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How have abortions changed in Victoria over the past decade
Medical Journal of Australia
The rate of abortions in Victoria appears to have declined over the past decade and the proportion of women having medication abortions instead of surgical abortions in hospitals is on the rise, according to two Australian studies. In the first paper Read more about How have abortions changed in Victoria over the past decade
Australia; NSW; VICThe University of Melbourne|La Trobe University|The University of Sydney... -
Get down and get dirty - how soundwaves appear to stimulate soil
bioRxiv
A new study has found fungi respond to noise in soil, unlocking the potential for improved ecosystem recovery. Humans are energised by dance music and now new Flinders University research has recorded rapid acceleration in soil fungi growth when Read more about Get down and get dirty - how soundwaves appear to stimulate soil
Australia; SAFlinders University -
This is your brain on ADHD
JNeurosci
US scientists say they've found patterns of connectivity between brain cells that accompany the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The team analysed brain scans of more than 6,000 kids using a new technique that allowed Read more about This is your brain on ADHD
InternationalOregon Health & Science University, USA -
Aussies cutting back on more than meals as cost of living crisis bites
Australian Journal of Social Issues
Australian researchers surveyed 1,248 Tasmanians to investigate the strategies we're adopting to cope with the cost of living crisis, and found it's not just food we're cutting back on. As well as buying less and cheaper food, respondents also said Read more about Aussies cutting back on more than meals as cost of living crisis bites
Australia; NSW; TASUniversity of Tasmania|University of Wollongong -
What can be done to better support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dads?
Australian Journal of Social Issues
Over 60% of Indigenous dads need further support, according to Aussie researchers who used survey data from 149 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fathers. Of the supports required, the highest-ranking areas included money, support and social Read more about What can be done to better support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dads?
Australia; VIC; SA; WA; TAS; NTUniversity of Tasmania|Edith Cowan University|The University of Western Australia... -
5 UK patients 'caught' Alzheimer's from deceased growth hormone donors
Nature Medicine
Five people in the UK who were given growth hormones sourced from deceased people during childhood (which is now banned) developed early-onset Alzheimer's disease, according to UK scientists. The findings suggest that Alzheimer’s disease may have Read more about 5 UK patients 'caught' Alzheimer's from deceased growth hormone donors
InternationalUniversity College London (UCL), UK -
Potassium-enriched salt is the missing ingredient in hypertension guidelines
Hypertension
This small change could have a big impact on high blood pressure control, Australian and international experts say. A call to include recommendations on low-sodium potassium-enriched salt in hypertension treatment guidelines has been made by a group Read more about Potassium-enriched salt is the missing ingredient in hypertension guidelines
Australia; International; NSWGeorge Institute for Global Health -
Lack of support for pet owners in crisis
Pet owners facing crisis situations, including those who are victims of domestic violence, are suffering from a lack of support services needed to protect them. Pet owners facing crisis situations, including those who are victims of domestic violence Read more about Lack of support for pet owners in crisis
Australia; QLDJames Cook University -
Room for social supermarket model to expand as cost of living rises
Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly
A new model of ‘social supermarket’ providing affordable food and social support for people experiencing financial stress in South Australia should be expanded, experts say. As the cost-of-living crisis affects a growing number of Australians, Read more about Room for social supermarket model to expand as cost of living rises
Australia; SAFlinders University|Government of South Australia|The University of Adelaide -
Unpacking the cost of healthy school lunchboxes
Health Promotion International
A new study shows the pinch families can face when packing a school lunchbox, finding families are spending about $25 per child per week. New analysis by Flinders University in South Australia, University of Newcastle and Hunter New England Read more about Unpacking the cost of healthy school lunchboxes
Australia; NSW; SAFlinders University|The University of Newcastle|Hunter New England Population Health Service -
High-achieving high school girls need more help finding their ‘dream’ jobs
Gifted Child Quarterly
Compared to boys, girls often excel in their secondary education results – but even the most gifted students may struggle to find their ‘dream job’ and follow the best career path, pay grades and workplace progression to become leaders in Read more about High-achieving high school girls need more help finding their ‘dream’ jobs
Australia; SAFlinders University -
Setting a new standard of precision in making quantum computer chips
Advanced Quantum Technologies
Aussie researchers have broken a new record in precision manufacturing, in the quest to fabricate the silicon chips of future quantum computers. The team showed that phosphorous ions can be implanted in silicon crystal with 99. 95 confidence, while Read more about Setting a new standard of precision in making quantum computer chips
Australia; NSW; VICThe University of New South Wales|The University of Melbourne -
Likelihood of more ambulance callouts as heatwave conditions continue
ANZJPH
As Australia swelters through a long, hot summer, the effects of heatwaves and the likelihood of ambulance callouts is at the heart of new Griffith University research. As Australia swelters through a long, hot summer, the effects of heatwaves and Read more about Likelihood of more ambulance callouts as heatwave conditions continue
Australia; QLDGriffith University|The University of Queensland -
Despite the harshest lockdowns, Victorian drinking habits were similar to other states during the pandemic
Drug and Alcohol Review
Victorian alcohol drinking habits did not change as much as expected during the pandemic in comparison to the rest of Australia, according to Australian experts. The researchers surveyed 775 adults about their drinking habits in six waves over April Read more about Despite the harshest lockdowns, Victorian drinking habits were similar to other states during the pandemic
Australia; VIC; WALa Trobe University|Curtin University -
