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Blood protein could help detect delayed concussion recovery in children
Journal of Neurotrauma
Melbourne researchers have discovered a blood protein that could help detect which children will experience ongoing concussion symptoms more than two weeks after an injury. Research at a Glance: A Murdoch Children’s Research Institute led study Read more about Blood protein could help detect delayed concussion recovery in children
Australia; NSW; VICMurdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI)|The University of Melbourne... -
Hepatitis deaths are increasing across the world
Globally, viral hepatitis infections claim 3,500 lives each day and deaths from the disease are increasing, according to a report from the World Health Organization. New data from 187 countries show that the estimated number of deaths from viral Read more about Hepatitis deaths are increasing across the world
Australia; New Zealand; Pacific; InternationalWorld Health Organization (WHO) -
Young 'teachers' help native wildlife avoid deadly cane toads
Conservation Letters
Scientists from Macquarie University have come up with an innovative way to stop cane toads killing native wildlife by training goannas to avoid eating the deadly amphibians. Read more: Young 'teachers' help native wildlife avoid deadly cane toads A Read more about Young 'teachers' help native wildlife avoid deadly cane toads
Australia; NSW; WAMacquarie University -
With flu season approaching, does wearing a face mask make you seem more or less trustworthy?
Perception
Researchers have found that the correlation between face masks and perceptions of trustworthiness may be linked to social norms rather than how they impact appearance. Researchers at Swinburne University of Technology have found that the correlation Read more about With flu season approaching, does wearing a face mask make you seem more or less trustworthy?
Australia; VICSwinburne University of Technology -
Dietary fibre critical in managing hypertension
Hypertension
In an international review led by Monash University scientists and published today in Hypertension, biologists highlight the pivotal role of dietary fibre in managing hypertension and reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, and call for the Read more about Dietary fibre critical in managing hypertension
Australia; VICMonash University -
Transplant hearts could survive for a full day using new techniques
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
Improvements to a technique for keeping a heart alive outside the body can work on a pig heart for a full 24 hours, according to international researchers who say this technique could one day help with human heart transplants. Human hearts are Read more about Transplant hearts could survive for a full day using new techniques
InternationalUniversity of Michigan, USA -
Deep parts of Great Barrier Reef ‘insulated’ from global warming – for now
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Some deeper areas of the Great Barrier Reef are insulated from harmful heatwaves but that protection will be lost if global warming continues, according to research by The University of Queensland and University of Exeter, UK. Some deeper areas of Read more about Deep parts of Great Barrier Reef ‘insulated’ from global warming – for now
Australia; International; QLDThe University of Queensland -
Ultra-processed foods pose risk for respiratory diseases
European Journal of Nutrition
New research has shown a diet high in ultra-processed foods (UPF) significantly increases the risk of death from chronic respiratory diseases. New research by SAHMRI and the University of Adelaide has shown a diet high in ultra-processed foods (UPF) Read more about Ultra-processed foods pose risk for respiratory diseases
Australia; International; VIC; SASouth Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)... -
Which exercises are best for hip osteoarthritis?
Annals of Internal Medicine
When it comes to improving functional performance, hip pain, or hip-related quality of life in people with hip osteoarthritis, it seems progressive resistance training (PRT, which focuses on weight training and improving muscle) is no better than Read more about Which exercises are best for hip osteoarthritis?
