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Tobacco industry likely going to give the environment a $40B kick in the cigarette butt
Tobacco Control
Thai and Filipino researchers say plastic pollution to our environment from cigarette butts and packaging is likely to cost close to AU$40 billion. The team looked at data from cigarette sales, clean-up costs and plastic waste from the land and sea, Read more about Tobacco industry likely going to give the environment a $40B kick in the cigarette butt
InternationalGlobal Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control, Thailand -
Sexual assault survivors deserve a gold standard reporting experience
A world-first report examining alternative ways for victim-survivors to report sexual assault says under-reporting could be reduced if moved away from law enforcement, but it will need greater support and funding to be sustainable and secure. A world Read more about Sexual assault survivors deserve a gold standard reporting experience
Australia; NSW; VICRMIT University|University of Wollongong|La Trobe University -
A handheld fan can help relieve chronic breathlessness, so why isn't it implemented more?
PLOS ONE
People with chronic breathlessness can help relieve their symptoms by using a handheld, battery-operated fan, however this practice is not as common as it could be, according to international and Australian researchers. The team interviewed 12 Read more about A handheld fan can help relieve chronic breathlessness, so why isn't it implemented more?
Australia; International; NSWUniversity of Technology Sydney (UTS)|University of Hull, UK -
EXPERT REACTION: Early signals could help improve large quake forecasting
Nature Communications
Unique seismic signals were picked up on both the main fault and a less monitored secondary fault, eight months before this year's massively destructive Türkiye earthquake. Researchers say the quake had similar behaviour to other earthquakes such Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Early signals could help improve large quake forecasting
New Zealand; InternationalHelmholtz Centre Potsdam GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Potsdam, Germany -
NZ rat diets are no ratatouille
New Zealand Journal of Ecology
Fruit, seeds, insects, fungi, and human food make up most of the diet of rats caught by researchers in New Zealand. The researchers used genomic sequencing of their stomach contents to find out what the rodents had been eating to an incredible level Read more about NZ rat diets are no ratatouille
New ZealandUniversity of Auckland|Massey University|Ministry of Primary Industries -
Scientists delivering 100k baby corals in major step towards helping the Reef
Scientists are for the first time bringing together a range of methods to breed, treat and deliver around 100,000 baby corals to the Great Barrier Reef in what is thought to be the largest coral restoration research trial ever undertaken. Scientists Read more about Scientists delivering 100k baby corals in major step towards helping the Reef
Australia; QLDAustralian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)|Southern Cross University... -
Scarcity of talent hampers Australia’s quantum industry
Quantum technologies represent a massive opportunity for Australia, but strong global competition and a scarcity of talent will hamper growth in the sector, a major industry review has found. Quantum technologies represent a massive opportunity, but Read more about Scarcity of talent hampers Australia’s quantum industry
Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney|Sydney Quantum Academy -
Aussie babies and toddlers are targeted with unhealthy foods
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
Babies and toddlers can't read or buy food yet, but new research reveals that they are being targeted with aggressive marketing in the baby and toddler aisle at the supermarket. The researchers analysed 230 product packs and found that 9 in 10 food Read more about Aussie babies and toddlers are targeted with unhealthy foods
Australia; VICMonash University|Deakin University -
$48 billion spent on Australia's COVID-19 response
Almost $48 billion was spent on Australia's health system response to COVID-19 up until mid-2022, according to a report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The report estimates the amount spent from the financial year 2019-2020 to Read more about $48 billion spent on Australia's COVID-19 response
AustraliaAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) -
Changing attitudes indicate Australia open to prohibiting smacking of children
Journal for Social Policy
Australia should join 65 other nations that have passed laws against corporal punishment of children in all settings to advance its goal of reducing all forms of violence against children, QUT law researchers say. Six in 10 of 8500 Australians Read more about Changing attitudes indicate Australia open to prohibiting smacking of children
Australia; VIC; QLD; WAQueensland University of Technology (QUT)|QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute... -
Lifestyle advice to lower your cancer risk does appear to work
BMC Medicine
Adhering to the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research cancer prevention recommendations works, according to international researchers who say the closer people follow the recommendations, the less likely they are to get Read more about Lifestyle advice to lower your cancer risk does appear to work
InternationalNewcastle University, UK -
How fitter fish can feed more people in the midst of food insecurity
Reviews in Aquaculture
New research has revealed that exercise regimes can help fish reach marketable sizes at an accelerated rate. Statistical models showed that fish that had been exercised via manipulating water currents grew around 10 per cent quicker than fish kept Read more about How fitter fish can feed more people in the midst of food insecurity
Australia; WAMurdoch University -
Cross-cultural mentoring to enhance education for Samoan infants and toddlers in Aotearoa
AUT academics have developed a framework to enhance the education and cultural well-being of Samoan pepe meamea (infants and toddlers) in early childhood education centres in Aotearoa. Key ma’a tatāo (touchstones) of the framework include Read more about Cross-cultural mentoring to enhance education for Samoan infants and toddlers in Aotearoa
