Nature’s 10 people who helped shape the science stories of 2020

Publicly released: Wed 16 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature

Nature has released its annual list of 10 people who played a big part in the science stories of the year. The list focuses on COVID-19, highlighting the roles of: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization; Read more about Nature’s 10 people who helped shape the science stories of 2020

Combined probiotics use may help reduce pre-term infant mortality

Publicly released: Tue 15 Dec 2020 at 1601 AEDT | 1801 NZDT

Pediatrics

The combined use of probiotic and prebiotic supplementation may reduce the mortality rate of preterm infants if given in their first few months of life, a Griffith University study has found. Using advanced big data analysis to identify specific Read more about Combined probiotics use may help reduce pre-term infant mortality

Bacteria in the mouth linked to risk of non-smokers getting lung cancer

Publicly released: Tue 15 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Thorax

Fewer types of bacteria and high numbers of particular types in the mouth may make non-smokers more likely to develop lung cancer, according to US and Chinese scientists. The researchers compared the mouth bacteria of 114 non-smokers with lung Read more about Bacteria in the mouth linked to risk of non-smokers getting lung cancer

Study of 1.3 million people reveals the devastating impact and hidden danger of type 2 diabetes diagnosis in younger adults

Publicly released: Tue 15 Dec 2020 at 1001 AEDT | 1201 NZDT

Diabetologia

Type 2 diabetes is often thought of as a problem that is part of getting older, but new Aussie led research shows that being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes at a younger, rather than older, age is linked to a higher risk of mortality and Read more about Study of 1.3 million people reveals the devastating impact and hidden danger of type 2 diabetes diagnosis in younger adults

Survivors of child abuse twice as likely to die young

Publicly released: Tue 15 Dec 2020 at 0842 AEDT | 1042 NZDT

Pediatrics

A study by the University of South Australia has found that survivors of child abuse are more than twice as likely to die young than children who have never come to the attention of child protection services. Globally the statistics are daunting. Read more about Survivors of child abuse twice as likely to die young

Hallucinations induced in lab could be key to better understanding and treatment

Publicly released: Tue 15 Dec 2020 at 0717 AEDT | 0917 NZDT

Philosophical Transactions B

Neuroscientists say the best way to study hallucinations is via lab models where they can be induced in anyone, anytime. Inducing hallucinations in the general population using visual stimulation procedures works similarly to illusions, and enables Read more about Hallucinations induced in lab could be key to better understanding and treatment

Climate change threatens sustainability of Tītī

Publicly released: Tue 15 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLoS ONE

New NZ research has aimed to identify why Tītī populations (also known as the Sooty shearwater or mutton bird) have been in decline since the 1960s. Researchers looked at data from 1976 until 2005, finding that no single factor appeared to Read more about Climate change threatens sustainability of Tītī

Young Right-Wingers don't like to play by the COVID rules

Publicly released: Tue 15 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Internal Medicine

Republican-oriented young adults in the US have a tendency to not obey social-distancing rules, and were more likely to participate in social recreational activities than their Centre- or Left-leaning peers, say US researchers. The team surveyed Read more about Young Right-Wingers don't like to play by the COVID rules

Isolating at home risks spreading COVID-19 to your family

Publicly released: Tue 15 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

US scientists say there's a high risk of spreading COVID-19 to others in your household while isolating at home following a diagnosis, especially if you're showing symptoms of the disease. They brought together the data from 54 previous studies, Read more about Isolating at home risks spreading COVID-19 to your family

Digital solutions may aid athletes’ mental health

Publicly released: Tue 15 Dec 2020 at 0245 AEDT | 0445 NZDT

JMIR Formative Research

Elite athletes are an at-risk population for mental health problems but Griffith University researchers found they display a resilience which helps them to positively adjust after a period of overwhelming stress. After analysing available literature Read more about Digital solutions may aid athletes’ mental health