sheep? Rising temperatures are baaad for Aussie sheep production
Australia; SAThe University of Adelaide|SARDI (South Australian Research and Development Institute)... -
Half the expansion of irrigation this millenium has been unsustainable
Nature Water
Half the expansion of irrigation across the world since the year 2000 has been unsustainable due to the water stress in the land chosen, according to international research. The team combined official statistics on irrigation to map changes in areas Read more about Half the expansion of irrigation this millenium has been unsustainable
Australia; InternationalUniversity of Delaware, USA -
Many type 2 diabetes patients lack in lifesaving knowledge
Frontiers in Public Health
Many type 2 diabetes patients lack potentially life-saving knowledge about their disease, according to international researchers. The team gave 1200 people with diabetes a knowledge test which included sections about nutrition, signs and symptoms, Read more about Many type 2 diabetes patients lack in lifesaving knowledge
InternationalUniversity of Coimbra, Portugal -
A fresh warning from experts on the dangers of posting your kids online
JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting
Parents considering posting pictures and information of their children online should re-think how they go about it, in a new warning from Edith Cowan University (ECU) data experts. A scoping review noted that every digital post parents make about Read more about A fresh warning from experts on the dangers of posting your kids online
Australia; InternationalEdith Cowan University|University of Wollongong -
Reptile roadkill reveals new threat to endangered lizard species
Australian Zoologist
The chance sighting of a dead snake beside a sandy track in remote Western Australia, and the investigation of its stomach contents, has led Curtin University researchers to record the first known instance of a spotted mulga snake consuming a pygmy Read more about Reptile roadkill reveals new threat to endangered lizard species
Australia; WACurtin University -
Video consults for chronic knee pain as effective as in-person care
The Lancet
Australians experiencing chronic knee pain achieve similar pain reduction whether they consult with physiotherapists via video or attend in-person physiotherapy sessions, new research shows. Australians experiencing chronic knee pain achieve similar Read more about Video consults for chronic knee pain as effective as in-person care
Australia; VIC; QLDThe University of Melbourne|The University of Queensland... -
Rising shark and ray extinction risk
Science
A new analysis has found one in seven deepwater sharks and rays are threatened with extinction, with the biggest threat coming from overfishing. Deepwater sharks and rays - species that spend most of their life at depths greater than 200m - are Read more about Rising shark and ray extinction risk
Australia; International; QLDJames Cook University