New Zealand; PacificAUT University -
Aussie teens are not actually selfie-obsessed
Journal of Visual Literacy
A new study zooming in on how smartphones influence our photography habits found Australians aged 20 to 40 years old take more selfies than teenagers and older Australians. A new study zooming in on how smartphones influence our photography habits Read more about Aussie teens are not actually selfie-obsessed
Australia; VICRMIT University|Pathshala South Asia Media Institute -
Almost half of Aussies in regional areas say they've experienced severe climate impacts
Almost half (49%) of Aussies living in regional areas say their area has had severe climate impacts, compared with 43% in capital cities, according to international research, which also found that almost 6 in 10 Australians say their government is Read more about Almost half of Aussies in regional areas say they've experienced severe climate impacts
Australia; New Zealand; InternationalIPSOS -
Sitting in traffic can raise your blood pressure, and it's not because of road rage
Annals of Internal Medicine
Inhaling unfiltered air pollution while sitting in traffic is associated with a 4. 5 mm Hg increase in blood pressure, according to international research. The team drove 16 people aged 22 to 45 through traffic in a busy US city for three days, Read more about Sitting in traffic can raise your blood pressure, and it's not because of road rage
InternationalUniversity of Washington, USA -
Cracking the code: unravelling how mutant protein drives cancer growth
Cancer Discovery
WEHI researchers have solved a mystery about the most important driver of cancer development - a mutant protein found in half of all cancers - and how it contributes to tumour growth. WEHI researchers have solved a mystery about the most important Read more about Cracking the code: unravelling how mutant protein drives cancer growth
Australia; VICWEHI -
EXPERT REACTION: Millennials are driving Australia's declining mental health status
PNAS
Millennials are driving the apparent deterioration in mental health in Australia, according to research which tracked Aussie mental health for a 20-year period. The study found that deteriorating mental health is particularly pronounced among people Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Millennials are driving Australia's declining mental health status
Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; SA; ACTThe University of Sydney|The University of Queensland... -
Global mining wastes threaten biodiversity
Nature Sustainability
Mining wastes, known as mine tailings, are regularly stored within environmentally protected areas, and biodiversity factors are rarely included when assessing the risks posed by new and existing tailings storage facilities, according to Australian Read more about Global mining wastes threaten biodiversity
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
Quitting smoking long term can have big benefits for former smokers after 10 years
JAMA Internal Medicine
For former smokers, 10 years after quitting, the rate of death from smoking is reduced to one-third that of continuing smokers, according to international researchers who say that by 20 to 29 years the death rate was similar to that of people who Read more about Quitting smoking long term can have big benefits for former smokers after 10 years
InternationalStanford University, USA -
Party drugs still an indicator of HIV transmission risk among Aussie gay men
Drug and Alcohol Review
Frequent use of party drugs is still an indicator of HIV transmission risk among gay men in Australia, according to a decade of survey data. Australian researchers surveyed gay and bisexual men periodically from 2012 to 2021, asking them about their Read more about Party drugs still an indicator of HIV transmission risk among Aussie gay men
Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales|Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney -
Nurturing connection at Murdoch’s International Café
Journal of the Australian and New Zealand Student Services Association
International Café: A Collaborative approach to international student wellbeing and support. The “post-COVID-19” period witnessed a resurgence of international students arriving in Western Australia. Emerging cost of living pressures, Read more about Nurturing connection at Murdoch’s International Café
Australia; WAMurdoch University -
Aussie health experts call for action to minimise climate change harm
Medical Journal of Australia
The Australian global health community needs to step up to minimise the impact of climate change on the health of vulnerable communities, according to an editorial from the Australian Global Health Alliance. Experts from the alliance outline how the Read more about Aussie health experts call for action to minimise climate change harm
Australia; VICMonash University|The University of Melbourne -
Why biodiversity matters and why we should care if species go extinct
A new book by UQ ecologist Nigel Dudley builds a case for "Why Biodiversity Matters" and why we should care if species go extinct. A year on from the COP15 summit of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the book argues for a careful rethink on Read more about Why biodiversity matters and why we should care if species go extinct
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
EXPERT REACTION: Murray-Darling Basin deal on 'Restoring Our Rivers'
The Federal Government has reached a deal with the Greens to return water to the environment through Commonwealth buybacks across the Murray-Darling Basin. The agreement aims to ensure that the Government recovers the 450GL of additional Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Murray-Darling Basin deal on 'Restoring Our Rivers'
Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; SA; ACTAustralian Science Media Centre|Australian Government - Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water -
Gamifying safety helps teens prevent farm injury
The ‘Calm Your Farm’ game, created through a UNSW Sydney-led research collaboration, increases knowledge and awareness about farm safety. Every teenager living in a rural or regional area has a gruesome story about a farm injury. Fingers caught Read more about Gamifying safety helps teens prevent farm injury
Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales -
EXPERT REACTION: Should we be concerned about the rise in respiratory illnesses in China?
