Microplastics almost universally found in marine mammals

Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 1526 AEDT | 1726 NZDT

Environmental Pollution

Researchers are consistently finding microplastics inside marine mammals such as whales, dolphins, and seals, according to a first-of-its-kind review of the scientific literature. Of the 30 studies reviewed, only one did not report finding Read more about Microplastics almost universally found in marine mammals

Head set over head phone: cancelling out unnecessary and unwanted noise

Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 1515 AEDT | 1715 NZDT

Scientific Reports

Researchers from the Centre for Audio, Acoustics and Vibration at the University of Technology Sydney are exploring technology for those wanting a quieter life! By integrating laser-based technology – which can deal with high frequencies – into Read more about Head set over head phone: cancelling out unnecessary and unwanted noise

Divorce conflict linked to lower mental health

Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 1500 AEDT | 1700 NZDT

Frontiers in Psychology

High levels of conflict during a divorce are linked to lower mental health in recent divorcees, according to new research. Scientists in Denmark studied over 1800 people who had been through a rapid divorce process, and found that the mental and Read more about Divorce conflict linked to lower mental health

The challenge of communicating disaster risks examined

Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 1358 AEDT | 1558 NZDT

Progress in Disaster Science

How do we successfully communicate risk before and during a disaster? An international author team, which includes former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, writes in an editorial about the importance of communicating risk early, the constant Read more about The challenge of communicating disaster risks examined

Views on Waitangi Day may not be as divisive as some think

Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 1238 AEDT | 1438 NZDT

Journal of Intercultural Relations

Data pulled from the 2015 New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study show most Māori and Pākehā support (51%) rather than oppose (8%) Waitangi Day as a national celebration of biculturalism. The team found that age, among other factors, was a key Read more about Views on Waitangi Day may not be as divisive as some think

Childhood dementia - insights from the eyes

Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 1230 AEDT | 1430 NZDT

Acta Neuropathologica Communications

Is the eye a window to the brain in Sanfilippo syndrome, an untreatable form of childhood-onset dementia, Australian researchers ask in a new publication. The findings of the NHMRC-funded project, just published in international journal Acta Read more about Childhood dementia - insights from the eyes

Perth’s Aboriginal babies show first signs of ear disease at just eight weeks

Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 1130 AEDT | 1330 NZDT

Deafness and Educational International

Telethon Kids Institute researchers have found close to 40 per cent of Aboriginal babies begin to develop middle ear infections between two and four months of age in a first of its kind study in metropolitan Perth. By six – eight months this Read more about Perth’s Aboriginal babies show first signs of ear disease at just eight weeks

Children's Word of the Year - 'virus'

Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 1130 AEDT | 1330 NZDT

Three million Australian schoolchildren’s most-used words in a writing exercise give valuable insights into the minds of school-aged children during the COVID-19 pandemic. After a disrupted school year of remote learning and virtual classrooms Read more about Children's Word of the Year - 'virus'

Getting a grip on better health

Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

Nature and Science of Sleep

Men with muscles like a young Arnold Schwarzenegger or a top weightlifter look powerful but a handshake will give away whether they’re a healthy specimen – or at risk of a chronic disease or premature ageing, experts say. Medical researchers in Read more about Getting a grip on better health

VR headsets and hypnosis may help distract patients undergoing medical procedures

Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 1001 AEDT | 1201 NZDT

Euroanaesthesia congress

Virtual reality headsets or medical hypnosis may help with pain and anxiety in patients undergoing short but painful medical procedures, according to Belgian scientists. They split 104 patients undergoing procedures into three groups. All received Read more about VR headsets and hypnosis may help distract patients undergoing medical procedures