EXPERT REACTION: New superbugs are spreading through Aussie hospitals undetected

Publicly released: Tue 4 Sep 2018 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Microbiology

Three new strains of superbug that are resistant to most antibiotics have been found in Australian hospitals, according to Australian research, and they look to be spreading globally. The bacteria called Staphylococcus epidermidis, are widely found Read more about EXPERT REACTION: New superbugs are spreading through Aussie hospitals undetected - Scimex

Blue-green algae promises to help boost food crop yields

Publicly released: Mon 3 Sep 2018 at 2100 AEST | 2300 NZST

Nature Communications

Australian scientists have engineered tiny carbon-capturing engines from blue green algae into plants, in a breakthrough that promises to help boost the yields of important food crops. Media Release. From:ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Read more about Blue-green algae promises to help boost food crop yields - Scimex

Killer heatwaves can have devastating impacts on natural world

Publicly released: Mon 3 Sep 2018 at 1427 AEST | 1627 NZST

Scientific Reports

Heatwaves have massive and widespread repercussions across the land and sea causing death among native plants and animals and impacting food chains, researchers have found. Media Release. From:Murdoch University. An international team of researchers, Read more about Killer heatwaves can have devastating impacts on natural world - Scimex

New research seeks to understand our sexual wellbeing

Publicly released: Mon 3 Sep 2018 at 1047 AEST | 1247 NZST

More than 50 years on from The Rolling Stones’ hit tune ‘ Satisfaction’, the question remains – what is sexual satisfaction and how can it be measured? Now researchers from Southern Cross University have taken up the challenge of creating a Read more about New research seeks to understand our sexual wellbeing - Scimex

Uncovering the cause of a rare, genetic intellectual disability

Publicly released: Mon 3 Sep 2018 at 1023 AEST | 1223 NZST

Brain

Australian and British scientists have described a new form of genetically inherited intellectual disability in children, and are now investigating ways to help correct the effects of the mutation. Funder: NHMRC (Aus), NIH (US), MRC (UK), Victorian Read more about Uncovering the cause of a rare, genetic intellectual disability - Scimex

Shark-detecting smart algorithm is Australia’s top AI/Machine Learning Innovation

Publicly released: Mon 3 Sep 2018 at 1014 AEST | 1214 NZST

SharkSpotter, an artificially intelligent shark detection system developed by the UTS School of Software is the national AI or Machine Learning Innovation of the Year, named at the Australian Information industry Association (AIIA) annual iAwards. Read more about Shark-detecting smart algorithm is Australia’s top AI/Machine Learning Innovation - Scimex

Australian fish to benefit from new discovery

Publicly released: Mon 3 Sep 2018 at 1000 AEST | 1200 NZST

Ecological Engineering

A research team from the Threatened Species Recovery Hub has made a discovery that could help dwindling numbers of Australian freshwater fish species. Dr Jabin Watson from the University of Queensland says the innovation will allow small and young Read more about Australian fish to benefit from new discovery - Scimex

Brain scans could distinguish bipolar from depression

Publicly released: Mon 3 Sep 2018 at 0823 AEST | 1023 NZST

Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging

New research has found that neurons deep inside the brain could hold the key to accurately diagnosing bipolar disorder and depression. Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council. Media Release. From:The Westmead Institute for Medical Read more about Brain scans could distinguish bipolar from depression - Scimex

Taking healthcare to the homeless

Publicly released: Mon 3 Sep 2018 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

The Medical Journal of Australia

Taking healthcare to homeless patients, rather than expecting them to access existing services, might be the way to improve outcomes for Australian society’s most vulnerable, according to Australian researchers. People experiencing homelessness Read more about Taking healthcare to the homeless - Scimex

A warning on medicare funded genetic tests for breast cancer

Publicly released: Mon 3 Sep 2018 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

MJA

Genetic tests for patients with a high risk of breast and ovarian cancer are now covered by Medicare, and can be ordered by non-genetic specialists who may not have the training and experience to correctly interpret the results, warn Australian Read more about A warning on medicare funded genetic tests for breast cancer - Scimex

