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Strongest contender in decades in fight against breast cancer
The Lancet Oncology
For decades, hormonal treatment of breast cancer has been going in one direction – blocking estrogen. Now a global study involving researchers at the University of Adelaide has discovered there may be another, less toxic way to defeat the most Read more about Strongest contender in decades in fight against breast cancer
Australia; SAThe University of Adelaide|University of Liverpool, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute -
Dancing may be better than other exercise for improving mental health
Sports Medicine
A structured dance program may be better than other physical activities in improving well-being and cognitive capacity. A structured dance program of at least six weeks’ duration can significantly improve psychological and cognitive health Read more about Dancing may be better than other exercise for improving mental health
Australia; NSW; QLDThe University of Sydney|The University of New South Wales... -
Young people urged to wash their hands and follow food safety tips
As students return to University, the Food Safety Information Council is urging them to follow simple food safety tips to avoid being one of the estimated 4. 67 million cases of foodborne disease each year in Australia. A recent Australia-wide Read more about Young people urged to wash their hands and follow food safety tips
Australia; QLDFood Safety Information Council -
Need to lower your blood pressure? Try Tai Chi
JAMA Network Open
Want to reduce your blood pressure? Give tai chi a go, say Chinese researchers. The team conducted a trial with 342 participants aged 18 to 65 with prehypertension – a warning sign that they may get high blood pressure in the future. Participants Read more about Need to lower your blood pressure? Try Tai Chi
InternationalChina Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, China -
Temperature sensitive hand allows amputees to feel human touch again
Med
International researchers have developed a prosthetic that allows amputees to sense and respond to temperature. The ‘MiniTouch’ device, a temperature-sensitive prosthetic delivers thermal information from the prosthesis’ fingertip, right to Read more about Temperature sensitive hand allows amputees to feel human touch again
InternationalÉcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland -
Bariatric surgery could improve brain function in people with obesity
JAMA Network Open
People with obesity who get bariatric surgery to help with weight loss could see long-term improvement in their brain function, according to international research. The team monitored the health, activity and brain function of 133 people with Read more about Bariatric surgery could improve brain function in people with obesity
InternationalRadboud University Medical Center, The Netherlands -
Language barriers could contribute to higher aggression in people with dementia
BMC Geriatrics
Immigrants living with dementia were more likely to present with agitation and aggression compared with their non-immigrant counterparts, a new study by Edith Cowan University (ECU) has found. The team noted that loneliness, boredom, language Read more about Language barriers could contribute to higher aggression in people with dementia
Australia; NSW; WAEdith Cowan University|Curtin University|The University of Sydney -
Promoting positive change for women and girls in STEM
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science (11 February 2024) is an opportunity to examine the disparities and tackle the barriers facing women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). While gender gaps in engineering, Read more about Promoting positive change for women and girls in STEM
Australia; SA; NTFlinders University -
Climate change keeps NZ agriculture leaders and experts up at night
Climate change is the most pressing issue for the near future for more than 280 leaders in agribusiness and Māori enterprises, policymakers, and academics. Researchers asked them to identify and rank their three most "front of mind" issues, with Read more about Climate change keeps NZ agriculture leaders and experts up at night
New ZealandOur Land and Water National Science Challenge -
EXPERT REACTION: New insight into ancient Earth's climate
Science
New Zealand researchers say they have rewritten the deep time history of Earth’s temperature record. The findings disprove ideas that early oceans were hot with temperatures greater than 60°C prior to approximately half a billion years ago, Read more about EXPERT REACTION: New insight into ancient Earth's climate
New Zealand; InternationalUniversity of Waikato -
Debunking the role of ‘junk cells’ in the fight against malaria
Science Immunology
Researchers from The Australian National University (ANU) have discovered a previously unknown ability of a group of immune system cells, known as Atypical B cells (ABCs), to fight infectious diseases such as malaria. The scientists say ABCs could Read more about Debunking the role of ‘junk cells’ in the fight against malaria
Australia; International; NSW; VIC; ACTThe Australian National University|The University of New South Wales... -
Teaching Indigenous knowledge alongside science in the classroom
Science
Evidence supports the teaching of Indigenous knowledge alongside sciences in the classroom, argue two Aotearoa New Zealand researchers in a new policy analysis in Science. According to the authors, many arguments used to defend science by presenting Read more about Teaching Indigenous knowledge alongside science in the classroom
New ZealandLincoln University|University of Canterbury|Bioprotection Aotearoa -
EXPERT REACTION: Icelandic magma moved at unprecedented speed
Science
New research has found that the magma that flowed into a dike beneath the Icelandic town of Grindavík in November 2023, was moving at an unprecedented 7,400 cubic metres per second. The resulting lava flow caused widespread damage. Vertical magma Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Icelandic magma moved at unprecedented speed
New Zealand; InternationalGNS Science|University of Iceland, Iceland; Iceland Meteorological Office, Iceland; University of Leeds, UK; Uppsala University, Sweden -
Good lighting can help people with vision impairment keep active in their homes
