Gorillas love of salt may be putting them in harm's way

Publicly released: Wed 19 Sep 2018 at 1401 AEST | 1601 NZST

Biotropica

The hunt for salt-rich food may be encouraging gorillas to leave the relative safety of park areas, to try and feed on human crops or high altitude plants, both of which may put them at risk, say Australian researchers. Leaving their natural habitat Read more about Gorillas love of salt may be putting them in harm's way - Scimex

EXPERT REACTION: Chlorine leak in Sydney hotel

Publicly released: Wed 19 Sep 2018 at 1300 AEST | 1500 NZST

A chlorine gas leak has been reported in a hotel in Sydney today, with a number of people treated after being exposed to the gas. Below an expert responds. Expert Reaction. These comments have been collated by the Science Media Centre to provide a Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Chlorine leak in Sydney hotel - Scimex

Quantum Anomaly - Breaking a Classical Symmetry with Ultracold Atoms

Publicly released: Wed 19 Sep 2018 at 1027 AEST | 1227 NZST

Physical Review Letters

Fundamental research: FLEET study of ultracold atomic gases at Swinburne University of Technology finds quantum anomaly, strongly interacting particles breaking classical symmetry in a 2D Fermi gas. Out today in Physical Review Letters. Funder: Read more about Quantum Anomaly - Breaking a Classical Symmetry with Ultracold Atoms - Scimex

Creating digital 3D spider webs

Publicly released: Wed 19 Sep 2018 at 0901 AEST | 1101 NZST

Journal of the Royal Society Interface

Picture a spider's web and you're probably imagining a 2D orb web, but these are only 10 per cent of webs, with the rest made up of 3D structures like funnel, sheet or cobwebs. US researchers have developed a way to digitally map the architecture of Read more about Creating digital 3D spider webs - Scimex

Orderliness predicts student achievement

Publicly released: Wed 19 Sep 2018 at 0901 AEST | 1101 NZST

Journal of the Royal Society Interface

If you were raised in East Asia, you were likely taught to lead a disciplined life. Now Chinese researchers analysing anonymous data of nearly 20, 000 undergraduate students have linked this 'orderliness' with academic performance. Using data from Read more about Orderliness predicts student achievement - Scimex

Microplastics stick around in mozzies' bodies

Publicly released: Wed 19 Sep 2018 at 0901 AEST | 1101 NZST

Biology Letters

UK researchers have shown for the first time that microplastics in the environment can be eaten by mosquito larvae and transferred to the adult stage. They say this could represent another way of microplastics travelling through the environment, as Read more about Microplastics stick around in mozzies' bodies - Scimex

UK yoghurt way too sugary

Publicly released: Wed 19 Sep 2018 at 0830 AEST | 1030 NZST

BMJ Open

A survey of yoghurt for sale in UK supermarkets has shown the products have sugar well above the recommended threshold, with the exception of natural and Greek yoghurt. While yoghurt can be a good source of protein and calcium, and can aid digestion, Read more about UK yoghurt way too sugary - Scimex

Don't forget to breathe: air pollution and dementia link

Publicly released: Wed 19 Sep 2018 at 0830 AEST | 1030 NZST

BMJ Open

London isn't exactly known for its fresh air, but an observational study has found a link between air pollution and increased risk of dementia. The study found Londoners who lived in areas with the worst air pollution had a 40 per cent greater risk Read more about Don't forget to breathe: air pollution and dementia link - Scimex

Low nutritional value foods could mean a higher cancer rate

Publicly released: Wed 19 Sep 2018 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

PLOS Medicine

Making healthier food choices is a key issue for cancer prevention, according to European researchers. The study analysed food intake from 471, 495 adults across 10 European countries and found cancer rates were higher in those who ate food of a Read more about Low nutritional value foods could mean a higher cancer rate - Scimex

The global burden of tuberculosis is falling

Publicly released: Wed 19 Sep 2018 at 0200 AEST | 0400 NZST

The global burden of tuberculosis is falling, but faster detection and treatment would help the process, according to a new World Health Organization report. TB caused an estimated 1.3 million deaths in 2017, according to the report, and remains one Read more about The global burden of tuberculosis is falling - Scimex