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Chemists identify 3 recreational drugs never before seen in Australia
Drug Testing and Analysis
Three new recreational drugs that have never been reported in Australia before have been identified by chemists at Australia’s only fixed-site drug checking service, CanTEST, located in Canberra. According to scientists and clinicians from The Read more about Chemists identify 3 recreational drugs never before seen in Australia
Australia; ACTThe Australian National University|CanTEST Health and Drug Checking Service -
No ongoing lung issues in kids who were exposed to the Hazelwood coalmine fire as babies
Respirology
Australian researchers have found no evidence of ongoing lung function changes in children who were exposed as babies to the Hazelwood coalmine fire in Victoria. The coal mine fire produced extreme air pollution that lasted for six weeks, leading Read more about No ongoing lung issues in kids who were exposed to the Hazelwood coalmine fire as babies
Australia; VIC; WA; TASUniversity of Tasmania|Telethon Kids Institute|Curtin University... -
Cycling deaths on the decline, but not in all age groups
Injury Prevention
New research shows there is a stark contrast between fatality rates in younger and older cyclists in Australia. Cycling deaths are slowly declining in Australia, but fatalities involving single riders and older people are on the rise. Analysis of Read more about Cycling deaths on the decline, but not in all age groups
Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales -
WMO confirms 2023 was the hottest year on record
Now that 2023 is over, the World Meteorological Organization has confirmed it was the hottest year globally since records began. Following their original declaration in November, the WMO has consolidated data from six leading global weather Read more about WMO confirms 2023 was the hottest year on record
InternationalWorld Meteorological Organization (WMO) -
Campaign aims to understand and stamp out dangerous parasitic worm crisis
Philosophical Transactions B
Stongyloidiasis – a poorly understood parasitic worm disease common in remote Australian communities and some returned travellers, refugees or asylum seekers – is finally gaining attention on the national research arena. Australian First Nations Read more about Campaign aims to understand and stamp out dangerous parasitic worm crisis
Australia; QLD; SAFlinders University|QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute -
Thirty percent of Kiwi cat owners are opposed to keeping their cats inside
PLOS One
Only a small number of NZ cat owners contain their cats, even though letting your feline friend roam outside can be harmful for the cat, native wildlife, and the wider environment. Kiwi researchers surveyed almost 400 cat owners to understand their Read more about Thirty percent of Kiwi cat owners are opposed to keeping their cats inside
New ZealandUniversity of Canterbury -
Thermal vision shows endangered numbats feel the heat of warming climate
Journal of Experimental Biology
Curtin University research using thermal imaging of numbats in Western Australia has found that during hot weather the endangered animals are limited to as little as ten minutes of activity in the sun before they overheat to a body temperature of Read more about Thermal vision shows endangered numbats feel the heat of warming climate
Australia; WACurtin University -
Many Melbournites prefer to travel for a drink over heading to their local
Drug and Alcohol Review
A Melbourne resident may be just as likely to travel outside their neighbourhood to go to a pub or bar as they are to visit their local, according to Australian researchers. The team were investigating the question of whether a greater density of Read more about Many Melbournites prefer to travel for a drink over heading to their local
Australia; International; VICMonash University|Columbia University, USA -
Watching someone get grossed out by veggies could gross you out, too
Frontiers in Psychology
Watching someone else get the ‘ick’ for food might give you the ‘ick’ too, according to international researchers. The team asked 200 young women to watch a video containing clips of people eating raw broccoli with smiling, neutral or Read more about Watching someone get grossed out by veggies could gross you out, too
InternationalAston University, UK -
Medical cannabis for chronic pain could be linked with abnormal heart rhythm
European Heart Journal
People taking medical cannabis for chronic pain may have a slightly increased risk of arrhythmia – when the heart beats too slow, too fast or irregularly – according to international researchers. The team looked at data from 5,391 Danish Read more about Medical cannabis for chronic pain could be linked with abnormal heart rhythm
