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Making up for lost time: how our brains ‘predict the present’
Neuroscience and Biobehavioural Reviews
You’re an ace tennis player facing a 180kmph serve. In the approximately 80 milliseconds it takes your brain to register the position of the speeding ball, the ball has already moved a further 4m, and yet you hit it. Just how do the eyes and brain Read more about Making up for lost time: how our brains ‘predict the present’
Australia; International; VIC; QLDQueensland University of Technology (QUT)|The University of Melbourne -
AI-informed avatar to improve child protection
An avatar collaborative project involving Griffith University researchers, led by SimulaMet and OsloMet in Norway, will use AI to improve child protection. An avatar collaborative project involving Griffith University researchers, led by SimulaMet Read more about AI-informed avatar to improve child protection
Australia; QLDGriffith University|OsloMet, SimulaMet, Research Council of Norway -
1 billion people are now obese, and Aussie rates are on the way up
The Lancet
A global analysis has found that more than one billion people in the world are now living with obesity, and for kids and teens, the rate of obesity is now four times what it was in 1990. Among adults, the global obesity rate more than doubled in Read more about 1 billion people are now obese, and Aussie rates are on the way up
Australia; New Zealand; Pacific; InternationalImperial College London, UK -
NZ politicians might under-estimate the influence of gifts
International Journal of Drug Policy
Ten New Zealand MPs were interviewed about their perceptions of gift-giving in the political sphere. Attitudes varied, but the most constant theme was a consistent downplaying of the importance and impacts of gifts. The study found that the MPs Read more about NZ politicians might under-estimate the influence of gifts
New Zealand -
Shackleton's milk: not too different from today's
Journal of Dairy Science
100-year-old powdered milk brought on the Shackleton expedition has been studied and found to be remarkably similar to its modern equivalent. Fonterra scientists found that the only major differences were due largely to how the antiquated storage, Read more about Shackleton's milk: not too different from today's
New ZealandFonterra Research and Development Centre -
Tiny magnetic particles in air pollution linked to development of Alzheimer’s
Environment International
Magnetite, a particle found in air pollution, could induce signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, according to a study in mice and human brain cells. Magnetite, a tiny particle found in air pollution, can induce signs and symptoms of Read more about Tiny magnetic particles in air pollution linked to development of Alzheimer’s
Australia; NSWUniversity of Technology Sydney (UTS)|The University of New South Wales -
Bottlenecks and beehives: how an invasive bee colony defied genetic expectations
Current Biology
A single bee colony has broken through a 'genetic bottleneck' to display genomic variation. Adaptability despite low genetic diversity could be a good sign for threatened species. For more than a decade, invasive Asian honeybees have defied Read more about Bottlenecks and beehives: how an invasive bee colony defied genetic expectations
Australia; NSW; QLD; ACTThe University of Sydney|CSIRO -
El Niño likely to cause record-breaking average temps in the first half of 2024
Scientific Reports
In the first half of 2024, many areas of the world are likely to experience record-breaking average surface air temperatures, according to international researchers. The team say that coastal areas in Asia such as the Bay of Bengal and the South Read more about El Niño likely to cause record-breaking average temps in the first half of 2024
InternationalChinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, China -
Building a healthier state from the inside out
Applied Health Economics and Health Policy
If Australia wants better results from its annual $180 billion dollars healthcare services expenditure, health economists must play a key role in decision making to improve the efficiency of local hospitals and health networks. Greater input from Read more about Building a healthier state from the inside out
Australia; SAFlinders University -
A lightweight fish pen to move farms to deeper seas
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
The University of Queensland has co-led a project to design a cost effective yet robust pen to expand fish farming into deeper ocean areas to help feed the growing global population. The University of Queensland has co-led a project to design a cost Read more about A lightweight fish pen to move farms to deeper seas
Australia; QLD; TASThe University of Queensland|Griffith University|University of Tasmania -
EXPERT REACTION: Junk food linked to over 30 physical, mental health and sleep problems
The BMJ
Eating more junk foods such as soft drinks, packaged snacks and sugary cereals is associated with a higher risk of over 30 different health problems both physical and mental, according to an umbrella review by Australian and international researchers Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Junk food linked to over 30 physical, mental health and sleep problems
Australia; International; NSW; VIC; QLD; SADeakin University|Monash University|The University of Sydney... -
New online platform to improve disaster preparedness using community-sourced data, resource mapping and AI
A new online platform aims to better prepare communities for disasters with the use of community sourced data, resource mapping and artificial intelligence (AI) tools. The report Towards Resilient Communities released today, provides details on the Read more about New online platform to improve disaster preparedness using community-sourced data, resource mapping and AI
Australia; VIC; QLDARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society... -
Man's best friend might be carrying antimicrobial-resistant bacteria
PLOS ONE
Man's best friend might be carrying antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, according to international researchers who tested E. coli found in the poo of pet dogs. They found evidence that the bacteria had developed some forms of antimicrobial resistance. Read more about Man's best friend might be carrying antimicrobial-resistant bacteria
InternationalSichuan Agricultural University, China -
Chimps and gorillas will experience more frequent extreme climate events in the next 30 years
PLOS ONE
African great apes, including gorillas and chimpanzees, are going to experience extreme events such as wildfires, heatwaves and flooding more frequently in the next 30 years, according to international researchers. The team used past temperature and Read more about Chimps and gorillas will experience more frequent extreme climate events in the next 30 years
InternationalHaramaya University, Ethiopia -
Climate change could affect wine's microbial make-up
PLOS ONE
Climate change could impact the microbial make-up of wine, according to New Zealand researchers. Wine scientists from Lincoln University analysed the bacteria and fungi present during the fermentation of two organic Pinot noir batches from the same Read more about Climate change could affect wine's microbial make-up
New ZealandLincoln University|Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research -
Radio waves can tune up bacteria to become life-saving medicines
Nano Letters
Scientists from Australia and the United States have found a new way to alter the DNA of bacterial cells – a process used to make many vital medicines including insulin – more efficiently than standard industry techniques, by using radio waves. Read more about Radio waves can tune up bacteria to become life-saving medicines
Australia; NSW; VICRMIT University|University of Wollongong|Swinburne University of Technology... -
High temperatures may immediately increase your risk of having a stroke
JAMA Network Open
A large study has shown that high temperatures, over about 33 degrees, immediately increase your risk of having an ischemic stroke. The Chinese study found that compared to temperatures of around 12 degrees, at 33 degrees there was an increased risk Read more about High temperatures may immediately increase your risk of having a stroke
InternationalFudan University, China -
Silencing a gene could lead to lowering our cholesterol
Nature
Italian researchers say they have been able to repress a gene that has a role in controlling cholesterol levels in mice, and they say they have been able to do this without permanently altering the genetics of the mice. As opposed to directly Read more about Silencing a gene could lead to lowering our cholesterol
InternationalIRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy -
Losing our tails and walking upright was worth the genetic risks
Nature
The same gene that made our ancestors lose their tails may also lead to spinal cord defects, according to a new study that altered mice DNA. Researchers suggest that whatever advantage we got from losing our tails (such as becoming bipedal) must Read more about Losing our tails and walking upright was worth the genetic risks
InternationalNew York University, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Harvard University, Pennsylvania State University -
More than one glass of soft drink a day could increase your risk of kidney disease
JAMA Network Open
Drinking more than one glass a day of sugar-sweetened drinks, or artificially sweetened drinks per day could increase your risk of developing chronic kidney disease, according to an international study of over 120,000 people. The study found people Read more about More than one glass of soft drink a day could increase your risk of kidney disease
InternationalYonsei University, South Korea