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Some dairy cows produce 15% fewer methane emissions, but just as much milk
New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research
Cows produce methane emissions as a by-product of their digestion - and this methane is the largest contributor from the agricultural sector to greenhouse gases in both Ireland and New Zealand. Irish and Kiwi researchers ranked 45 Irish dairy cows Read more about Some dairy cows produce 15% fewer methane emissions, but just as much milk
New Zealand; InternationalMassey University|Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Co., Cork, Ireland -
ChatGPT named among top 10 science newsmakers of 2023
Nature
ChatGPT has been included in Nature's top 10 newsmaker list, aimed at recognising the people behind the biggest stories in science of the year. While not a person, the journal says ChatGPT has dominated science news in 2023 and it and artificial Read more about ChatGPT named among top 10 science newsmakers of 2023
InternationalSpringer Nature -
Mental health and addiction now second largest cause of disease in Australia
Mental health and substance use disorders are now the second largest group of diseases causing illness and premature death in Australia, according to a report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The report, which looks at the burden Read more about Mental health and addiction now second largest cause of disease in Australia
AustraliaAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) -
Melting permafrost could release vast quantities of methane into the atmosphere
Frontiers in Earth Science
Vast quantities of methane may be trapped beneath the Svalbard permafrost, and it could escape if the permafrost thaws, according to international researchers, who say its release could result in further global warming. The team say that methane is Read more about Melting permafrost could release vast quantities of methane into the atmosphere
InternationalThe University Centre in Svalbard, Norway -
You 'aorta' look beyond muscle and bone for falls and fracture risk: New AI algorithm identifies high risk older women
Journal of Bone and Mineral Research
A new automated machine-learning algorithm has been developed by researchers at Edith Cowan University (ECU) to accurately assess abdominal aortic calcification (AAC), which could increase the risk of fall-related hospitalisation and clinical Read more about You 'aorta' look beyond muscle and bone for falls and fracture risk: New AI algorithm identifies high risk older women
Australia; NSW; WAEdith Cowan University|The University of Sydney -
Why sea snakes have big ladies who have big babies
Royal Society Open Science
Two sea snake sssssstudies by Australian experts shed light on why females tend to be bigger than males and why they give birth to larger offspring than snakes on land. The first study suggests moving from land to sea meant the usual way snakes find Read more about Why sea snakes have big ladies who have big babies
Australia; NSW; NTMacquarie University|Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) -
A biting discovery about Tasmanian devils
Proceedings of the Royal Society B
A Tasmanian devil expert has uncovered an evolutionary quirk that sets carnivorous marsupials apart from the crowd – and the secret lies behind their smiles. A Tasmanian devil expert has uncovered an evolutionary quirk that sets carnivorous Read more about A biting discovery about Tasmanian devils
Australia; TASUniversity of Tasmania -
So-narked: Military sonar disrupts fin whales
Royal Society Open Science
US and UK researchers say that the use of sonar by the military is causing endangered fin whales to change how they dive and search for food. The team tagged and monitored groups of fin whales around the south coasts of California in the US and Read more about So-narked: Military sonar disrupts fin whales
InternationalUniversity of Santa Cruz, USA -
Tagged turtles and 3D ocean current maps reveal loggerheads loggerhead-ing north
Journal of the Royal Society Interface
International scientists tagged 25 loggerhead turtles as they migrated from Reunion Island in the Pacific and combined their movement data with 3D maps of ocean currents to investigate how the animals navigate on ocean voyages. They found the Read more about Tagged turtles and 3D ocean current maps reveal loggerheads loggerhead-ing north
InternationalLaboratoire de l’Atmosphère et des Cyclones, France -
First-in-human implantation of bionic device to halt Crohn’s disease
Researchers could be on the brink of transforming the treatment of Crohn’s disease using a bionic nerve stimulation device that uses electricity to trigger the body’s natural anti-inflammatory response, preventing damaging gut inflammation Read more about First-in-human implantation of bionic device to halt Crohn’s disease
Australia; International; VICFlorey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health... -
Riskiest skateboard wipeouts revealed
Injury Prevention
Canadian researchers have revealed the riskiest moves in the skatepark when it comes to injury and say it might be worth grading the different features based on the level of expertise needed to pull off those sick moves safely, fellow kids. They Read more about Riskiest skateboard wipeouts revealed
InternationalUniversity of Guelph, Canada -
Free electric vehicle charging at work? It’s possible with optimum solar
Renewable Energy
The global surge in electric vehicle sales has prompted an Australian university to explore how it could offer free or nominal EV charging facilities to staff and students by optimising its solar PV system and minimising workplace electricity costs. Read more about Free electric vehicle charging at work? It’s possible with optimum solar
Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia -
Melbourne-made COVID-19 vaccines show robust boosting potential
eBioMedicine
Two Melbourne-made COVID-19 vaccines have shown strong potential to be an improved approach for boosting immunity to SARS-CoV-2 variants according to interim results of a Phase 1 clinical trial. Melbourne-made COVID-19 vaccines show robust boosting Read more about Melbourne-made COVID-19 vaccines show robust boosting potential
