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New global care standards to help those living with advanced cancer
JCO Oncology Practice
University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Associate Professor Nicolas Hart has led the development of new global care standards to help those living with advanced cancer. In the past, advanced or metastatic cancers were rapidly fatal, however with new Read more about New global care standards to help those living with advanced cancer
Australia; NSW; SAUniversity of Technology Sydney (UTS)|Flinders University -
Innovation promises to prevent power pole-top fires
Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials
Engineers in Australia have found a new way to make power-pole insulators resistant to fire and electrical sparking, promising to prevent dangerous pole-top fires and reduce blackouts. Pole-top fires pose significant challenges to power providers Read more about Innovation promises to prevent power pole-top fires
Australia; NSW; VIC; WARMIT University|The University of New South Wales -
Mapping 50 million human cells and uncovering the genetic fingerprints of disease
The Garvan Institute plans to map 50 million human cells from 10,000 people to identify unique genomic fingerprints of autoimmune diseases, heart diseases and cancer, building on the early success of a clinical trial for Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s Read more about Mapping 50 million human cells and uncovering the genetic fingerprints of disease
Australia; NSWGarvan Institute of Medical Research|Illumina -
Carbon-capturing chemistry could be used to produce 'carbon negative concrete'
Royal Society Open Science
Harnessing chemical processes that capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere could allow for carbon-negative production of concrete, according to international researchers. The team experimented with olivine - a mineral commonly found in the Read more about Carbon-capturing chemistry could be used to produce 'carbon negative concrete'
InternationalImperial College London, UK -
Bumblebees can partner up to get the job done
Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Far from going it alone, bumblebees may look to cooperate to solve tasks, according to international researchers. Pairs of buff-tailed bumblebees were trained, in pairs or individually, to push a lego brick or open a door to access a nectar reward. Read more about Bumblebees can partner up to get the job done
InternationalUniversity of Oulu, Finland -
Wall of death workout uses 'the force' to keep astronauts fit on the moon
Royal Society Open Science
An out-of-this-world workout could keep astronauts fit in space and you can practice here on Earth (as long as you have access to a ‘Wall of Death’ and some bungee cord). Researchers ran horizontally around a cylinder - the motorcyclist's Read more about Wall of death workout uses 'the force' to keep astronauts fit on the moon
InternationalUniversity of Milan, Italy -
One-two punch treatment delivers blood cancer knockout
Cancer Cell
A new combination of two cancer drugs has shown great potential as a future treatment for patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), one of the most common types of blood cancers. A new study by WEHI researchers has revealed the combination of two Read more about One-two punch treatment delivers blood cancer knockout
Australia; VICWEHI|The University of Melbourne|Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre... -
What happens to your brain chip if its billionaire funder gets bored of the idea?
JAMA Network Open
Researchers studying neural implants have come to an agreement on what it means to "abandon" the device – ie, for the manufacturer to stop supporting it while it's still implanted in someone's brain. Neural implants will be increasingly abandoned Read more about What happens to your brain chip if its billionaire funder gets bored of the idea?