InternationalCopenhagen University Hospital, Denmark -
Perinatal depression linked to increased risk of death
The BMJ
This media release contains information some readers may find distressing as it refers to data about mental health, suicide and self-harm. If you or anyone you know needs help, support is available now. Call Lifeline on 131 114 or Beyond Blue on Read more about Perinatal depression linked to increased risk of death
InternationalTongji University School of Medicine, China -
Males of newly described Australian burrowing scorpions have a big tail to tell
Australian Journal of Zoology
An Australian study has found some surprising features in two new species of burrowing scorpions, including a very strangely shaped ‘tail tip’ and some ‘sexy’ anatomy features. Terrestrial biologists from South Australia’s Flinders Read more about Males of newly described Australian burrowing scorpions have a big tail to tell
Australia; SA; WAFlinders University|Murdoch University -
Record heat in 2023 worsened global droughts, floods and wildfires
Record heat across the world profoundly impacted the global water cycle in 2023, contributing to severe storms, floods, megadroughts and bushfires, new research from The Australian National University (ANU) shows. Record heat across the world Read more about Record heat in 2023 worsened global droughts, floods and wildfires
Australia; New Zealand; Pacific; International; QLD; ACTThe Australian National University -
Almost 1 in 10 teens have tried an unapproved weight loss product
JAMA Network Open
9% of teens have tried an unapproved weight loss product in their lifetime, according to a meta-analysis by Australian researchers. The team combined the results of 90 studies on the use of non-prescription weight loss products in teens - 50 of Read more about Almost 1 in 10 teens have tried an unapproved weight loss product
Australia; International; VICMonash University|Deakin University -
The extinction of the giant ape; a long-standing mystery solved
Nature
The largest ever primate Gigantopithecus blacki went extinct when other Asian great apes were thriving, and its demise has long been a mystery. New evidence from this region, uncovered by a team of Chinese, Australian and US researchers, Read more about The extinction of the giant ape; a long-standing mystery solved
Australia; NSWMacquarie University|Southern Cross University|The Australian National University... -
Office mental wellbeing programs probably don't help employees
Industrial Relations Journal
A UK researcher found no evidence that individual-level mental wellbeing interventions offered at work had any benefit over regular offices. He says that, of their survey data from over 46,000 workers at 233 organisations, getting access to Read more about Office mental wellbeing programs probably don't help employees
InternationalUniversity of Oxford, Oxford, UK -
World’s largest drug survey launched
Researchers from The University of Queensland have launched the world’s biggest drug survey, to gain insight into drug use around the globe. Researchers from The University of Queensland have launched the world’s biggest drug survey, to gain Read more about World’s largest drug survey launched
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
Renowned rock art sites ‘chosen’ for vantage
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences
New research has uncovered internationally significant rock art sites in Arnhem Land were far from random and instead “chosen” for the critical vantage points they provided. The Flinders University research team, working in collaboration with Read more about Renowned rock art sites ‘chosen’ for vantage
Australia; SAFlinders University|The University of Sydney -
Laser-controlled liquid metals herald new era for soft robotics
Nature Communications
Researchers at The University of Queensland (UQ) are developing new 4D printing technology that produces shape-shifting liquid metals for soft robotics. Researchers at The University of Queensland (UQ) are developing new 4D printing technology that Read more about Laser-controlled liquid metals herald new era for soft robotics
Australia; International; NSW; QLDAustralian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN)... -
This bee parasite may also be spreading viruses
Royal Society Open Science
The Varroa destructor mite is one of the most damaging honey bee pests in the world, however it's not just from the mite feeding on the bees, new research finds. Scientists looking at bee colonies across several countries including New Zealand, Read more about This bee parasite may also be spreading viruses
New Zealand; InternationalUlm University, Germany -
Is tafenoquine a cost-effective treatment option for malaria?
