Forgetfulness may be a sign of brain efficiency

Publicly released: Mon 14 Dec 2020 at 1225 AEDT | 1425 NZDT

Frontiers in Psychology

Forgetfulness, often viewed negatively as an indication of brain dysfunction, can be a normal part of life and a sign of an efficient brain. Researchers looked specifically at how the brain reacts when people encounter a person or object out of Read more about Forgetfulness may be a sign of brain efficiency

When chemistry with green light mimics what happens in life

Publicly released: Mon 14 Dec 2020 at 1102 AEDT | 1302 NZDT

Chemical Science

QUT and Ghent University researchers took inspiration from nature to create a green light-stabilised 3D polymer structure that unfolds itself when left in darkness - the first reported example of a reversible, light-triggered process to fold Read more about When chemistry with green light mimics what happens in life

Rewiring stroke survivors brains could alleviate depression

Publicly released: Mon 14 Dec 2020 at 1046 AEDT | 1246 NZDT

Journal of Neurology

University of South Australia researchers have made major developments in the treatment of depression after stroke, using a high-frequency brain stimulation device to improve low moods. Read more about Rewiring stroke survivors brains could alleviate depression

New studies put health equity at centre of COVID-19 pandemic response

Publicly released: Mon 14 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

The Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) has today announced more than $6. 3 million in funding for 11 new research studies that put health equity at the centre of New Zealand's COVID-19 pandemic response. The new funding will help ensure Read more about New studies put health equity at centre of COVID-19 pandemic response

‘I’m their kaumātua and I couldn’t even be there’ - Kaumātua responses to COVID-19

Publicly released: Mon 14 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand

As community leaders, kaumātua have been influential in curbing the spread of COVID-19, but they are also among the most vulnerable to the disease. University of Auckland researchers interviewed 23 kaumātua over the course of six weeks about their Read more about ‘I’m their kaumātua and I couldn’t even be there’ - Kaumātua responses to COVID-19

Almost 300 people have died playing football in Australia over the past 150 years

Publicly released: Mon 14 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Medical Journal of Australia

There have been at least 295 deaths due to football-related injuries in the past 146 years, according to an analysis of media reports. The majority of deaths resulted from head, neck or abdominal injuries at the community level of the collision codes Read more about Almost 300 people have died playing football in Australia over the past 150 years

Kids who've experienced bushfires at long term mental health risk

Publicly released: Mon 14 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Medical Journal of Australia

Children exposed to bushfires appear to be at a higher risk of mental health symptoms in the short, medium and long term, according to an Australian review of research. The study found that the risk of kids developing mental health symptoms later in Read more about Kids who've experienced bushfires at long term mental health risk

Med school entrance test still favours men despite recent changes

Publicly released: Mon 14 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Medical Journal of Australia

A change in one of the ways to assess undergraduate students for acceptance into medical school appears to have increased the gender gap between men and women, according to new Australian and NZ research. The Undergraduate Medical and Health Read more about Med school entrance test still favours men despite recent changes

PJs are OK: Scientists working from home in their in pyjamas work just as effectively

Publicly released: Mon 14 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Medical Journal of Australia

A study of staff and students at five medical research institutes in NSW has found that wearing pyjamas while working from home during the COVID pandemic was not associated with lower productivity, but was linked with poorer mental health. Not Read more about PJs are OK: Scientists working from home in their in pyjamas work just as effectively

What the fork? Teaspoons the main victims our our workplace cutlery kleptomania

Publicly released: Mon 14 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Medical Journal of Australia

Teaspoons being taken from work lunchrooms appears to be a more substantial problem than fork disappearance, according to Australian research. The researchers marked 18 spoons, knives and forks, in the staff tearoom of a public teaching and research Read more about What the fork? Teaspoons the main victims our our workplace cutlery kleptomania

Genetics indicate why some people get more severe COVID

Publicly released: Sat 12 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature

Genetic variants that are linked to the development of life-threatening illness in patients with COVID-19 have been identified and several are involved in inflammatory processes and the body’s response to invading viruses. The researchers looked Read more about Genetics indicate why some people get more severe COVID

A different kind of 27 club - Mass extinctions seem to follow a 27-million-year-cycle

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 1601 AEDT | 1801 NZDT

Historical Biology

Mass extinctions of land-dwelling animals—including amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds— seem to follow a cycle of about 27 million years, according to researchers from the US, who found that major asteroid impacts and devastating volcanic Read more about A different kind of 27 club - Mass extinctions seem to follow a 27-million-year-cycle

On a "road to hell" at the current pace of action on climate change, say ex-UN climate leaders

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 1300 AEDT | 1500 NZDT

Climate Policy

Four former senior members of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) secretariat, say that the global response to climate change is completely insufficient and leaves the world on a “road to hell”. In reviewing 30 Read more about On a "road to hell" at the current pace of action on climate change, say ex-UN climate leaders

