Looking to get more active? Fitbits may help a little bit

Publicly released: Tue 22 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

British Journal of Sports Medicine

Smartphone fitness apps and wearable activity trackers do help boost physical activity levels, according to an Australian-led review and pooled data analysis of the available evidence. The researchers looked at 35 previous studies, involving a total Read more about Looking to get more active? Fitbits may help a little bit

Perfectly preserved 57,000-year-old wolf pup found in Canada

Publicly released: Tue 22 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Current Biology

While water-blasting at a wall of frozen mud in Canada, a gold miner made an extraordinary discovery: a perfectly preserved wolf pup that had been locked in permafrost for 57,000 years. Named Zhùr by the locals, the pup is the most complete wolf Read more about Perfectly preserved 57,000-year-old wolf pup found in Canada

Junk food linked to sleep problems in teens

Publicly released: Tue 22 Dec 2020 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

EClinicalMedicine

Eating too much junk food has been linked with poor sleep quality in teens, a University of Queensland-led study has found. UQ School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences researcher Associate Professor Asad Khan said frequent consumption of Read more about Junk food linked to sleep problems in teens

From terror to termination – the dynamics of London’s smallpox epidemics

Publicly released: Tue 22 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS Biology

Smallpox, which for centuries was one of the most devastating infectious diseases, was eradicated in 1980. Analysis of 300 years of weekly smallpox records from London (1664 to 1930) have shown changes in the timing, size and seasonality between Read more about From terror to termination – the dynamics of London’s smallpox epidemics

Future farming may affect 90% of Earth's wildlife by 2050

Publicly released: Tue 22 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Sustainability

Almost 90 per cent of land animals around the world may lose some of their habitat by 2050 as land is cleared to meet the future demand for food, according to an international study based on computer modelling. However, the authors say proactive Read more about Future farming may affect 90% of Earth's wildlife by 2050

Scientists shine light on ‘bright spots’ to restore coastal ecosystems

Publicly released: Tue 22 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Current Biology

CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has identified coastal ‘bright spots’ to repair marine ecosystems globally, paving the way to boost biodiversity, local economies and human wellbeing. Read more about Scientists shine light on ‘bright spots’ to restore coastal ecosystems

Crikey! Massive prehistoric croc emerges from South East Queensland

Publicly released: Mon 21 Dec 2020 at 2000 AEDT | 2200 NZDT

PeerJ

A prehistoric croc measuring more than five metres long – dubbed the ‘swamp king’ – ruled south eastern Queensland waterways only a few million years ago. University of Queensland researchers identified the new species of prehistoric croc Read more about Crikey! Massive prehistoric croc emerges from South East Queensland

Research busts mental health coping myth

Publicly released: Mon 21 Dec 2020 at 1500 AEDT | 1700 NZDT

Journal of Affective Disorders Reports

People with extreme psychological distress have exceeded the limits of their own resources, and need support from others to cope, according to new research led by USC Australia. Read more about Research busts mental health coping myth

Climate change demands same leadership as COVID-19, and Australia is failing

Publicly released: Mon 21 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Medical Journal of Australia

Leading Australian medical clinicians and researchers have called on the Federal Government and the health sector to commit to showing the same leadership on climate change as was shown during the COVID-19 public health crisis. The authors say our Read more about Climate change demands same leadership as COVID-19, and Australia is failing

Goldilocks and the three quantum dots: This one’s just right for peak solar panel performance

Publicly released: Mon 21 Dec 2020 at 0930 AEDT | 1130 NZDT

Nanoscale

Maximising the efficiency of renewable energy technology is dependent on creating nanoparticles with ideal dimensions and density, new simulations have shown. Scientists in Australia have developed a process for calculating the perfect size and Read more about Goldilocks and the three quantum dots: This one’s just right for peak solar panel performance

Tube fishway technology will get fish up and over those dam walls

Publicly released: Mon 21 Dec 2020 at 0800 AEDT | 1000 NZDT

New technology that allows fish to glide past dam walls, weirs and other river barriers has the potential to revitalise Australia’s ailing freshwater fish stocks. Read more about Tube fishway technology will get fish up and over those dam walls

Seeking answers in ferroelectric patterning

Publicly released: Sat 19 Dec 2020 at 1122 AEDT | 1322 NZDT

Why do some ferroelectric materials display ‘bubble’-shaped patterning, while others display complex, labyrinthine patterns? A FLEET/UNSW study finds the changing patterns in ferroelectric films are driven by non-equilibrium dynamics, with Read more about Seeking answers in ferroelectric patterning

Does low self-esteem in teens predict depression?

