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Could ADHD have evolved because it makes us better explorers?
Proceedings of the Royal Society B
People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be more likely to take a risk and explore new options, according to US and Indian scientists, which may make them better foragers, and possibly explorers, than people without ADHD. That Read more about Could ADHD have evolved because it makes us better explorers?
InternationalUniversity of Pennsylvania, USA -
Boosting potassium is key for blood pressure control
Journal of Human Hypertension
More than two-thirds of the blood pressure-lowering effect of salt substitutes may be due to the added potassium. While reducing salt intake has been the focus of dietary advice to control high blood pressure (hypertension), a new study suggests Read more about Boosting potassium is key for blood pressure control
Australia; NSWGeorge Institute for Global Health -
Mating strategies of male Wellington tree wētā
Royal Society Open Science
Male Wellington tree wētā have three different mating strategies related to the size of their jaw-like weapons, according to new research. While male wētā that matured early had smaller weaponry, their head start allowed them to circumvent Read more about Mating strategies of male Wellington tree wētā
New ZealandUniversité du Québec à Montréal, Canada -
Does a healthy life mean a healthy gut?
Gut
Researchers from China and Hong Kong say there is a strong link between adopting a healthy lifestyle and a lower risk of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). They say, of the 'big five' healthy behaviours, not smoking, a high level of vigorous physical Read more about Does a healthy life mean a healthy gut?
InternationalThe Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong -
Unravelling the genetic and environmental influences on trust
Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization
Trust, a cornerstone of human interaction, has a significant genetic component, according to new research. Trust, a cornerstone of human interaction, has a significant genetic component, with around 33% of the variation between individuals Read more about Unravelling the genetic and environmental influences on trust
Australia; NSWUniversity of Technology Sydney (UTS)|The University of Sydney -
Examining the medical mystery of a child hepatitis outbreak
Journal of Infection
An analysis of a sudden global outbreak of hepatitis in children that occurred in 2022 finds although the primary suspect is highly likely to be an infection by multiple viruses, many questions still puzzle researchers. A University of Sydney study Read more about Examining the medical mystery of a child hepatitis outbreak
Australia; International; NSWThe University of Sydney -
Ancient DNA reveals Down syndrome in past human societies
Nature Communications
By analysing ancient DNA, an international team of researchers have uncovered cases of chromosomal disorders, including what could be the first case of Edwards syndrome ever identified from prehistoric remains. By analysing ancient DNA, an Read more about Ancient DNA reveals Down syndrome in past human societies
Australia; SAThe University of Adelaide|The Australian National University... -
Prosthetic limbs may soon be able to 'feel'
Nature Communications
International researchers have created a brain-robot connection that provides more naturalistic sensations to amputees when they are walking on their prosthetics. The researchers tested their new system on three lower-limb amputees with brain Read more about Prosthetic limbs may soon be able to 'feel'
InternationalETH Zürich, Switzerland -
Will 'asking our parents for money' to pay off a home loan lead to abusing them?
Australian Journal of Social Issues
A couple of Australian researchers have suggested that more focus be put on the possibility that the now common need of younger Australians to ask their parents for assistance in buying a house could lead to the financial abuse of the parents. They Read more about Will 'asking our parents for money' to pay off a home loan lead to abusing them?
Australia; NSW; TASThe University of Newcastle|University of Tasmania -
A better peanut on your plate? New findings reveal potential for peanut crop improvement
Nature Genetics
Global population growth has led to rapidly increasing food demand, but a new international study, published in Nature Genetics, has found a way to accelerate crop improvements, specifically in peanuts. Global population growth has led to rapidly Read more about A better peanut on your plate? New findings reveal potential for peanut crop improvement
Australia; International; WAMurdoch University -
Check your heart’s health with the prick of a pin
Analytical Chemistry
Researchers at Murdoch University’s Australian National Phenome Centre have delivered a self-administered blood test that that will revolutionise the landscape of cardiovascular risk assessment. Tests usually performed to detect heart disease and Read more about Check your heart’s health with the prick of a pin
Australia; WAMurdoch University -
Mapping potential pathways to MND treatment
Nature Communications
For the first time, researchers from the University of Queensland (UQ) have mapped out the proteins implicated in the early stages of motor neurone disease (MND). Building on the mapping project, UQ Queensland Brain Institute researcher Dr Rebecca Read more about Mapping potential pathways to MND treatment
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland|Queensland Brain Institute... -
High cost of vaping in Australia revealed
Australian Health Review
QIMR Berghofer researchers have warned that the increased prevalence of vaping could ultimately cost the Australian health system upwards of $180 million each year, just from a portion of users taking up tobacco smoking. QIMR Berghofer researchers Read more about High cost of vaping in Australia revealed
Australia; QLDQIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute -
Protecting Science in Times of Crisis: How do we stop being reactive, and become more proactive?
Protecting Science in Times of Crisis is a comprehensive report addressing the urgent need for a new approach to safeguard science and its practitioners during global crises. With many conflicts spread over geographical zones, increasing extreme Read more about Protecting Science in Times of Crisis: How do we stop being reactive, and become more proactive?
InternationalAustralian Academy of Science|International Science Council, Centre for Science Futures, International Science Council Regional Focal Point for Asia and the Pacific led by the Australian Academy of Science. -
A nerve protecting drug combination could improve stroke outcomes
JAMA Neurology
A fast-acting drug combination that works to protect the cells in the brain, could help improve patients' symptoms after a stroke, according to a study from China. The study found that the combination of edaravone and dexborneol, which together Read more about A nerve protecting drug combination could improve stroke outcomes
Australia; International; NSWGeorge Institute for Global Health|Peking University Third Hospital, Simcere Pharmaceutical Group Limited China, -
Could climate change increase the risk of thunderstorm asthma events?
JAMA
In 2016, a thunderstorm in Melbourne triggered a 672% increase in asthma-related hospital admissions and caused 10 deaths, and Australian researchers say there is a possibility that events like this could increase or become more severe under climate Read more about Could climate change increase the risk of thunderstorm asthma events?
Australia; NSWMacquarie University -
Turning health research into health gains
A symposium highlighted previous and upcoming research that will equitably improve some of New Zealand’s most pressing health issues, including cancer, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Turning health research into health gains Read more about Turning health research into health gains
New ZealandHealthier Lives National Science Challenge -
People were less stressed after NZ's successful Covid-19 response
Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology
Stress levels decreased over the first six months of the pandemic in New Zealand, according to researchers who analysed the hair of 44 Kiwis. The stress hormone cortisol can show up in hair as a record of a person's past stress levels. The findings Read more about People were less stressed after NZ's successful Covid-19 response
New ZealandUniversity of Auckland -
Coughs aren't all the same - and should be treated differently
The Lancet Respiratory Medicine
This study explored different types of coughs among middle-aged people – including minimal cough, cough with colds only, cough with allergies, intermittent productive cough, chronic dry cough and chronic productive cough. It found that different Read more about Coughs aren't all the same - and should be treated differently
Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; TAS; NTThe University of Melbourne|Queensland University of Technology (QUT)... -
New genetic therapy in mice holds promise for MND and dementia
Neuron
Macquarie University neuroscientists have developed a single-dose genetic medicine that has been proven to halt the progression of both motor neurone disease (MND) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in mice – and may even offer the potential to Read more about New genetic therapy in mice holds promise for MND and dementia
Australia; NSW; QLDMacquarie University|University of Wollongong|The University of Queensland...