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The coral is listening
Royal Society Open Science
Coral larvae were drawn to settle in sites with attractive soundscapes, according to a new paper. The custom solar-powered soundscapes mimicked those of healthy reef ecosystems, and saw markedly higher rates (up to seven times) of larval settlement Read more about The coral is listening
InternationalWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution, USA; Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA -
Smart magpies are thanks to nurture more than nature
Royal Society Open Science
We all know how smart Aussie magpies are, but Aussie researchers wanted to test whether those smarts were mostly inherited, or something the bird brains learned from their flock. The researchers tested maggies and their fledglings' ability to learn Read more about Smart magpies are thanks to nurture more than nature
Australia; NSW; WAThe University of Western Australia|Macquarie University -
Emperor penguin populations are in decline
Proceedings of the Royal Society B
The global population of emperor penguins is declining by around −1. 3% per year, according to Australian, NZ and international researchers, although they don't yet know the reason why. The researchers found that in 2018 there were around 24,000 Read more about Emperor penguin populations are in decline
Australia; New Zealand; TASUniversity of Canterbury|Australian Antarctic Division -
Are journals too focused on publishing research in English?
Proceedings of the Royal Society B
Most scientific journals are making minimal effort to overcome the barriers non-English speakers face when it comes to publishing peer-reviewed research, according to an Australian study. The team surveyed policies of 736 biological sciences Read more about Are journals too focused on publishing research in English?
Australia; NSW; VIC; QLDThe University of Queensland|The University of New South Wales... -
Fishing gear is trapping whales and causing problems, even when it's minor
Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
North Atlantic right whales are getting stuck in fishing gear, according to Aussie researchers who say even if they survive it can cause all kinds of issues. The team used information about 199 females sighted between 1977 and 2018, combined with Read more about Fishing gear is trapping whales and causing problems, even when it's minor
Australia; NSW; QLDMacquarie University|Griffith University -
EXPERT REACTION: Apple cider vinegar may help young obese people to lose weight
BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health
A small study has found that a small amount of apple cider vinegar every day may help overweight or obese people lose weight and reduce their BMI. The study included 120 people aged between 12 and 25, split into groups that either drank a placebo Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Apple cider vinegar may help young obese people to lose weight
Australia; International; NSW; QLD; SAHoly Spirit University of Kaslik, Lebanon -
Unlocking the secrets to animals’ speed
Nature Communications
How does nature dictate how fast an animal can go? An international team of physicists, biologists and palaeontologists think they have an answer. One that could even change our understanding of extinct animals, and how robots might move in the Read more about Unlocking the secrets to animals’ speed
Australia; QLDUniversity of the Sunshine Coast|The University of Queensland... -
Craving inclusion: Revealing barriers to eating out for people with disability
Public Health Research and Practice
Many people with disability feel isolated and excluded from eating out, research shows. Eating out is a highly valued everyday social activity, as well as a great way to celebrate, catch up with family and friends, and conduct business. A recent Read more about Craving inclusion: Revealing barriers to eating out for people with disability
Australia; NSW; ACTUniversity of Technology Sydney (UTS)|The Australian National University -
New approach to understanding extent of lung cancer at diagnosis
Lancet Respiratory Medicine
An Australian study has highlighted a way to improve pre-treatment testing of lung cancer patients, to better detect cancers that may have unknowingly spread. An Australian study has highlighted a way to improve pre-treatment testing of lung cancer Read more about New approach to understanding extent of lung cancer at diagnosis
Australia; VICPeter MacCallum Cancer Centre|The University of Melbourne... -
Most male mammals are not larger than females
Nature Communications
Males are not larger than females in most mammal species, contrary to common belief, according to international researchers. The team compared male and female body masses of 429 species in the wild, and found that in most cases, such as lemurs, Read more about Most male mammals are not larger than females
InternationalPrinceton University, USA -
Soft wearable throat patch could help people with voice disorders to speak
Nature Communications
A soft, wearable, non-invasive patch may help people with voice disorders to speak, according to international researchers, who developed a magnetoelastic patch that adheres to the throat and uses AI to translate muscle movements into words. The Read more about Soft wearable throat patch could help people with voice disorders to speak
InternationalUniversity of California, USA -
DNA protecting gene’s crucial role in brain disorders revealed
Nature Communications
University of Adelaide researchers now know more about a mysterious gene’s role in maintaining healthy DNA – a crucial development that could lead to new treatments for life-threatening illnesses including neurodevelopmental disorders, some Read more about DNA protecting gene’s crucial role in brain disorders revealed
Australia; International; SAThe University of Adelaide -
Could ADHD medication be linked to lower death rates?
JAMA
The initiation of ADHD medication could reduce death rates in those who need it, according to international researchers. The team looked at data from 148,578 people diagnosed with ADHD in Sweden, and found the initial dispensation of ADHD medication Read more about Could ADHD medication be linked to lower death rates?
InternationalKarolinska Institutet, Sweden -
Our furry friends caused 12,000 human hospitalisations in Australia in a year
From mid 2021 to mid 2022, 12,000 Australians were hospitalised with an injury related to pet cats and dogs, according to a report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare that says 53% of all injuries related to animal contact are caused Read more about Our furry friends caused 12,000 human hospitalisations in Australia in a year
AustraliaAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) -
Census data reveals stark gap in asthma risk for inner and outer city kids
The journal of allergy and clinical immunology (JACI)
Children who live in the outer suburbs of Australia’s four biggest cities are twice as likely to have asthma as those living in inner city areas, according to a new study based on health data captured in the last Australian Census. The data was Read more about Census data reveals stark gap in asthma risk for inner and outer city kids
Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; WATelethon Kids Institute|Curtin University -
Increasing disability employment could boost national economy by billions
A new report by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre at Curtin University reveals there has been no improvement in employment rates for people with disability in Australia over the last two decades, despite extensive policy reforms and greatly Read more about Increasing disability employment could boost national economy by billions
Australia; WACurtin University -
Mars attracts: how Earth’s interactions with the red planet drive deep-sea circulation
Nature Communications
Research from the University of Sydney and Sorbonne University suggests that giant whirlpools in warming oceans could run counter to ocean stagnation that some have predicted could impact the Gulf Stream. The team used the geological record of the Read more about Mars attracts: how Earth’s interactions with the red planet drive deep-sea circulation
Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney -
More than half of aged care residents are on antidepressants
Journal of American Medical Directors Association (JAMDA)
A new study by the Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA), based at SAHMRI, has found six out of ten Australian aged care residents are taking antidepressant medication. A new study by the Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA), based at SAHMRI, has Read more about More than half of aged care residents are on antidepressants
Australia; SASouth Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) -
Mixed results for older women taking calcium and vitamin D supplements
Annals of Internal Medicine
Taking calcium and vitamin D supplements in older age is linked to mixed long term health outcomes in women, according to an international study that found the supplements were associated in a reduced risk of dying of cancer but an almost equal Read more about Mixed results for older women taking calcium and vitamin D supplements
InternationalUniversity of Arizona, USA -
Love on the land: Helping farmers grow healthy relationships
Life on the land can be great, but it can also put a lot of pressure on romantic relationships. Now, rural health experts from the University of South Australia have launched a new online resource to help farmers build and maintain a healthy Read more about Love on the land: Helping farmers grow healthy relationships
Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia