Cannabis genomics has potential to transform production of high-quality plant-derived therapeutics

Publicly released: Thu 10 Dec 2020 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

New Phytologist

Cannabis research and genetic improvements are gathering pace thanks to new genomic technologies, combined with less restrictive laws governing cultivation, research and use of the plant, according to a La Trobe University study. Read more about Cannabis genomics has potential to transform production of high-quality plant-derived therapeutics

The AusSMC's Top 10 Science Stories 2020

Publicly released: Thu 10 Dec 2020 at 0906 AEDT | 1106 NZDT

There's no getting away from the fact that 2020 was an 'annus horribilis' for us all, as COVID-19 infected millions around the world, killing more than a million, and leading to drastic curbs on normal life. The virus hit while Australia was still Read more about The AusSMC's Top 10 Science Stories 2020

Men with Covid-19 nearly three times as likely to require intensive care as women

Publicly released: Thu 10 Dec 2020 at 0902 AEDT | 1102 NZDT

Nature Communications

Small studies that indicated men are more likely to develop severe Covid-19 have been confirmed by a larger global analysis of three million patients. Analysis of information from 46 countries found that while males and females appear equally likely Read more about Men with Covid-19 nearly three times as likely to require intensive care as women

Weathered micro-plastics may be more likely to be absorbed by mouse cells

Publicly released: Thu 10 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

Science Advances

Micro-plastic particles that have been in water for several weeks are absorbed by mouse cells 10 times more often than pristine plastic particles, according to new German research. The researchers found crusts of microbes and molecules on the Read more about Weathered micro-plastics may be more likely to be absorbed by mouse cells

Stopping asthma drugs during pregnancy linked to premature births and small babies

Publicly released: Thu 10 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Prescriptions of asthma medicines before or during pregnancy have been linked to a higher risk of premature birth and small birthweight babies, according to UK research, but the study found that this was particularly the case if prescriptions were Read more about Stopping asthma drugs during pregnancy linked to premature births and small babies

The 7 signs someone is likely to be COVID positive

Publicly released: Thu 10 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Australian research have developed a checklist of seven features they have found are linked to a positive COVID-19 test. The seven features are: COVID-19 patient exposure or international travel, discomfort or aches and pains, loss of smell or taste, Read more about The 7 signs someone is likely to be COVID positive

Asian honey bees use poo to shoo away giant hornets

Publicly released: Thu 10 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

New research into Asian honey bees (Apis cerana) in Vietnam suggests  they collect other animals’ faeces to protect their hives from giant hornets (Vespa soror). Bees add faecal spots near their hive entrance after a visit from giant hornet, and Read more about Asian honey bees use poo to shoo away giant hornets

Kids with special healthcare needs are more frequently known to child protection services

Publicly released: Thu 10 Dec 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Australian Journal of Social Issues

Kids with chronic physical, developmental, behavioural, or emotional conditions who also require health services are more likely to have had contact with child protection before they are six than kids without special needs, according to Australian Read more about Kids with special healthcare needs are more frequently known to child protection services

Small dino-like sister suggests origin of pterosaurs

Publicly released: Thu 10 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature

The closest evolutionary relatives of pterosaurs, the first vertebrates to evolve powered flight, may be a group of small, dinosaur-like animals known as lagerpetids, international research reveals. This finding provides a new framework to study Read more about Small dino-like sister suggests origin of pterosaurs

There may be more human-made stuff in the world than living plants and animals

Publicly released: Thu 10 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature

This year may be the year that the mass of human-made items exceeds living biomass like plants and animals. Researchers in Israel estimate that over the last 100 years, the mass of material made by people has doubled every 20 years, while natural Read more about There may be more human-made stuff in the world than living plants and animals