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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 -
Evidence asbestos ban working as DIY linked mesothelioma cases fall
Respirology
Data on 60 years' worth of WA cases of the lung disease mesothelioma, which is primarily caused by asbestos exposure, suggest that Australia-wide ban on asbestos may be working with a fall in the incidence of DIY/renovation exposure. The study Read more about Evidence asbestos ban working as DIY linked mesothelioma cases fall
Australia; WACurtin University -
Eight weeks to stress less
Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy Journal.
A little compassion can go a long way. Just eight weeks of a new compassion and mindfulness-based group program has made a world of difference to those with post-traumatic stress symptoms, seeing them move from clinical to non-clinical conditions, Read more about Eight weeks to stress less
Australia; WAMurdoch University -
AI chatbots can tell you if your meal is healthy
JAMA Network Open
AI chatbots like ChatGPT are as accurate as a nutritionist at estimating the energy, carbohydrate, and fat contents of eight menus designed for adults, according to international research, but the AI tended to overestimate the protein content. The Read more about AI chatbots can tell you if your meal is healthy
InternationalTaipei Medical University, Taiwan -
Not all low carb diets are created equal for keeping the kilos at bay
JAMA
Research using data from three large studies has found that not all low-carb diets will help you keep the kilos off to the same degree. The study found low-carb diets that emphasised high-quality proteins, fats and carbohydrates from whole grains Read more about Not all low carb diets are created equal for keeping the kilos at bay
InternationalHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, USA -
Pets help ward off dementia in older people living alone
JAMA Network Open
Over-50s living alone are at high risk of developing dementia, but having a pet could help, according to new research. People living with no one but their pets had slower rates of decline in verbal memory and fluency than people living fully alone, Read more about Pets help ward off dementia in older people living alone
InternationalSun Yat-sen University, China -
High rates of kids in care among parents who inject drugs
Drug and Alcohol Review
There are high rates of involvement of child protection services and child removal to out-of-home-care among parents who inject drugs, according to an Australian study. The study of people who inject drugs found that women, Aboriginal and Torres Read more about High rates of kids in care among parents who inject drugs
Australia; NSW; VIC; WABurnet Institute|Monash University|Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney... -
Maintain Asian forest diversity to avoid climate change impact
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS).
A new study shows South East Asian forests resisted ‘savannisation’ during the Last Glacial Maximum, suggesting conservation now can help resist impacts from climate change. A team of international scientists led by Dr Rebecca Hamilton at the Read more about Maintain Asian forest diversity to avoid climate change impact
Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney -
Reindeer can sleep while chewing their cud
Current Biology
Reindeer seem to sleep whilst chewing the cud, according to international researchers, who say that when reindeer ruminate - also known as chewing the cud - their brain waves resemble non-REM sleep. Chewing the cud, or ruminating, is the Read more about Reindeer can sleep while chewing their cud
InternationalUniversity of Zurich, Switzerland -
Flying ‘dragon’ robot could fight fires from a distance
Frontiers in Robotics and AI
Japanese researchers have built the "Dragon Firefighter", a flying hose that could help put out fires that are too dangerous for humans to approach. The robot achieves liftoff through the pressure of eight controllable jets of water, and it has a Read more about Flying ‘dragon’ robot could fight fires from a distance
InternationalAkita Prefectual University, Japan -
Wood heaters responsible for dozens of avoidable deaths in the ACT each year
The Medical Journal of Australia
Smoke from wood heaters causes between 11 and 63 deaths per year in the ACT, according to a new study from researchers at The Australian National University (ANU), the HEAL National Research Network and the Centre for Safe Air. The study found the Read more about Wood heaters responsible for dozens of avoidable deaths in the ACT each year
Australia; NSW; TAS; ACTThe Australian National University|Menzies Institute for Medical Research... -
Astronomers detect seismic ripples in ancient galactic disk
Monthly Notice of the Royal Astronomical Society
A new snapshot of an ancient, far-off galaxy could help scientists understand how it formed and the origins of our own Milky Way. Aussie researchers were able to not only capture the motion of the gas around the 12 billion year old galaxy BRI Read more about Astronomers detect seismic ripples in ancient galactic disk
Australia; International; ACTThe Australian National University -
Octopus DNA contains grave warning for sea level rise
Science
Aussie and NZ scientists have used octopus DNA to discover that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) likely collapsed during the Last Interglacial period around 120,000 years ago – when global temperatures were similar to today. The team compared Read more about Octopus DNA contains grave warning for sea level rise
Australia; New Zealand; Pacific; QLD; WAJames Cook University|Western Australian Museum|Victoria University of Wellington -
Organic compounds in asteroids formed in colder regions of space
Science
Analysis of organic compounds – called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) – extracted from the Ryugu asteroid and Murchison meteorite has found that certain PAHs likely formed in the cold areas of space between stars rather than in hot Read more about Organic compounds in asteroids formed in colder regions of space
Australia; InternationalCurtin University -
Sniffing a women's tears may help reduce aggressive behaviour in men
PLOS Biology
Sniffing women’s tears may reduce aggressive behaviour in men, according to international research. The researchers had a group of men sniff either women’s emotional tears or saline while they played a two-person game designed to elicit Read more about Sniffing a women's tears may help reduce aggressive behaviour in men
InternationalWeizmann Institute of Science, Israel -
What makes your cheddar cheesy?
Nature Communications
European researchers say a combination of teeny-tiny bugs are responsible for the lovely flavours of the cheddar cheese on your toastie. The team spent a year doing what most of us dream about - making and eating specially made cheese. They added Read more about What makes your cheddar cheesy?
InternationalChr. Hansen A/S, Denmark