Sugar-coated viral proteins hijack and hitch a ride out of cells

Publicly released: Fri 6 Nov 2020 at 1545 AEDT | 1745 NZDT

PNAS

Many viruses – including coronaviruses ­– have protective outer layer made of proteins, fats and sugars. New research shows targeting sugar production has potential for broad-spectrum antiviral drugs. Read more about Sugar-coated viral proteins hijack and hitch a ride out of cells

Inclusive exercise program 'parkrun' helps fitness-phobes get active

Publicly released: Fri 6 Nov 2020 at 1211 AEDT | 1411 NZDT

Preventive Medicine Reports

Australian and New Zealand scientists reviewed 15 previous studies on the volunteer-run, community-based 'parkrun' program, and found it encourages people who are not normally drawn to exercise to engage in physical activity, benefitting their Read more about Inclusive exercise program 'parkrun' helps fitness-phobes get active

Leukaemia patient shed infectious SARS-CoV-2 for at least 70 days

Publicly released: Fri 6 Nov 2020 at 1133 AEDT | 1333 NZDT

Cell

US and UK researchers present the case of a 71-year-old woman with leukaemia who continued to shed SARS-CoV-2 for at least 70 days and didn't fully clear the virus for 105 days, despite not showing any symptoms of COVID-19. The majority of people Read more about Leukaemia patient shed infectious SARS-CoV-2 for at least 70 days

Seeing dark matter in a new light

Publicly released: Fri 6 Nov 2020 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

A small team of astronomers from Swinburne University of Technology has found a new way to ‘see’ the elusive dark matter halos that surround galaxies. Read more about Seeing dark matter in a new light

Asian patients with COVID-19 may be more at risk of stroke

Publicly released: Fri 6 Nov 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry

New research has linked COVID-19 and Asian ethnicity among stroke patients. Doctors in the UK looked at the data of over 1400 patients, and found that nearly 1 in 5 of those with COVID-19 when they had their stroke were Asian - more than twice the Read more about Asian patients with COVID-19 may be more at risk of stroke

Should people be paid to get a COVID-19 jab?

Publicly released: Fri 6 Nov 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Journal of Medical Ethics

Governments should consider paying people to get a COVID-19 vaccine, according to a UK ethicist. The author says either financial incentives, or 'payment in kind', could be key to ensuring enough people get the vaccine to stamp out the spread of Read more about Should people be paid to get a COVID-19 jab?

EXPERT REACTION: Kiwi kids among the unhealthiest in the world

Publicly released: Fri 6 Nov 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The Lancet

A worldwide study of children aged 5-19 years found that kids in New Zealand are gaining more weight, and becoming less healthy, than many other countries. Researchers analysed data from 200 countries to track trends in height, weight and BMI from Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Kiwi kids among the unhealthiest in the world

COVID immune response different in kids

Publicly released: Fri 6 Nov 2020 at 0800 AEDT | 1000 NZDT

Nature Immunology

Children and adults have different immune responses to COVID-19, according to new research. Scientists in the USA measured the antibody response in 79 patients aged 3 - 84 years. Their findings suggest there are key differences in the way the immune Read more about COVID immune response different in kids

Appetite for change? Global food system jeopardising climate targets

Publicly released: Fri 6 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

Science

New research says our chances of meeting the Paris Agreement's global warming targets are being jeopardised by food production, which is currently responsible for around 30 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions. An international team of Read more about Appetite for change? Global food system jeopardising climate targets

Playing detective on a galactic scale: huge new dataset will solve multiple Milky Way mysteries

Publicly released: Fri 6 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

How do stars destroy lithium? Was a drastic change in the shape of the Milky Way caused by the sudden arrival of millions of stellar stowaways? These are just a couple of the astronomical questions likely to be answered following the release today Read more about Playing detective on a galactic scale: huge new dataset will solve multiple Milky Way mysteries