China is currently seeing an increase in respiratory illnesses and reported clusters of pneumonia in children, according to the World Health Organization. The WHO this week made an official request to the country for detailed information about the Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Should we be concerned about the rise in respiratory illnesses in China?
Australia; International; NSW; VIC; SAAustralian Science Media Centre -
While people injecting drugs has decreased in Australia, infections are on the rise
Drug and Alcohol Review
While there are fewer people who inject drugs in Australia now than 18 years ago, there has been an increase in the number of people who inject drugs acquiring acute infections, according to Australian researchers. Injecting drug use is associated Read more about While people injecting drugs has decreased in Australia, infections are on the rise
Australia; VICMonash University|Burnet Institute|La Trobe University -
Fractional COVID-19 booster vaccines produce similar immune response as full-doses
The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific
Reducing the dose of a widely used COVID-19 booster vaccine produces a similar immune response in adults to a full-dose with fewer side effects, according to a new study. Research at a Glance:A new study has found reducing the dose of a widely used Read more about Fractional COVID-19 booster vaccines produce similar immune response as full-doses
Australia; Pacific; VICMurdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI)|The University of Melbourne -
Genetic screening paves the way for clearer future
A new genetic test for glaucoma to be rolled out in Australia holds the key to identifying and prioritising the treatment of those at a high risk of losing their sight due to glaucoma. A new genetic test for glaucoma to be rolled out in Australia Read more about Genetic screening paves the way for clearer future
Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; SA; WA; TASFlinders University|University of Tasmania|Garvan Institute of Medical Research... -
Getting vaxxed before you catch COVID may help you avoid long COVID
The BMJ
Having at least one dose of a COVID vaccine before catching COVID may make you less likely to develop long COVID, according to a study out of Sweden. The study found that unvaccinated people were almost four times as likely to be diagnosed with Long Read more about Getting vaxxed before you catch COVID may help you avoid long COVID
InternationalUniversity of Gothenburg, Sweden -
Higher BMI associated with cancer risk, with or without another underlying condition
BMC Medicine
People with higher BMIs are over 10% more likely to develop obesity-related cancers such as colorectal, kidney, pancreatic or ovarian cancer even if they don't have a cardiometabolic condition such as heart disease or type 2 diabetes. The Read more about Higher BMI associated with cancer risk, with or without another underlying condition
InternationalInternational Agency for Research On Cancer, France -
Night-time prowess of pollinating moths help remnant native plants survive
Austral Ecology
With land clearance, bushfires, weeds and climate change, small pockets of native vegetation are important for future plant and animal conservation – but do plants in small reserves struggle with reduced habitat for both plants and their Read more about Night-time prowess of pollinating moths help remnant native plants survive
Australia; SAFlinders University -
Animals facing eviction from homes as hotter temperatures spark global displacement
Nature Ecology and Evolution
Land animals living in tropical climates around the world are being pushed to their body’s physiological limits, as they struggle to adapt to rising temperatures sparked by human-caused climate change. That’s according to a major global study of Read more about Animals facing eviction from homes as hotter temperatures spark global displacement
Australia; ACTThe Australian National University -
BACKGROUND BRIEFING: What can we expect from COP28 and the Global Stocktake?
Recording now available The COP28 UN Climate Change Conference begins next week with world leaders coming to the UAE to discuss action to tackle climate change. But what can we expect from COP28? Join this pre-COP28 briefing to ask three Australian Read more about BACKGROUND BRIEFING: What can we expect from COP28 and the Global Stocktake?
Australia; VIC; QLD; ACTThe University of Melbourne|The University of Queensland... -
Brexit voting preferences linked with mental capabilities
PLOS ONE
People with high cognitive ability, or mental capabilities, may have been more likely to vote ‘Remain’ in the 2016 Brexit referendum, according to international researchers who say the better mental capability may have helped these people better Read more about Brexit voting preferences linked with mental capabilities
InternationalUniversity of Bath, UK -
How will climate change impact the world's shallow-water ecosystems?
PLOS Climate
Some types of shallow-water coastal ecosystems are set to shrink around the world under climate change while others are affected differently, according to international research. The team used climate models along with data on the size and Read more about How will climate change impact the world's shallow-water ecosystems?
