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AI chatbots 'hallucinate' a research paper that doesn't exist
JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery
US researchers describe a weird case in which Google's Bard artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot 'hallucinated' a research paper that doesn't exist. Dr Hayley Born was using Bard to help prepare a presentation, and asked the chatbot to find Read more about AI chatbots 'hallucinate' a research paper that doesn't exist
InternationalColumbia University Irving Medical Center, USA -
Experiencing racism may set you on a path to heart disease via inflammation and sleep problems
JAMA Network Open
A US study of 322 young black adults found experiencing racial discrimination more frequently between the ages of 19 and 21 was linked with higher levels of inflammation, poorer sleep, and an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome - a Read more about Experiencing racism may set you on a path to heart disease via inflammation and sleep problems
InternationalLurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, USA -
Can tree microbiomes help trees survive a warmer future?
Trends in Plant Science
Trees are particularly vulnerable to climate change because of their long lifespans, slow reproduction rates, and the fact they’re fixed to one place, but a new research review says they might be able to adapt thanks to their short-lived but Read more about Can tree microbiomes help trees survive a warmer future?
New ZealandScion|Western Sydney University|Wright State University, USA -
Can turning climate data into music reach us on an emotional level?
iScience
A Japanese scientist has converted climate data into music using a process known as 'sonification', producing a six-minute-long composition entitled 'String Quartet No. 1: Polar Energy Budget'. The somewhat discordant piece is based on 30 years of Read more about Can turning climate data into music reach us on an emotional level?
InternationalRissho University, Japan -
VIDEO EXPERT REACTION: Space volcanoes older than we knew
Science
Jupiter's moon Io has been volcanically active for the solar system's entire 4. 57 billion-year lifespan, according to a new study co-authored by a Kiwi scientist. Io is the most volcanically active body in the solar system and the findings offer Read more about VIDEO EXPERT REACTION: Space volcanoes older than we knew
New Zealand; InternationalGNS Science|California Institute of Technology, USA -
EXPERT REACTION: The Devil Comet is now visible in the sky as it passes Earth
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks - otherwise known as the 'Devil Comet' - is passing Earth, and has become visible in the southern sky at night. Although visible to the naked eye, the best view of this comet will be from cameras, binoculars, and telescopes. 12P Read more about EXPERT REACTION: The Devil Comet is now visible in the sky as it passes Earth
Australia; VIC; QLD; ACTAustralian Science Media Centre -
Shedding light on an elusive marine predator - the white shark
Researchers have discovered new white shark behaviours by attaching smart tags and cameras to their fins, revealing never-before-seen details of the lives of the elusive creatures. Researchers have discovered new white shark behaviours by attaching Read more about Shedding light on an elusive marine predator - the white shark
Australia; International; WAMurdoch University|The University of Western Australia... -
Long COVID patients show immunological improvement two years after infection
Nature Communications
Immune abnormalities have largely resolved at 24 months in a cohort of patients with long COVID, providing optimism that long COVID can resolve over time. Biomarkers for long COVID that were present in patients at eight months have largely resolved Read more about Long COVID patients show immunological improvement two years after infection
Australia; NSW; VICKirby Institute, UNSW Sydney|St Vincent's Hospital Sydney... -
Heart failure is the biggest risk for those who develop an irregular heartbeat
The BMJ
Heart failure is the most common complication at risk of arising in people diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat, according to international researchers. Diagnoses of atrial fibrillation - a heart condition causing an irregular and often elevated Read more about Heart failure is the biggest risk for those who develop an irregular heartbeat
InternationalAalborg University, Denmark -
Antipsychotics for dementia patients linked to various health risks
The BMJ
Antipsychotic use in people with dementia could be associated with higher risks of a wide range of adverse outcomes, including stroke, blood clots, heart attack, heart failure, fracture, pneumonia, and acute kidney injury, according to international Read more about Antipsychotics for dementia patients linked to various health risks