‘Cancer-cooling’ protein puts bowel cancer on ice
Science Advances
A protein in the immune systemcan be manipulated to help overcome bowel cancer, according to new research from The Australian National University (ANU). According to lead author Dr Abhimanu Pandey, from ANU, the protein, known as Ku70, can be Read more about ‘Cancer-cooling’ protein puts bowel cancer on ice
Australia; NSW; QLD; ACTThe Australian National University|QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute... -
Small steps from a robot with muscles is a giant leap for robotics
Matter
A two-legged biohybrid robot, which uses muscle tissue to improve movement, has been developed by Japanese researchers. The team designed a biohybrid robot that mimics human walking and operates in the water – with a foam buoy top and weighted Read more about Small steps from a robot with muscles is a giant leap for robotics
InternationalUniversity of Tokyo, Japan -
Want your studies to stick? Try writing by hand
Frontiers in Psychology
Writing by hand could be better for learning than typing on a keyboard, according to a small study by international researchers who say their findings highlight a need to expose students to more handwriting activities in an increasingly digital world Read more about Want your studies to stick? Try writing by hand
InternationalNorwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway -
Current water quality monitoring will take 20 years to show results
Nature Scientific Reports
Current rates of freshwater sampling will take 20 years to accurately capture changes in water quality, according to a new study funded by the Our Land and Water National Science Challenge. The authors suggest that funding for monitoring must Read more about Current water quality monitoring will take 20 years to show results
New ZealandAgResearch|Lincoln University|Griffith University|Headwaters Hydrology, Traverse Environmental -
A tiny Aussie mammal is sacrificing its sleep for its one chance at sex
Current Biology
A small Australian mammal has been caught sacrificing its sleep in a frantic hunt for sex, according to Australian researchers. The male dusky antechinus only reproduces once in his lifetime and generally dies soon after his three-week mating season Read more about A tiny Aussie mammal is sacrificing its sleep for its one chance at sex
Australia; VICLa Trobe University -
Stigma is preventing women who inject drugs from accessing healthcare
Drug & Alcohol Review
A survey of 232 women who inject drugs found four in five had experienced stigma in the past year, and three in four said health workers had treated them negatively because of their injecting drug use. Most of the women had adopted strategies to Read more about Stigma is preventing women who inject drugs from accessing healthcare
Australia; NSW; SAThe University of New South Wales -
What can we look out for to prevent suicidal thoughts in our teens?
JAMA Network Open
This media release contains information some readers may find distressing as it refers to data about mental health, suicide and self-harm. If you or anyone you know needs help, support is available now. Call Lifeline on 131 114 or Beyond Blue on Read more about What can we look out for to prevent suicidal thoughts in our teens?
InternationalThe University of Tokyo Hospital, Japan -
Birds of a feather: robo-dinosaurs, flightless feathers, and flashy hunting
Scientific Reports
Why would dinosaur feathers have evolved before flight? According to a new study out of Nature flightless feathers may have been used to flush out small prey. Many modern birds (like the roadrunner) use forelimb feathers for "flush-and-pursuit" Read more about Birds of a feather: robo-dinosaurs, flightless feathers, and flashy hunting
InternationalSeoul National University, University of Minnesota Minneapolis, Sungkyunkwan University, Polish Academy of Sciences. -
New community resources to tackle extremism and disinformation
Important new online resources aimed at tackling extremism and disinformation in the community have been launched in Western Australia. Important new online resources aimed at tackling extremism and disinformation in the community have been launched Read more about New community resources to tackle extremism and disinformation
Australia; WACurtin University -
Avoiding cloudy messaging: Vape prevention campaigns face challenges
Health Promotional International
Flinders University researchers say that cohesive and collaborative action from preventive health communicators and organisations is needed to inform young people about the devastating harms of vaping. Flinders University researchers investigated Read more about Avoiding cloudy messaging: Vape prevention campaigns face challenges
Australia; SAFlinders University -
Moderately or late preterm babies have higher risks of brain development disorders
The BMJ
Babies born moderately preterm (32-33 weeks) or late preterm (34-36 weeks) are more likely to be diagnosed with a range of brain development disorders into their teens, according to international research. The team looked at diagnoses of motor, Read more about Moderately or late preterm babies have higher risks of brain development disorders
InternationalKarolinska Institutet, Sweden -
Women still at risk even after breast cancer is caught early
The BMJ
Women who are diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) - a type of breast cancer that is localised and hasn't spread past the milk ducts - are around four times more likely to develop invasive breast cancer and to die from breast cancer than Read more about Women still at risk even after breast cancer is caught early
InternationalUniversity of Oxford, UK -
It’s time to address the high rate of Australians with disabilities addicted to smoking
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
According to a new analysis, almost a quarter of Australians with disabilities smoke, compared to just 12. 6% of the wider population. While the number of Australians smoking is declining, the barriers for people with disabilities mean targeted Read more about It’s time to address the high rate of Australians with disabilities addicted to smoking
Australia; NSW; VIC; SAFlinders University|Cancer Council NSW|The University of Newcastle... -
Obesity spiked in children during COVID-19 lockdowns—only the youngest bounced back
PLOS ONE
Obesity among UK primary school kids spiked during the COVID-19 lockdowns, according to international researchers who estimate that without reversals, increased obesity rates in Year 6 children alone will cost society an additional £800 million in Read more about Obesity spiked in children during COVID-19 lockdowns—only the youngest bounced back
InternationalUniversity of Southampton, UK -
How does HIV get into the cell’s centre to kickstart infection?