PLOS Medicine
A new study has provided further insight into the cost-effectiveness of a new malaria medication, tafenoquine, to treat vivax malaria. Primaquine and tafenoquine are the 2 medications available to treat the liver stage of vivax malaria. The study Read more about Is tafenoquine a cost-effective treatment option for malaria?
Australia; International; VIC; NTMenzies School of Health Research|The University of Melbourne... -
Vegetarians and vegans may be less likely to get COVID-19
BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health
People who eat plant-based diets could be at lower risk of getting COVID-19, according to an international study of 702 participants. The team asked the participants about their diet, and compared the rates of COVID-19 infection and severity within Read more about Vegetarians and vegans may be less likely to get COVID-19
InternationalUniversidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil -
Screening for these 10 proteins can pick up 18 different early stage cancers
BMJ Oncology
A sex-specific panel of 10 proteins can pick up 18 different early stage cancers, representing all the major organs of the human body, say US researchers working at Novelna Inc, the company that designed the test. They say they whittled down a list Read more about Screening for these 10 proteins can pick up 18 different early stage cancers
InternationalNovelna Inc, Palo Alto, California, USA -
Hormonal factors linked to rheumatoid arthritis risk in women
RMD Open
Early menopause—before the age of 45—taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and having 4 or more children are among several hormonal and reproductive factors linked to a heightened risk of rheumatoid arthritis in women, according to a Read more about Hormonal factors linked to rheumatoid arthritis risk in women
InternationalAnhui Medical University School of Public Health, China -
Link between obesity and birthing twins may be partially explained by higher IVF rates
JAMA Network Open
Higher BMI in women is associated with a greater chance of having twins, and this could be partially due to higher rates of assisted reproduction, according to international research. The team say previous research has linked obesity and being Read more about Link between obesity and birthing twins may be partially explained by higher IVF rates
InternationalUniversity of British Columbia, Canada -
Cracking the case for non-glass wine bottles
Journal of Cleaner Production
Would you be happy to pour your friends a glass of wine from a cask or sip your favourite red from an aluminium can? Researchers from the University of South Australia’s Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing Science and the University of Read more about Cracking the case for non-glass wine bottles
Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia -
Projections reveal the vulnerability of freshwater to climate change
One Earth
Climate and land use changes are causing significant alterations in global terrestrial water storage, impacting extreme weather events such as floods and droughts, a Griffith University-led study has found. Climate and land use changes are causing Read more about Projections reveal the vulnerability of freshwater to climate change
Australia; International; QLDGriffith University -
The demise of the Devil may be influencing the evolution of a Tasmanian quoll
Nature Ecology & Evolution
As some Tasmanian devil populations decline due to the spread of facial tumour disease, spotted-tailed quolls in those areas are being influenced genetically by their absence, according to Australian research. Spotted-tailed quolls are less dominant Read more about The demise of the Devil may be influencing the evolution of a Tasmanian quoll
Australia; International; QLD; TASUniversity of Tasmania|Griffith University|Washington State University, USA -
How will climate change impact Pacific migration?
The great majority of Pacific people will still be adapting to climate change in their home country in 2050, new research suggests. The study, funded with New Zealand’s climate finance, surveyed people across the Pacific in their local languages. Read more about How will climate change impact Pacific migration?