Publicly released: Sat 19 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Australian researchers looked at the link between low self-esteem and self-criticism in 243 Aussie teens and the development of depression. They found no effect of self-criticism, but having low self-esteem meant teens were more likely to suffer Read more about Does low self-esteem in teens predict depression?

How modelling helped our COVID response

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 1220 AEDT | 1420 NZDT

Multiple models helped achieve the successful pandemic management strategies implemented in Australia at both state and national level, yesterday’s first Cosmos Briefing was told. Professor Jodie McVernon, form Doherty Epidemiology, and Read more about How modelling helped our COVID response

Cocktail of antibodies can cut COVID-19 viral load

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 1200 AEDT | 1400 NZDT

NEJM

A study carried out and funded by pharmaceutical company Regeneron tested the firm's cocktail of antibodies known as REGN-COV2 on 275 COVID-19 patients with mild disease, and found administering the cocktail reduced the amount of virus circulating Read more about Cocktail of antibodies can cut COVID-19 viral load

Trial data confirms two doses of Oxford/ AstraZeneca COVID vaccine are better than one

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 1144 AEDT | 1344 NZDT

Nature Medicine

Having two doses of the Oxford/ AstraZeneca COVID vaccine known as, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, produces a better immune response than a single dose, according to two new research papers. The studies looked at a full dose followed by either a full dose or half Read more about Trial data confirms two doses of Oxford/ AstraZeneca COVID vaccine are better than one

COVID-19 is now the USA's biggest killer

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 1130 AEDT | 1330 NZDT

JAMA

The uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 in the USA means it is currently the leading cause of death in the country, overtaking heart disease and cancer, according to a 'Viewpoint' article by US scientists. Between November 1st 2020, and December 13th, Read more about COVID-19 is now the USA's biggest killer

Released captive quolls able to hunt in the wild, even munching on a penguin

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 1111 AEDT | 1311 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Captive bread eastern quolls that were released into Booderee National Park can hunt small mammals, invertebrates, birds, reptiles, frogs and fish, but also make use of supplementary feed stations, say Australian researchers. The study analysed Read more about Released captive quolls able to hunt in the wild, even munching on a penguin

Dad’s health can affect pregnancy too

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 1105 AEDT | 1305 NZDT

Human Reproduction

Poor health in men is linked to higher risk of pregnancy loss in their partners. A review of nearly one million US medical insurance records found that if the father-to-be has three or more medical conditions such as obesity, diabetes, high blood Read more about Dad’s health can affect pregnancy too

COVID-19 is more severe than flu

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The Lancet Respiratory Medicine

A comparison of data from over 130,000 hospitalised patients in France confirms that COVID-19 is more severe than flu. The French researchers say nearly twice as many people were admitted to hospital for COVID-19 at the height of the pandemic than Read more about COVID-19 is more severe than flu

Mozzie recognition – AI used to identify mosquito species

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases

Researchers in the US have used neural networks, a form of artificial intelligence, to classify mosquitoes. Mosquito species can be hard to distinguish, even by specialists, and this makes it hard to identify those that transmit diseases. Using Read more about Mozzie recognition – AI used to identify mosquito species

EXPERT REACTION: Could wildfire smoke spread infectious diseases?

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

Science

In addition to being hazardous to breathe in, wildfire smoke could carry infectious bacteria and fungi with it as well. Two US researchers write in an article for Science that, despite the heat, wildfire conditions can create airborne pockets where Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Could wildfire smoke spread infectious diseases?

Fewer gut worms, more diabetes in NZ-bound refugees

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

NZMJ

Refugees arriving in New Zealand have far fewer infectious diseases, but more chronic conditions like diabetes than they did in the 1980s, research finds. The study authors say it's likely because most NZ-bound refugees now come through private Read more about Fewer gut worms, more diabetes in NZ-bound refugees

Most homeless Kiwis die from preventable causes

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

New Zealand Medical Journal

Most deaths of people with “no fixed abode” in NZ could have been prevented through better access to health care services, according to University of Waikato researchers. They looked at coroners' findings related to 171 homeless people who died Read more about Most homeless Kiwis die from preventable causes

