Construction workers big winners in QLD election spending promises

Publicly released: Fri 30 Oct 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The Greens have promised the moon and costings of the major parties don’t add up, but construction projects stand to benefit the most, according to research conducted into Queensland election campaign promises by the QUT Business School. Read more about Construction workers big winners in QLD election spending promises

U jelly? Aussies scientists fly drones to survey box jellyfish

Publicly released: Fri 30 Oct 2020 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Aussie scientists have taken wildlife surveys into the next century by counting box jellyfish populations along the north Queensland coastline using drones. The team says that previous methods, which involve netting and tallying the critters, are Read more about U jelly? Aussies scientists fly drones to survey box jellyfish

Expect more mega-droughts

Publicly released: Fri 30 Oct 2020 at 0930 AEDT | 1130 NZDT

Scientific Reports

Mega-droughts – droughts that last two decades or longer – are tipped to increase thanks to climate change, according to University of Queensland-led research. Read more about Expect more mega-droughts

Supermarket staff could pose risk of COVID-19 spread

Publicly released: Fri 30 Oct 2020 at 0930 AEDT | 1130 NZDT

Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Supermarket workers are more likely to test positive for COVID-19 than the local community, according to new research. In a sample of over 100 essential workers at a grocery store in the USA, 20 per cent tested positive for the coronavirus, with Read more about Supermarket staff could pose risk of COVID-19 spread

Wash, rinse, repeat: your clothes might last longer than you think

Publicly released: Fri 30 Oct 2020 at 0845 AEDT | 1045 NZDT

Sustainability

Researchers at the University of Otago have tested whether a t-shirt's price predicts how long it will survive your laundry regime. The team washed a selection of black t-shirts from five Kiwi brands and asked a group of young women about their Read more about Wash, rinse, repeat: your clothes might last longer than you think

Three cheers for ginger beers

Publicly released: Fri 30 Oct 2020 at 0834 AEDT | 1034 NZDT

Fermentation

Researchers at the University of Otago have reviewed the health benefits of ginger beer, saying that use of natural ginger extract could "promote wellbeing". While the use of artificial ingredients can undermine the health benefits of natural ginger, Read more about Three cheers for ginger beers

Vitamin C could help treat COVID-19

Publicly released: Fri 30 Oct 2020 at 0800 AEDT | 1000 NZDT

Nutrients

After reviewing the evidence on vitamin C as a COVID-19 treatment, a University of Otago researcher says it could help those with low levels of the vitamin in their body, and those with severe infections. The author highlights the randomized Read more about Vitamin C could help treat COVID-19

Wearable sensors help spot COVID-19 infections

Publicly released: Fri 30 Oct 2020 at 0746 AEDT | 0946 NZDT

Nature Medicine

Data gathered from smartwatches and activity trackers can help determine whether or not someone with symptoms has COVID-19. Researchers in the USA developed a smartphone app that collected wearable sensor data, and combined this information with self Read more about Wearable sensors help spot COVID-19 infections

'Waves' of misinformation precede spikes of COVID-19

Publicly released: Fri 30 Oct 2020 at 0715 AEDT | 0915 NZDT

Nature Human Behaviour

Analysis of over 100 million Tweets from around the world suggests that the spread of unreliable information about COVID-19 preceded the rise of infections at the start of 2020. Researchers in Italy have studied the social media messages from Read more about 'Waves' of misinformation precede spikes of COVID-19

Sleepyheads still team players

Publicly released: Fri 30 Oct 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

PLOS ONE

New research from University of Canterbury economists suggests sleep-deprived people are still helpful when it comes to financial contributions. The team of economists tested a financial cooperation game on two groups of students: one well rested Read more about Sleepyheads still team players