Fiji's vaccine program reduces childhood death and illness

Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 0101 AEDT | 0301 NZDT

The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific

Fiji’s national vaccine program against pneumonia, a serious lung condition, and rotavirus, a common disease which causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting, has reduced illness and death, new research shows. Read more about Fiji's vaccine program reduces childhood death and illness

1 in 4 drowning deaths off Aussie beaches are in young men

Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Injury Prevention

Young men make up a quarter of drowning deaths off Aussie beaches, and researchers say the data suggests they may be overestimating their swimming ability or engaging in risky behaviour like jumping into the water without precaution. The study Read more about 1 in 4 drowning deaths off Aussie beaches are in young men

Survival protein may prevent collateral damage during cancer therapy

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 2200 AEDT | Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 0000 NZDT

EMBO Journal

WEHI researchers have identified a protein that could protect the kidneys from ‘bystander’ damage caused by cancer therapies. The ‘cell survival protein’, called BCL-XL, was required in laboratory models to keep kidney cells alive and Read more about Survival protein may prevent collateral damage during cancer therapy

New therapy to target the spread of bowel cancer

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 1645 AEDT | 1845 NZDT

Gastroenterology

For the first time, SAHMRI and University of Adelaide researchers are investigating gene therapy as an option to help people with metastatic bowel cancer. Read more about New therapy to target the spread of bowel cancer

New plant-based gel to fast-track 'mini-organs' growth, improve cancer treatment

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 1200 AEDT | 1400 NZDT

Advanced Science

Monash University researchers have created the world’s first bioactive plant-based nanocellulose hydrogel to support organoid growth for biomedical applications. This includes cancer development and treatment, and for COVID-19. Read more about New plant-based gel to fast-track 'mini-organs' growth, improve cancer treatment

Little megalodons were raised in nurseries

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Biology Letters

Spanish and UK scientists say megalodons (Otodus megalodon), the enormous, extinct relatives of modern sharks, may have raised their young in nurseries. They examined nine areas where megalodon remains have been found, and say five may have been Read more about Little megalodons were raised in nurseries

Westland petrels fly to the beat of their own drum

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Royal Society Open Science

Unlike its close seabird relatives, the Westland petrel breeds in the winter, takes a co-ed approach to foraging, and doesn’t have to go far to eat. Researchers used tracking data to study almost 30 adult Westland petrels, which live on the west Read more about Westland petrels fly to the beat of their own drum

Young hihi cave to peer pressure

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society B

When it’s time for a young animal to be more independent, does it keep the skills it learned from its parents or does it follow what its peers are doing? Researchers studied New Zealand’s own hihi for clues into this question, keeping an eye on Read more about Young hihi cave to peer pressure

Malaria-spreading mosquito bites come later

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

The first mosquito bites are less likely to be the ones that spread malaria, according to new research. Using birds in a lab experiment, researchers found that the amount of parasites within the mosquito tripled between the mosquito’s first and Read more about Malaria-spreading mosquito bites come later

Identifying a zapped bug from its smell

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Open Biology

For some, summer comes with the familiar smell of an insect when it hits a ‘zapper', but researchers say that unique odour could hold insights to help identify the bug. Researchers analysed the molecules of the burnt smell that came from different Read more about Identifying a zapped bug from its smell