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Chance sighting reveals new species of fluffy beetle
Australian Journal of Taxonomy
A researcher from The University of Queensland has discovered a remarkable new genus of fluffy longhorn beetle while camping within rainforest in the Gold Coast hinterland. Download images via DropboxA researcher from The University of Queensland Read more about Chance sighting reveals new species of fluffy beetle
Australia; QLD; ACTThe University of Queensland|CSIRO -
Many AI tools lack adequate safeguards to prevent mass health disinformation
The BMJ
Many publicly accessible artificial intelligence (AI) assistants lack adequate safeguards to consistently prevent the mass generation of health disinformation across a broad range of topics, warn Flinders University’s experts. In a study published Read more about Many AI tools lack adequate safeguards to prevent mass health disinformation
Australia; SAFlinders University|University of South Australia -
Hair-straightening cream might leave your kidneys in a hairy situation
The New England Journal of Medicine
French researchers following up the curly case of a Tunisian woman becoming sick after having her hair straightened, has found that the glyoxylic acid in many of the products can be absorbed and travel to our kidneys, potentially causing harm, in a Read more about Hair-straightening cream might leave your kidneys in a hairy situation
InternationalHôpital de la Conception, Marseille, France -
‘‘What can we do?’’ Kids want to know about climate action not causes
One Earth
Climate action is the greatest concern for kids when it comes to climate change, according to researchers who asked 1,500 Aussie kids to tell them what they wanted to know about climate change. The study found that 40% of questions were centred Read more about ‘‘What can we do?’’ Kids want to know about climate action not causes
Australia; VIC; TASUniversity of Tasmania|Deakin University -
Move over worm farms, dung beetles can boost plant growth too
Proceedings of the Royal Society B
Dung beetles increase plant growth by an average of 17%, according to a new Aussie analysis of previous research, which puts the beetle boost at a similar level to the increase in growth you get from earthworms. The researcher found that by burying Read more about Move over worm farms, dung beetles can boost plant growth too
Australia; WAThe University of Western Australia|CSIRO -
Our grossest memories are full of smells, tastes and touch
Royal Society Open Science
Our most icky memories, like that time you vomited non-stop, or accidentally drank that off milk, tend to feature our senses of smell, taste or touch, according to Australian research. The study asked people to remember their most disgusting, Read more about Our grossest memories are full of smells, tastes and touch
Australia; NSWMacquarie University -
From the Poles to Everest, the Moon and now the stars
The TOLIMAN mission to discover planets – and perhaps life – around our nearest stellar neighbours in the Centauri system has been awarded a prestigious Explorers Club flag. The TOLIMAN team plans to etch a likeness of the flag onto the Read more about From the Poles to Everest, the Moon and now the stars
Australia; International; NSWThe University of Sydney -
HIV virus elimated by gene editing in a lab
European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
Gene editing has been used to eliminate all traces of HIV from infected immune cells in a laboratory, with the hope that it could one day be used to target the HIV DNA which acts as a reservoir for the virus in people with the condition. The gene Read more about HIV virus elimated by gene editing in a lab
InternationalUniversity of Amsterdam AMC, Netherlands -
A holistic approach is key to improving drought adaptation in crops
Nature Research Earth & Environment
More focus on integrating research into drought tolerance in crops is essential to prevent the threat to global food security, according to international researchers. The team from the Institute for Research and Development (IRD), the International Read more about A holistic approach is key to improving drought adaptation in crops
Australia; International; QLDThe University of Queensland -
'Double jointed'? You may be at a higher risk of long COVID
BMJ Public Health
UK and US researchers say people who are 'double jointed' - a condition formally known as generalised joint hypermobility, may be at a heightened risk of long COVID. The researchers say these bendy people were 30% more likely to not have fully Read more about 'Double jointed'? You may be at a higher risk of long COVID
InternationalBrighton and Sussex Medical School, UK -
Unravelling the mysteries of the presynapse with super resolution microscopy
Nature Communications
Researchers from UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) have revealed the pivotal role played by Synapsin 2a proteins in orchestrating the organisation and mobility of synaptic vesicles within live neurons. Researchers from UQ’s Queensland Brain Read more about Unravelling the mysteries of the presynapse with super resolution microscopy
Australia; International; QLDQueensland Brain Institute -
What do team-building exercises do to a group's brain activity?