JAMA Opthalmology
How well a house is lit could impact the amount of passive exercise someone with a vision impairment is getting in their house, according to international research. Simple physical tasks at home like walking through the house, making the bed and Read more about Good lighting can help people with vision impairment keep active in their homes
InternationalJohns Hopkins University, USA -
EXPERT REACTION: Tanning beds resurface as 'collariums' despite ban
There are reports that collarium sunbeds are being advertised for commercial use in parts of Australia, despite sunbeds or tanning beds being banned for commercial use in Australia for close to 10 years. Below Australian experts comment. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Tanning beds resurface as 'collariums' despite ban
Australia; VIC; SA; ACTAustralian Science Media Centre -
EXPERT REACTION: BoM Annual Climate Statement 2023
The Bureau of Meteorology has today released their Annual Climate Statement 2023 report which analyses Australia's temperature, rainfall, water, oceans, sea ice, significant weather and influences during the last year. The report includes that 2023 Read more about EXPERT REACTION: BoM Annual Climate Statement 2023
Australia; SAAustralian Science Media Centre -
Film posters are getting closer to reflecting the diverse population of the US
Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
Movie posters for films coming out of the USA are still dominated by white faces, but they are much more reflective of the US population than they were, according to international research. The team trained an algorithm to assign faces into four Read more about Film posters are getting closer to reflecting the diverse population of the US
InternationalBen-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel -
Problematic ‘zombie leadership’ lives on
The Leadership Quarterly
Outdated perceptions of leadership persist across society despite being repeatedly debunked, University of Queensland research has found. Outdated perceptions of leadership persist across society despite being repeatedly debunked, University of Read more about Problematic ‘zombie leadership’ lives on
Australia; International; QLDThe University of Queensland -
After a heart attack in hospital, chances of survival drop rapidly as the duration of CPR increases
The BMJ
Your chances of surviving while receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for a heart attack in hospital decline rapidly from 22% after one minute to less than 1% after 39 minutes, according to US scientists. They also found the chances of Read more about After a heart attack in hospital, chances of survival drop rapidly as the duration of CPR increases
InternationalUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, USA -
Online group course can help people with long COVID improve their health
The BMJ
An online group course offering exercise and psychological support to people with long COVID can help improve their health, according to a team of researchers, including an Australian, who say the course is a cost-effective way to treat more people Read more about Online group course can help people with long COVID improve their health
Australia; International; NSW; VICDeakin University|The University of Melbourne|The University of Sydney... -
What turned Earth into a giant snowball 700m years ago? Scientists now have an answer
Geology
Inspired during field work in South Australia's Flinders Ranges, Australian geoscientists have proposed that all-time low volcanic carbon dioxide emissions triggered a 57 million year-long global 'Sturtian' ice age. Australian geologists have used Read more about What turned Earth into a giant snowball 700m years ago? Scientists now have an answer
Australia; International; NSW; SAThe University of Sydney -
Driving the WHO guidelines on preventing maternal deaths
American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology,
New analysis by Burnet researchers has shown how care bundles can help improve health outcomes for women experiencing postpartum haemorrhage. Published today in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, the study undertook a systematic review Read more about Driving the WHO guidelines on preventing maternal deaths
Australia; VICBurnet Institute -
EXPERT REACTION: No single solution for changing people's climate beliefs and behaviours
Science Advances
In order to reduce climate change, people's behaviour needs to change on a global level. Researchers tested 11 interventions on almost 60,000 participants from 63 countries, including New Zealand and Australia, to see what effect they had on Read more about EXPERT REACTION: No single solution for changing people's climate beliefs and behaviours
Australia; New Zealand; International; NSW; VIC; QLD; ACTUniversity of Canterbury|University of Auckland|Macquarie University... -
Aussie experts pave the way towards better measures of Alopecia severity
JAMA Dermatology
Aussie experts have led a study that brought together hair and scalp experts from around the world to identify the factors that define Alopecia areata severity, to try and better capture the impacts of the disease. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune Read more about Aussie experts pave the way towards better measures of Alopecia severity
Australia; VICThe University of Melbourne|Sinclair Dermatology -
A move away from meat could help free up land for carbon removal
One Earth
Replacing half of our animal consumption with alternative protein sources over the next 25 years could free up farming land for renewable energy generation and carbon removal, according to international research. The team looked at the viability of Read more about A move away from meat could help free up land for carbon removal
InternationalLeiden University, The Netherlands -
One of Saturn's moons might be hiding a secret ocean
Nature
Saturn's smallest major moon Mimas could be hiding an ocean beneath it's cratered body, say international researchers. Before the final dive of the Cassini spacecraft into Saturn, the ship collected data suggesting that Mimas' position and orbit is Read more about One of Saturn's moons might be hiding a secret ocean
InternationalObservatoire de Paris, Paris, France -
Quantum research sheds light on the mystery of high-temperature superconductivity