Nature
UNSW Sydney medical scientists have cracked a mystery whose solution has long eluded researchers. The team have discovered how the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) breaches the cell nucleus to establish infection, a finding that has implications Read more about How does HIV get into the cell’s centre to kickstart infection?
Australia; International; NSW; QLDThe University of New South Wales -
Groundwater may be rapidly declining in aquifers globally
Nature
Groundwater stored in aquifers across the globe may face declines of over 0. 5 metres per year in the 21st century, according to international researchers who conducted an analysis of around 170,000 monitoring wells in over 40 countries. The team Read more about Groundwater may be rapidly declining in aquifers globally
InternationalUniversity of California, USA -
Lingering symptoms remain common six months after a sports-related concussion
JAMA Network Open
People who have a sports-related concussion are less likely to have prolonged mental health symptoms than those whose concussion was not sports-related, but they are similarly likely to have prolonged physical symptoms, according to international Read more about Lingering symptoms remain common six months after a sports-related concussion
InternationalUniversity of Stirling, UK -
SMC Taiwan News Briefing: Prior dengue and Japanese encephalitis exposure may offer protection against Zika virus
Communications Biology
Taiwanese researchers have reported the discovery of antibodies that can suppress the Zika virus in Taiwanese people who have been infected with dengue fever and vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis. These findings could help the development of Read more about SMC Taiwan News Briefing: Prior dengue and Japanese encephalitis exposure may offer protection against Zika virus
InternationalNational Chung-Hsing University, Taiwan -
What drives us to be anonymous online
Society for Personality and Social Psychology
University of Queensland researchers have found there are two key reasons people choose to be anonymous online – self-expression or toxic behaviour. University of Queensland researchers have found there are two key reasons people choose to be Read more about What drives us to be anonymous online
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland|Queensland University of Technology (QUT) -
Tropical cyclone-related deaths vary widely between countries, NZ sees most respiratory deaths
PLOS Medicine
An Australian-led analysis of deaths from all causes, heart problems, and respiratory conditions during tropical cyclones in 18 countries that experienced a total of 382 cyclones between 1980 and 2019 found the most deaths occurred in Guatemala, Read more about Tropical cyclone-related deaths vary widely between countries, NZ sees most respiratory deaths
Australia; New Zealand; VICMonash University|University of Otago -
Addressing coercion in mental healthcare
BJPsych Open
Finding a common goal for action to address coercion in mental healthcare is the goal of a new paper which identifies what the World Health Organisation (WHO) and World Psychiatry Association (WPA) agree on. Coercive practices are widespread in Read more about Addressing coercion in mental healthcare
Australia; QLDGriffith University -
Centralised social networks potentially hinder innovation by making decision-making too similar
People and Nature
Social systems where influence is centred around one or two individuals can lead to pack mentality and groupthink in farming communities, according to new research at the University of Sydney and Stockholm University. Social systems where influence Read more about Centralised social networks potentially hinder innovation by making decision-making too similar
Australia; Pacific; InternationalThe University of Sydney|Stockholm University -
Detecting bowel cancer without a poo test
Nature Communications
An international team of researchers from Adelaide and the United States has opened the door to non-stool-based bowel cancer detection, by showing that a probiotic bacteria already being used to treat gut disorders, can be engineered to reveal the Read more about Detecting bowel cancer without a poo test
Australia; InternationalSouth Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)... -
EXPERT REACTION: Doomsday clock remains at 90 seconds to midnight
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, keepers of the iconic ‘Doomsday Clock’, has announced the clock will remain at 90 seconds to midnight, equal to last year and the closest to midnight it has ever been. Founded in 1945 by Albert Einstein, J. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Doomsday clock remains at 90 seconds to midnight
Australia; International; NSW; VIC; QLD; SABulletin of the Atomic Scientists -
Want crispier carrots? Don't cut them lengthwise
Royal Society Open Science
Researchers from the UK carr-a-lot about your hummus it seems, as they have discovered why carrots curl up and become too weak to dip. The team found cut carrots to curl over time due to residual stresses from the circular layers they form as they Read more about Want crispier carrots? Don't cut them lengthwise
InternationalUniversity of Bath, UK -
Experts say livestock transport regulations in Australia and New Zealand are not fit for purpose
