-
Cyborg brain in a dish can do maths and 'listen' to what you're saying
Nature Electronics
US researchers have created a tiny cyborg by growing a small 'brain' in a dish and connecting it up with electronic hardware. They say this merging of computer and brain-like tissue can recognise speech, and perform complex math equations. They say Read more about Cyborg brain in a dish can do maths and 'listen' to what you're saying
InternationalIndiana University Bloomington, USA -
Do we need more critters and fungi on our emoji keyboards?
iScience
Large sections of the 'tree of life' are underrepresented by our emoji keyboards, according to international researchers who say a more diverse set of emojis could help promote biodiversity conversations. The researchers looked at all the nature and Read more about Do we need more critters and fungi on our emoji keyboards?
InternationalNational Research Council, Italy -
Teens with a high BMI may face increased risk of early kidney disease
JAMA Pediatrics
Having a higher BMI as a teen could increase your risk of developing chronic kidney disease early in life, according to international research. The team looked at health data from over 600,000 Israeli people as teenagers, and looked at who went on Read more about Teens with a high BMI may face increased risk of early kidney disease
InternationalSheba Medical Center, Israel -
More bright light at night not a delight for Aotearoa's plants and animals
New Zealand Journal of Ecology
Artificial light at night is on the increase in Aotearoa, and it has negative impacts on our native flora and fauna. By studying satellite data, researchers found that although most of New Zealand (95. 2%) has no direct artificial light, the lit Read more about More bright light at night not a delight for Aotearoa's plants and animals
New ZealandTe Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology -
Link between intimate partner violence or childhood sexual abuse and health problems stronger than we thought
Nature Medicine
The potential mental and physical health impacts of experiencing intimate partner violence or childhood sexual abuse are more extensive than previously thought, according to international research. The team compiled a list of previous studies on the Read more about Link between intimate partner violence or childhood sexual abuse and health problems stronger than we thought
InternationalUniversity of Washington, USA -
Environmental stress rather than genetics influenced height differences in early Neolithic people
Nature Human Behaviour
Neolithic men in northern Europe may have been taller than women because they were culturally more protected from environmental stress, according to international researchers. The team compared the heights of over 1500 Neolithic people from the Read more about Environmental stress rather than genetics influenced height differences in early Neolithic people
InternationalUniversity of Pennsylvania, USA -
AI are better than we are at guessing a negative diagnosis
JAMA Network Open
US researchers pumped medical diagnostic questions into ChatGPT and compared the AI's answers to those of over 550 practitioners. The researchers found the AI was more accurate than humans in determining a negative test result both before and after Read more about AI are better than we are at guessing a negative diagnosis
InternationalBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, USA -
Portable, non-invasive, mind-reading AI turns thoughts into text
NeurIPS (Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems)
Researchers from the GrapheneX-UTS Human-centric Artificial Intelligence Centre have developed a portable, non-invasive system that can decode silent thoughts and turn them into text. In a world-first, researchers from the GrapheneX-UTS Read more about Portable, non-invasive, mind-reading AI turns thoughts into text
Australia; International; NSWUniversity of Technology Sydney (UTS)|The University of Sydney -
Organ-on-a-chip model helps to unlock answers to vascular ageing
ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
While there is widespread attention given to external ageing, how we age internally is vitally important for long-term health. Using a novel “organ-on-a-chip” model, our Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute researchers have discovered a potential Read more about Organ-on-a-chip model helps to unlock answers to vascular ageing
Australia; VICBaker Heart and Diabetes Institute|RMIT University... -
Holidays crank up kilos for Aussie kids
BMC Public Health
On the cusp of summer holidays, Aussie kids are looking forward to some well-deserved time off. But too much downtime could create health problems, as new research shows that holidays are the prime time for excessive weight gain in kids. On the cusp Read more about Holidays crank up kilos for Aussie kids
Australia; VIC; SAUniversity of South Australia|Flinders University|Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) -
Hormonal contraceptives could increase breast cancer risk for women with BRCA1 gene abnormalities
San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
Taking hormonal contraceptives, such as 'the pill', could add to breast cancer risk for women with BRCA1 gene abnormalities who have a heightened lifetime risk for this cancer, according to a study led by Peter Mac and Cancer Council Victoria, which Read more about Hormonal contraceptives could increase breast cancer risk for women with BRCA1 gene abnormalities
Australia; VICPeter MacCallum Cancer Centre|Cancer Council Victoria -
Trust issues prevent sharing of vital health and welfare data in Australia
Journal of Medical Systems
A lack of trust between institutions in Australia is a bigger hurdle to the easy sharing of health and social welfare data than perceived state legislation obstacles – which researchers say largely don’t have a detrimental effect in Australia. Read more about Trust issues prevent sharing of vital health and welfare data in Australia
Australia; QLD; SAFlinders University|Queensland University of Technology (QUT)... -
Snapping shrimp create rowdy reef in Kimberley Marine Park
Underwater reefs are generally thought of as tranquil places — however some truly unruly residents make one such area off the coast of northwestern Australia anything but quiet. Underwater reefs are generally thought of as tranquil places — Read more about Snapping shrimp create rowdy reef in Kimberley Marine Park