Higher rates of depression in those with autism

Publicly released: Sat 1 Sep 2018 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

A large Swedish cohort study has found that young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are more likely to have depression compared to their peers in the general population. The study followed all children (0-17 years-olds) in a Read more about Higher rates of depression in those with autism - Scimex

Trouble falling asleep? Your sleep switch may be to blame

Publicly released: Fri 31 Aug 2018 at 1100 AEST | 1300 NZST

eLife

A new discovery made by University of Queensland researchers has led to deeper understanding of the differences in how easily individuals fall asleep. Scientists at UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute have discovered how electrical channels affect Read more about Trouble falling asleep? Your sleep switch may be to blame - Scimex

Research finds gender diverse boards are greener

Publicly released: Fri 31 Aug 2018 at 1030 AEST | 1230 NZST

Journal of Corporate Finance

Companies with a more balanced mix of men and women on their boards are better at protecting the environment and less likely to be sued for environmental law violations, according to new research from the University of Adelaide. Media Release. Read more about Research finds gender diverse boards are greener - Scimex

Robot reef protector sees a new way to check Great Barrier Reef health

Publicly released: Fri 31 Aug 2018 at 1030 AEST | 1230 NZST

An underwater drone that can keep watch on reef health and accurately identify and inject the devastating crown-of-thorns starfish is ready to be put to the test on the Great Barrier Reef, as a result of a collaboration between QUT, Google and the Read more about Robot reef protector sees a new way to check Great Barrier Reef health - Scimex

Saturn's pretty twinkly blue aurora

Publicly released: Fri 31 Aug 2018 at 1000 AEST | 1200 NZST

Geophysical Research Letters

Astronomers using the Hubble Space telescope have taken a series of images which show the beautiful fluttering auroras at the north pole of Saturn. The images of the aurora, which can only be seen in ultraviolet light give astronomers with best view Read more about Saturn's pretty twinkly blue aurora - Scimex

Research delivers new insights into our brain's 'inner GPS'

Publicly released: Fri 31 Aug 2018 at 1000 AEST | 1200 NZST

eNeuro

Researchers including Dr Oliver Baumann from The University of Queensland (UQ) have uncovered important flaws in previous research around the brain that may lead to better treatments for people with cognitive impairments. Dr Baumann from UQ’ s Read more about Research delivers new insights into our brain's 'inner GPS' - Scimex

Powerful images reveal how immune cells patrol to keep us healthy

Publicly released: Fri 31 Aug 2018 at 0930 AEST | 1130 NZST

Journal of Cell Biology

For the first time, scientists have seen in exquisite, real-time detail how immune cells survey their surroundings to detect threats to our health. The imaging also provides insights into how aggressive cancer cells sustain their growth. Funder: Read more about Powerful images reveal how immune cells patrol to keep us healthy - Scimex

El Niño impacts set to intensify as climate warms

Publicly released: Fri 31 Aug 2018 at 0900 AEST | 1100 NZST

Geophysical Research Letters

Future El Niño or La Niña events will amplify changes to temperature, precipitation, and wildfire risk caused by climate change, according to a new modelling study from the US. The researchers created climate simulations across the 20th and 21st Read more about El Niño impacts set to intensify as climate warms - Scimex

Honing in on getting GPS to (almost) pinpoint accuracy

Publicly released: Fri 31 Aug 2018 at 0900 AEST | 1100 NZST

Journal of Geodesy

New surveying technique can improve smartphone GPS to centimetre-level accuracy, according to Australasian research led by the University of Otago. Traditional GPS uses two signals sent at different frequencies to one satellite, but the new Read more about Honing in on getting GPS to (almost) pinpoint accuracy - Scimex

Medical marijuana legislation in the US cut opioid deaths

Publicly released: Fri 31 Aug 2018 at 0900 AEST | 1100 NZST

Journal of Health Economics

Legal access to marijuana through dispensaries reduces opioid-related harms, according to a Californian study. Looking at various medical marijuana legalisation laws across the US, they found that opioid overdoses and admissions for pain-medication Read more about Medical marijuana legislation in the US cut opioid deaths - Scimex