InternationalAarhus University Hospital, Denmark -
Salt substitutes could help us cut down and reduce deaths
Annals of Internal Medicine
Using a salt substitute could be a simple, effective way to reduce deaths associated with high salt intake, according to Aussie researchers. The team looked at 16 studies of people using regular table salt or salt substitutes for at least six months. Read more about Salt substitutes could help us cut down and reduce deaths
Australia; NSW; QLD; ACTBond University|The Australian National University... -
Melbourne public transport services sit idle while apartment numbers boom
New research shows the number of apartments in Melbourne has almost doubled in the past two decades, while public transport services have barely increased at all. New research shows the number of apartments in Melbourne has almost doubled in the Read more about Melbourne public transport services sit idle while apartment numbers boom
VICRMIT University -
Legalised recreational marijuana in the USA led to a drop off in medical use
Annals of Internal Medicine
Most US states that legalised recreational use of marijuana saw a reduction in the number of people enrolled in medical cannabis programs, according to US scientists. They looked at data on medical cannabis, tracking registered use in 39 US Read more about Legalised recreational marijuana in the USA led to a drop off in medical use
InternationalUniversity of Michigan, USA -
Sleep apnoea mouthguard could be just as effective for lowering blood pressure as a CPAP machine
Journal of the American College of Cardiology
A specialised mouthguard could be just as effective at lowering blood pressure for people with sleep apnoea as a CPAP machine, according to Australian and international researchers who compared the results of using the two devices in a group of 220 Read more about Sleep apnoea mouthguard could be just as effective for lowering blood pressure as a CPAP machine
Australia; International; NSWThe University of Sydney|National University of Singapore, Singapore -
Interest in news is high in Aotearoa, but trust has rapidly declined
A national online survey of over 1000 New Zealanders shows that trust in news in general fell significantly from 42% in 2023 to 33% (-9 percentage points) in 2024, and the proportion of those who actively avoid the news grew from 69% to 75% (6 Read more about Interest in news is high in Aotearoa, but trust has rapidly declined
New ZealandAUT University -
Sick of UTIs? Spraying this vaccine in your mouth could help prevent them for 9 years
European Association of Urology (EAU) Congress
Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) can be prevented for up to nine years in more than half of people given an oral spray-based vaccine, according to research being presented at the European Association of Urology (EAU) Congress in Paris. The Read more about Sick of UTIs? Spraying this vaccine in your mouth could help prevent them for 9 years
InternationalRoyal Berkshire Hospital, UK -
A loo that autoflushes only when the lid is down could reduce bacteria on bathroom surfaces
European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID 2024)
Korean researchers have created an automatic toilet flushing device that only works with the lid down in an effort to keep nasty microbes from leaving the bowl and spraying all over the place. The researchers fitted eight hospital toilets with the Read more about A loo that autoflushes only when the lid is down could reduce bacteria on bathroom surfaces
InternationalAsan Medical Center, South Korea -
Heat stress from ocean warming harms octopus vision
Global Change Biology
While climate change has led to an increase in the abundance of octopuses, heat stress from projected ocean warming could impair their vision and impact the survivability of the species. While climate change has led to an increase in the abundance Read more about Heat stress from ocean warming harms octopus vision
Australia; SAThe University of Adelaide -
New guide for conservationists to help save our frogs
Austral Ecology
Frogs belong to a group of animals called amphibians – the most endangered group of species on the planet. Two out of every five amphibian species are currently threatened with extinction, and this figure is rising. In a bid to help save a Read more about New guide for conservationists to help save our frogs
Australia; NSW; VIC; SAFlinders University|The Australian National University... -
Pandemic motherhood and mental overload in Aotearoa
Frontiers in Sociology
Researchers interviewed a diverse group of 24 mothers living in Aotearoa during the COVID-19 pandemic to understand their shared and varied experiences. While some mothers with older children, without stressful jobs, some financial security and Read more about Pandemic motherhood and mental overload in Aotearoa
New ZealandUniversity of Waikato -
Global prostate cancer rates set to double as life expectancy increases
The Lancet Commissions