InternationalNorman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, USA -
Some types of exercise may put you at a higher risk of knee osteoarthritis
JAMA Network Open
Weight-bearing recreational exercise could increase the risk of knee osteoarthritis in some people, according to international research. While the team say previous research has shown exercise, in general, doesn't increase your risk of knee Read more about Some types of exercise may put you at a higher risk of knee osteoarthritis
InternationalUniversity Medical Center Rotterdam, Netherlands -
Self-digesting plastic could be better, faster, stonger
Nature Communications
International researchers have developed a self-digesting plastic, which they say could not only help reduce plastic pollution, but also strengthen the plastic itself. The team developed a biodegradable version of the commercial plastic polyurethane, Read more about Self-digesting plastic could be better, faster, stonger
InternationalUniversity of California San Diego, USA -
NZ's media laws are out of date and bad for democracy
Seventeen separate Acts of Parliament need updating to keep pace with modern media landscape, an NZ media researcher argues in a new paper. The author says that successive governments have failed to keep pace with the changing needs of the media and Read more about NZ's media laws are out of date and bad for democracy
New ZealandKoi Tū: the Centre for Informed Futures -
Walking for transport at least once a week may help some older people live longer
BMJ Public Health
Older adults who walked for transport instead of taking a car, at least once a week, lived longer than those who didn’t, Monash University-led research has found. Published in BMJ Public Health, the observational study looked at transport-related Read more about Walking for transport at least once a week may help some older people live longer
Australia; VICMonash University|Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute... -
Tsetse fly protein provides anticoagulant with its own on-off switch
Nature Biotechnology
A completely novel way to develop 'supramolecules' for drug discovery could have application in immunotherapy as well as this design for an anticoagulant with on-demand reversibility. Researchers at the University of Sydney and University of Geneva Read more about Tsetse fly protein provides anticoagulant with its own on-off switch
Australia; International; NSWThe University of Sydney|University of Geneva -
'Superagers' have super memory later in life thanks to brain white matter
The Journal of Neuroscience
People who don't experience memory decline in old age - known as 'superagers' - likely get their super memory abilities thanks to better preservation of their brain's white matter, according to international researchers, who say that while a gradual Read more about 'Superagers' have super memory later in life thanks to brain white matter
InternationalUniversidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain -
For women, empathy may be the basis of healthy, stable relationships
JNeurosci
German and Dutch scientists say empathy plays a big role in feeling socially connected with others, and this may be linked to brain regions called the anterior insula and temporo-parietal junction. They asked over 100 female participants to observe Read more about For women, empathy may be the basis of healthy, stable relationships
InternationalUniversity Hospital Würzburg, Germany -
The real 'Paleo diet' was largely plant-based
Nature Ecology & Evolution
Fad diet fans may be disappointed to hear that the real 'Paleo diet' was a far cry from the meat-heavy version touted by celebrities and influencers because it was mainly plant-based, at least in North Africa, according to international researchers. Read more about The real 'Paleo diet' was largely plant-based
InternationalMax Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Germany -
Dogs are better than humans at finding rare fungus and can aid fungal conservation
iScience
Wildlife detection dogs outperform humans when it comes to finding endangered fungi, according to Aussie researchers, who found that specially trained dogs were able to detect a greater number of fungi, had a faster time to find their first fungi, Read more about Dogs are better than humans at finding rare fungus and can aid fungal conservation
Australia; VIC; WAMonash University|The University of Melbourne -
How did the early Great Barrier Reef manage rapid environmental change?
Quaternary Science Reviews
Study shows that coral reef growth about 7000 years ago wasn’t halted but just went deeper, slower. As the modern Great Barrier Reef emerged after the last ice age, it had to cope with multiple environmental stresses – rising sea levels, Read more about How did the early Great Barrier Reef manage rapid environmental change?
Australia; NSW; QLDThe University of Sydney -
Negativity about vaccines surged on X (formerly Twitter) after COVID-19 jabs became available
ESCMID Global Congress 2024
The number of negative tweets about vaccines rose by 27% after COVID-19 jabs became available, according to a US scientist presenting his findings at the ESCMID Global Congress 2024. The analysis also found the number of negative tweets spiked when Read more about Negativity about vaccines surged on X (formerly Twitter) after COVID-19 jabs became available
InternationalStanford University School of Medicine, USA -
Genetic hope in fight against devastating wheat disease
Cell Host & Microbe
Fungal disease Fusarium head blight (FHB) is on the rise due to increasingly humid conditions induced by climate change during the wheat growing season, but a fundamental discovery by University of Adelaide researchers could help reduce its economic Read more about Genetic hope in fight against devastating wheat disease
Australia; SA; WAThe University of Adelaide|Murdoch University -
How much time a day should we spend sitting, sleeping, standing and being active for optimal health
Diabetologia
An international team has analysed over 2,000 people’s behaviours within a 24-hour day to determine the amount of time we should spend sitting, sleeping, standing and being physically active within a 24-hour period for optimal health. According to Read more about How much time a day should we spend sitting, sleeping, standing and being active for optimal health
Australia; VIC; QLD; SASwinburne University of Technology|Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute... -
Gigantic Jurassic raptor footprints unearthed
iScience
Scientists have discovered the tracks of a five-metre-long raptor dinosaur, challenging what was previously known about the species’ size range. Scientists have discovered the tracks of a five-metre-long raptor dinosaur, challenging what was Read more about Gigantic Jurassic raptor footprints unearthed
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
Have we cracked the link between depression and heart disease?