Nature
An international team of scientists have made a new discovery that may help to unlock the microscopic mystery of high-temperature superconductivity and address the world’s energy problems. An international team of scientists have made a new Read more about Quantum research sheds light on the mystery of high-temperature superconductivity
Australia; VICSwinburne University of Technology -
Revealing the nutritional potential of budding bushfood
The Journal of Food Science
A bushfood staple could be the centre of a new Indigenous industry, according to a University of Queensland researcher. Sera Susan Jacob from the ARC Centre for Uniquely Australian Foods has identified the properties and potential of wattleseed, Read more about Revealing the nutritional potential of budding bushfood
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland|Australian Research Council (ARC) -
New method to more accurately spot underground nuclear tests
Geophysical Journal International
A more accurate way of identifying underground nuclear tests, including those conducted in secret, has been developed by researchers at The Australian National University (ANU). The new method could help international observers better identify tests Read more about New method to more accurately spot underground nuclear tests
Australia; International; ACTThe Australian National University -
Unmanned vehicles beat out humans for safety and environmental factors
Journal of Field Robotics
The world's first unmanned machine built to autonomously collect logs from the forest floor has been tested by Swedish researchers who say the robot can effectively reduce labour costs and minimise the environmental impacts of timber harvesting. The Read more about Unmanned vehicles beat out humans for safety and environmental factors
InternationalSwedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden -
Air pollution linked to heart problem-related deaths across 183 countries
Chronic Diseases and Translational Medicine
Swiss and Russian researchers say their analysis of data from 183 World Health Organization (WHO) member states found a clear link between higher levels of air pollution and an increased risk of death from cardiovascular diseases, The link was Read more about Air pollution linked to heart problem-related deaths across 183 countries
InternationalGlobal Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases, Switzerland -
Can we reliably predict sleepiness using voice recordings alone?
PLOS Computational Biology
International researchers think they may have found a way to detect sleep deprivation through voice recordings. The team studied 22 healthy women aged 30-50, who were sleep-deprived in a lab setting – with no more than three hours of sleep – and Read more about Can we reliably predict sleepiness using voice recordings alone?
InternationalPSL University, France -
How to provide effective falls prevention in aged care
Age and Ageing Journal
New research from Flinders University has revealed that devastating falls in residential aged care homes could be prevented by using gold standard approaches of regular exercise and a personalised falls prevention plan. Falls in older adults cost Read more about How to provide effective falls prevention in aged care
Australia; International; NSW; SAFlinders University|University of South Australia|The University of Sydney -
Women with HPV face higher risk of death from heart disease
European Heart Journal
Women have a four times higher risk of dying from heart disease if they have an infection with a high-risk strain of the human papillomavirus (HPV), according to international research of 163,250 young or middle-aged Korean women who had no heart Read more about Women with HPV face higher risk of death from heart disease
Australia; International; NSWThe University of New South Wales|Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Republic of Korea -
How does AI respond to ethical dilemmas?
Royal Society Open Science
AI language models apply strict ethical codes when making decisions… with some exceptions, according to international researchers. The team asked large language models (such as ChatGPT 3. 5, GPT, Llama2 and PaLM 2) a series of moral questions and Read more about How does AI respond to ethical dilemmas?
InternationalKyushu Institute of Technology, Japan -
We must tackle female ageism in sport and exercise science
British Journal of Sports Medicine
Sport and exercise science research is severely lacking in representation of older women, according to international researchers who say this problem must be addressed not only for the growing numbers of female athletes, but for women’s health in Read more about We must tackle female ageism in sport and exercise science
InternationalNorthumbria University, UK -
Ladies fare worse after a divorce
Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health
It is likely that women find it harder to emotionally adjust after a divorce or breakup, suggest international researchers who tracked the antidepressant use of close to 230,000 people aged 50 to 70 who had lost a partner one way or another. The Read more about Ladies fare worse after a divorce
InternationalChongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China -
For those with type 2 diabetes, an hour of exercise goes a long way for your kidneys
British Journal of Sports Medicine
People with type 2 diabetes and overweight/obesity could lower their risk of kidney disease by adding an hour more of serious exercise a week, according to international research. The team used activity trackers to monitor the exercise of 1746 Read more about For those with type 2 diabetes, an hour of exercise goes a long way for your kidneys
InternationalSouthern Medical University, China -
Covid-19 vaccines saved thousands of lives in Aotearoa
Vaccine
Aotearoa had one of the lowest Covid-19 pandemic mortality rates in the world, thanks to its elimination strategy that meant most people were vaccinated before being exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. By modelling scenarios with different levels of Read more about Covid-19 vaccines saved thousands of lives in Aotearoa
New ZealandNational Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)... -
How does COVID-19 impact the placenta and lead to a 'pre-eclampsia-like sydrome' ?