Annual prostate cancer cases around the world are projected to nearly double from 1. 4 million in 2020 to 2. 9 million in 2040, according to Australian and international researchers as part of The Lancet Commission on prostate cancer, to be launched Read more about Global prostate cancer rates set to double as life expectancy increases
Australia; International; VICPeter MacCallum Cancer Centre|Institute of Cancer Research, UK -
Scientists create 3D map of universe
An international team of researchers has created the world's largest and most detailed 3D map of the universe – measuring the expansion of the cosmos over the past 11 billion years. An international team of researchers has created the world's Read more about Scientists create 3D map of universe
Australia; International; QLDThe University of Queensland -
Ocean floor a 'reservoir' for plastic pollution
Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers
New science has taken a deep dive into plastic waste, providing the first estimate of how much ends up on the sea floor. New research from CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, and the University of Toronto in Canada, estimates up to 11 Read more about Ocean floor a 'reservoir' for plastic pollution
Australia; VICCSIRO -
If you want to stay calm, try listening to predictable music
iScience
Japanese and UK scientists asked 527 people to map where they felt sensations and the emotions they experienced while listening to music that varied in predictability. Believing that predictability might play a role, they generated 92 chord Read more about If you want to stay calm, try listening to predictable music
InternationalThe University of Tokyo, Japan -
Discovery into how chronic lung conditions affect children’s immune system
Mucosal Immunology
Melbourne researchers have made a discovery into how two chronic respiratory diseases in childhood affect the immune system, paving the way for better treatments. Research at a Glance:A Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) led study has Read more about Discovery into how chronic lung conditions affect children’s immune system
Australia; VICMurdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) -
Urgent action is needed to prevent illness caused by climate change
Frontiers in Science
Rapid action on climate change would not only protect our planet’s health, but also our own, according to international researchers who are investigating the health issues caused by climate change. The team investigated the toll of injury and Read more about Urgent action is needed to prevent illness caused by climate change
InternationalHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, USA -
New privacy-preserving robotic cameras obscure images beyond human recognition
Journal of Responsible Technology
From robotic vacuum cleaners and smart fridges to baby monitors and delivery drones, the smart devices being increasingly welcomed into our homes and workplaces use vision to take in their surroundings, taking videos and images of our lives in the Read more about New privacy-preserving robotic cameras obscure images beyond human recognition
Australia; NSW; QLDThe University of Sydney|Queensland University of Technology (QUT) -
Ladybirds: the new assassins targeting crop-eating pests
Insect Science
Ladybirds could be the answer to farmers’ prayers, with new research revealing the tiny beetle can be turned into a pest-eating assassin. Murdoch University PhD researcher Shovon Chandra Sarkar discovered that when ladybirds were introduced to the Read more about Ladybirds: the new assassins targeting crop-eating pests
Australia; WAMurdoch University -
'Google map' of ovarian tumours reveals cancer cells control who gets into their neighbourhood
Nature Communications
Researchers in Perth, Western Australia, say they've found that some ovarian cancer cells appear to tell the immune system to stay away. A cross-town collaboration involving researchers from the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, St John Read more about 'Google map' of ovarian tumours reveals cancer cells control who gets into their neighbourhood
Australia; International; WAHarry Perkins Institute of Medical Research|The University of Western Australia... -
Socio-economic status dictates family dining equity
Appetite
Eating together as a family is commonly thought of as being healthy for family members and is a ritual many try to live up to. However, research into understanding family meals more thoroughly shows that different aspects of mealtimes – eating and Read more about Socio-economic status dictates family dining equity
Australia; International; SAFlinders University -
Uncovering the consequences of Molnupiravir use to treat COVID-19
The Lancet
A collaboration between the University of Tasmania and Royal Hobart Hospital Pathology has revealed the consequences of using Molnupiravir to treatCOVID-19. In the study, researchers monitored the COVID-19 genetic sequences of patients with Read more about Uncovering the consequences of Molnupiravir use to treat COVID-19
Australia; TASUniversity of Tasmania|Royal Hobart Hospital -
