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A once a year COVID-19 vax with an extra jab for high risk people could be the right vaccine strategy
Annals of Internal Medicine
A once a year COVID-19 jab for most of us, with a second jab five months later for those over 50 or under 2 could be an effective vaccine strategy, according to US research. The study compared five annual vaccination strategies and found that Read more about A once a year COVID-19 vax with an extra jab for high risk people could be the right vaccine strategy
InternationalYale Center for Infectious Disease Modeling and Analysis, USA -
Call for more holistic management of epilepsy as gaps revealed
Epilepsia Open
Tuesday is Purple Day for Epilepsy. Researchers from the Australian Epilepsy Project (AEP) at The Florey are calling for changes to the way epilepsy is managed after a pilot study in 172 people highlighted differences in quality of life. The Read more about Call for more holistic management of epilepsy as gaps revealed
Australia; VICFlorey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health... -
We donate to charity to feel good about ourselves, but we give more to look good for others
PLOS ONE
Deciding to donate to charity is mostly driven by the warm glow we get about ourselves, but social pressure can influence how much we give, according to Australian research. The study compared people's willingness to donate to charity when another Read more about We donate to charity to feel good about ourselves, but we give more to look good for others
Australia; NSW; VICMonash University|The University of Sydney -
EXPERT REACTION: Chemicals in some disinfectants and flame retardants damage supporting cells of the brain in the lab
Nature Neuroscience
Two classes of chemicals that are found in some disinfectants and flame retardants could impair the development of a type of cell in the brain, called oligodendrocytes, according to laboratory experiments. Oligodendrocytes are cells that wrap Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Chemicals in some disinfectants and flame retardants damage supporting cells of the brain in the lab
InternationalCase Western Reserve University, USA -
Greater job flexibility and security helps keep psychological distress and anxiety low
JAMA Network Open
People who have greater job flexibility and job security are less likely to experience serious psychological distress or anxiety, according to international researchers. The team collected data on over 18,000 employed adults in the US, finding that Read more about Greater job flexibility and security helps keep psychological distress and anxiety low
InternationalBoston University, USA -
Ukraine war takes 'substantial' toll on local teens' mental health
JAMA Pediatrics
An international study of 8,096 Ukrainian teens, around half of whom lived in Ukraine throughout the war with Russia and around half of whom lived abroad during the conflict, found exposure to the war was linked with worse mental health outcomes. Read more about Ukraine war takes 'substantial' toll on local teens' mental health
InternationalThe University of Tokyo Hospital, Japan -
We're wasting over half our supply of this non-renewable fertiliser ingredient
Nature Food
NZ and UK scientists are warning we need to be much more careful in how we use phosphorus, if we want future generations to continue using the wonder fertiliser ingredient. Phosphorus stores are limited, and researchers calculate we could run out Read more about We're wasting over half our supply of this non-renewable fertiliser ingredient
New Zealand; InternationalOur Land and Water National Science Challenge|AgResearch... -
Gene discovery offers new hope for Aussies living with chronic skin disease
Nature Communications
Scientists from The Australian National University (ANU) have discovered a gene mutation is responsible for causing psoriasis – a chronic inflammatory skin disease that causes patients to develop red, scaly and itchy patches across their body. Read more about Gene discovery offers new hope for Aussies living with chronic skin disease
Australia; International; ACTThe Australian National University -
Persian plateau unveiled as crucial hub for early human migration out of Africa
Nature Communications
A new study combining genetic, palaeoecological, and archaeological evidence has unveiled the Persian Plateau as a pivotal geographic location serving as a hub for Homo sapiens during the early stages of their migration out of Africa. Published in Read more about Persian plateau unveiled as crucial hub for early human migration out of Africa
Australia; International; QLDGriffith University -
Risk prediction using our genes and gut bacteria can improve early detection of diseases
Nature Aging
A new study has shown that risk scores based on our genes and gut bacteria can improve the prediction of diseases such as type 2 diabetes and prostate cancer over traditional risk factors alone. And when it comes to prediction of a person’s risk Read more about Risk prediction using our genes and gut bacteria can improve early detection of diseases
Australia; VICBaker Heart and Diabetes Institute|University of Cambridge, Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare. -
Bleaching can hamper reproduction and recovery in corals
Coral Reefs
Bleaching can suppress reproduction in a common coral species found in the Great Barrier Reef, hampering future reef replenishment, new research led by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and James Cook University (JCU) has identified. Read more about Bleaching can hamper reproduction and recovery in corals
Australia; Pacific; International; QLDAustralian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)|James Cook University... -
Micro-Lisa! Low-power light laser makes it mark in low-cost polymer
Angewandte Chemie International Edition
High-power lasers are often used to modify polymer surfaces to make high-tech biomedical products, electronics and data storage components. Now Flinders University researchers have discovered a light-responsive, inexpensive sulfur-derived polymer is Read more about Micro-Lisa! Low-power light laser makes it mark in low-cost polymer
Australia; New Zealand; SAFlinders University -
3D mapping tech blasts off for International Space Station
A powerful package of 3D mapping technology designed by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has reached the International Space Station (ISS). The payload has reached astronauts on board and will be fitted onto a NASA robot platform that Read more about 3D mapping tech blasts off for International Space Station
AustraliaCSIRO -
Did tightened PBS restrictions on opioid supply reduce their use in Australia?
Medical Journal of Australia
Subsidised opioid use dropped overall, but use of one opioid is still on the rise, a new big health data study shows. On 1 June 2020, the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS) introduced changes to the way prescription opioids are supplied: Read more about Did tightened PBS restrictions on opioid supply reduce their use in Australia?
Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales -
Going fishing this Easter? Keep your catch food-safe
There are 4. 2 million, or one in five Australian adults, estimated to take part in recreational fishing each year. Seafood is generally safe and healthy, but each year Australians are affected, and even hospitalised, from illnesses such as Read more about Going fishing this Easter? Keep your catch food-safe
AustraliaFood Safety Information Council -
Dogs may really understand the names of their toys
Current Biology
Dogs can really learn what their toys are called instead of just relying on context, according to international research. The researchers say dogs generally don't do well in tests where they're asked to fetch an object after hearing its name, but Read more about Dogs may really understand the names of their toys
InternationalEötvös Loránd University, Hungary -
What stops teens getting enough exercise as they become adults?
PLOS ONE
Doing regular exercise over the long term may help the health and mental health of Aussie teens as they transition to young adults, according to Australian research, but there are some factors which make getting enough exercise less likely. The Read more about What stops teens getting enough exercise as they become adults?
Australia; SAThe University of Adelaide -
Bats good news! Grey-headed flying-foxes numbers are flying high
PLOS ONE
Australia's grey-headed flying-foxes are flying high, with numbers remaining stable despite the species being listed as vulnerable. The researchers have analysed data from Australia's National Flying-fox Monitoring Program (NFFMP) and found that Read more about Bats good news! Grey-headed flying-foxes numbers are flying high
Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; SACSIRO -
Food prices might be rising already, but climate change could make it worse
Communications Earth & Environment
Global warming could cause an inflation of food prices by up to 3. 2% a year in a decade's time, according to international research. The researchers used data on weather and consumer price indices across the world to see how they have been related Read more about Food prices might be rising already, but climate change could make it worse
InternationalPotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Germany -
Does your teen smell like sandalwood or more like a goat?
Communications Chemistry
German researchers compared the chemical composition and smell of body odour samples taken from 18 infants with samples taken from 18 teenagers, finding that they're similar but there were some differences. They identified two compounds found Read more about Does your teen smell like sandalwood or more like a goat?
InternationalFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany