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Brain activity 'mismatch' could be an early warning of dementia
JNeurosci
A 'mismatch' in brain activity visible through a non-invasive brain imaging tool is associated with an accelerated decline in brain function that could indicate dementia, according to Australian and international researchers. The team used data from Read more about Brain activity 'mismatch' could be an early warning of dementia
Australia; International; QLDBond University|University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA -
Monster black hole devouring one sun every day
Nature Astronomy
The fastest-growing black hole ever recorded – devouring the equivalent of one sun every day – has been discovered by researchers at The Australian National University (ANU). Associate Professor Christian Wolf said it’s a record he doesn’t Read more about Monster black hole devouring one sun every day
Australia; VIC; ACTThe Australian National University|The University of Melbourne -
Protein lovers beware: High protein diet linked to fatty arteries
Nature Metabolism
A high protein diet has been linked to atherosclerosis - the build-up of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the artery walls - in mice by Canadian and US researchers, who also experimented with high protein diets in humans. The Read more about Protein lovers beware: High protein diet linked to fatty arteries
InternationalUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC, USA -
Too much vitamin B3 could harm your heart
Nature Medicine
Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is used as both a dietary supplement and to fortify our flour and cereals, and might be linked to an increased risk of heart disease, say international researchers who sampled the blood of over 4300 people. They say Read more about Too much vitamin B3 could harm your heart
InternationalLerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH, USA -
Prescription opioids increase the risk of falls, especially in the over 85s
JAMA Internal Medicine
Taking prescription opioids could increase your chances of also taking a tumble, with new Australian research showing a link between the drugs and a higher risk of falls. The large study, of over 3. 2 million adults, found that taking prescription Read more about Prescription opioids increase the risk of falls, especially in the over 85s
Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales|National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) -
More coral may not equal more fish on our reefs
Nature Ecology & Evolution
Fish numbers on our reefs may not be as dependent on coral as we thought, according to Australian research. It is often assumed that there is a strong link between fish numbers and corals on our reefs but this new Australian research suggests that Read more about More coral may not equal more fish on our reefs
Australia; QLDJames Cook University -
Diving into the secret life of mixed-species dolphin groups in Australia
Animal Behaviour
In-depth research of two of Australia’s dolphin species shows how their behaviours have evolved to co-exist and form mixed species groups in northwestern Australia. In the first extensive study of its kind, published in the journal Animal Behaviour Read more about Diving into the secret life of mixed-species dolphin groups in Australia
Australia; International; SA; WAFlinders University -
Microplastics enter agricultural land through wastewater
Water Research
A research team quantified and characterised microplastics (MPs) in 146 biosolid samples collected from 13 wastewater treatment plants across three Australian states (four in New South Wales, four in South Australia and five in Queensland). The Read more about Microplastics enter agricultural land through wastewater
Australia; NSW; QLD; SAGriffith University|Flinders University -
Microplastics present in muscles, intestines of SEQ sharks
Chemosphere
Researchers have discovered not only microplastics but also a higher abundance of cellulose-based fibres in the intestine samples of four apex shark species caught off the coast of South East Queensland (SEQ). The study marks the first investigation Read more about Microplastics present in muscles, intestines of SEQ sharks
Australia; QLDGriffith University -
Communities must be better prepared for flooding in their homes and businesses, an expert warns
Communities must be better prepared for flooding in their homes and businesses, an expert warns, as climate change predictions suggest more extreme flooding globally. The book, Flood Risk and Community Resilience, by the UK's Professor Lindsey Read more about Communities must be better prepared for flooding in their homes and businesses, an expert warns
InternationalUniversity of the West of England, Bristol, UK. -
Four real: quantum computing engineers perform multiple control methods in just one atom
Nature Communications
UNSW researchers have demonstrated multiple ways to write quantum information in silicon for more flexible quantum chips design. Quantum computing engineers at UNSW Sydney have shown they can encode quantum information – the special data in a Read more about Four real: quantum computing engineers perform multiple control methods in just one atom
Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales|RMIT University|The University of Melbourne -
Giant step forward to treat chronic foot ulcers and internal wounds
Advanced Functional Materials
A team of international scientists has developed a more effective treatment for chronic wounds that does not involve antibiotics or silver-based dressings, but an ionized gas called plasma. The natural, environmentally friendly alternative is a Read more about Giant step forward to treat chronic foot ulcers and internal wounds
Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia|The University of Adelaide -
Research leaves smoking stereotypes up in smoke
Medical Journal of Australia
A first-of-its-kind national study from The Australian National University (ANU) has debunked common myths about who smokes in Australia and will help provide better support and potentially life-saving interventions for 2. 5 million daily smokers. A Read more about Research leaves smoking stereotypes up in smoke
Australia; ACTThe Australian National University -
Twice-a-year jab could help lower your blood pressure
JAMA
Keep forgetting to take your blood pressure medication? A new clinical trial may have the answer after it showed that a single injection of a drug called zilebesiran can significantly lower blood pressure for up to 6 months. The drug works through Read more about Twice-a-year jab could help lower your blood pressure
InternationalThe University of Chicago, USA -
How much exercise should a child or teen be doing after a concussion?
JAMA Network Open
Children and teens should target up to four hours of moderate to vigorous exercise in the week after a concussion and up to 9. 5 hours in the first two weeks, according to international researchers who say this exercise can help reduce Read more about How much exercise should a child or teen be doing after a concussion?
InternationalEastern Ontario Research Institute, Canada -
Turning health research into health gains
A symposium highlighted previous and upcoming research that will equitably improve some of New Zealand’s most pressing health issues, including cancer, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Turning health research into health gains Read more about Turning health research into health gains
New ZealandHealthier Lives National Science Challenge -
Most people's conspiracy beliefs stay the same
Scientific Reports
Even over the Covid-19 pandemic, people were mostly consistent in whether they believed in conspiracy theories or not. That's according to new research looking at the conspiracy beliefs of nearly 500 New Zealanders and Australians over six months in Read more about Most people's conspiracy beliefs stay the same
Australia; New Zealand; VICMassey University|Deakin University|University of Otago... -
People were less stressed after NZ's successful Covid-19 response
Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology
Stress levels decreased over the first six months of the pandemic in New Zealand, according to researchers who analysed the hair of 44 Kiwis. The stress hormone cortisol can show up in hair as a record of a person's past stress levels. The findings Read more about People were less stressed after NZ's successful Covid-19 response
New ZealandUniversity of Auckland -
Coughs aren't all the same - and should be treated differently
The Lancet Respiratory Medicine
This study explored different types of coughs among middle-aged people – including minimal cough, cough with colds only, cough with allergies, intermittent productive cough, chronic dry cough and chronic productive cough. It found that different Read more about Coughs aren't all the same - and should be treated differently
Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; TAS; NTThe University of Melbourne|Queensland University of Technology (QUT)... -
Australian government approves release of a genetically modified variety of Cavendish bananas
The Australian Government has issued QUT a licence to commercially release QCAV-4, a genetically modified (GM) variety of Cavendish banana designed to help save the world’s Cavendish banana production. The Australian Government has issued QUT a Read more about Australian government approves release of a genetically modified variety of Cavendish bananas
Australia; QLDQueensland University of Technology (QUT)