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Why getting in touch with our ‘gerbil brain’ could help machines listen better
Current Biology
Macquarie University researchers have debunked a 75-year-old theory about how humans determine where sounds are coming from, and it could unlock the secret to creating a next generation of more adaptable and efficient hearing devices ranging from Read more about Why getting in touch with our ‘gerbil brain’ could help machines listen better
Australia; NSWMacquarie University -
New rock art discoveries in Eastern Sudan reaffirm catastrophic climate change
The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology
New archaeological findings from the hyper-arid Atbai Desert, in Eastern Sudan, indicate the Sahara Desert was once a lush and green environment. New archaeological findings from the hyper-arid Atbai Desert, in Eastern Sudan, indicate the Sahara Read more about New rock art discoveries in Eastern Sudan reaffirm catastrophic climate change
Australia; International; NSWMacquarie University -
Naltrexone offers hope for Long COVID patients
Frontiers in Immunology
Researchers from Griffith University’s National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases (NCNED) have made a discovery that could bring relief to those struggling with Long COVID. They've identified a way to restore the faulty function of Read more about Naltrexone offers hope for Long COVID patients
Australia; QLDGriffith University|Mater Research -
Testing high risk babies at 3 months of age could help identify cerebral palsy
JAMA Network Open
Early testing of three- or four-month-old babies who are at high risk of cerebral palsy was able to reliably predict the condition and its severity at two and three years old, according to Australian research. The study looked at 116 babies who were Read more about Testing high risk babies at 3 months of age could help identify cerebral palsy
Australia; VICMonash University|Hudson Institute of Medical Research... -
Over 30% of Aussies with difficult-to-treat asthma may be current smokers
Respirology
36. 2% of Aussies with difficult-to-treat asthma may also be current smokers, according to an Aussie survey of 6,048 people with asthma, which found that 21. 7% met the international criteria for difficult-to-treat asthma. The study also found that Read more about Over 30% of Aussies with difficult-to-treat asthma may be current smokers
Australia; NSWMacquarie University|The University of New South Wales... -
Relaxation therapy might help mums produce more milk
JAMA Pediatrics
British and Malaysian researchers reviewing 16 previous studies say that relaxation interventions were associated with an increase in milk production in mums, and subsequent additional weight to their bubs. The researchers say listening to music, Read more about Relaxation therapy might help mums produce more milk
InternationalUniversity of Oxford, UK -
How Venus dried up
Nature
US researchers have proposed a new possible reason as to why our spicy celestial neighbour Venus lost most of its water. They say a chemical reaction called HCO+ dissociative recombination - a process that would double the loss of water into space Read more about How Venus dried up
InternationalUniversity of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA -
Carrying 2 copies of a particular form of this gene may cause a distinct type of Alzheimer's
Nature Medicine
Spanish and US scientists say almost everyone they investigated who had two copies of a particular form of a gene called APOE, a form called APOE4, went on to develop signs of Alzheimer's disease, which may mean it's a distinct genetic form of the Read more about Carrying 2 copies of a particular form of this gene may cause a distinct type of Alzheimer's
InternationalHospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau - Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Spain -
To boost quality of life while aging - stay active or get active by 55
PLOS Medicine
A new study of more than 10,000 Australian women showed a significant link between regular exercise during mid-age and physical health later in life, even when the exercise routine was not started until their mid-50s. New research from Charles Read more about To boost quality of life while aging - stay active or get active by 55
Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney -
Smart wild orangutan spotted treating a facial wound with medicinal plant
Scientific Reports
German and Indonesian scientists were lucky enough to witness the first known example of a wild animal using a plant with medicinal properties to treat a wound. The male Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) in question, named Rakus, was seen chewing up Read more about Smart wild orangutan spotted treating a facial wound with medicinal plant
InternationalMax Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Germany -
The near-collapse of Earth's magnetic field may have contributed to complex life
Communications Earth & Environment
An unusual reduction in the strength of the Earth’s magnetic field between 591 and 565 million years ago coincided with a significant increase in the oxygen levels in the atmosphere and oceans, according to international researchers who say this Read more about The near-collapse of Earth's magnetic field may have contributed to complex life
InternationalUniversity of Rochester, USA -
EXPERT REACTION: Examining the impact of IVF on childhood cancer risk
JAMA Network Open
Children conceived by IVF have no overall increased risk of childhood cancer, according to a large study by international researchers. The team looked at a cohort of about 8. 5 million children, 260,000 of whom had been born using medically assisted Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Examining the impact of IVF on childhood cancer risk
Australia; International; NSW; VICFrench National Health Insurance, France -
First head knock-linked brain disease in NZ rugby league player
NZMJ
A post-mortem of a NZ-representative rugby league player's brain has shown that he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The disease can come from repeated head knocks due to contact sports, but the report authors say that his advanced age Read more about First head knock-linked brain disease in NZ rugby league player
New ZealandTe Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand|University of Auckland -
Tenfold increase in ADHD meds in NZ still not enough
NZMJ
A New Zealand study shows a tenfold increase in the amount of medication dispensed for adults with ADHD between 2006 and 2022. Those 2022 figures meant 0. 6% of the adult population was receiving treatment, which the authors say still falls short of Read more about Tenfold increase in ADHD meds in NZ still not enough
New ZealandUniversity of Otago -
CORRECTION: What can current research tell us about psilocybin as an antidepressant?
The BMJ
CORRECTION: The journal has placed and expression of concern on this paper due to an error, details below. Psilocybin - the active ingredient in magic mushrooms - can be an effective treatment for depression, however many questions remain unanswered Read more about CORRECTION: What can current research tell us about psilocybin as an antidepressant?
InternationalUniversity of Oxford, UK -
There could be a chemical reason why we like our beer cold
Matter
Most of us like our beer cold and our sake warm, and international researchers say there could be a chemical reason why. Two Chinese researchers were having a beer together when they decided to investigate why specific alcohol concentrations were Read more about There could be a chemical reason why we like our beer cold
InternationalChinese Academy of Sciences, China -
A new method to clean up PFAS 'forever chemicals' from firefighting foams
Nature
Firefighting foams are a major source of environmental contamination with PFAS, a group of chemicals known as 'forever chemicals' because they are so hard to remove from the environment once they are there. Now US scientists have developed a way to Read more about A new method to clean up PFAS 'forever chemicals' from firefighting foams
InternationalClarkson University, USA -
Volcanoes and music feature in 2023 Prime Minister's Science Prizes
An innovative partnership that led to discovery of the gene causing inherited stomach cancer, a scientist uncovering the psychological underpinnings of music, and a volcanologist communicating both the wonder and risks of volcanoes have been Read more about Volcanoes and music feature in 2023 Prime Minister's Science Prizes
New Zealand -
Severe mental illness linked to alarmingly high rates of physical ailments
Lancet Psychiatry
A large-scale, international study conducted by University of Queensland researchers has found people with severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, are up to four times more likely to have two or more chronic physical health Read more about Severe mental illness linked to alarmingly high rates of physical ailments
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland|Griffith University -
The popular kids in school may be sleeping less
Frontiers in Sleep
Popular teens sleep 27 minutes less than their less popular peers, according to international research, which also found that popular girls experience more insomnia symptoms than boys. The researchers asked a sample of over 1,300 Swedish teenagers Read more about The popular kids in school may be sleeping less
InternationalÖrebro University, Sweden