Changes in breathing rate could signal COVID before symptoms start

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 1255 AEDT | 1455 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Changes in peoples breathing rate overnight may help detect COVID-19 before sysmptoms start, say Australian researchers. They developed a model based on respiratory rate that was able to identify 20 per cent of COVID-19 positive individuals prior to Read more about Changes in breathing rate could signal COVID before symptoms start

Vitamin D the clue to more autism spectrum disorder in boys

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 1230 AEDT | 1430 NZDT

Molecular Autism

A deficiency in Vitamin D on the mother’s side could explain why autism spectrum disorder is three times more common in boys, say researchers from The University of Queensland. In their latest study, Professor Darryl Eyles and Dr Asad Ali from Read more about Vitamin D the clue to more autism spectrum disorder in boys

EXPERT REACTION: UQ COVID vaccine abandoned after HIV antibody positives

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 1200 AEDT | 1400 NZDT

UQ and CSL have this morning confirmed they are abandoning their trials of an Australian COVID-19 vaccine after recipients generated HIV antibodies during phase 1 tests. This means the antibodies produced by the vaccine can interfere with HIV Read more about EXPERT REACTION: UQ COVID vaccine abandoned after HIV antibody positives

The AusSMC's Top 10 WEIRD Science Stories 2020

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 1130 AEDT | 1330 NZDT

2020 was certainly a weird year, so perhaps it's not surprising that it produced a bumper crop of weird and wonderful science yarns. We heard an unenthusiastic voice from beyond the grave when researchers recreated the vocal tract of an ancient Read more about The AusSMC's Top 10 WEIRD Science Stories 2020

Detecting SARS-CoV-2 with a smartphone camera

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 1130 AEDT | 1330 NZDT

Cell

International researchers, including an Aussie, have developed a device that can, with the help of a smartphone camera, detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in a nasal swab. The test makes use of the gene-splicing CRISPR-Cas technology to be able to Read more about Detecting SARS-CoV-2 with a smartphone camera

EXPERT REACTION: Global Carbon Budget - unprecedented emissions slowdown thanks to COVID

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Earth System Science Data

Global emission could decline by around 7 per cent in 2020, according to the latest Global Carbon Budget. The report has found the decrease in emissions in 2020 appears more pronounced in the US, EU and India, partly due to pre-existing downward Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Global Carbon Budget - unprecedented emissions slowdown thanks to COVID

Music may help soothe post-op pain

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The British Medical Journal

Listening to soothing music and words while under general anaesthetic may lead to less pain following surgery. A trial conducted in Germany found that 191 patients who listened to background music and positive suggestions during their surgery had Read more about Music may help soothe post-op pain

Do not try to make George’s Marvellous Medicine at home

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The BMJ

Do not try to make George’s Marvellous Medicine yourselves at home, it could be toxic and potentially dangerous say literature loving researchers from the UK. Two researchers and their five children read Roald Dahl's George’s Marvellous Read more about Do not try to make George’s Marvellous Medicine at home

Patient death rates higher on surgeons’ birthdays

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The BMJ

Elderly patients going under the knife on their surgeon’s birthday appear to have a higher death rate than if they had the surgery on another day. US researchers looked at more than 980,000 common emergency procedures on over-65s. Of the 2,000 Read more about Patient death rates higher on surgeons’ birthdays

Too many treats? Dogs and owners share diabetes risk

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The BMJ

You might have heard of dogs that look like their owners - now Swedish research has shown some owners eat and exercise like their dogs. The study found people who had a dog with diabetes were 38 per cent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes Read more about Too many treats? Dogs and owners share diabetes risk

Scientists call for robust goal for species in Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

Conservation Letters

Scientists urge that a clear, unambiguous goal for preventing human-induced species extinctions and stabilising populations must be front and centre in the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework – currently formulated draft iterations carry a Read more about Scientists call for robust goal for species in Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework

Sleep, food, or exercise: which has the biggest impact on mental health?

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 0743 AEDT | 0943 NZDT

Frontiers in Psychology

University of Otago researchers have identified sleep quality as the biggest predictor of depressive symptoms and wellbeing among young adults, compared to diet and physical activity. The research team surveyed 1100 young adults in New Zealand and Read more about Sleep, food, or exercise: which has the biggest impact on mental health?