Australia; International; SA; WACurtin University|Edith Cowan University|University of South Australia -
Advanced imaging predicts the recovery of children with brain injury
Journal of Neurotrauma
Researchers from The University of Queensland have used an advanced imaging technique to predict the recovery of children from a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) with an 87 per cent success rate. Researchers from The University of Queensland have Read more about Advanced imaging predicts the recovery of children with brain injury
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
We need to talk about social chatbots and their impact on neurodiverse people
Journal of Behavioural Addicitions
New research shows that social chatbots could be doing more harm than good for neurodiverse people, entrenching social isolation and reinforcing dysfunctional habits among many people with autism, anxiety and limited social skills. The UniSA Read more about We need to talk about social chatbots and their impact on neurodiverse people
Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia|Flinders University -
How to enjoy the Festive Season on a budget and be food safe – Dollars and sense
The Food Safety Information Council today released their food safety tips about how to enjoy the Festive Season and Summer entertaining on a budget and also be food safe. We are all looking forward this summer to getting together with Read more about How to enjoy the Festive Season on a budget and be food safe – Dollars and sense
AustraliaFood Safety Information Council -
Are we asking the right questions about Predator Free New Zealand?
New Zealand Journal of Ecology
The Predator Free New Zealand programme has become hugely popular, inspired and driven by community action. However, an article in the New Zealand Journal of Ecology says that predators are just one of the pressures on Aotearoa's indigenous wildlife, Read more about Are we asking the right questions about Predator Free New Zealand?
New ZealandUniversity of Waikato -
World-first system to monitor the ‘seafood basket’ of Australia
A bio-rich region that provides much of the country’s seafood is the first site in Australia to demonstrate CSIRO's AquaWatch technology works. Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has completed initial testing of a ‘weather service’ Read more about World-first system to monitor the ‘seafood basket’ of Australia
AustraliaCSIRO -
Polyethylene waste could be a thing of the past
Science Advances
An international and Australian team of experts undertaking fundamental research has developed a way of using polyethylene waste (PE) as a feedstock and converted it into valuable chemicals, via light-driven photocatalysis. PE is the most widely Read more about Polyethylene waste could be a thing of the past
Australia; SAThe University of Adelaide -
City living may be making more kids short-sighted
JAMA Network Open
A Chinese study of nearly 200,000 elementary school students found short-sightedness is more common among kids who live in cities than those who live in the countryside. However, the eyesight of shortsighted kids in cities deteriorated less quickly Read more about City living may be making more kids short-sighted
InternationalTianjin Eye Hospital, China -
Decades of data show warming and acidification of Atlantic Ocean
Frontiers in Marine Science
The Atlantic Ocean near Bermuda is now warmer and more acidic than it was 40 years ago, according to international researchers who have been monitoring the area since the late 1980s. Researchers have been collecting monthly data at a site 80 Read more about Decades of data show warming and acidification of Atlantic Ocean
InternationalArizona State University, USA -
Coral reefs in peril from record-breaking ocean heat
Science
Record breaking marine heatwaves will cause devastating mass coral bleaching worldwide in the next few years, according to a University of Queensland coral reef scientist. Record breaking marine heatwaves will cause devastating mass coral bleaching Read more about Coral reefs in peril from record-breaking ocean heat
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland|James Cook University -
Even small amounts of physical activity could be valuable in late-stage lung cancer
Journal of Clinical Medicine
New research has found less than five minutes of daily physical activity could be linked with prolonged life in people living with inoperable forms of lung disease. Lung cancer kills more people globally each year than any other type of cancer, Read more about Even small amounts of physical activity could be valuable in late-stage lung cancer
Australia; SA; WACurtin University|Edith Cowan University|University of South Australia -
Suburban backyard home to more than 1,000 species
Ecology
A challenge among three housemates to identify species around their inner-Brisbane home has resulted in an academic research paper, showcasing the rich biodiversity in urban landscapes. A challenge among three housemates to identify species around Read more about Suburban backyard home to more than 1,000 species
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
Transforming waste into strength: Graphene trend in concrete recycling
Resources, Conservation and Recycling
Amid the rubble of large-scale earthquake, war or other disaster – and as ageing buildings and infrastructure are replaced – mountains of concrete are often taken to landfill or pounded into rubble for roads. For a more sustainable approach, Read more about Transforming waste into strength: Graphene trend in concrete recycling
Australia; VIC; SAFlinders University|The University of Melbourne -
New therapeutic tool to selectively kill cancer cells
Cell Chemical Biology
Scientists have found a new way to impair cancer cell growth which they hope will lead to the development of new treatments. A team from Children’s Medical Research Institute has discovered a new way to impair cancer cell growth, which could lead Read more about New therapeutic tool to selectively kill cancer cells
Australia; NSWChildren's Medical Research Institute (CMRI) -
