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New genetic therapy in mice holds promise for MND and dementia
Neuron
Macquarie University neuroscientists have developed a single-dose genetic medicine that has been proven to halt the progression of both motor neurone disease (MND) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in mice – and may even offer the potential to Read more about New genetic therapy in mice holds promise for MND and dementia
Australia; NSW; QLDMacquarie University|University of Wollongong|The University of Queensland... -
Data science shown to expedite return of ancestral Indigenous remains
Social Science Computer Review
The search for Indigenous human ancestral remains held by museums and other institutions so they can be returned for reburial back home could soon be much easier thanks to computer science. The return of the ancestral human remains of Australian Read more about Data science shown to expedite return of ancestral Indigenous remains
Australia; QLD; TAS; ACTQueensland University of Technology (QUT)|The Australian National University... -
Mosquitoes and marsupials are driving Ross River Virus spread across Australia
PLOS Pathogens
The presence of two mosquito species, along with kangaroos, possums, and seasonal factors are driving the spread of Ross River Virus across Australia, according to new research, which also found that 43% of infections may go unreported. Ross River Read more about Mosquitoes and marsupials are driving Ross River Virus spread across Australia
Australia; VIC; QLD; SA; WA; TAS; NTUniversity of Tasmania|CSIRO|The University of Melbourne... -
How does the brain process an echo?
PLOS Biology
Why don’t we hear echoes as garbled nonsense? According to Chinese researchers, the human brain separates sounds into direct speech and its echo. The team used magnetic fields to record the brain activity of 48 people listening to a story with or Read more about How does the brain process an echo?
InternationalZhejiang University, China -
Tiny bugs could be key to the tastiest tea
Current Biology
The tiny bug communities on the roots of tea plants could play a big role in how delicious the tea is, according to international researchers. Previous research has shown collections of microbes on tea roots influence the way the plants absorb Read more about Tiny bugs could be key to the tastiest tea
InternationalFujian Agriculture and Forestry University, China -
One step closer to reversing liver failure
Developmental Cell
Researchers at Peter Mac have made a key discovery in liver regeneration that may have important implications for liver cancer. Joint research between Associate Professor Andrew Cox and Professor Mark Dawson, published this week in Developmental Cell Read more about One step closer to reversing liver failure
Australia; InternationalPeter MacCallum Cancer Centre -
Breast screening no more than 20 minutes away for 9 in 10 Aussie women
Nine in ten Australian women live no more than a 20 minute drive away from a permanent breast screening service, or a visiting service that comes at least once every two years, according to a report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Read more about Breast screening no more than 20 minutes away for 9 in 10 Aussie women
AustraliaAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) -
Antidepressant use lower for mums who have grandparent support
Population Studies
Mums are less likely to take antidepressants if their own parents and parents-in-law are healthy and live close by, according to international researchers. The team tracked Finnish 488,000 mums for 14 years and also found antidepressant use was Read more about Antidepressant use lower for mums who have grandparent support
InternationalUniversity of Helsinki, Finland -
Our cultural upbringing changes how we read others' emotional facial expressions
Frontiers in Psychology
Different cultures may interpret different emotions from the same facial expression, according to international research. The team measured the brain activity of two groups of people - a group of US residents born and raised in China and a group of Read more about Our cultural upbringing changes how we read others' emotional facial expressions
InternationalUniversity of North Carolina, USA -
Planned burn-offs help avoid wildfires, but could expose more to smoke
Earth's Future
California's skies have turned orange and black several times in recent years due to smoke from major wildfires, and now authorities want to use scheduled fires to reduce the amount of fuel available for wildfires. However, new research suggests Read more about Planned burn-offs help avoid wildfires, but could expose more to smoke
InternationalCalifornia Department of Public Health, USA -
This is Perth’s perfect verge – and it comes with huge social and environmental benefits
Urban Forestry & Urban Greening
Environmental researchers have surveyed almost 1,000 Perth residents to identify what the perfect Perth verge looks like, as part of a project looking at how we can improve urban greening. “The land along streets and roads can make up more than 30% Read more about This is Perth’s perfect verge – and it comes with huge social and environmental benefits
Australia; VIC; WAMurdoch University|The University of Melbourne -
Are companies co-opting female empowerment messages to market unnecessary health products?
The BMJ
Some health companies are using female empowerment messaging to market health screening products to women who do not have an evidence-based reason for needing them, according to Australian researchers. The researchers analysed two specific examples Read more about Are companies co-opting female empowerment messages to market unnecessary health products?
