80 year old WA snapper is the world's oldest tropical reef fish

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 1222 AEDT | 1422 NZDT

Coral Reefs

An 81-year-old midnight snapper caught off the coast of Western Australia has taken the title of the oldest tropical reef fish recorded anywhere in the world. The octogenarian fish was found at the Rowley Shoals—about 300km west of Broome—and Read more about 80 year old WA snapper is the world's oldest tropical reef fish

SARS-CoV-2 might enter the brain through your nose

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 1201 AEDT | 1401 NZDT

Nature Neuroscience

SARS-CoV-2 might enter the brain of people through the nose, according to an autopsy study which may help explain the neurological symptoms such as loss of smell, taste, headache, fatigue and nausea. Previous research had described the presence of Read more about SARS-CoV-2 might enter the brain through your nose

EXPERT REACTION: Moderna vaccine reports 100% efficacy against severe COVID

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

Overnight, Moderna has reported further results of their Phase 3 COVID vaccine study. The results, based on 30,000 participants, included 196 cases of COVID-19, of which 30 cases were severe. According to the company, the vaccine's efficacy was 94. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Moderna vaccine reports 100% efficacy against severe COVID

Sheep and beef farms hold a quarter of NZ’s native vegetation

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 1007 AEDT | 1207 NZDT

New Zealand Journal of Ecology

New Zealand researchers have mapped out an estimate of where native plants and forests are dispersed throughout the country, finding that sheep and beef farms contain 17 per cent of the country’s remaining native forest and a quarter of the Read more about Sheep and beef farms hold a quarter of NZ’s native vegetation

NEWS BRIEFING: Hayabusa2 capsule set to land on Aussie soil with space rocks on board

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

FULL BRIEFING RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE While food delivery services have been getting a good workout over the past year, space nerds around the world have eagerly awaited a different kind of package. Hayabusa2 is set for another milestone in its Read more about NEWS BRIEFING: Hayabusa2 capsule set to land on Aussie soil with space rocks on board

Pets, touch and COVID-19: why our furry friends are lifesavers

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

Journal of Behavioral Economics for Policy

A new study published by University of South Australia researchers points to the lifesaving role that pets have played in 2020 and why governments need to sit up and take notice. Read more about Pets, touch and COVID-19: why our furry friends are lifesavers

Some primary school-aged children self-harm, as experts call for earlier intervention

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

PLOS ONE

New research reveals that some primary school-aged children have self-harmed, prompting calls for intervention efforts to start earlier. Read more about Some primary school-aged children self-harm, as experts call for earlier intervention

Dream a COVID dream: Pandemic stress continues in our sleep

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS One

The mental suffering we experience during the COVID-19 pandemic is chasing us in our dreams, according to Brazilian researchers. The researchers used language processing tools to analyse 239 dream reports by 67 people made before or during the Read more about Dream a COVID dream: Pandemic stress continues in our sleep

The ‘smell’ of coral as an indicator of reef health

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

Global Change Biology

What do corals smell like? How does that smell change during heat stress? And what critical functions do smells perform? With further coral bleaching forecast for 2021, a study conducted in the southern Great Barrier Reef is the first to explore the Read more about The ‘smell’ of coral as an indicator of reef health

Online alcohol delivery linked to heavier drinking during lockdown

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Drug and Alcohol Review

Kiwis who purchased booze online during lockdown were linked to much higher odds of heavier drinking (defined as having six or more drinks during one occasion) compared to those who bought their drinks at the supermarket. The findings come from a Read more about Online alcohol delivery linked to heavier drinking during lockdown