New Zealand's medical students not reflecting our diverse communities
BMJ Open
Māori and Pacific medical students are still underrepresented in our medical schools, as are students from low socioeconomic and rural backgrounds, according to a new analysis of New Zealand medical student data from 2016-2020. The authors say Read more about New Zealand's medical students not reflecting our diverse communities
New ZealandUniversity of Auckland|University of Otago|AUT University... -
Medical research: The ones to watch in 2024
Nature Medicine
The medical journal Nature Medicine has featured 11 clinical trials that are likely to have an impact on medicine in 2024. This year’s feature highlights include an app allowing women with no prior experience to help other women in the community Read more about Medical research: The ones to watch in 2024
Australia; InternationalSpringer Nature -
Mediterranean green turtles set to expand their nesting area under climate change
Scientific Reports
The more the climate warms, the further green sea turtles will expand their nesting range along the Mediterranean Coast, according to international researchers who say their nesting range could expand by over 60% under worst-case climate scenarios. Read more about Mediterranean green turtles set to expand their nesting area under climate change
InternationalViale Dell’Università, Italy -
Can breast cancer gene carriers have children safely after having the disease?
JAMA
Young breast cancer survivors who carry a BRCA genetic mutation, which is linked to an increased risk of the disease, appear to be able to become pregnant safely after cancer treatment, according to Australian and international researchers. The Read more about Can breast cancer gene carriers have children safely after having the disease?
Australia; International; VICPeter MacCallum Cancer Centre|The University of Melbourne... -
Women wait for endometriosis diagnosis with multiple symptoms
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Australian women with endometriosis can experience symptoms including severe period pain, depression and back pain for around a decade before being diagnosed, a University of Queensland study has revealed. Australian women with endometriosis can Read more about Women wait for endometriosis diagnosis with multiple symptoms
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
Monthly blood tests for clozapine patients unnecessary after two years
The Lancet Psychiatry
Researchers from The University of Queensland and the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research have shown that people using the antipsychotic clozapine do not need regular blood monitoring after two years. Researchers from The University of Read more about Monthly blood tests for clozapine patients unnecessary after two years
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
More than half of people working regular night shifts may have a sleep disorder
Frontiers in Psychiatry
Working regular night shifts is associated with a higher rate of sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnoea and restless leg syndrome, according to international research. Dutch researchers surveyed more than 37,000 shift workers about their Read more about More than half of people working regular night shifts may have a sleep disorder
InternationalGGZ Drenthe’s Mental Health Institute, Netherlands -
Hydroclimate records reveal how water cycle on Earth responds to temperature increases
Nature Geoscience
An international research collaboration including ANSTO has found that the global water cycle and atmospheric circulation patterns can adjust relatively quickly—within a few decades—in response to changes in the Earth's temperature and have done Read more about Hydroclimate records reveal how water cycle on Earth responds to temperature increases
Australia; InternationalAustralian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)... -
More ear checks needed to prevent hearing loss in remote Australia
BMC Health Services Research
A study led by Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies) has found a large gap in ear health services provided in remote Northern Territory (NT) communities. Without hearing checks, infections like otitis media (OM) can go undetected. This can Read more about More ear checks needed to prevent hearing loss in remote Australia
Australia; NTMenzies School of Health Research -
Innovative drug can stop cancer growth, animal study suggests
Cancer Discovery
A new Peter Mac study using a pioneering drug has successfully controlled the growth of tumours and overcome existing drug resistance in multiple cancer types in animal models. An enzyme critically associated with tumour growth, called Read more about Innovative drug can stop cancer growth, animal study suggests
Australia; VICPeter MacCallum Cancer Centre|Incyclix Bio, USA -
The AusSMC's Top 10 WEIRD Science Stories 2023
2023 was tough at times, but luckily there was plenty of weird science to offer us a little comic relief. Animals led the way, as we learned about a series of orca-strated attacks on boats, frogs faked their own deaths to avoid sex, birds built Read more about The AusSMC's Top 10 WEIRD Science Stories 2023
AustraliaAustralian Science Media Centre -
Over 4 hours on a smartphone daily linked to health risks for teens
PLOS ONE
Korean researchers investigating the smartphone habits of over 50,000 kids have found more than four hours scrolling away to be linked with adverse mental health and substance abuse. The team surveyed the kids on their daily use of their phone, as Read more about Over 4 hours on a smartphone daily linked to health risks for teens
InternationalHanyang University Medical Center, Seoul, Korea -
Blood pressure medication helps pregnant woman with severe heart problem safely deliver her baby
JACC: Case Reports
A pregnant woman who was diagnosed with a severe heart problem during pregnancy was able to safely deliver her baby using a blood pressure treatment with a somewhat unknown safety profile for pregnancy, according to international researchers who say Read more about Blood pressure medication helps pregnant woman with severe heart problem safely deliver her baby
InternationalNational Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Japan -
Could light therapy help treat Alzheimer's?