Australia; International; VIC; SAThe Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity... -
Free-ranging domestic cats may be cat-astrophic for wild species
Nature Communications
Our pointy-eared overlords are cat-astrophic for the environment, according to Aussie and international researchers who say free-ranging domestic cats eat more than 2,000 other animal species. The team compiled a database of scientific records of Read more about Free-ranging domestic cats may be cat-astrophic for wild species
Australia; New Zealand; NSW; NTThe University of Sydney|Charles Darwin University -
How to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from NZ's power system, while avoiding cold showers
Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand
Greater use of electricity and more uptake of renewable energies such as wind and solar present challenges for power systems and distribution networks. It will be very expensive to upgrade infrastructure, but spreading out power use and therefore Read more about How to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from NZ's power system, while avoiding cold showers
New ZealandUniversity of Canterbury -
Cannabis use during pregnancy associated with higher risk of complications
JAMA
Exposure to cannabis during pregnancy is linked to an increased risk of a range of complications including stillbirth and preterm birth, according to international researchers. The team collected data on over 9,000 women who had supplied urine Read more about Cannabis use during pregnancy associated with higher risk of complications
InternationalUniversity of Utah Health, USA -
Could bushfires be spreading carcinogenic dust?
Nature Communications
Wildfires might cause more health problems than smoke and dust inhalation, according to international researchers who say the fires also increase the abundance of toxic metals in the environment. The team analysed soils and ash produced from the Read more about Could bushfires be spreading carcinogenic dust?
InternationalStanford University, USA -
Trial may bring hope to children with rare muscle disorder
Australian researchers are at the forefront of a new clinical trial that may bring hope to children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and their families. Australian researchers are at the forefront of a new clinical trial that may bring hope to Read more about Trial may bring hope to children with rare muscle disorder
Australia; VICMurdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) -
Blending the school curriculum to create eco warriors
Teaching Science
They’re among our youngest citizens, but when children learn about sustainability in their own backyard, they’re more likely to protect the environment, say University of South Australia researchers. They’re among our youngest citizens, but Read more about Blending the school curriculum to create eco warriors
Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia -
Discovering two new genetic variants for Alzheimer’s disease
Scientific Reports
Alzheimer’s disease is the most predominate form of dementia. With Australia's growing and ageing population dementia rates are predicted to double by 2058. Research scientists at CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, have used AI to Read more about Discovering two new genetic variants for Alzheimer’s disease
Australia; ACTCSIRO -
EXPERT REACTION: Draft COP28 agreement text criticised for fossil fuel omission
A draft agreement at the COP28 climate change summit was released overnight, and a group of countries including Australia have criticised the lack of a commitment within the draft to 'phase out' or 'phase down' fossil fuels. The agreement Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Draft COP28 agreement text criticised for fossil fuel omission
Australia; Pacific; VIC; QLD; WA; TAS; ACTAustralian Science Media Centre -
Ukraine may have lost 20% of its pre-war scientific research capacity
Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
Ukraine may have lost about 20% of its scientific research capacity – time directly spent by scientists on research activities – as a consequence of the Russia-Ukraine war, according to international researchers. The team surveyed 2,559 Read more about Ukraine may have lost 20% of its pre-war scientific research capacity
InternationalEcole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland -
Women need better long-term care after childbirth
The Lancet Global Health
Women are experiencing a range of health conditions following the birth of a child that could last months, years or even a lifetime, new research released in Lancet Global Health, has found. Women are experiencing a range of health conditions Read more about Women need better long-term care after childbirth
Australia; International; VICBurnet Institute -
Why the long face? Solving a major puzzle in mammal skull shape evolution
Biological Reviews
Horses have developed long faces simply ‘because they can,’ a team of evolutionary biologists say. In a major review of how mammalian heads evolve, scientists from Flinders University and The University of Adelaide found that adaptations to Read more about Why the long face? Solving a major puzzle in mammal skull shape evolution
Australia; SAFlinders University|The University of Adelaide -
Over half of NZ women report intimate partner violence
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
Almost two-thirds of Māori women and just over 60% NZ European women report having experienced any form of intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetimes, according to data from more than 1400 women who had ever been in a partnership. IPV Read more about Over half of NZ women report intimate partner violence
New ZealandUniversity of Auckland -
Patients told to get pregnant to treat endometriosis
BMC Women's Health