Australia; New Zealand; PacificUniversity of Auckland|University of Waikato -
A yarn about good health
BMC Medical Education Journal
A new healthcare education program developed in rural Western Australia is breaking down communication barriers between clinicians and Aboriginal patients. While it is well documented that communication barriers exist in Aboriginal healthcare, few Read more about A yarn about good health
Australia; WA; NTMurdoch University|Charles Darwin University|The University of Western Australia -
Money might be more motivating for people in 'WEIRD' countries
Nature Human Behaviour
Money might be more motivating for people in people living in Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic (WEIRD) countries, than for people from non-WEIRD countries, according to international researchers. The team compared how hard Read more about Money might be more motivating for people in 'WEIRD' countries
InternationalUniversity of Chicago, USA -
Women more resistant to anaesthetic than men
Neuroscience
Sex hormones may contribute to increased anaesthetic resistance in women compared with men. A new study showed that both female mice and human women are more resistant to the hypnotic effects of anaesthetics, taking longer to become anaesthetised Read more about Women more resistant to anaesthetic than men
InternationalUniversity of Pennsylvania, USA -
Nearly 1/4 of ICU transfers or deaths in hospital could be due to missed or delayed diagnoses
JAMA Internal Medicine
US researchers looked into close to 2500 patient records for people who were sent to the ICU or had died in hospital, and say doctors had missed the diagnosis or had given a delayed diagnosis 23% of the time. They add that 17% of these errors caused Read more about Nearly 1/4 of ICU transfers or deaths in hospital could be due to missed or delayed diagnoses
InternationalUniversity of California San Francisco, USA -
Losing a sibling may break your heart
JAMA Network Open
Looking at over two million people born in Denmark, Chinese researchers have found a link between having a sibling die and developing heart disease early in your life. Losing a sibling during childhood and early adulthood was associated with a 17% Read more about Losing a sibling may break your heart
InternationalFudan University, Shanghai, China -
Epigenetic therapy shows promise for endocrine-resistant breast cancer in mice
Nature Structural & Molecular Biology
Garvan researchers have revealed a reason why endocrine resistance develops in breast cancers and how to potentially treat it in patients. Endocrine resistance – a major cause of breast cancer deaths – can be underpinned by an epigenetic change Read more about Epigenetic therapy shows promise for endocrine-resistant breast cancer in mice
Australia; International; NSWGarvan Institute of Medical Research -
Data shows soaring demand for people skills in Aussie post-pandemic jobs market
Nature Human Behaviour
An analysis of over 12 million job ads shows interpersonal skills continue to grow in importance for employment in the post-pandemic, remote-work-friendly labour market. Key points: Australian employers’ demand for interpersonal skills, such as Read more about Data shows soaring demand for people skills in Aussie post-pandemic jobs market
Australia; VIC; QLD; ACTCSIRO -
Love scrambles the brain and scientists can now tell us why
Behavioural Sciences
Love is blind, the saying goes, and thanks to a new Australian study we are now a step closer to understanding why. Researchers have measured how a part of the brain is responsible for putting our loved one on a pedestal in that first flush of Read more about Love scrambles the brain and scientists can now tell us why
Australia; SA; ACTUniversity of South Australia|The Australian National University... -
Caution needed when reporting on health scares
Clinical Psychology in Europe
Stories that raise concerns about common household products, new technologies, or medical treatments frequently appear in the media or on social media. When the actual health risk turns out to be comparatively low or unfounded, the health scares Read more about Caution needed when reporting on health scares
New Zealand; InternationalUniversity of Auckland|Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany, King’s College London, United Kingdom -
Stargazers’ new approach to reshape our understanding of the Universe
arXiv
An international project mapping millions of galaxies has provided a ‘tantalising’ insight into the mysteries of dark energy and could reshape our understanding of the history of the Universe, according to research from The University of Read more about Stargazers’ new approach to reshape our understanding of the Universe
Australia; International; NSW; VIC; QLD; ACTThe University of Queensland|The Australian National University... -
Women with perinatal depression are at higher risk of suicidal behaviour years after childbirth
JAMA Network Open
This media release contains information some readers may find distressing as it refers to data about mental health, suicide and self-harm. If you or anyone you know needs help, support is available now. Call Lifeline on 131 114 or Beyond Blue on Read more about Women with perinatal depression are at higher risk of suicidal behaviour years after childbirth