InternationalUniversity of Manchester, UK -
Around 17% of teens have experienced online bullying about their weight
PLOS ONE
A survey has found that around 17% of teens reported experiencing online bullying related to their weight, with rates especially high for users of Twitter and Twitch. The survey, which includes teens from Australia, Canada, Chile, Mexico, the UK Read more about Around 17% of teens have experienced online bullying about their weight
Australia; InternationalUniversity of Toronto, Canada -
First evidence of human occupation in lava tube cave in Saudi Arabia
PLOS ONE
New research has highlighted an area in Arabia that once acted as a key point for cultural exchanges and trades amongst ancient people - and it all took place in vast caves and lava tubes that have remained largely untapped reservoirs of Read more about First evidence of human occupation in lava tube cave in Saudi Arabia
Australia; International; QLDGriffith University|The University of Queensland -
Largest marine reptile may have been twice the length of a bus
PLOS ONE
International scientists have unearthed what may be the largest marine reptile ever to be described, Ichthyotitan severnensis, at an estimated 25 metres long. The team found and pieced together fragments of an ichthyosaur jawbone found in the UK, Read more about Largest marine reptile may have been twice the length of a bus
InternationalThe University of Manchester, UK -
Is medicinal cannabis in Australia 'the wild west of medicine'?
Drug & Alcohol Review
Australian experts interviewed 17 Aussie doctors about prescribing medicinal cannabis, and identified four factors that hinder the prescription of cannabis-based treatments. Barriers included: developing the clinical capabilities needed to prescribe, Read more about Is medicinal cannabis in Australia 'the wild west of medicine'?
Australia; VIC; QLDMonash University -
Sharing needles common among injecting drug users, even those treated for hep C
Drug & Alcohol Review
Australian experts say needle and syringe sharing is common among injecting drug users who attend drug treatment clinics and needle and syringe programs. They surveyed 1,555 Aussies who had injected drugs in the past month, and found 432 (28%) had Read more about Sharing needles common among injecting drug users, even those treated for hep C
Australia; NSWKirby Institute, UNSW Sydney|National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC)... -
Most people experiencing homelessness have mental health disorders
JAMA Psychiatry
In a meta-analysis and systematic review, Canadian researchers say that most of the people experiencing homelessness have mental health disorders, with higher prevalences than those observed in the general community. The researchers say that not Read more about Most people experiencing homelessness have mental health disorders
InternationalUniversity of Calgary, Canada -
Genetic engineering could weed out the bad things in crops
Trends in Plant Science
Danish researchers say bioengineering crops to be colourful and have differently shaped leaves could make it easier to distinguish them from weeds, making them easier to cultivate. In an opinion piece, they say introducing pigments that are already Read more about Genetic engineering could weed out the bad things in crops
InternationalUniversity of Copenhagen, Denmark -
EXPERT REACTION: Climate change is set to drop the world's income by 19% and Australia will feel the pinch
Nature
Climate change is projected to reduce the income of the global economy by 19% by 2049, according to international scientists and Australia will be among the countries feeling the pinch. These economic damages are six times the costs of limiting Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Climate change is set to drop the world's income by 19% and Australia will feel the pinch
Australia; InternationalPotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Germany -
Warming tundra's impact on carbon emissions revealed
Nature
A study published today in Nature shows the intricate relationship between climate change and carbon release in Arctic and alpine tundra ecosystems. The study, which analysed 136 datasets across 28 tundra sites, including the Silver Plains Reserve Read more about Warming tundra's impact on carbon emissions revealed
Australia; International; TASUniversity of Tasmania -
Genetic drivers of autism could be stronger for men
JAMA Psychiatry
The degree to which genetics influence autism could be different for males and females, according to international researchers. The team analysed data from a study including over one million Swedish children, of which 12,226 received a diagnosis of Read more about Genetic drivers of autism could be stronger for men
InternationalKarolinska Institutet, Sweden