Research shows patients with endometriosis are being told to plan a pregnancy to help manage or treat the condition, despite a lack of evidence to show it reduces symptoms. The controversial advice has prompted calls to improve medical education Read more about Patients told to get pregnant to treat endometriosis
Australia; NSW; SAThe University of Adelaide|The University of Sydney... -
Simulating 30,000 years of earthquakes in Aotearoa shows which coasts most at risk from big tsunamis
Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth
Tsunamis don't happen very often and we only have a few decades of modern data, so it's difficult to assess this infrequent but potentially deadly hazard. Computer modelling can help by producing "synthetic earthquake catalogues" that simulate Read more about Simulating 30,000 years of earthquakes in Aotearoa shows which coasts most at risk from big tsunamis
New Zealand; InternationalVictoria University of Wellington|GNS Science|National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)... -
That really shucks: Pesticide pollution threatens shellfish safety
Environmental Pollution
New research led by Southern Cross University has found a cocktail of nasty pesticides in oysters and water from one of the NSW North Coast’s dominant rivers. Samples taken from the Richmond River estuary reveal 21 different pesticides, including Read more about That really shucks: Pesticide pollution threatens shellfish safety
Australia; NSWSouthern Cross University|NSW Government -
Diet and air pollution among biggest contributors to global heart disease problem
Journal of the American College of Cardiology
19. 8 million people died around the world as a result of heart disease in 2022, according to a report on the global burden on heart disease by international and Australian researchers. The report breaks own death and disability trends from heart Read more about Diet and air pollution among biggest contributors to global heart disease problem
Australia; International; NSW; WABaker Heart and Diabetes Institute|The University of Western Australia... -
Tackling teen harms of social media health misinformation
JAMA Pediatrics
US researchers highlight the dangers of teens being exposed to misinformation about health on social media and suggest some measures that might help. Those include teaching teens at school to be more discerning about which information they trust and Read more about Tackling teen harms of social media health misinformation
InternationalBoston University School of Public Health, USA -
Cyborg brain in a dish can do maths and 'listen' to what you're saying
Nature Electronics
US researchers have created a tiny cyborg by growing a small 'brain' in a dish and connecting it up with electronic hardware. They say this merging of computer and brain-like tissue can recognise speech, and perform complex math equations. They say Read more about Cyborg brain in a dish can do maths and 'listen' to what you're saying
InternationalIndiana University Bloomington, USA -
Do we need more critters and fungi on our emoji keyboards?
iScience
Large sections of the 'tree of life' are underrepresented by our emoji keyboards, according to international researchers who say a more diverse set of emojis could help promote biodiversity conversations. The researchers looked at all the nature and Read more about Do we need more critters and fungi on our emoji keyboards?
InternationalNational Research Council, Italy -
Teens with a high BMI may face increased risk of early kidney disease
JAMA Pediatrics
Having a higher BMI as a teen could increase your risk of developing chronic kidney disease early in life, according to international research. The team looked at health data from over 600,000 Israeli people as teenagers, and looked at who went on Read more about Teens with a high BMI may face increased risk of early kidney disease
InternationalSheba Medical Center, Israel -
More bright light at night not a delight for Aotearoa's plants and animals
New Zealand Journal of Ecology
Artificial light at night is on the increase in Aotearoa, and it has negative impacts on our native flora and fauna. By studying satellite data, researchers found that although most of New Zealand (95. 2%) has no direct artificial light, the lit Read more about More bright light at night not a delight for Aotearoa's plants and animals
New ZealandTe Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology -
Link between intimate partner violence or childhood sexual abuse and health problems stronger than we thought
Nature Medicine
The potential mental and physical health impacts of experiencing intimate partner violence or childhood sexual abuse are more extensive than previously thought, according to international research. The team compiled a list of previous studies on the Read more about Link between intimate partner violence or childhood sexual abuse and health problems stronger than we thought
InternationalUniversity of Washington, USA -
Environmental stress rather than genetics influenced height differences in early Neolithic people
Nature Human Behaviour
Neolithic men in northern Europe may have been taller than women because they were culturally more protected from environmental stress, according to international researchers. The team compared the heights of over 1500 Neolithic people from the Read more about Environmental stress rather than genetics influenced height differences in early Neolithic people
InternationalUniversity of Pennsylvania, USA -
AI are better than we are at guessing a negative diagnosis
JAMA Network Open
US researchers pumped medical diagnostic questions into ChatGPT and compared the AI's answers to those of over 550 practitioners. The researchers found the AI was more accurate than humans in determining a negative test result both before and after Read more about AI are better than we are at guessing a negative diagnosis
InternationalBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, USA -
Portable, non-invasive, mind-reading AI turns thoughts into text
NeurIPS (Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems)