Discovery confirms model of the evolution of our Universe

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 1900 AEDT | 2100 NZDT

Astronomy & Astrophysics

Australian researchers from Western Sydney University, Macquarie University, and Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, have contributed to the first observation of a gas filament with a length of 50 million light years – confirming current Read more about Discovery confirms model of the evolution of our Universe

Satellite tracking supports whale conservation

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 1629 AEDT | 1829 NZDT

Scientific Reports

Extensive satellite tracking has revealed important new knowledge about the little known pygmy blue whale population of Southern Australia. Marine scientists from Flinders University, Australian Marine Mammal Centre, Blue Planet Marine and Macquarie Read more about Satellite tracking supports whale conservation

COVID-19 escalated armed conflicts in several war-torn countries

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 1600 AEDT | 1800 NZDT

World Development

Of the nine countries that were studied, four had reduced armed conflict activities while five had escalations. India, Iraq, Libya, Pakistan and the Philippines all saw an escalation of civil wars because conflict parties exploited either state Read more about COVID-19 escalated armed conflicts in several war-torn countries

Clowns may help kids in hospital cope with pain and anxiety

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 1600 AEDT | 1800 NZDT

The BMJ

Hospital clowns, the stuff of nightmares for some, may help improve physical symptoms and psychological wellbeing in children and adolescents having treatment for acute or chronic conditions, according to Brazilian and Canadian scientists. They Read more about Clowns may help kids in hospital cope with pain and anxiety

Pregnant women excluded from 3 in 4 COVID-19 treatment trials

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 1600 AEDT | 1800 NZDT

The Lancet Global Health

Pregnant women are among those most in need of safe and effective therapies against COVID-19, but they are routinely excluded from the majority of clinical treatment trials, according to the US and Swiss authors of an opinion piece based on a review Read more about Pregnant women excluded from 3 in 4 COVID-19 treatment trials

Incredible footage reveals flatback sea turtle defending itself against shark attack

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 1501 AEDT | 1701 NZDT

Ecology

Researchers from Murdoch University’s Harry Butler Institute and Western Australia’s Department of Biodiversity, Conservation & Attractions (DBCA) have captured fascinating video footage of a shark attacking a sea turtle from the turtle’s Read more about Incredible footage reveals flatback sea turtle defending itself against shark attack

The Sleigh team - leadership lessons from Santa

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 1500 AEDT | 1700 NZDT

The BMJ

As Father Christmas gears up for the busiest 24 hours of his year, two doctors reflect on the skills he uses to get a seemingly impossible job done effectively and safely - and whether they can be applied to medicine. What lessons can medicine learn Read more about The Sleigh team - leadership lessons from Santa

Is Christmas naughty, or nice?

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 1430 AEDT | 1630 NZDT

The BMJ

With tongues firmly in cheeks, UK experts highlight the dangers of Christmas by looking up cautionary tales from the past, and pose the question 'is Christmas worth it?'. Almost nothing about Christmas is safe, these Grinches conclude. Painting Read more about Is Christmas naughty, or nice?

New therapeutic target pinpointed for stomach cancer

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 1423 AEDT | 1623 NZDT

Gastroenterology

WEHI researchers have identified a key molecular regulator involved in the progression and spread of stomach cancer, suggesting a potential new approach to treat this devastating disease. The team discovered that removing the inflammatory signalling Read more about New therapeutic target pinpointed for stomach cancer

Dolphin populations likely to be impacted by climate change and extreme weather events

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 1416 AEDT | 1616 NZDT

Nature Scientific Reports

Freshwater Skin Disease is an emerging disease of cetaceans which we are likely to see increasing in frequency in vulnerable estuarine and coastal habitats globally that continue to be affected by worsening climate change, threatening the Read more about Dolphin populations likely to be impacted by climate change and extreme weather events

Exercise for low back pain beneficial but no one agrees on why

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 1241 AEDT | 1441 NZDT

Musculoskeletal Science and Practice

A new UNSW evidence review has found there is still no consensus between researchers about why exercise works for low back pain patients – despite decades of studies on the topic. Exercise is scientifically proven to provide relief from chronic Read more about Exercise for low back pain beneficial but no one agrees on why

Polariton interactions: light matters

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 1240 AEDT | 1440 NZDT

Physical Review Research

Why do 2D exciton-polaritons interact? This intriguing quasiparticle, which is part light (photon), and part matter (exciton), doesn’t behave as predicted: continuing to interact with other particles when confined to two dimensions in extremely Read more about Polariton interactions: light matters

COVID‑19 vaccines – are we there yet?