Frontiers in Psychiatry
International scientists believe that they have explained the puzzling link between depression and heart disease; it's down to our genes. The team say they found a 'gene module' which consists of 256 functionally related and co-expressed genes that Read more about Have we cracked the link between depression and heart disease?
InternationalTampere University, Tampere, Finland -
Short courses of low dose opioid painkillers during pregnancy not linked to psychiatric disorders in children
The BMJ
Taking low doses of prescription opioids for short periods after the first trimester of pregnancy is relatively safe in terms of neuropsychiatric disorders in children, but caution is needed for higher doses over longer periods, according to South Read more about Short courses of low dose opioid painkillers during pregnancy not linked to psychiatric disorders in children
InternationalKyung Hee University College of Medicine, South Korea, University of Rhode Island, USA -
As the world warms, mosquitoes and the diseases they carry are spreading to new areas
ESCMID Global Congress 2024
As the world heats up, an additional 4. 7 billion people around the world are predicted to be at risk of malaria, dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases by 2100 if emissions and population growth continue to grow at current rates, according to a Read more about As the world warms, mosquitoes and the diseases they carry are spreading to new areas
InternationalBarcelona Supercomputing Center, Spain -
Could UV lights protect our hospitals against the next pandemic?
Experts presenting at the ESCMID Global Congress suggest that the use of low doses of ultraviolet (UV) light, known as far-UVC can kill viruses and bacteria without the dangers of conventional UV light. They say beaming this far-UVC into an empty Read more about Could UV lights protect our hospitals against the next pandemic?
InternationalLouis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center in Cleveland, USA -
The benefits of crown-of-thorns starfish control on the Great Barrier Reef
PLOS ONE
New research has revealed that years of targeted crown-of-thorns starfish control on the Great Barrier Reef has protected coral and supported reef health and resilience. The study led by the Reef Authority in collaboration with research and delivery Read more about The benefits of crown-of-thorns starfish control on the Great Barrier Reef
Australia; NSW; QLD; ACTGreat Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA)|Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)... -
The 'tree of life' for flowering plants comes into bloom
Nature
Australian researchers have helped build a 'flowering plant tree of life' that could aid in identifying new species and, discovering new medicines while battling biodiversity loss in the face of a changing climate. Flowering plants make up about 90% Read more about The 'tree of life' for flowering plants comes into bloom
Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; SA; WA; TAS; NT; ACTJames Cook University|Botanic Gardens of Sydney|Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria... -
Cognitive behaviour therapy may be more helpful than mindfulness for people with long-term grief
JAMA Psychiatry
Persistent longing for a lost loved one can bring significant emotional pain and affect people's health, and now Australian research has found that people with prolonged grief disorder may benefit more from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) than Read more about Cognitive behaviour therapy may be more helpful than mindfulness for people with long-term grief
Australia; NSW; QLDThe University of New South Wales|The Westmead Institute for Medical Research... -
Lab-grown 'mini-colons' could help with cancer research
Nature
A lab-grown 'mini-colon' could aid the development and discovery of new genetic targets and tumour-suppressive drugs for colon cancer, according to international researchers, who developed the 'mini-colons' - known as organoids - to model the Read more about Lab-grown 'mini-colons' could help with cancer research
InternationalÉcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland -
Community notes can help counter COVID-19 vax misinformation on X (formerly Twitter)
JAMA
Among the measures to help counter COVID-19 vaccine misinformation on X (formerly Twitter), crowdsourced 'community notes' were introduced in 2022. Now, US scientists have analysed 657 of these and say the notes they looked at primarily addressed Read more about Community notes can help counter COVID-19 vax misinformation on X (formerly Twitter)