Australia; NSW; QLDThe University of Sydney|The University of Queensland -
Exercising your way out of depression
BMJ
Exercise can be a powerful tool to fight depression and should be routinely prescribed as part of treatment plans, according to University of Queensland research. Exercise can be a powerful tool to fight depression and should be routinely prescribed Read more about Exercising your way out of depression
Australia; NSW; QLDThe University of Queensland|University of the Sunshine Coast... -
Revealing global barriers to curative hep C treatment access
Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Access to curative hepatitis C treatments depends on where you live, new research shows. Almost 90 per cent of the 57 million people living with hepatitis C live in low- and middle-income countries, but only half of these countries currently provide Read more about Revealing global barriers to curative hep C treatment access
Australia; International; NSWThe University of New South Wales|Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney -
Trapping sulfate to benefit health, industry and waterways
Nature Chemistry
Scientists have developed a new method to measure and remove sulfate from water, potentially leading to cleaner waterways and more effective nuclear waste treatments. Scientists have developed a new method to measure and remove sulfate from water, Read more about Trapping sulfate to benefit health, industry and waterways
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
Revealing the gut’s crucial role in lung disease
Gut
Research led by the Centenary Institute, the University of Technology Sydney and the Hunter Medical Research Institute suggests that the gut microbiome plays a pivotal role in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), paving Read more about Revealing the gut’s crucial role in lung disease
Australia; NSWCentenary Institute|University of Technology Sydney (UTS)... -
EXPERT REACTION: Smokers are more likely to quit cigarettes if they switch to vapes
New England Journal of Medicine
People who are trying to quit smoking tobacco are more likely to be successful if nicotine vapes are part of their strategy, according to international research. The team recruited 1,246 would-be quitters, and assigned 622 to receive free Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Smokers are more likely to quit cigarettes if they switch to vapes
Australia; International; NSW; VICUniversity of Bern, Switzerland -
A 63 year old man is in remission from HIV after a stem cell transplant to treat cancer
New England Journal of Medicine
A 63 year old man has been in remission from HIV for 5 years after he received a stem cell transplant to treat his leukaemia. The patient needed a stem cell transplant to treat his cancer, so the team looked for a donor with a mutation in a gene Read more about A 63 year old man is in remission from HIV after a stem cell transplant to treat cancer
InternationalCity of Hope National Medical Center, USA -
Nature vs. nurture: shedding light on heritable brain activity
Human Brain Mapping
A twin study has revealed the complex interplay between genetics and environment in how our brains navigate emotional and cognitive tasks. The way our brain processes different emotional and cognitive tasks may be underpinned by common factors, find Read more about Nature vs. nurture: shedding light on heritable brain activity
Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales|Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) -
Nanodiamonds could hold key to cool clothing
Polymers for Advanced Technologies
Researchers from RMIT University are using nanodiamonds to create smart textiles that can cool people down faster. Researchers from RMIT University are using nanodiamonds to create smart textiles that can cool people down faster. The study found Read more about Nanodiamonds could hold key to cool clothing
Australia; VICRMIT University -
This hot spring bacteria may be endemic to NZ, 'like a microbial kiwi'
Nature Communications
Researchers suspect they've uncovered a world-first: a whole genus of bacteria that's only found in one country, Aotearoa-New Zealand. Microorganisms aren't subject to the same restrictions that other creatures are – they can ride on air currents Read more about This hot spring bacteria may be endemic to NZ, 'like a microbial kiwi'
New ZealandUniversity of Canterbury|University of Waikato|University of Otago... -
EXPERT REACTION: New ultrasound technique could boost sperm movement by 266%
Science Advances
An ultrasound technique may provide a new way to boost sperm movement in the lab, according to Aussie researchers, who found that the non-invasive technique can increase human sperm movement in the laboratory by 266%. They say that ultrasound Read more about EXPERT REACTION: New ultrasound technique could boost sperm movement by 266%
Australia; VICMonash University -
How is medicinal cannabis being used in Australia?
PLOS ONE
A survey of Aussies using medicinal cannabis has found that it is mostly being used for pain and mental health treatment. The study found that people using prescribed cannabis that mostly contained the 'high'-inducing active compound Read more about How is medicinal cannabis being used in Australia?
