EXPERT REACTION: Pfizer announces COVID-19 vaccine is 90% effective

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

US pharmaceutical company Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech announced overnight that their vaccine candidate was more than 90 per cent effective in preventing COVID-19. The results are based on initial data from a large study of 43,538 Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Pfizer announces COVID-19 vaccine is 90% effective

Sugary snacking may cause more cavities than sugar at mealtimes

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 1059 AEDT | 1259 NZDT

European Journal of Oral Sciences

The body of scientific research points to snacking on sugary and starchy foods as a major culprit in developing dental cavities, according to NZ academics who have reviewed a range of studies. However they had mixed results on whether cavities were Read more about Sugary snacking may cause more cavities than sugar at mealtimes

Taking those multivitamins to keep you healthy? It might be all in your mind

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

BMJ Open

The health benefits of multivitamins and mineral supplements may be all our minds, with new research showing that the people who take them say they are healthier than those who don't, despite there being no real differences in measurable health Read more about Taking those multivitamins to keep you healthy? It might be all in your mind

Lockdown may lead to future flu outbreaks

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 0904 AEDT | 1104 NZDT

PNAS

Scientists warn healthcare systems need to gear up for an influx of respiratory infections like influenza once lockdowns and physical distancing rules are lifted. The researchers found that the measures intended to limit the spread of COVID-19 have Read more about Lockdown may lead to future flu outbreaks

Printable ink guides cell growth, offers nerve injury hope

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 0800 AEDT | 1000 NZDT

RSC Advances

Researchers have developed a neuron-growing ink that uses the body’s own electrical signals to precisely guide the growth of nerve cells. Read more about Printable ink guides cell growth, offers nerve injury hope

Gene editing study finds gene for heat tolerance in corals

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 0700 AEDT | 0900 NZDT

PNAS

Scientists have used CRISPR-Cas technology to identify a gene responsible for heat tolerance in a coral on the Great Barrier Reef. Read more about Gene editing study finds gene for heat tolerance in corals

Learning a new language recruits the right side of the brain

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

JNeurosci

In most people, language relies on the brain's left hemisphere, but the right hemisphere may chip in to help you understand when you learn a language later in life, according to Spanish researchers. They scanned the brains of adults while they read, Read more about Learning a new language recruits the right side of the brain

Overcrowded nursing homes hit much harder by COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Internal Medicine

Data from 623 nursing homes in Ontario, Canada suggest crowded homes were more likely to experience larger and deadlier COVID-19 outbreaks, according to Canadian researchers. Overcrowding was determined based on the number of residents per bedroom Read more about Overcrowded nursing homes hit much harder by COVID-19

We just added over 12,000 new species to the list of Earth's bacteria

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Biotechnology

Australian scientists have helped boost what we know about the bacteria that live on and around us by deciphering the DNA of over 12,000 new species from 52,000 environmental DNA samples. The samples were previously taken from oceans, soil, animals Read more about We just added over 12,000 new species to the list of Earth's bacteria

Hominin cranium discovery opens unparalleled window into human microevolutionary history

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Ecology & Evolution

Palaeoanthropologists have discovered a two-million-year-old adult hominin skull – the earliest known and best preserved Paranthropus robustus specimen ever found. Read more about Hominin cranium discovery opens unparalleled window into human microevolutionary history