InternationalNational Institute of Maritime, Port and Aviation Technology, Japan -
Differences in carbon emission accounting practices may be hiding work that needs to be done
Nature
Differences in the way carbon emissions are measured may be obscuring the reality of how much needs to be done to meet climate targets, according to international research. The team created a method to try and resolve differences between Read more about Differences in carbon emission accounting practices may be hiding work that needs to be done
InternationalInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Austria -
ADHD medications linked with higher risk of heart disease
JAMA Psychiatry
Prolonged use of medications to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) could increase the risk of heart disease, according to international research. The researchers used Swedish health data to compare the rate of heart disease Read more about ADHD medications linked with higher risk of heart disease
InternationalKarolinska Institutet, Sweden -
NEWS BRIEFING: Australia’s AI moment has arrived and it’s make or break time
Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way Australians live their lives, from your ‘up next’ playlist, to chatbots and even garbage trucks, AI is already in our homes and on our streets. But a new report by the Australian Academy of Read more about NEWS BRIEFING: Australia’s AI moment has arrived and it’s make or break time
Australia; NSW; QLD; SA; ACTAustralian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE)... -
Sound stimulation could help alleviate long-term concussion symptoms
Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology
Sound stimulation of the brain could help ease long-term concussion symptoms, according to international researchers. The team recruited just over 100 people with persistent symptoms after a mild traumatic brain injury and gave them 10 sessions of Read more about Sound stimulation could help alleviate long-term concussion symptoms
InternationalUniversity of North Carolina, USA -
Living within safe and just Earth system boundaries for blue water
Nature Sustainability
A Griffith-led study has assessed whether basic human water needs can be met without exceeding safe and just Earth System Boundaries (ESB) for surface and groundwater (blue water), defined to protect people and planet. Published in Nature Read more about Living within safe and just Earth system boundaries for blue water
Australia; International; QLD; ACTGriffith University|The Australian National University -
Southern pied babblers are less smart when they're under heat stress
Proceedings of the Royal Society B
Southern pied babblers seem to be less smart and perform worse in learning tasks when under heat stress, according to Australian researchers. The team put the small birds through a set of tasks aimed at testing their associative learning, reversal Read more about Southern pied babblers are less smart when they're under heat stress
Australia; International; NSW; WAThe University of Western Australia|Macquarie University -
Don't stress the bees! Forcing Honeybees to cluster in the cold could be cruel
Journal of the Royal Society Interface
The common beekeeping practice of forcing bees to ‘cluster’ in response to stressful cold temperatures could be regarded as cruel, according to international researchers. On very cold days, bees will form a cluster - a series of dense discs of Read more about Don't stress the bees! Forcing Honeybees to cluster in the cold could be cruel
InternationalUniversity of Leeds, UK -
Northern bees at risk from insecticide
Royal Society Open Science
James Cook University scientists say a common tropical bee species is vulnerable to widely-used insecticides – which will decrease their heat tolerance at the same time as the climate is warming. James Cook University scientists say a common Read more about Northern bees at risk from insecticide
Australia; QLD; NTJames Cook University -
Some fish eyes are like ogres, and that gives them faster vision
Proceedings of the Royal Society B
Australian researchers say they may have figured out why some fish have eyes with multiple rod layers. Rods are a type of light receptor in the retina which helps provide good vision in low light. While most animals have one layer, over 100 species Read more about Some fish eyes are like ogres, and that gives them faster vision
Australia; QLDQueensland Brain Institute|The University of Queensland -
Numbers speak louder than words when communicating uncertainty in statistics
Royal Society Open Science
Uncertainty in statistics is inevitable, but does being transparent about this undermine trust? A study with more than 10,000 participants across 12 countries revealed that stating uncertainty as a numeric range slightly decreased trust in COVID Read more about Numbers speak louder than words when communicating uncertainty in statistics
New Zealand; InternationalUniversity of Otago|University of Cambridge, University of Groningen, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin -
New technology, 'Invasion-Block', targets melanoma spread
The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)
Research conducted at the Centenary Institute has given rise to a new tool called 'Invasion-Block' that can identify drugs capable of halting the spread of cancer cells. The pioneering development could lead to better treatments for melanoma, the Read more about New technology, 'Invasion-Block', targets melanoma spread
Australia; NSWCentenary Institute|The University of Sydney|CSIRO... -
Unearthing how a carnivorous fungus traps and digests worms
PLOS Biology
International researchers have discovered how a carnivorous fungus traps and digests worms, in a study that looks at just one of many species of fungi that can trap and eat very small animals. The fungus, Arthrobotrys oligospora, usually gets Read more about Unearthing how a carnivorous fungus traps and digests worms
InternationalInstitute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taiwan -
Male scientists still more likely to be referenced in papers, but women are catching up
PLOS Biology
US researchers analysed references to previous work written by 5. 8 million international authors, 3. 8 million men and 2 million women, in scientific research papers from across all subject areas, and found men outnumbered women 3. 93 times among Read more about Male scientists still more likely to be referenced in papers, but women are catching up
InternationalStanford University, USA
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