InternationalUniversity of California, USA -
Dead star lights up a nearby galaxy with a gamma-ray burst
Nature
A gamma-ray burst from a type of neutron star called a magentar has been detected by international researchers, observing the relatively close-by galaxy known as M82. Magnetar gamma-ray bursts are rare explosive events and the latest discovery may Read more about Dead star lights up a nearby galaxy with a gamma-ray burst
InternationalINAF - Istituto di Astrofisica Spaziale e Fisica Cosmica di Milano, Italy -
Tongan volcano may have exploded because it couldn't pass gas
Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research
A new study of the 2022 Hunga Tonga eruption has proposed that a gaseous seal created pressure which led to the massive explosion that was felt worldwide. The energy required to bring such a large ash cloud from beneath the waves and into the Read more about Tongan volcano may have exploded because it couldn't pass gas
Australia; New Zealand; PacificGNS Science|The Australian National University -
Black hole “traffic jams” discovered in galactic centres
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
An international study, led by researchers from Monash University, has revealed crucial insights into black hole dynamics within massive discs at the centres of galaxies. The study shows the intricate processes governing when and where black holes Read more about Black hole “traffic jams” discovered in galactic centres
Australia; VICMonash University|ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery (OzGRav) -
Plum perfect: a natural alternative to preserve meat
Meat Science
A native bushfood has proven to be a promising natural alternative to synthetic chemicals used to preserve meat, according to University of Queensland research. Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation PhD scholar Michel Beya said Read more about Plum perfect: a natural alternative to preserve meat
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
The biggest birds bring the bass: Size shapes the birdsong of honeyeaters
Proceedings of the Royal Society B
Honeyeaters' songs are mostly shaped by how big the birds are that are singing, rather than environmental or habitat influences, according to Australian research, which found that smaller-sized honeyeaters produce higher frequency songs, while the Read more about The biggest birds bring the bass: Size shapes the birdsong of honeyeaters
Australia; VICMonash University -
How do birds keep the beat? It's all in their genes
Nature Communications
How do birds learn to maintain rhythm and tempo in their songs? They don't, according to international researchers who say these abilities are likely innate and controlled by a bird's genes. The team measured the song rhythms of yellow- and Read more about How do birds keep the beat? It's all in their genes
InternationalUppsala University, Sweden -
Struggling to taste things after COVID? It could that your sense of smell is to blame
JAMA Network Open
You may feel like COVID-19 left you with a lingering loss of taste, but research from the US suggests that it may actually be a loss of your sense of smell that is to blame. The research used objective measures of taste and smell in people one year Read more about Struggling to taste things after COVID? It could that your sense of smell is to blame
InternationalSensonics International, University of Pennsylvania, USA -
National survey suggests Aussies don't know much about dementia
An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) survey found most Aussies would adopt a healthier lifestyle if they knew more about ways of reducing their risk of dementia, but only one in three are confident in their knowledge of how to reduce Read more about National survey suggests Aussies don't know much about dementia
AustraliaAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) -
NEWS BRIEFING: How do we ensure a thriving Murray-Darling Basin in 50 years?
BRIEFING RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE We must protect the future of the Murray-Darling Basin, according to Aussie experts who say climate change is threatening the river’s health and sustainability. Ten of Australia’s leading water experts have Read more about NEWS BRIEFING: How do we ensure a thriving Murray-Darling Basin in 50 years?