InternationalKarolinska Institutet, Sweden -
A new platform to fast-track lifesaving brain research
Nature Methods
An international team of researchers led by Australian researchers has developed a new platform that will transform neuroimaging data analysis worldwide. An international team led by Australian researchers has developed a groundbreaking platform Read more about A new platform to fast-track lifesaving brain research
Australia; International; NSW; VIC; QLDSwinburne University of Technology|The University of Queensland... -
New AI tool accurately detects COVID-19 from chest X-rays
Nature Scientific Reports
Researchers have developed an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system that can rapidly detect COVID-19 from chest X-rays with more than 98% accuracy. Researchers have developed a groundbreaking Artificial Intelligence (AI) system that can rapidly detect Read more about New AI tool accurately detects COVID-19 from chest X-rays
Australia; International; NSWUniversity of Technology Sydney (UTS)|Middle East University -
Climate change could be impacting babies’ birthweight for gestational age
Environmental Health Perspectives
Climate change could pose a big risk to Australians’ reproductive health with a new, large-scale Curtin University study revealing a possible link between extreme bioclimatic exposure during pregnancy and babies’ birthweights for gestational age. Read more about Climate change could be impacting babies’ birthweight for gestational age
Australia; International; WACurtin University -
RV Investigator’s longest voyage to try and solve the Southern Ocean puzzle
Scientists travelling as far as 65 degrees south will investigate why the deep ocean currents near Antarctica are slowing, whether the Southern Ocean will continue to absorb heat and carbon dioxide, and how clouds form over the Southern Ocean. Read more about RV Investigator’s longest voyage to try and solve the Southern Ocean puzzle
Australia; International; WA; TASCSIRO|Australian Antarctic Program Partnership -
Shaping the Future: 500 young Australians dive into far off galaxies, fight incurable diseases and everything in between at the NYSF
From January, high school students from across the nation will live and breathe science and technology at the 2024 NYSF Year 12 Program in Canberra and Brisbane. From January, high school students from across the nation will live and breathe science Read more about Shaping the Future: 500 young Australians dive into far off galaxies, fight incurable diseases and everything in between at the NYSF
Australia; QLD; ACTNational Youth Science Forum -
Surgical teams put on notice for poor behaviour
PLOS ONE
Australian researchers have successfully trialled a novel experiment to address offensive and rude comments in operating theatres by placing ‘eye’ signage in surgical rooms. The three-month experiment was undertaken to address a widespread Read more about Surgical teams put on notice for poor behaviour
Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia -
Aussie fossil suggests photosynthesis evolved at least 1.75 billion years ago
Nature
1. 75 billion-year-old microscopic fossils from the McDermott Formation in the southern McArthur Basin in the NT, contain the oldest photosynthetic structures ever discovered, shedding light on the origins of photosynthesis, according to Belgian Read more about Aussie fossil suggests photosynthesis evolved at least 1.75 billion years ago
Australia; InternationalUniversity of Liège, Belgium -
Cosmic chemistry unveils stellar dance: ALMA telescope discovers hidden orbit secrets
Nature Astronomy
A team of international scientists, armed with the powerful ALMA telescope array in Chile, has unravelled the cosmic mysteries surrounding a dying star, revealing an intricate celestial dance shaped by unusual chemistry. A team of international Read more about Cosmic chemistry unveils stellar dance: ALMA telescope discovers hidden orbit secrets
Australia; International; VICMonash University|ARC Centre of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3D (ASTRO 3D) -
Closing in on the ultimate quest to regenerate insulin in pancreatic stem cells
Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy
Australian researchers are zeroing in on the ultimate quest to regenerate insulin in pancreatic stem cells and replace the need for regular insulin injections. Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute researchers have demonstrated that newly made insulin Read more about Closing in on the ultimate quest to regenerate insulin in pancreatic stem cells
Australia; VICBaker Heart and Diabetes Institute -
Most of us can tell if a chicken is having a clucking good time
Royal Society Open Science
Seven out of 10 humans can correctly tell if a chicken is happy or not based on their clucks, according to Australian researchers. The team recruited nearly 200 people and played them recordings of different chicken calls - some where they were Read more about Most of us can tell if a chicken is having a clucking good time
Australia; QLD; WAThe University of Queensland