Researchers from the GrapheneX-UTS Human-centric Artificial Intelligence Centre have developed a portable, non-invasive system that can decode silent thoughts and turn them into text. In a world-first, researchers from the GrapheneX-UTS Read more about Portable, non-invasive, mind-reading AI turns thoughts into text
Australia; International; NSWUniversity of Technology Sydney (UTS)|The University of Sydney -
Organ-on-a-chip model helps to unlock answers to vascular ageing
ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
While there is widespread attention given to external ageing, how we age internally is vitally important for long-term health. Using a novel “organ-on-a-chip” model, our Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute researchers have discovered a potential Read more about Organ-on-a-chip model helps to unlock answers to vascular ageing
Australia; VICBaker Heart and Diabetes Institute|RMIT University... -
Holidays crank up kilos for Aussie kids
BMC Public Health
On the cusp of summer holidays, Aussie kids are looking forward to some well-deserved time off. But too much downtime could create health problems, as new research shows that holidays are the prime time for excessive weight gain in kids. On the cusp Read more about Holidays crank up kilos for Aussie kids
Australia; VIC; SAUniversity of South Australia|Flinders University|Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) -
Hormonal contraceptives could increase breast cancer risk for women with BRCA1 gene abnormalities
San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
Taking hormonal contraceptives, such as 'the pill', could add to breast cancer risk for women with BRCA1 gene abnormalities who have a heightened lifetime risk for this cancer, according to a study led by Peter Mac and Cancer Council Victoria, which Read more about Hormonal contraceptives could increase breast cancer risk for women with BRCA1 gene abnormalities
Australia; VICPeter MacCallum Cancer Centre|Cancer Council Victoria -
Trust issues prevent sharing of vital health and welfare data in Australia
Journal of Medical Systems
A lack of trust between institutions in Australia is a bigger hurdle to the easy sharing of health and social welfare data than perceived state legislation obstacles – which researchers say largely don’t have a detrimental effect in Australia. Read more about Trust issues prevent sharing of vital health and welfare data in Australia
Australia; QLD; SAFlinders University|Queensland University of Technology (QUT)... -
Snapping shrimp create rowdy reef in Kimberley Marine Park
Underwater reefs are generally thought of as tranquil places — however some truly unruly residents make one such area off the coast of northwestern Australia anything but quiet. Underwater reefs are generally thought of as tranquil places — Read more about Snapping shrimp create rowdy reef in Kimberley Marine Park
Australia; International; SA; WACurtin University|Edith Cowan University|University of South Australia -
Advanced imaging predicts the recovery of children with brain injury
Journal of Neurotrauma
Researchers from The University of Queensland have used an advanced imaging technique to predict the recovery of children from a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) with an 87 per cent success rate. Researchers from The University of Queensland have Read more about Advanced imaging predicts the recovery of children with brain injury
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
We need to talk about social chatbots and their impact on neurodiverse people
Journal of Behavioural Addicitions
New research shows that social chatbots could be doing more harm than good for neurodiverse people, entrenching social isolation and reinforcing dysfunctional habits among many people with autism, anxiety and limited social skills. The UniSA Read more about We need to talk about social chatbots and their impact on neurodiverse people
Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia|Flinders University -
How to enjoy the Festive Season on a budget and be food safe – Dollars and sense
The Food Safety Information Council today released their food safety tips about how to enjoy the Festive Season and Summer entertaining on a budget and also be food safe. We are all looking forward this summer to getting together with Read more about How to enjoy the Festive Season on a budget and be food safe – Dollars and sense
AustraliaFood Safety Information Council -
Are we asking the right questions about Predator Free New Zealand?
New Zealand Journal of Ecology
The Predator Free New Zealand programme has become hugely popular, inspired and driven by community action. However, an article in the New Zealand Journal of Ecology says that predators are just one of the pressures on Aotearoa's indigenous wildlife, Read more about Are we asking the right questions about Predator Free New Zealand?
New ZealandUniversity of Waikato -
World-first system to monitor the ‘seafood basket’ of Australia
A bio-rich region that provides much of the country’s seafood is the first site in Australia to demonstrate CSIRO's AquaWatch technology works. Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has completed initial testing of a ‘weather service’ Read more about World-first system to monitor the ‘seafood basket’ of Australia
AustraliaCSIRO -
Polyethylene waste could be a thing of the past
Science Advances
An international and Australian team of experts undertaking fundamental research has developed a way of using polyethylene waste (PE) as a feedstock and converted it into valuable chemicals, via light-driven photocatalysis. PE is the most widely Read more about Polyethylene waste could be a thing of the past
Australia; SAThe University of Adelaide -
City living may be making more kids short-sighted
JAMA Network Open
A Chinese study of nearly 200,000 elementary school students found short-sightedness is more common among kids who live in cities than those who live in the countryside. However, the eyesight of shortsighted kids in cities deteriorated less quickly Read more about City living may be making more kids short-sighted
InternationalTianjin Eye Hospital, China