PLOS Biology
Team-building exercises could help groups of strangers communicate more freely and even synchronise their brain activity, according to international researchers who measured the brain activity of strangers interacting in groups of three. The groups Read more about What do team-building exercises do to a group's brain activity?
InternationalBeijing Normal University, China -
Income and education tied to alcohol abuse
PLOS Medicine
A Swedish study has tied income and education levels to one's likelihood to develop problems related to alcohol abuse. These two factors were consistent despite changes in mental health, genetics and marital status, offering important insight into Read more about Income and education tied to alcohol abuse
InternationalVirginia Commonwealth University, Lund University -
High pornography exposure among young Australians helps fuel violence against women
Australia and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
Public health strategies among young people must address violence against women and risky sexual practices associated with pornography exposure, QUT researchers say. QUT researchers from the QUT School of Justice Professor Michael Flood and PhD Read more about High pornography exposure among young Australians helps fuel violence against women
Australia; QLDQueensland University of Technology (QUT) -
Alcohol retailers exploiting pregnancy warning loophole, putting babies at risk
Drug and Alcohol Review
A study by The George Institute shows Australia’s largest alcohol retailers are not displaying mandatory pregnancy warnings on their websites, potentially putting customers’ unborn children at risk of permanent brain damage. Virtually none (0. 1% Read more about Alcohol retailers exploiting pregnancy warning loophole, putting babies at risk
Australia; NSW; VIC; WAGeorge Institute for Global Health|The University of Melbourne... -
WMO says 2023 was hottest year on record - by a lot
A new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) shows that we smashed previous records for greenhouse gas levels, surface temperatures, ocean heat and acidification, sea level rise, Antarctic sea ice cover and our glaciers retreating. Read more about WMO says 2023 was hottest year on record - by a lot
InternationalWorld Meteorological Organization (WMO) -
Continuous non-invasive glucose sensing on the horizon with the development of a new optical sensor
Advanced Sensor Research
For decades, people with diabetes have relied on finger pricks to withdraw blood or adhesive microneedles to measure and manage their glucose levels. Researchers have taken an important step towards eliminating this discomfort with the discovery of Read more about Continuous non-invasive glucose sensing on the horizon with the development of a new optical sensor
Australia; VICARC Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems (TMOS)... -
Taking back control - Economists warn of side-effects of raising the retirement age
The Economic Journal
Leaving paid work opens the door to potentially the best stage of life, and a new study confirms the health and wellbeing benefits which can stem from retirement via an individual’s increased ‘locus of control,’ a psychological trait Read more about Taking back control - Economists warn of side-effects of raising the retirement age
Australia; International; SAFlinders University -
Alternative tidal wetlands in plain sight overlooked Blue Carbon superstars
BioScience
In a new study, scientists from Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, South Africa, Vietnam, the US and Mexico have highlighted the increasing opportunities for Blue Carbon projects for the conservation, restoration and improved management of highly Read more about Alternative tidal wetlands in plain sight overlooked Blue Carbon superstars
Australia; International; QLDGriffith University -
‘Climate rollercoaster’: strong weather fluctuations rocked Australia in 2023
2023 was a “year of opposites” for Australia’s environment, but despite conditions fluctuating between wet and dry, overall conditions remain stable following a bumper year in 2022, according to the latest Australia’s Environment Report, led Read more about ‘Climate rollercoaster’: strong weather fluctuations rocked Australia in 2023
Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; SA; WA; TAS; NT; ACTThe Australian National University