More midwives could save millions of lives

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The Lancet Global Health

Increasing the number of midwives and their level of care could reduce birth-related deaths by two thirds in low and middle income countries over the next 15 years. Too few midwives, along with poor training and support, result in inadequate care Read more about More midwives could save millions of lives

Targets for avoidable sight loss ‘not being met’: 30-year study finds

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The Lancet Global Health

A new global study has found no significant reduction in the number of people with treatable sight loss since 2010. Published in The Lancet Global Health, it examined population-based surveys of eye disease worldwide from 1980 and found public Read more about Targets for avoidable sight loss ‘not being met’: 30-year study finds

Don't drink the hand sanitiser - it can kill

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

BMJ Evidence Based Medicine

You might think it goes without saying, but two deaths identified in UK coroners’ reports are a reminder to all of us not to swallow alcohol-based hand sanitiser. The report also refers to an Australian case where a six year old was diagnosed Read more about Don't drink the hand sanitiser - it can kill

Swift action needed to help critically endangered parrot

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

Animal Conversation

There could be fewer than 300 swift parrots left in the wild, according to new research from The Australian National University (ANU). Read more about Swift action needed to help critically endangered parrot

Using forests to limit global warming to 1.5°C may cost more than $500bn

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Communications

US scientists have estimated the cost of using forestry to reduce greenhouse gas emissions enough to limit global warming to 1. 5°C, and say it's likely to be around US$393bn (roughly AU$535bn). For this cost, forest management activities could Read more about Using forests to limit global warming to 1.5°C may cost more than $500bn

EXPERT REACTION: Māori and Pacific academics paid and promoted less

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

MAI Journal

New research finds a substantial pay gap and significantly lower chance of promotion for Māori and Pacific academics in New Zealand universities compared to their other colleagues. Māori and Pacific women are the most impacted, with a $7,700 pay Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Māori and Pacific academics paid and promoted less

Cannabidiol (CBD) in cannabis does not impair driving, landmark study shows

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)

New research shows from the Lambert Initiative at the University of Sydney shows that cannabidiol is safe for driving and the intoxicating effects of THC in cannabis fade in hours. The results have big implications for regulation of medical cannabis Read more about Cannabidiol (CBD) in cannabis does not impair driving, landmark study shows

Differences in immunity and blood vessels likely protect children from severe COVID-19

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 0005 AEDT | 0205 NZDT

Archives of Disease in Childhood

Differences in the immune systems and better blood vessel health were among the factors protecting children from severe COVID-19, according to a new review. Read more about Differences in immunity and blood vessels likely protect children from severe COVID-19

Pumping a nanoparticle to lase at low power

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 2100 AEDT | 2300 NZDT

Nature Communications

A laser pointer small enough to get inside a cancer cell and stop its "engine"? The stuff of science fiction? Scientists working at the nanoscale are chipping away at how to build miniature laser devices capable of intracellular bio-imaging and Read more about Pumping a nanoparticle to lase at low power

There’s a fungus among us: Deadly fungal disease could threaten Australia’s iconic lizards

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 2100 AEDT | 2300 NZDT

Scientific Reports

A team of scientists have today announced the discovery of a deadly fungal disease affecting wild lizards across Australia. The condition, referred to as ‘Yellow Fungus Disease’, is dreaded by captive reptile keepers across the globe, who know Read more about There’s a fungus among us: Deadly fungal disease could threaten Australia’s iconic lizards