An Ozempic-like drug used for diabetes could also help early stage Parkinsons
New England Journal of Medicine
A drug used for diabetes, which works in a similar way to Ozempic, has shown some promise in a clinical trial for early-stage Parkinson's disease. The drug, lixisenatide, is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist and compared to placebo it Read more about An Ozempic-like drug used for diabetes could also help early stage Parkinsons
InternationalFrench Clinical Research Network (F-CRIN) for Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders, University of Toulouse 3 -
Inhibiting MERTK gene for the treatment of fibrosis in multiple organs
Science Translational Medicine
New research conducted at The Westmead Institute for Medical Research (WIMR), and published in Science Translational Medicine, shows, for the first time, that inhibiting a gene called Mer tyrosine kinase (MERTK) can reduce fibrosis in multiple organs Read more about Inhibiting MERTK gene for the treatment of fibrosis in multiple organs
Australia; NSWThe Westmead Institute for Medical Research|The University of Sydney... -
Early dinosaurs grew up fast, but they weren't the only ones
PLOS ONE
The earliest dinosaurs had rapid growth rates, but so did many of the other animals living alongside them, according to international researchers. The team examined patterns of bone tissue in the fossilized leg bones of an array of animals in one of Read more about Early dinosaurs grew up fast, but they weren't the only ones
InternationalMacalester College, USA -
‘Force-sensing’ protein could help better treat diseases that cause seizures
Nature
Researchers from The Australian National University (ANU) have made a discovery about a little understood protein in the human body that could help treat diseases that cause seizures, including epilepsy. The researchers examined the 'force-sensing' Read more about ‘Force-sensing’ protein could help better treat diseases that cause seizures
Australia; International; NSW; ACTThe Australian National University|The University of New South Wales -
Challenging decades-old fire risk assumptions
Forest Ecology and Management
A new paper led by leading forest scientist, Professor Mark Adams from Swinburne University of Technology, unveils critical flaws in the way fuel loads are estimated in eastern Australia, calling for a new approach. A new paper led by leading forest Read more about Challenging decades-old fire risk assumptions
Australia; International; NSW; VICSwinburne University of Technology|The University of Sydney -
Honks and hisses: Why bossy goose behaviour pays off
Royal Society Open Science
Although agonistic interactions have previously been used to calculate individuals’ positions within a dominance hierarchy, to date the repeatability of agonistic behaviour has not been tested when calculating social rank. Aggressive greylag geese Read more about Honks and hisses: Why bossy goose behaviour pays off
Australia; International; SAFlinders University -
A baby's gut bugs develop similarly whether they're breast or formula-fed
Cell Host & Microbe
The bacteria in a baby's gut appears to develop similarly in the first couple of years of life whether they're breastfed or formula-fed, according to international research. The team collected poo samples from 210 babies at various points during Read more about A baby's gut bugs develop similarly whether they're breast or formula-fed
InternationalTechnical University of Munich, Germany -
Triple-negative breast cancer patients could avoid chemotherapy
JAMA
Peter Mac researchers are part of a major international study that has found patients with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and high levels of immune cells could be spared from intensive chemotherapy regimens. Peter Mac researchers Read more about Triple-negative breast cancer patients could avoid chemotherapy
Australia; International; VICPeter MacCallum Cancer Centre -
Caution needed over screening scores for heart patients
JACC: Heart Failure
Existing non-invasive screening tools may miss heart failure amongst patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and should be used with caution, according to the latest research. The warning follows a University of Adelaide study looking at the Read more about Caution needed over screening scores for heart patients
Australia; International; SAThe University of Adelaide -
Support for pill testing in the Northern Territory
Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy
A new study led has uncovered strong support from Northern Territory (NT) festival goers, for drug checking (also known as pill testing) to reduce harm. Led by Menzies School of Health Research, this multi-institute, collaborative study provides Read more about Support for pill testing in the Northern Territory
Australia; NSW; VIC; WA; TAS; NTMenzies School of Health Research|Griffith University... -
Ultrasound therapy shows promise as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease
Molecular Psychiatry
