Curiosity finds creative way to measure gravity on Mars

Publicly released: Fri 1 Feb 2019 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

Science

The Curiosity rover accidentally left key gravity sensing gear back on Earth, so US researchers repurposed onboard movement equipment to do the job. By recalibrating the existing sensors to measure slight variations in gravitational fields, the Read more about Curiosity finds creative way to measure gravity on Mars - Scimex

Tai Chi for falls prevention amongst elderly

Publicly released: Fri 1 Feb 2019 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Cochrane Review

Exercise programmes can help prevent the number of falls amongst people over 60, according to Australian and international researchers. Their study, which summarizes the results from 108 trials with 23, 407 participants from 25 countries, suggests Read more about Tai Chi for falls prevention amongst elderly - Scimex

A scuba system for removing power plant CO2

Publicly released: Fri 1 Feb 2019 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Chem

In the fight against climate change, researchers have developed a new way to remove carbon dioxide from coal-burning power plant emissions. The process - similar to how scuba diving rebreathers work - removes carbon dioxide by crystallising the Read more about A scuba system for removing power plant CO2 - Scimex

When did giant pandas start their bamboo only diet?

Publicly released: Fri 1 Feb 2019 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Current Biology

The giant pandas we adore today are exclusive bamboo eaters, however extinct and ancient panda species may have had a more varied diet, say Chinese researchers. By comparing teeth, hair and bones of existing and extinct pandas, researchers found Read more about When did giant pandas start their bamboo only diet? - Scimex

CRISPR editing to help bananas survive virus

Publicly released: Fri 1 Feb 2019 at 0100 AEDT | 0300 NZDT

Communications Biology

A new strategy to eliminate banana streak virus using CRISPR gene editing could help protect the important food crop, according to a new study. Banana streak virus attacks banana and plantains through a specific genome and makes the plants more Read more about CRISPR editing to help bananas survive virus - Scimex

Got a stubborn UTI? Old drugs might help shift it

Publicly released: Fri 1 Feb 2019 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Australian Prescriber

Doctors might soon be circling back to use old antibiotics to beat urinary tract infections (UTIs), according to Aussie researchers. Antibiotics are often used for the common UTI, but the bacteria that cause this infection are becoming resistant to Read more about Got a stubborn UTI? Old drugs might help shift it - Scimex

Gender-affirming prescriptions the best future for transgender people

Publicly released: Fri 1 Feb 2019 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Australian Prescriber

A sexual health physician from Sydney says that gender-affirming hormone treatments are the best option for transgender patients, as long as a thorough psychosocial assessment has been performed. The researcher suggests the therapy follows similar Read more about Gender-affirming prescriptions the best future for transgender people - Scimex

Stresses leading to self harm change with age

Publicly released: Fri 1 Feb 2019 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

New Zealand Medical Journal

Older people who self harm are more likely to report physical illness as a stress leading up to the attempt, compared to middle-aged people who are more likely to report relationship separation and financial trouble. A study comparing self harm in Read more about Stresses leading to self harm change with age - Scimex

Cantabrians' health dipped then improved after quakes

Publicly released: Fri 1 Feb 2019 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

New Zealand Medical Journal

People living in Christchurch for the 22 February 2011 earthquake experienced ebbs and flows in their physical and mental health in the years after the quake. Researchers using data from the Ministry of Health's New Zealand Health Surveys from Read more about Cantabrians' health dipped then improved after quakes - Scimex

Minimal risk of firefighting foam chemical in eels

Publicly released: Fri 1 Feb 2019 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

New Zealand Medical Journal

Chemicals from firefighting foam have been reported around airports around New Zealand, but the levels in a Taranaki stream pose little threat to humans, according to University of Canterbury researchers. They were addressing concerns that Read more about Minimal risk of firefighting foam chemical in eels - Scimex

Didn't finish those antibiotics? Short courses may be just as good

Publicly released: Fri 1 Feb 2019 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Australian Prescriber

Short courses of antibiotics lasting just five days may be as effective as standard ones for most common infections, according to Australian experts. This is not just good news for those of us that struggle to remember to take the last few tablets Read more about Didn't finish those antibiotics? Short courses may be just as good - Scimex

Doctors’ conscientious objection to abortion can affect women’s health

Publicly released: Thu 31 Jan 2019 at 1459 AEDT | 1659 NZDT

BMC Medical Ethics

Some Victorian health professionals who conscientiously object to abortion are breaking the law by not referring patients to another professional who doesn’t object, new Victorian research has found. Media Release. From:The University of Read more about Doctors’ conscientious objection to abortion can affect women’s health - Scimex

EXPERT REACTION: Murray-Darling Basin Royal Commission

Publicly released: Thu 31 Jan 2019 at 1453 AEDT | 1653 NZDT

The findings of the Murray-Darling Basin Royal Commission set up by the South Australian Governor in 2018 have been made public today. Below experts respond to the Commission's report and recommendations. Attachments:. Web page. Royal Commission Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Murray-Darling Basin Royal Commission - Scimex

Aquaculture experts to deliver vision for north Australian industry

Publicly released: Thu 31 Jan 2019 at 1329 AEDT | 1529 NZDT

Leading Australian aquaculture researchers will team up with key industry players to deliver a vision for a commercially viable aquaculture industry across northern Australia, in the latest Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Read more about Aquaculture experts to deliver vision for north Australian industry - Scimex

End-of-life Law for Clinicians online course

Publicly released: Thu 31 Jan 2019 at 1301 AEDT | 1501 NZDT

Some people receiving end of life care may not receive adequate pain and symptom relief when some clinicians who, unsure of the law, under-medicate due to concerns about legal liability. A new free online course, End of Life Law for Clinicians, aims Read more about End-of-life Law for Clinicians online course - Scimex

People needed to sleep for science

Publicly released: Thu 31 Jan 2019 at 1150 AEDT | 1350 NZDT

The effect of sleep on learning is the focus of a study by University of Queensland researchers. The aim is to gain a better understanding of how overnight sleep can influence learning new words. Media Release. From:The University of Queensland. The Read more about People needed to sleep for science - Scimex

The Aussie plants facing extinction

Publicly released: Thu 31 Jan 2019 at 1131 AEDT | 1331 NZDT

Australian Journal of Botany

New research by the Threatened Species Recovery Hub has identified the top 100 Australian plant species at risk of extinction. Dr Jennifer Silcock from the University of Queensland said knowing which plants are at greatest risk gives us a chance to Read more about The Aussie plants facing extinction - Scimex

For dieters, breakfast may not be the most important meal of the day

Publicly released: Thu 31 Jan 2019 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The BMJ

Did you skip breakfast this morning or do you consider it the most important meal of the day? Australian researchers have found that when it comes to weight loss, the breakfast skippers might be on to something. They grouped a host of studies that Read more about For dieters, breakfast may not be the most important meal of the day - Scimex

Admin 'angels' free up emergency doctors and save healthcare dollars

Publicly released: Thu 31 Jan 2019 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The BMJ

An Aussie study of emergency doctors who use 'scribes' - medical or pre-medical students who cover admin such as taking patient notes, printing, and arranging tests and appointments - found that scribes increased doctors' productivity by 15.9 per Read more about Admin 'angels' free up emergency doctors and save healthcare dollars - Scimex

Dull feathers don't give fairy-wrens a low profile

Publicly released: Thu 31 Jan 2019 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

The American Naturalist

The long-held belief that flamboyant feathers attract the girls but put you in danger from being spotted by predators has been challenged by new research on Australian fairy-wrens. A study led by the University of Auckland found 3D-printed models of Read more about Dull feathers don't give fairy-wrens a low profile - Scimex