Clinical & Translational Immunology
For some women, having COVID-19 during pregnancy can impact their placenta and lead to a ‘preeclampsia-like syndrome’, and now Australian experts have identified some of the changes taking place in the placenta that might explain this syndrome. Read more about How does COVID-19 impact the placenta and lead to a 'pre-eclampsia-like sydrome' ?
Australia; NSW; QLDQueensland University of Technology (QUT)|The University of Queensland... -
Stopping smoking at any age helps reduce cancer risk, but quitting younger helps even more
JAMA Network Open
Fifteen years after stopping smoking, a person's cancer risk drops to 50% of the risk associated with continued smoking. A population-based study following almost three million participants in Korea found that quitting smoking at any age helps Read more about Stopping smoking at any age helps reduce cancer risk, but quitting younger helps even more
InternationalDepartment of Cancer Control and Population Health, National Cancer Center GraduateSchool of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang, Republic of Korea. -
Bivalent COVID-19 vaccines protect kids and teens from infections
JAMA
Bivalent COVID-19 vaccines, which contain both the original strain of the virus and the Omicron variant, protected kids and teens from infections and COVID-19 symptoms better than the first, single-strain vaccines during a period when Omicron BA. 4 Read more about Bivalent COVID-19 vaccines protect kids and teens from infections
InternationalUS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -
For people who smoke, early stage melanomas are more likely to become deadly
JAMA Network Open
People with stage I and II melanoma who smoke are at higher risk of dying from their melanoma than those who don't smoke or who have already quit, according to Australian research. The study found that patients who smoked at the time of melanoma Read more about For people who smoke, early stage melanomas are more likely to become deadly
Australia; International; QLDMelanoma Institute Australia|Saint John’s Cancer Institute, USA -
Nitrogen pollution may threaten 1/3 of the world's drinking water supplies by 2050
Nature Communications
Nitrogen pollution may threaten a third of the world's natural water reservoirs by 2050, potentially causing severe drinking water scarcity for 3 billion people, according to a computer simulation study by Dutch and German researchers. They Read more about Nitrogen pollution may threaten 1/3 of the world's drinking water supplies by 2050
InternationalWageningen University & Research, The Netherlands -
WHO's tobacco treaty linked to drop in young smokers
Nature Medicine
About 24 million fewer young people are smoking as a result of the World Health Organization's anti-smoking treaty, according to international research. The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control came into force in the mid 2000s, and is a set Read more about WHO's tobacco treaty linked to drop in young smokers
InternationalUniversidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Chile -
Treating and preventing abnormal heart beats with stem cell muscle grafts
Nature Cardiovascular Research
New research conducted at The Westmead Institute for Medical Research (WIMR) has solved a complication that could occur following an experimental procedure to repair damaged heart muscle. Currently, when a heart muscle is repaired with stem cells, Read more about Treating and preventing abnormal heart beats with stem cell muscle grafts
Australia; NSWThe Westmead Institute for Medical Research|The University of Queensland... -
Discovery may enable an effective long-term lupus treatment
Nature Communications
Australian researchers have worked out how to fix a defect that causes lupus, and hope their discovery will offer effective long-term treatment. Published in Nature Communications, the Monash University-led study found a way to reprogram the Read more about Discovery may enable an effective long-term lupus treatment
Australia; VICMonash University -
BIENCO researchers unite in bid to cure corneal blindness
University of Melbourne researchers are working with a consortium to address the global challenge of corneal blindness – caused by disorders that damage and scar the transparent layer of our eyes. They are working to support the development of a Read more about BIENCO researchers unite in bid to cure corneal blindness
Australia; VICThe University of Melbourne -
Males born to obese mothers more likely to suffer health issues as adults, primate study shows
Life Sciences
Males born to obese mothers are more likely to be overweight at birth and develop metabolic complications in later life, including liver disease and diabetes, according to a study in primates. That's the finding from a new study led by the Read more about Males born to obese mothers more likely to suffer health issues as adults, primate study shows
Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia -
New pterosaur discovered
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology
UK researchers have uncovered the fossilised remains of a new species of pterosaur - the famous extinct clade of flying reptiles. The skeleton is incomplete, but three-dimensionally preserved, which helped the researchers learn more about pterosaur Read more about New pterosaur discovered
InternationalUniversity of Bristol, UK