-
Mediterranean diet linked to reduced anxiety
Nutrients
Consuming more nuts, fruit and legumes and fewer sugary drinks may help people aged over 60 feel less anxious and stressed, according to research led by the University of the Sunshine Coast. Consuming more nuts, fruit and legumes and fewer sugary Read more about Mediterranean diet linked to reduced anxiety
Australia; QLD; SAUniversity of the Sunshine Coast|University of South Australia -
Pyramids along barren desert strip could hint at long-lost branch of the Nile
Communications Earth & Environment
A famous strip of ancient Egyptian pyramids could be a clue pointing to a long-lost branch of the river Nile now buried under farmland and desert, according to Australian and international researchers. 31 pyramids, including the Giza complex, have Read more about Pyramids along barren desert strip could hint at long-lost branch of the Nile
Australia; International; NSWMacquarie University|University of North Carolina, USA -
EXPERT REACTION: Electronic prescription company MediSecure victim of 'large-scale' data breach
The Australian government is investigating 'large-scale ransomware' data breach of script provider MediSecure. In a statement, MediSecure said they had identified a cyber security incident impacting the personal and health information of individuals Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Electronic prescription company MediSecure victim of 'large-scale' data breach
Australia; VIC; SA; WAAustralian Science Media Centre -
Miniature, lab-created human organs to fast-track new disease treatments
Creating tiny, laboratory grown organs is one of the latest developments in the search for new personalised medical treatments — and a new Curtin University-led project is looking to enhance this breakthrough’s real-world impact. Creating tiny, Read more about Miniature, lab-created human organs to fast-track new disease treatments
AustraliaCurtin University -
Significant progress on cancer therapy
International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics
Research demonstrated that internally generated neutrons could be used to effectively target micro-infiltrates and cancer cells outside of the defined treatment regions. This innovative approach could have a significant impact on the treatment of a Read more about Significant progress on cancer therapy
Australia; NSWAustralian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)... -
Diabetes medication risk in aged care revealed
Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice
An Australian-first study by the Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA) investigating the use of blood sugar-lowering medications among residents with diabetes in aged care homes nationwide, has revealed the rising use of insulin and ongoing high use Read more about Diabetes medication risk in aged care revealed
Australia; SASouth Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)... -
Philosophers can bridge the gap between science and policy
Nature Human Behaviour
Public policy should be based on scientific evidence - but scientists often lament the gap between science and policy, while policy-makers feel that scientists don’t deliver the evidence that is needed. Philosophers can close that gap. Public Read more about Philosophers can bridge the gap between science and policy
Australia; New Zealand; International; QLD; WAMurdoch University|Queensland University of Technology (QUT) -
Sorry meat lovers, 20 years of research suggests plant-based is best for your health
PLOS ONE
Vegetarian and vegan diets are very likely to be better than meaty ones for your heart health and chances of avoiding cancer, according to international scientists who looked back at 48 studies conducted since the year 2000. However, the authors Read more about Sorry meat lovers, 20 years of research suggests plant-based is best for your health
InternationalUniversity of Bologna, Italy -
Singing researchers investigate cross-cultural patterns in music and speech
Science Advances
A global study has identified near-universal patterns across most of the world's musical traditions. Seventy-five researchers from 46 countries, including New Zealand and Australia, recorded themselves performing traditional songs and speaking in Read more about Singing researchers investigate cross-cultural patterns in music and speech
Australia; New Zealand; International; NSWUniversity of Auckland|Victoria University of Wellington... -
Windblown dust from land boosts productivity in the Southern Ocean
Nature
Using a fleet of ocean robots, researchers have found that windblown iron-rich dust from land fertilises around a third of phytoplankton growth in the Southern Ocean. This finding sheds light on the vital role that dust-fuelled productivity plays in Read more about Windblown dust from land boosts productivity in the Southern Ocean
Australia; TASARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes (CLEx)... -
Family tree of baobab trees traces their roots to Madagascar
Nature
Iconic baobab (Adansonia) trees are instantly recognisable because of their unusually fat trunks, and are found across Africa, in Madagascar, and in northwestern Australia. The origins of these trees were not well understood, but now international Read more about Family tree of baobab trees traces their roots to Madagascar