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 1200 AEDT | 1400 NZDT

Australian Prescriber

Australian and New Zealand experts summarise the COVID-19 vaccine situation in Australia. As of mid-December 2020, more than 200 COVID‑19 vaccine candidates are in development and 11 have entered phase III clinical trials globally. All generate Read more about COVID‑19 vaccines – are we there yet?

Alcohol industry submissions to Australian policy consultations distort scientific evidence

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 0928 AEDT | 1128 NZDT

Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs

Almost all alcohol industry submissions to policy consultations in Australia over a five year period presented a distorted view of the scientific evidence, according to a new study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. The study Read more about Alcohol industry submissions to Australian policy consultations distort scientific evidence

Coral can acquire their algae partners from giant clam poo

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Japanese scientists say algae expelled in giant clams' poo are capable of colonising corals. They dropped clam poo on corals (Acropora tenuis) in the lab, and found the algae from the poo had partnered with the corals within three days. They then Read more about Coral can acquire their algae partners from giant clam poo

Dogs less stressed when trained with TLC - treats, love and care

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLoS ONE

Research shows that training dogs using punishments stresses them out. A study of 92 dogs undergoing training in Portugal found that those trained exclusively or mostly using positive reinforcements were less stressed. They showed fewer Read more about Dogs less stressed when trained with TLC - treats, love and care

Truth can be obscured by bodycam footage

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Reviewing police body-worn (‘bodycam’) videos can both enhance and detract from an individual’s recollections of crimes, according to new Australian research. In most instances, this practice enhanced the completeness and accuracy of a Read more about Truth can be obscured by bodycam footage

Secret of Australia’s volcanoes revealed

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

Science Advances

Why has the east coast had hundreds of volcanoes since the dinosaur age? Previous explanations have only told part of the story but new research from the University of Sydney proposes a theory to explain not only Australia's volcanic coast, but Read more about Secret of Australia’s volcanoes revealed

Around 1 in 8 top nutrition research papers has ties to industry

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

An Aussie-led analysis of studies published by top nutrition journals in 2018 shows that 13. 4 per cent disclosed involvement from the food industry, and studies with industry involvement were more likely to report results favourable to industry Read more about Around 1 in 8 top nutrition research papers has ties to industry

Taking virus selfies with your phone

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

Science Advances

US researchers have developed a system for quickly identifying viruses using nanoparticles, artificial intelligence and a smartphone. The test sensitivity came out at nearly 99 per cent when used on clinical samples containing low levels of Read more about Taking virus selfies with your phone

Smile and 70 per cent of the world smiles with you

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature

Charles Darwin claimed that human facial expressions are a universal language. That’s just been tested by scientists at the University of California, Berkeley. They used a form of artificial intelligence to assess six million YouTube videos from Read more about Smile and 70 per cent of the world smiles with you

Scientists coax mouse stem cells into becoming an egg, almost

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature

Japanese and UK scientists have almost made an egg out of mouse stem cells - the cells that can go on to become any type of cell. They used a combination of eight proteins called transcription factors to nudge mouse stem cells into becoming similar Read more about Scientists coax mouse stem cells into becoming an egg, almost

How COVID-19 changed the way Australians used health services in 2019-20

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Fewer Australians presented to hospital emergency departments with injuries and less elective surgery was performed, but more people filled prescriptions and had telehealth medical consultations after COVID-19 restrictions were first implemented in Read more about How COVID-19 changed the way Australians used health services in 2019-20

Sights set on curbing gun crime

Publicly released: Wed 16 Dec 2020 at 1354 AEDT | 1554 NZDT

Criminology & Criminal Justice

A community or sub-culture encouraging young men’s exposure and obsession with guns – as well as ready access to firearms and drugs – can make gun violence ‘all too easy’, with Flinders University experts promoting a new direction on Read more about Sights set on curbing gun crime

Hares out of place

Publicly released: Wed 16 Dec 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Seasonal camouflage is important in many alpine animals, but climate change threatens that strategy. A study in the Scottish Highlands looked at data on hare moulting and snow cover over the last 65 years. Between the 1950s and 2016 the duration of Read more about Hares out of place

Birdsong for happiness

Publicly released: Wed 16 Dec 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society B

Hearing birdsong when out walking appears to improve feelings of well-being. Californian researchers assessed people’s well-being after they had walked one of two nature trails. Some were unknowingly played additional bird calls along the trail, Read more about Birdsong for happiness