Even low doses of anti-inflammatory steroids may increase risk of heart disease

Publicly released: Fri 4 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS Medicine

Taking low doses of glucosteroids may double the risk of cardiovascular disease, according to new research. Glucosteroids are widely used as treatments for inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. While it's known that high doses may Read more about Even low doses of anti-inflammatory steroids may increase risk of heart disease

Why does COVID-19 affect some animals, but not others?

Publicly released: Fri 4 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS Computational Biology

Some animals are more susceptible to COVID-19 than others, and new international research suggests this may be due to distinctive structural features of a protein found on the surface of animal cells. Using computer modelling, the researchers Read more about Why does COVID-19 affect some animals, but not others?

Many challenges hinder Māori to realise their aspirations for native forestry on their land

Publicly released: Fri 4 Dec 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

High costs and restrictive governance are just some of the roadblocks that stop Māori landowners from establishing native forestry on their land. A new research paper by Motu Economic and Public Policy Research explores the decision-making Read more about Many challenges hinder Māori to realise their aspirations for native forestry on their land

Getting fired during a pandemic could break your heart

Publicly released: Fri 4 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

New Zealand Medical Journal

New Zealand researchers discuss how the economic downturn of this year’s pandemic may cause an uptick in heart disease. The international research they reviewed suggested a link between unemployment from economic shocks and increased Read more about Getting fired during a pandemic could break your heart

Threatened Species Index of Australia: 2020 results show staggering loss of threatened native plants over 20 years

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 1500 AEDT | 1700 NZDT

Ecological Society of Australia Conference 2020

In just over two decades (1995-2017) numbers of Australian threatened plants have decreased by more than 70% on average. The findings come from Australia’s Threatened Species Index which combines data from hundreds of monitoring programs across Read more about Threatened Species Index of Australia: 2020 results show staggering loss of threatened native plants over 20 years

Pilot whale study reveals copycat calls to outsmart predators

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 1415 AEDT | 1615 NZDT

Scientific Reports

New Curtin University research has found southern Australian long-finned pilot whales are able to mimic the calls of its natural predator and food rival – the killer whale, as a possible ploy to outsmart it. Read more about Pilot whale study reveals copycat calls to outsmart predators

Getting the handle on hangovers

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 1400 AEDT | 1600 NZDT

Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental.

How hangovers affect different people is not easy to predict according to a new Griffith University study. The study involved 21 participants (aged between 20 and 32), who completed two identical trials involving the consumption of 8-10 standard Read more about Getting the handle on hangovers

What is the effect of droughts on economic outcomes of livestock farms?

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 1338 AEDT | 1538 NZDT

In one of the first studies of its kind, a new paper by Motu Research investigates the impact of droughts on livestock farm enterprises by linking financial, agricultural and productivity data with historical weather data. Read more about What is the effect of droughts on economic outcomes of livestock farms?

EXPERT REACTION: Aussies likely to start COVID-19 vaccinations in March after UK approves Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 1229 AEDT | 1429 NZDT

Health Minister Greg Hunt has today confirmed Australia is expecting to begin vaccinations in March 2021. This follows the news from the UK overnight that they have approved the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID vaccine for emergency use. Below, Australian Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Aussies likely to start COVID-19 vaccinations in March after UK approves Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine

Money won't save countries from climate change health harms

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The Lancet

Every country, no matter how wealthy, will suffer health impacts from worsening climate change, according to the 2020 report of The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change. Heat-related deaths among the elderly, more burns and lung damage from Read more about Money won't save countries from climate change health harms