Royal Society Open Science
UK and Canadian experts reviewed livestock transportation regulations in five English-speaking Western jurisdictions (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the EU and the USA), and say laws are too vague or insufficient to be fit for purpose. The authors Read more about Experts say livestock transport regulations in Australia and New Zealand are not fit for purpose
Australia; New Zealand; InternationalEssex Law School, UK -
Humpback whales move back and forth so their songs are heard
Royal Society Open Science
The ocean is a party, and humpback whales like to move to quieter corners at night so they can be heard, according to international researchers (well, kinda). The team monitored the locations of singing whales off the coast of Maui, Hawaii using Read more about Humpback whales move back and forth so their songs are heard
Pacific; InternationalUniversity of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, USA -
Camera system allows us to see the world through an animal's eyes
PLOS Biology
International researchers have developed a camera system that can produce videos that replicate the colours different animals see the world with. Different animals see a different range of colours, and sometimes can see colours we can't, such as Read more about Camera system allows us to see the world through an animal's eyes
InternationalQueen Mary University of London, UK -
Few patients successfully treat their type 2 diabetes through weight loss alone
PLOS Medicine
Very few patients with type 2 diabetes are able to control their blood sugar levels through weight loss alone, according to international researchers. The team looked at 37,326 people in Hong Kong who were newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes to see Read more about Few patients successfully treat their type 2 diabetes through weight loss alone
InternationalChinese University of Hong Kong -
Unintentional weight loss linked to risk of certain cancers
JAMA
Weight loss within the prior two years is associated with a higher risk of cancer, according to a study of health professionals which found this risk is higher when the weight loss is unintentional. The team looked at data from 157,474 health Read more about Unintentional weight loss linked to risk of certain cancers
InternationalHarvard Medical School, USA -
New buzz about coffee genes
Nature Communications
Like its flavour profile, the genome of Arabica coffee is large and complex. This makes breeding and genetic survey work more difficult, but this diverse genetic background may have contributed to bean's popularity, practicality, and commercial Read more about New buzz about coffee genes
InternationalIGA Technology Services, Instituto di Genomica Applicata, University of Udine, University of Verona, illycaffè SpA -
Social isolation and loneliness could worsen the health of those with obesity
JAMA Network Open
Obesity is linked to an increased risk of death from any cause, but the effect is worse if you’re feeling lonely and socially isolated, according to international researchers. The team used data from the UK Biobank which included 398,972 Read more about Social isolation and loneliness could worsen the health of those with obesity
InternationalTulane University, USA -
Feeling like your walking ability is limited is a good indicator of future fracture risk
JAMA Network Open
Australian experts say feeling like your ability to walk is limited when covering less than a kilometre is a strong indicator you may be at risk of fracture sometime in the next five years. Their study of nearly a quarter of a million people found Read more about Feeling like your walking ability is limited is a good indicator of future fracture risk
Australia; NSWGarvan Institute of Medical Research|The University of New South Wales... -
‘No added sugar’ rule is a good step – but the job’s not done
Current Developments in Nutrition
Australia’s food regulators must develop a comprehensive definition for ‘added sugars’ in processed foods so consumers can make healthy choices, according to new research from The George Institute for Global Health. In December, Food Standards Read more about ‘No added sugar’ rule is a good step – but the job’s not done
Australia; NSWGeorge Institute for Global Health -
Tobacco experts praise vaping law loophole closure
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
In an editorial, Australian experts praise the Federal Government’s plans to close vaping law loopholes and call for the proposed reforms to be introduced urgently to end the youth vaping epidemic. They highlight how easy it is for young people to Read more about Tobacco experts praise vaping law loophole closure
Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney|University of Wollongong|Cancer Council NSW... -
What can ants tell us about biodiversity in biofuel crops?
Frontiers in Conservation Science
Studying ant communities shows that using diverse plant sources for bioenergy is crucial to protect ecosystems while making more eco-friendly fuel, according to international researchers, who say ants are a 'top candidate' for investigating how Read more about What can ants tell us about biodiversity in biofuel crops?
InternationalUniversity of Kentucky, US