Australia; International; WA; NTChinese Academy of Sciences, China -
Instead of generating extreme heat with fossil fuels, we could one day just use the Sun
Device
About 25% of global energy consumption is used to generate extreme temperatures for producing glass, steel, cement and ceramics, and international researchers say they have developed a strategy that could allow us to forego burning fossil fuels to Read more about Instead of generating extreme heat with fossil fuels, we could one day just use the Sun
InternationalETH Zurich, Switzerland -
Exploring everything we know about consciousness
Neuron
The science of consciousness is explored in a special issue of Neuron, with a series of reviews and perspective pieces by international and Australian authors discussing the big issues in consciousness research. Among the papers, researchers discuss Read more about Exploring everything we know about consciousness
Australia; International; NSWThe University of Sydney -
Lizard-inspired building system may prevent full-scale collapses
Nature
A new system of construction may prevent the collapse of an entire building by ensuring that — in the event of catastrophic damage — structural failure is localized to the damaged region, according to international researchers who were inspired Read more about Lizard-inspired building system may prevent full-scale collapses
InternationalUniversitat Politècnica de València, Spain -
People hospitalised with COVID-19 may have a higher risk of death than those hospitalized with the flu
JAMA
In autumn-winter 2023-2024 in the US, the risk of death in patients hospitalised for COVID-19 was greater than the risk of death in patients hospitalised for seasonal influenza, according to international research based on the US Department of Read more about People hospitalised with COVID-19 may have a higher risk of death than those hospitalized with the flu
International -
More Australians spent time in hospital in 2022-2023 than previous years
Hospitalisations increased by 4. 6% in Australia in 2022-2023, according to a report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The report includes data on public and private hospitalisations for the year. The report says people aged 65 Read more about More Australians spent time in hospital in 2022-2023 than previous years
AustraliaAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) -
Green concrete recycling twice the coal ash is built to last
Cement and Concrete Research
New modelling reveals that low-carbon concrete developed at RMIT University can recycle double the amount of coal ash compared to current standards, halve the amount of cement required and perform exceptionally well over time. New modelling reveals Read more about Green concrete recycling twice the coal ash is built to last
Australia; VICRMIT University -
Genetics provide key to fight crown-of-thorns starfish
PLOS Biology
Scientists are one step closer to combatting coral-destroying crown-of-thorns starfish, following a University of Queensland study into the pest’s genetics. Scientists are one step closer to combatting coral-destroying crown-of-thorns starfish, Read more about Genetics provide key to fight crown-of-thorns starfish
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
Heatwaves lead to more than 150,000 deaths a year
PLOS Medicine
Heatwaves over the four hottest months of the year lead to more than 150,000 deaths around the world each year, according to research led by Monash University which looked at deaths over 30 years going back to 1990. The authors say this equates Read more about Heatwaves lead to more than 150,000 deaths a year
Australia; New Zealand; Pacific; VICMonash University|Queensland University of Technology (QUT) -
New rheumatic fever treatments hurt less and last longer
PLOS ONE
A new penicillin injection for rheumatic fever could help young people stick with the recommended 10-year treatment period. The new treatment uses a smaller needle into the stomach, which patients described as less painful overall. The new injection Read more about New rheumatic fever treatments hurt less and last longer
Australia; New Zealand; WAUniversity of Otago|Telethon Kids Institute|The University of Western Australia... -
Wind farms quickly offset their emissions
Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand
After spinning for 1. 5-1. 7 years, a wind turbine has offset the carbon emissions generated across its entire 30-year lifespan, when compared to thermal power plants. These numbers come from a study which used real construction data from a Hawke's Read more about Wind farms quickly offset their emissions
New ZealandVictoria University of Wellington -
Can eye-tracking tests accurately identify children with autism?
JAMA Network Open
Eye-tracking tests can accurately identify autism in children, according to international researchers, who say that a combination of eye-tracking data and primary-care practitioners' diagnosis can improve accurate diagnosis. The team studied 146 Read more about Can eye-tracking tests accurately identify children with autism?