PLOS ONE
Light therapy might improve symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, according to international researchers who analysed 15 studies published between 2005 and 2022. The analysis, which included a combined 598 patients in seven countries, found light Read more about Could light therapy help treat Alzheimer's?
InternationalWeifang Medical University, China -
Life was tough for Ancient Egyptian baboons in captivity
PLOS ONE
Life was not easy for sacred baboons in Ancient Egypt, according to international researchers who looked at the skeletal remains of 36 baboons from the Valley of the Monkeys. The team estimated the remains to be from between 800-500 BC and found Read more about Life was tough for Ancient Egyptian baboons in captivity
InternationalRoyal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Belgium -
Fungus-fighting protein could help overcome severe autoimmune disease and cancer
Science Advances
A protein in the immune system programmed to protect the body from fungal infections is also responsible for exacerbating the severity of certain autoimmune diseases such as irritable bowel disease (IBS), type 1 diabetes, eczema and other chronic Read more about Fungus-fighting protein could help overcome severe autoimmune disease and cancer
Australia; QLD; ACTThe Australian National University|The University of Queensland -
Feathered friends can become unlikely helpers for tropical coral reefs facing climate change threat
Science Advances
Nutrients in seabird droppings are boosting coral growth rates in a remote reef system and helping them bounce back quicker from disturbances like bleaching. A new paper in Science Advances details how seabirds contribute to the growth via their Read more about Feathered friends can become unlikely helpers for tropical coral reefs facing climate change threat
Australia; International; WAAustralian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)|The University of Western Australia... -
EXPERT REACTION: Sport hunting deer doesn’t help restore forest regeneration
Journal of Applied Ecology
Two researchers studied a forest park in the North Island using six decades’ worth of data alongside 20 years of monitoring to see how different sika deer management methods impacted new mountain beech forest growth. Their own monitoring found Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Sport hunting deer doesn’t help restore forest regeneration
New Zealand; InternationalNew Zealand Forest Surveys; Trent University, Canada -
Want a better espresso? Add a splash of water to your grinder
Matter
Want your morning hot bean soup to taste better every time? Well, US and Korean researchers say, in a paper partially funded by coffee machine manufacturer Nuova Simonelli, a splash of water in your grind might do the trick. The team found that the Read more about Want a better espresso? Add a splash of water to your grinder
InternationalUniversity of Oregon, USA -
Major alcohol policy changes in the NT do not appear to have impacted the rate of sexual assault
Drug and Alcohol Review
Three major alcohol policy changes for the NT do not appear to have made a dent in the number of sexual assaults reported in the Territory, according to Australian research. The team looked at the rate of victim reports for sexual assault from 2014 Read more about Major alcohol policy changes in the NT do not appear to have impacted the rate of sexual assault
Australia; NSW; VIC; SA; WA; NTMenzies School of Health Research|La Trobe University... -
A simple blood test could detect if one of your organs is ageing faster than the others
Nature
A simple blood test could detect if one of your organs is ageing faster than the others, according to international researchers, who say that nearly one in five people may show strongly accelerated age in one organ, and 1. 7% of the population show Read more about A simple blood test could detect if one of your organs is ageing faster than the others
InternationalStanford University, USA -
Could anti-obesity meds help those with knee or hip osteoarthritis?
Arthritis & Rheumatology
A slow-to-moderate rate of weight loss, induced by anti-obesity medications, may lower the risk of death in overweight and obese people with osteoarthritis in their hips or knees, according to international researchers. The team analysed data from Read more about Could anti-obesity meds help those with knee or hip osteoarthritis?
InternationalCentral South University, China -
A non-invasive method to stimulate memory for people with schizophrenia
Neuropsychopharmacology Reports
A non-invasive method of brain stimulation could help improve some aspects of memory in people with schizophrenia, according to international research. The team conducted a randomized clinical trial, using alternating magnetic fields to induce an Read more about A non-invasive method to stimulate memory for people with schizophrenia
InternationalPeking University, China -
How do we keep cool as the climate warms without increasing emissions?
The power needed to keep people cool around the world is expected to more than double by 2050, according to a COP28 report which aims to address how we can cut emissions while also meeting the growing demand for cooling. The authors say air Read more about How do we keep cool as the climate warms without increasing emissions?
InternationalUnited Nations Environment Programme