University of Queensland researchers have found targeting amyloid plaque in the brain is not essential for ultrasound to deliver cognitive improvement in neurodegenerative disorders. Dr Gerhard Leinenga and Professor Jürgen Götz from UQ’s Read more about Ultrasound therapy shows promise as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease
Australia; VIC; QLDQueensland Brain Institute|WEHI|The University of Melbourne -
Mpox immunity is fading, and cases are on the rise
European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
Vaccine protection against mpox is waning, and there are reports of breakthrough infections where people who received both vaccine doses still contracted the disease. Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) broke out in 2022, and the US-based CDC reports Read more about Mpox immunity is fading, and cases are on the rise
InternationalKarolinska Institute, Sweden; Erasmus MC, Netherlands; Public Health Authority, Austria -
DNA evidence from crime scenes could be plucked from the air
Electrophoresis
Culprits may one day be found using a new technique to potentially pick up and record key airborne forensic DNA evidence from crime scenes wiped clean of fingerprints and other trace evidence. A new study led by Flinders University forensic science Read more about DNA evidence from crime scenes could be plucked from the air
Australia; VIC; SAFlinders University|La Trobe University -
Scientists make mosquitos less contagious in Pacific islands
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Some mosquitos in Fiji, Vanuatu, and Kiribati are now less likely to spread dengue fever, after a project led by Australian and Pacific island scientists. The mozzies were infected with a bacteria which makes them less likely to pass on dengue to Read more about Scientists make mosquitos less contagious in Pacific islands
Australia; PacificMonash University -
Australia on track for unprecedented, decades-long megadroughts
Hydrology and Earth System Sciences
Australia could soon see megadroughts that last for more than 20 years, according to new modelling from The Australian National University (ANU) and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes. The researchers’ bleak findings are before Read more about Australia on track for unprecedented, decades-long megadroughts
Australia; NSW; VIC; ACTThe Australian National University|The University of Sydney... -
Sediment discovery unlocks Australia’s hidden net-zero resource potential
Geophysical Journal International
A new method of measuring sediment thickness across Australia’s interior offers a cost-effective and straightforward solution for estimating seismic hazard and resource potential while reducing carbon footprint. A new method of measuring sediment Read more about Sediment discovery unlocks Australia’s hidden net-zero resource potential
Australia; ACTThe Australian National University|Geoscience Australia -
Pregnant runners' pains differ by childbirth history
Sports Medicine
Exercise during pregnancy is a healthy habit, and running is one of the most common ways to stay active. Despite this, many runners cease during pregnancy due to associated pains - even amongst competitive runners, only a third continue training Read more about Pregnant runners' pains differ by childbirth history
New Zealand; InternationalAuckland University of Technology, University of Canterbury, University of Western Australia, University of Waikato -
Tree of life for modern birds revealed: The largest and most complete study pinpoints timing of evolution
Nature
In a world first, a team of international scientists including three Australians, Al-Aabid Chowdhury and Professor Simon Ho from University of Sydney, and Dr Jacqueline Nguyen from Australian Museum and Flinders University, have determined the Read more about Tree of life for modern birds revealed: The largest and most complete study pinpoints timing of evolution
Australia; InternationalAustralian Museum|Flinders University|The University of Sydney -
More Aussies are likely to die from bowel cancer as a result of COVID-era disruptions
PLOS ONE
COVID-related disruptions to bowel cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment in Australia are likely to lead to an additional 234 cancer cases and 1,186 deaths in Australia over 2020–2030, according to Aussie-led research. The researchers Read more about More Aussies are likely to die from bowel cancer as a result of COVID-era disruptions
Australia; NSWCancer Council NSW|The University of Sydney|The Daffodil Centre -
Blueprint for mandating indoor air quality for public buildings in form of standards
Science
A group of international experts led by QUT Professor Lidia Morawska has presented a blueprint for national indoor quality standards for public buildings, in an article in the prestigious journal Science. The experts addressed setting standards for Read more about Blueprint for mandating indoor air quality for public buildings in form of standards
Australia; InternationalQueensland University of Technology (QUT)