The vicious cycle of poverty and mental health

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

Science

People who live in poverty are often disproportionately affected by mental illness, with those on the lowest incomes typically 1. 5 to 3 times more likely than the well-off to experience depression or anxiety. This review looks at ways in which Read more about The vicious cycle of poverty and mental health

Faecal transplants may help immunotherapy for cancer patients

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

Science

New early-stage research shows faecal transplants may show some promise in making cancer immunotherapy more effective. This phase 1 clinical trial transplanted the faecal matter  of two melanoma patients who had responded well to earlier Read more about Faecal transplants may help immunotherapy for cancer patients

Tasmanian devils may survive their own pandemic

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

Science

Amid the global COVID-19 crisis, a study released this week has some good news about a wildlife pandemic, which may help scientists better understand how other emerging diseases evolve. Griffith University researchers were part of an international Read more about Tasmanian devils may survive their own pandemic

Detection dogs show promising ability to sniff out COVID-19

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS One

Detection dogs could also be able to be trained to smell COVID-19 in infected people, according to early research. French and Lebanese researchers trained six working detection dogs -- who were already pros in other fields like explosives detection Read more about Detection dogs show promising ability to sniff out COVID-19

How common are mental heath issues in our incarcerated Indigenous Aussies?

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Australian Journal of Social Issues

Aussie and US researchers say that young Indigenous Australians were overrepresented in both the mental health and prison systems from their examination of 23- and 24-year-olds born in Queensland in 1990. The team looked at population data from Read more about How common are mental heath issues in our incarcerated Indigenous Aussies?

Developing a safe inhalable vaccine system

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Med

Researchers have designed a system that allows vaccines and drugs to be inhaled. A 10 amino acid peptide that helps molecules or particles to move from the lungs to the blood was attached to a bacterial virus. When this was given to mice and Read more about Developing a safe inhalable vaccine system

Isolation among the elderly linked to increase risk of falling

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Scientific Reports

Loneliness and social isolation may be an important predictor of falls among the elderly, according to new research. A study that analysed the health data of over 13,000 British people over the age of 60 found that people who lived alone had an 18% Read more about Isolation among the elderly linked to increase risk of falling

Seaweed-munching crabs could help save coral reefs

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Current Biology

Coral reefs in the Caribbean may be getting a boost from king crabs, which appear to keep excessive seaweed growth under control in the reefs. Experiments on the Florida Keys demonstrated that the king crabs are much better than other species at Read more about Seaweed-munching crabs could help save coral reefs

Human eggs often contains serious errors in their chromosomes

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

The American Journal of Human Genetics

Around 1 in 15 human eggs have a pair of chromosomes that failed to exchange genetic material properly, which researcher say suggests that right from the get-go a large proportion of human eggs are predestined to be chromosomally abnormal. The Read more about Human eggs often contains serious errors in their chromosomes

Tiny bubbles on electrodes key to speeding up chemical processes

Publicly released: Thu 10 Dec 2020 at 2100 AEDT | 2300 NZDT

Nature Communications

New Curtin University-led research has shown the formation of bubbles on electrodes, usually thought to be a hindrance, can be beneficial, with deliberately added bubbles, or oil droplets, able to accelerate processes such as the removal of Read more about Tiny bubbles on electrodes key to speeding up chemical processes

CSIRO maps Darwin’s ‘hot spots’ and heat-health vulnerability

Publicly released: Thu 10 Dec 2020 at 1707 AEDT | 1907 NZDT

On the back of Darwin’s record-breaking November heat, scientists from Australia’s national science agency CSIRO have released two reports, one mapping the city’s surface temperatures and one providing strategies to deal with urban heat. Read more about CSIRO maps Darwin’s ‘hot spots’ and heat-health vulnerability

New resource to help clinicians implement best-practice guideline for the diagnosis of autism

Publicly released: Thu 10 Dec 2020 at 1245 AEDT | 1445 NZDT

Autism CRC has today launched a National Guideline Implementation Toolkit to help clinicians to upskill and deliver the recommendations of the recently published National Guideline for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism. The Toolkit makes an Read more about New resource to help clinicians implement best-practice guideline for the diagnosis of autism

Wastewater flushes out COVID-19 cases weeks before people show symptoms

Publicly released: Thu 10 Dec 2020 at 1130 AEDT | 1330 NZDT

Environmental Research

An Aussie study has provided further evidence that wastewater (untreated sewage) testing can detect COVID-19 in communities weeks before people display symptoms, suggesting this testing could provide a targeted early detection system as economies Read more about Wastewater flushes out COVID-19 cases weeks before people show symptoms

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

Routine risk scores may not help heart attack patients

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

JAMA Cardiology

Although international guidelines recommend use of the risk scores to guide treatment of patients suspected of having a heart attack or other acute coronary syndrome, Australian research has found that they had no impact on patient care aside from Read more about Routine risk scores may not help heart attack patients

Space weather discovery puts ‘habitable planets’ at risk

Publicly released: Thu 10 Dec 2020 at 0100 AEDT | 0300 NZDT

The Astrophysical Journal

Stellar flares with a chance of radio bursts: that's the weather from Proxima Centauri. New research led by the University of Sydney suggests exoplanets around red dwarf M-type stars will likely be exposed to coronal mass ejections, making the Read more about Space weather discovery puts ‘habitable planets’ at risk