Australia; NSW; SA; ACTAustralian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) -
It’s not too late to save the West Antarctic Ice Sheet
Nature Communications
New NZ-led research has found a ‘missing piece in the puzzle’ of West Antarctic Ice Sheet melt, revealing the collapse of the ice sheet in the Ross Sea region can be prevented – if we keep to a low-emissions pathway. This is crucial, as Read more about It’s not too late to save the West Antarctic Ice Sheet
New Zealand; InternationalGNS Science|Victoria University of Wellington|Los Alamos National Laboratory, USA; -
Urgent need for logging loophole remedy within proposed koala national park
International Journal of Social Quality
A team of conservation and policy researchers have called for a logging loophole within the proposed Great Koala National Park to be urgently remedied to stem the tide of harmful outcomes impacting the South East Australian koala population. The new Read more about Urgent need for logging loophole remedy within proposed koala national park
Australia; NSW; QLD; SAGriffith University|Flinders University|Central Queensland University -
How do we improve heart disease diagnosis in women?
Frontiers in Physiology
The current method of measuring heart disease risk leaves many women undiagnosed, according to international researchers who used AI to find better ways to detect heart disease in women. Using AI models, the team found that women are underdiagnosed Read more about How do we improve heart disease diagnosis in women?
InternationalStanford University, USA -
Call for enhanced research into common post-stroke condition
Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation
Lateropulsion, a clinical condition that results in the body leaning to one side affects about half of all stroke survivors. In recent research, the team found that lateropulsion could continue to resolve up to one-year post-stroke, far beyond the Read more about Call for enhanced research into common post-stroke condition
Australia; WAEdith Cowan University -
No bull: How breeding less-gassy cows could help fight climate change
Climate
A Curtin University study has revealed breeding less-flatulent cows and restoring agricultural land could significantly reduce rising methane emission levels, which play a considerable role in climate change. A Curtin University study has revealed Read more about No bull: How breeding less-gassy cows could help fight climate change
Australia; WACurtin University -
Tropical fish are invading Australian ocean water
Journal of Animal Ecology
A University of Adelaide study of shallow-water fish communities on rocky reefs in south-eastern Australia has found climate change is helping tropical fish species invade temperate Australian waters. According to the team, the fish are travelling Read more about Tropical fish are invading Australian ocean water
Australia; NSW; SAThe University of Adelaide|University of Technology Sydney (UTS) -
Energy-smart bricks keep waste out of landfill
Construction and Building Materials
Engineers have invented energy-efficient bricks with scrap materials, including glass, that are normally destined for landfill. Test results indicate that using these bricks in the construction of a single-storey building could reduce household Read more about Energy-smart bricks keep waste out of landfill
Australia; VICRMIT University -
Hey Dave, I’ve got an idea for you. What’s the potential of AI-led workshopping?
JOSPT Open
Sure, ChatGPT can write a poem about your pet in the style of T. S Eliot, but generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots have a potentially more useful role to play in idea generation according to a new study by University of Technology Sydney Read more about Hey Dave, I’ve got an idea for you. What’s the potential of AI-led workshopping?
Australia; NSWUniversity of Technology Sydney (UTS) -
Arthritis linked to blood cancer mutations
Blood
A team of Adelaide and US researchers has discovered a link between a less common form of rheumatoid arthritis and gene mutations found in blood cancer. The team was surprised to discover that many patients with mutations in epigenetic genes that Read more about Arthritis linked to blood cancer mutations
Australia; SASouth Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)... -
COVID-19 treatment guidelines differ widely between countries, and most recommend treatments that don't work
BMJ Global Health
National clinical guidelines for the treatment of COVID-19 vary widely around the world, with poorer countries furthest from the 'gold standard' treatment recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO), and most countries recommending at Read more about COVID-19 treatment guidelines differ widely between countries, and most recommend treatments that don't work
InternationalUniversity of Oxford, UK, Mahidol University, Thailand