InternationalPurdue University, USA -
246 million more older adults will be exposed to dangerous heat by 2050
Nature Communications
Up to 246 million more older adults around the world are projected to be exposed to dangerous acute heat by the year 2050 — with those living in Asia and Africa experiencing the most severe effects according to international researchers. According Read more about 246 million more older adults will be exposed to dangerous heat by 2050
InternationalCMCC Foundation, Italy -
High genetic diversity discovered in South African leopards
PeerJ
Researchers say the discovery of very high genetic diversity in leopards found in the Highveld region of South Africa has increased the need for conservation efforts to protect leopards in the country. Declan Morris, a PhD candidate with the Read more about High genetic diversity discovered in South African leopards
Australia; SAThe University of Adelaide -
The weight loss effects of semaglutide can last at least 4 years, and the heart health benefits may be irrespective of the kilos dropped
Nature Medicine and European Congress on Obesity
New data from the largest and longest clinical trial of the effects of semaglutide on weight loss have found that people taking the drug lost around 10% of their body weight and over 7cm from their waistline and the effects continued to last for 4 Read more about The weight loss effects of semaglutide can last at least 4 years, and the heart health benefits may be irrespective of the kilos dropped
InternationalPennington Biomedical Research Centre, USA, University College London, UK -
Men with low testosterone levels may be at increased risk of dying prematurely
Annals of Internal Medicine
Men with low testosterone levels may be at an increased risk of dying prematurely, according to a study by Australian and international researchers. To investigate the relationship between testosterone and other sex hormone levels and health in Read more about Men with low testosterone levels may be at increased risk of dying prematurely
Australia; NSW; SA; WAThe University of Western Australia|Flinders University... -
Our food obsessed brains can sort beans from jeans in 1/10th of a second
The Journal of Neuroscience
You might think you have food on the brain all the time, but Aussie researchers have shown our brains are able to sort food items from non-food items really quickly, in around 1/10th of a second. The researchers also found that our brains take a bit Read more about Our food obsessed brains can sort beans from jeans in 1/10th of a second
Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney -
Identifying genes that could predict breast cancer risk in African women
Nature Genetics
International researchers have identified six genetic variants they say could predict an increased risk of an aggressive form of breast cancer in African women. While women of African ancestry are more likely to develop breast cancer at an earlier Read more about Identifying genes that could predict breast cancer risk in African women
InternationalVanderbilt University Medical Center, USA -
Breastfed babies don't get any benefit from iron supplements
JAMA Pediatrics
Breastfed infants are at risk of iron deficiency which can impact their development but a new study, which includes Aussie authors, has found no benefit to giving breastfed babies iron supplements. The trial, conducted in Poland and Sweden, involved Read more about Breastfed babies don't get any benefit from iron supplements
Australia; International; SASouth Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)... -
Is endurance running as good as traditional methods for hunting game?
Nature Human Behaviour
Endurance running for game hunting may have been as efficient as other traditional hunting methods, according to international researchers. The team say that their findings support the hypothesis that humans uniquely developed muscles primarily Read more about Is endurance running as good as traditional methods for hunting game?
InternationalTrent University, Canada -
Could a blood test help predict who is at risk of heart disease and stroke?
JAMA
Screening the general population with a blood test to look for markers of cardiovascular disease would only lead to a small improvement in our ability to predict who is at risk of diseases such as heart disease and stroke, according to a study Read more about Could a blood test help predict who is at risk of heart disease and stroke?
Australia; NSW; VIC; WAMonash University|Edith Cowan University|The University of Sydney... -
Study finds quick wins for climate adaptation
Kōtuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences Online
New Zealanders tend to agree that gathering more data and working with the environment are two good ideas when adapting to climate change. Scientists have looked over all the submissions to the National Adaptation Plan, finding the common ground Read more about Study finds quick wins for climate adaptation
New ZealandUniversity of Waikato|Lincoln University -
Scientists unlock key to breeding ‘carbon gobbling’ plants with a major appetite
Science Advances
The discovery of how a critical enzyme 'hidden in nature’s blueprint' works sheds new light on how cells control key processes in carbon fixation, a process fundamental for life on Earth. The discovery, made by scientists from The Australian Read more about Scientists unlock key to breeding ‘carbon gobbling’ plants with a major appetite
Australia; NSW; ACTThe Australian National University|The University of Newcastle -
Byte-size lies: AI has mastered the art of deception
Patterns
If an android tells you it dreams of electric sheep, it may be trying to pull the steel wool over your eyes, as international and Aussie researchers say artificial intelligence (AI) systems are already adept at deception. The team says AIs trained Read more about Byte-size lies: AI has mastered the art of deception
Australia; International; VICAustralian Catholic University|Massachusetts Institute of Technology , USA -
Global analysis of 30m hydrogen energy tweets shows increase from 2015 Paris Agreement
Social Network Analysis and Mining
Australia’s hydrogen energy-related discussion on Twitter (now X), ranked seventh globally, according to an analysis of 30. 7 million tweets conducted by QUT researchers. Japan came in number one. Analysis of tweets on hydrogen energy-related Read more about Global analysis of 30m hydrogen energy tweets shows increase from 2015 Paris Agreement
Australia; QLDQueensland University of Technology (QUT) -
Further retractions issued for Australian concussion in sport publications
British Journal of Sports Medicine
The British Journal of Sports Medicine has retracted six articles related to concussion in sport authored by its Australian former editor, Dr Paul McCrory and corrected another two as a results of an investigation of the researcher's sole authored Read more about Further retractions issued for Australian concussion in sport publications
