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Wētā use wood to cross the ocean and settle on sub-Antarctic islands
Royal Society Open Science
Tokoriro or cave wētā (also known as cave crickets) aren't only found in Aotearoa. More than 800 recognised species are found worldwide, including on subantarctic islands near New Zealand. To find out how these island wētā species are related Read more about Wētā use wood to cross the ocean and settle on sub-Antarctic islands
New Zealand; PacificUniversity of Otago|Massey University -
Cane toad vs. lung worm: An arms race to see who has a leg-up
Proceedings of the Royal Society B
The battle between cane toads and a parasitic lungworm is an evolutionary arms race, and at the invasion front, it's the lungworms that may have a leg-up. Cane toads were introduced to Australia in the 1930s and they didn’t come alone. The toads Read more about Cane toad vs. lung worm: An arms race to see who has a leg-up
Australia; NSWMacquarie University|The University of New South Wales -
Mnemonics beat repetition for remembering word lists
Royal Society Open Science
Need to remember a long list of words? International researchers say adults are likely to use and adjust mnemonics to help, and this strategy beats simply repeating the words over and over. A mnemonic is a pattern of words, letters, or ideas that Read more about Mnemonics beat repetition for remembering word lists
InternationalÅbo Akademi University, Finland -
When is an ant not an ant? When it is a spider
Biology Letters
Some spiders are just as good at looking like ants as other insects are, according to Aussie researchers, who found both ant-mimicking spiders and ant-mimicking insects had varying abilities to copy their anty cousins. Ants are well-armed, often Read more about When is an ant not an ant? When it is a spider
Australia; NSWMacquarie University|The University of New South Wales -
Why are women at higher risk of lung issues?
Thorax
A range of reproductive factors, including age when periods first start and early menopause, are linked to a heightened risk of COPD - the umbrella term for progressive lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties - according to Aussie and Read more about Why are women at higher risk of lung issues?
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
Borderline personality disorder patients more likely to seek hospital care
The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders
A new study by Flinders University has uncovered links between a patient’s initial diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder, or BPD, and their recurrent visits to hospital. The study investigated associations between patients with BPD and Read more about Borderline personality disorder patients more likely to seek hospital care
Australia; SAFlinders University|The University of Adelaide -
In a time of risk and opportunity, science is critical
The President of the Australian Academy of Science, Professor Chennupati Jagadish, said the Australian Government cannot build a stronger, more resilient nation with a stagnant research and development system that relies on decades-old settings. The Read more about In a time of risk and opportunity, science is critical
AustraliaAustralian Academy of Science -
Smells may evoke memories just as well even when depression is impacting recollections
JAMA Network Open
Smells have a way of triggering specific memories, and international researchers say their power may be just as strong even in people whose memory is impacted by depression. The researchers say major depressive disorder can impact memory recall, so Read more about Smells may evoke memories just as well even when depression is impacting recollections
InternationalUniversity of Pittsburgh, USA -
Children exposed to tobacco in the womb face higher risk of learning problems
JAMA Network Open
Children who were exposed to tobacco in the womb are more likely to have language and memory development problems as they grow up, according to international research. The researchers recruited a group of over 11,000 children aged 9-10 to do a Read more about Children exposed to tobacco in the womb face higher risk of learning problems
InternationalUniversity of Nebraska, USA -
Polar bears at risk of starvation due to climate change
Nature Communications
Climate change's effect on Arctic sea ice is forcing polar bears to find food on land, putting the apex predators at risk of starvation, say North American researchers. The team attached trackers to 20 polar bears to track their daily energy Read more about Polar bears at risk of starvation due to climate change
InternationalU. S. Geological Survey, Anchorage, AK, USA