Australia; NSW; VICThe University of New South Wales|The University of Sydney... -
'Til death don't us part: Ancient humans found buried with their furry friends
PLOS ONE
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, from ancient love among buried families… International researchers have found ancient humans may have been buried with their beloved pets. The team analysed the remains of 161 people buried in Seminario Read more about 'Til death don't us part: Ancient humans found buried with their furry friends
InternationalUniversity of Bern, Switzerland -
🤔 Emoji-nal damage: Emojis mean different things to different people
PLOS ONE
With Valentine's Day coming up, UK researchers suggest people rethink their use of emojis, as people often misinterpret the meanings behind the pictograms depending on their gender, culture and age. The researchers asked over 250 people both from Read more about 🤔 Emoji-nal damage: Emojis mean different things to different people
InternationalUniversity of Nottingham, UK -
3100 year old 'Vittrup Man' switched from forager to farmer before being sacrificed
PLOS ONE
The life history of a 3,100-year-old skull has been mapped in detail, according to international and Aussie researchers, who found that the man known as 'Vittrup Man' moved from foraging to a farming lifestyle before being sacrificed in Denmark. The Read more about 3100 year old 'Vittrup Man' switched from forager to farmer before being sacrificed
Australia; WACurtin University -
Love and money the keys to mental health in Australia
PLOS ONE
Financial difficulties and relationship problems are key issues linked to poor mental health in Australia, according to Australian research. The team used data from a household income and labour study to compare the mental health of nearly 7,000 Read more about Love and money the keys to mental health in Australia
Australia; NSW; WACurtin University|The University of New South Wales... -
Major discovery points to more potent, durable RNA-based therapeutics
Nature
Australian scientists have made a major discovery that could underpin the next generation of RNA-based therapeutics, and lead to more potent and longer-lasting RNA-based drugs with an even wider array of potential uses. Australian scientists have Read more about Major discovery points to more potent, durable RNA-based therapeutics
Australia; VIC; SAPeter MacCallum Cancer Centre|University of South Australia -
Long Covid affects how people think
JAMA Network Open
A recent survey of US residents reveals that cognitive symptoms are a common struggle for people suffering from Long Covid. These symptoms include having trouble concentrating, issues with remembering (such as forgetting to take medicine or buy Read more about Long Covid affects how people think
InternationalWeill Cornell Medicine, USA -
EXPERT REACTION: Smoking has a lasting effect on immunity
Nature
Smokers have a reduced ability to fight off diseases, even long after quitting, French researchers have found. They investigated the effects of 136 environmental factors on 1000 people, finding that smoking had the greatest influence on their Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Smoking has a lasting effect on immunity
New Zealand; InternationalInstitut Pasteur, France -
Online images aren't keeping up when it comes to addressing gender bias
Nature
As we spend more time consuming images online and less time reading, international researchers say we could be exposing ourselves to greater gender bias. The team collected over a million images and billions of words across Google, Wikipedia and Read more about Online images aren't keeping up when it comes to addressing gender bias
InternationalUniversity of California, USA -
‘Beyond what’s possible’: new JWST observations unearth mysterious ancient galaxies
Nature
Our understanding of how galaxies form and the nature of dark matter could be completely upended, after new observations of a stellar population bigger than the Milky Way from more than 11 billion years ago that should not exist. Our understanding Read more about ‘Beyond what’s possible’: new JWST observations unearth mysterious ancient galaxies
Australia; International; VICSwinburne University of Technology -
You've heard of lab grown meat, are you ready for rice-grown beef?
Matter
International researchers have developed a beef-rice hybrid they say could be a protein-rich food of the future. The team says they took muscle and fat stem cells from cows, and transplanted them into grains of rice - because the porous nature of Read more about You've heard of lab grown meat, are you ready for rice-grown beef?
InternationalYonsei University, Republic of Korea -
Crunchtime for crash site data collection
Accident Analysis & Prevention
A new study into the police and hospital data recorded after major road accidents has given key insights into better management of traffic safety and public health strategies – particularly for the most vulnerable road users. Injury Studies Read more about Crunchtime for crash site data collection
Australia; QLD; SAFlinders University|Queensland University of Technology (QUT)... -
Barriers to young adults seeking help for eating disorders
Early Intervention in Psychiatry
With only one in four young adults seeking help for an eating disorder, a new study by Flinders University experts flags a number of problems preventing more people from using an effective early intervention service program available in the community Read more about Barriers to young adults seeking help for eating disorders
Australia; SAFlinders University -
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 -
'You're such an ape!' Playful teasing seen in our primate cousins
Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
US and German researchers say they have seen spontaneous playful teasing in four species of great apes. The team say they created a coding system that can identify when apes are being playful and teasing, and applied it to videos of apes in zoos. Read more about 'You're such an ape!' Playful teasing seen in our primate cousins
InternationalMax Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Germany -
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 -
Satellites unveil the size and nature of the world’s coral reefs
Cell Reports Sustainability
University of Queensland-led research has shown there is more coral reef area across the globe than previously thought, with detailed satellite mapping helping to conserve these vital ecosystems. The team, which included scientists from James Cook Read more about Satellites unveil the size and nature of the world’s coral reefs
Australia; International; QLDThe University of Queensland|James Cook University... -
High-tech spray prevents and cures rusty plant threat
Communications Biology
Researchers from The University of Queensland have developed a treatment that can both prevent and cure infection caused by an invasive fungal disease devastating native Australian plants. PhD candidate Rebecca Degnan, Dr Anne Sawyer and Professor Read more about High-tech spray prevents and cures rusty plant threat
Australia; New Zealand; QLDThe University of Queensland|The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Queensland. -
Secrets of Night Parrot unlocked after first genome sequenced
Researchers at CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, have sequenced the first genome of the Night Parrot, one of the world’s rarest and most elusive birds. The development will answer questions about population genetics and biology that Read more about Secrets of Night Parrot unlocked after first genome sequenced
AustraliaCSIRO -
Better quality healthcare needed for children in detention
Children in detention and after they return to the community require better quality healthcare due to their ongoing, complex health needs, a new report has found. Research at a Glance: A report co-authored by Murdoch Children’s Research Institute Read more about Better quality healthcare needed for children in detention
Australia; International; VIC; WAMurdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI)|Curtin University...