Australia; VICBritish Journal of Sports Medicine -
Running under a four-minute mile could be the key to a long and healthy life
British Journal of Sports Medicine
A new study released to mark this week's 70th anniversary of Sir Roger Bannister’s sub-four-minute mile record has revealed the first 200 runners to follow in his footsteps also share another remarkable trait. A new study released to mark this week Read more about Running under a four-minute mile could be the key to a long and healthy life
Australia; NSWVictor Chang Cardiac Research Institute (VCCRI)|St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research (SVI) -
Elephants say g'day with more stink than you'd think
Communications Biology
Elephants like to make full use of their impressive noses when greeting each other – even if their partner's choice of perfume is questionable. Researchers watching African elephants in a Zimbabwean reserve found most greetings involved one or Read more about Elephants say g'day with more stink than you'd think
InternationalUniversity of Vienna, Austria -
Women with gestational diabetes through 2 pregnancies at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes later
JAMA Network Open
Canadian scientists say women who have gestational diabetes during two pregnancies are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes after the second pregnancy. They looked at health records for 431,980 women who had given birth twice, 10,920 of whom Read more about Women with gestational diabetes through 2 pregnancies at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes later
InternationalMcGill University, Canada -
Bilbies could hop back into mild climate zones
Animal Behaviour
Bilbies bred in a sanctuary in Dubbo have provided researchers with vital clues about how they would fare in temperate Australia where they once thrived. A study of greater bilbies at Taronga Western Plains Zoo has provided some new ideas about how Read more about Bilbies could hop back into mild climate zones
Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales|Taronga Conservation Society Australia -
Discovery made into which children will outgrow their peanut allergy
Allergy / The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice
Australian researchers have discovered how changes in antibody levels over time can predict which children are likely to outgrow their peanut allergy. Research at a Glance: A Murdoch Children’s Research Institute led study has discovered how Read more about Discovery made into which children will outgrow their peanut allergy
Australia; VICMurdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI)|The University of Melbourne... -
Too much screen time causing problems for Kiwi kids
New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy
Kids spending long stretches of time in front of screens can end up with dry eyes, back pain, poor sleep, and anxiety, a New Zealand-led review of the research finds. New Zealand students have among the world’s highest digital device use, and the Read more about Too much screen time causing problems for Kiwi kids
New ZealandAUT University|University of Auckland|Massey University -
Can environmental carers agree on the best way to look after nature?
PLOS One
A review of 77 studies found there are a wide variety of environmental "stewards" taking action to protect nature in Aotearoa. These groups include farmers, white-water rafters, Māori youth, and many others. However, the research authors found the Read more about Can environmental carers agree on the best way to look after nature?
New ZealandUniversity of Canterbury|University of Waikato|Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research -
Getting dirty to clean up the chemical industry’s environmental impact
Journal of the American Chemical Society
The global chemical industry is a major fossil fuel consumer and climate change contributor; however, new Curtin University research has identified how the sector could clean up its green credentials by getting dirty. The global chemical industry is Read more about Getting dirty to clean up the chemical industry’s environmental impact
Australia; WACurtin University|The University of Western Australia -
Rapid oyster reef restoration gives hope for repairing the sea
Restoration Ecology
After a century of functional extinction on the Australian mainland, a Flat oyster reef has been successfully restored along a metropolitan Adelaide coastline. After a century of functional extinction on the Australian mainland, a Flat oyster reef Read more about Rapid oyster reef restoration gives hope for repairing the sea
Australia; SAThe University of Adelaide|Government of South Australia -
New drug for sepsis shows promise in mouse and blood tests
Science Translational Medicine.
A new drug could prevent sepsis-related organ failure and death by restoring the health of a patient’s blood vessels, tests in mice and blood samples suggest. A new drug could prevent sepsis-related organ failure and death by restoring the Read more about New drug for sepsis shows promise in mouse and blood tests
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
The spread of misinformation varies by topic and by country
PLOS ONE
When it comes to combatting misinformation, it’s important to change your strategy depending on the country, according to international researchers. The team looked at news activity on Twitter (now X) in France, Germany, Italy, and the UK between Read more about The spread of misinformation varies by topic and by country
InternationalUniversity of Venice, Italy -
Ancient, endangered lamprey fish found in Queensland, 1400km north of its previous known range
Endangered Species Research
Scientists from Griffith University and the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) have confirmed the identity of an unusual, ancient and Endangered species of fish that is living in the coastal rivers of Queensland, Read more about Ancient, endangered lamprey fish found in Queensland, 1400km north of its previous known range
Australia; QLDThe National Environmental Science Program's Resilient Landscapes Hub... -
Are wild pigs spreading kauri dieback disease?
New Zealand Journal of Zoology
New research finds we're "flying blind" on whether feral pigs are responsible for the spread of kauri dieback. It has been theorised that pigs could directly spread the fungus by moving infected soil around, or they could make healthy kauri more Read more about Are wild pigs spreading kauri dieback disease?
New ZealandManaaki Whenua - Landcare Research -
Is toad toxin the next antidepressant?
Nature
Modifying the psychedelic compounds found in the toxin of a poisonous toad could be an effective treatment for depression and anxiety, say US researchers who trialled the toxic toad drug on mice. Recent research has found that certain psychedelics Read more about Is toad toxin the next antidepressant?
InternationalIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA