The Zero Carbon Bill: a health law

Publicly released: Fri 13 Jul 2018 at 0800 AEST | 1000 NZST

We know the negative impact climate change can have on human health, but what's often forgotten is how much mitigation efforts can improve health, experts argue. In this editorial, public health experts from Wellington and Melbourne are urging Read more about The Zero Carbon Bill: a health law - Scimex

The antioxidant benefits of sleep

Publicly released: Fri 13 Jul 2018 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

PLOS Biology

While we know sleep is vital for maintaining good health, its core function remains a mystery. For this experimental study, US researchers used a diverse group of short-sleeping fruit fly mutants and found they were all sensitive to acute oxidative Read more about The antioxidant benefits of sleep - Scimex

Bad investments lead to bad decisions

Publicly released: Fri 13 Jul 2018 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

Science

The longer you have to wait for a reward, the less willing you'll be to give up pursuit of that reward, according to a study in mice, rats and humans. Psychologists refer to the 'sunk cost' bias phenomenon, where individuals make bad decisions based Read more about Bad investments lead to bad decisions - Scimex

The tree shrew that could beat you in a chili-off

Publicly released: Fri 13 Jul 2018 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

PLOS Biology

Chinese tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri chinensis) can stomach fiery chili peppers that would make a grown man cry, according to Chinese scientists. Most animals don't like chili, but these tree shrews laugh in the face of ever-increasing levels of Read more about The tree shrew that could beat you in a chili-off - Scimex

Scientists find evidence of far-distant neutrino source

Publicly released: Fri 13 Jul 2018 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Science

An international team of scientists, including from the University of Adelaide and Curtin University, has found the first evidence of a source of high-energy particles called neutrinos: an energetic galaxy about 4 billion light years from Earth. Read more about Scientists find evidence of far-distant neutrino source - Scimex

5,300-year-old Iceman's final meal was a fatty binge

Publicly released: Fri 13 Jul 2018 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Current Biology

The final meal of the 5, 300-year-old ice mummy known as the Iceman or Otzi was heavy on the fat, according to international and Australian researchers. They analysed the contents of his stomach - which was only discovered recently because the organ Read more about 5,300-year-old Iceman's final meal was a fatty binge - Scimex

Good comms helps quash gastro bugs

Publicly released: Fri 13 Jul 2018 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

New Zealand Medical Journal

Early notification to public health services helps minimise the spread of gastro bugs in facilities like rest homes and early childhood centres, a Massey-led study has found. The study analysed gastroenteritis, norovirus and rotovirus outbreak data Read more about Good comms helps quash gastro bugs - Scimex

Ethical concerns about Chinese organ transplants

Publicly released: Fri 13 Jul 2018 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

New Zealand Medical Journal

A University of Auckland researcher has raised ethical concerns about cases where New Zealand patients may travel to China for an organ transplant. She writes that while Chinese officials have given assurances that organs would not be taken from Read more about Ethical concerns about Chinese organ transplants - Scimex

Flushing out Auckland and Australia's meth habits

Publicly released: Fri 13 Jul 2018 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

New Zealand Medical Journal

Wastewater samples have revealed Auckland and major Australian cities have much more significant methamphetamine problems compared with many European cities. The Massey-led study set out to measure prevalence of meth, codeine, cocaine, MDMA and Read more about Flushing out Auckland and Australia's meth habits - Scimex

Cinnamon oil could be key in preventing superbugs

Publicly released: Thu 12 Jul 2018 at 1800 AEST | 2000 NZST

Microbiology

As antibiotics become less effective against superbugs, a researcher at Swinburne University of Technology has been focusing on traditional agents to modify the behaviour of bacteria rather than killing them. As part of her PhD studies, Dr Sanjida Read more about Cinnamon oil could be key in preventing superbugs - Scimex