EXPERT REACTION: The US formally withdraws from the Paris Agreement

Publicly released: Thu 5 Nov 2020 at 1600 AEDT | 1800 NZDT

It has been reported that the US has become the first nation in the world to formally withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. The Trump Administration announced the move in June 2017, but UN regulations meant that his decision only takes effect Read more about EXPERT REACTION: The US formally withdraws from the Paris Agreement

EXPERT REACTION: Australia secures two new potential coronavirus vaccines

Publicly released: Thu 5 Nov 2020 at 1522 AEDT | 1722 NZDT

It has just been reported that the Federal Government announced two more potential coronavirus vaccines have been secured for Australia. Australia will get 40 million doses of the vaccine being developed by biotechnology company Novavax, and 10 Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Australia secures two new potential coronavirus vaccines

Earthquake video game boosts disaster risk awareness

Publicly released: Thu 5 Nov 2020 at 1313 AEDT | 1513 NZDT

International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction

Researchers in Auckland have studied the use of the Quake Safe House video game at Te Papa museum in Wellington and Quake City in Christchurch. The team interviewed a group of 22 international visitors to the museums to ask them about their Read more about Earthquake video game boosts disaster risk awareness

New understanding of how proteins operate

Publicly released: Thu 5 Nov 2020 at 1305 AEDT | 1505 NZDT

Nature Communications

A discovery by Centenary Institute scientists has provided new understanding as to the nature of proteins and how they exist and operate in the human body. The key finding–the changing state of a protein’s structural bonds–is likely to have Read more about New understanding of how proteins operate

Social media can guide public pandemic policy

Publicly released: Thu 5 Nov 2020 at 1253 AEDT | 1453 NZDT

Health Information Science and Systems

As global cases of COVID-19 fast approach 50 million, a team of QUT researchers examined more than 35,000 tweets and say social media analytics can capture the attitudes and perceptions of the public during a pandemic. They also suggest social media Read more about Social media can guide public pandemic policy

AI no better than traditional methods for predicting health risks

Publicly released: Thu 5 Nov 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The BMJ

Machine learning models have similar performance to traditional statistical models, and share similar uncertainty in predicting health risks for patients, according to UK and Dutch researchers. Some previous studies have suggested machine learning Read more about AI no better than traditional methods for predicting health risks

Exposure to high temperatures may increase risk of poor pregnancy outcomes

Publicly released: Thu 5 Nov 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The BMJ

Pregnant women exposed to high temperatures are more likely to experience preterm birth and stillbirth, especially women in lower socioeconomic groups, according to international scientists, including Australians, who analysed 70 studies from 27 Read more about Exposure to high temperatures may increase risk of poor pregnancy outcomes

Every month delayed in cancer treatment can raise risk of death by around 10%

Publicly released: Thu 5 Nov 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

BMJ

Delaying your cancer treatment by even a month may increase your risk of dying, say UK and Canadian researchers, who add that this risk increases the longer you wait. The team reviewed research on different forms of cancer intervention for seven Read more about Every month delayed in cancer treatment can raise risk of death by around 10%

I quit sugar: making biofactories that run on waste

Publicly released: Thu 5 Nov 2020 at 0841 AEDT | 1041 NZDT

Nature Communications

Macquarie University research, funded by the CSIRO Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform, has found a way to use waste products as yeast feed. This exciting discovery opens up the possibility of fuelling biofactories without devoting arable land Read more about I quit sugar: making biofactories that run on waste

EXPERT REACTION: Māori diabetes patients missing out on key medicine

Publicly released: Thu 5 Nov 2020 at 0800 AEDT | 1000 NZDT

Journal of Primary Health Care

University of Waikato researchers have found Māori patients receive fewer prescriptions for a common diabetes medication than non-Māori patients, and may have worse health as a result. The researchers studied three measures to assess the use of Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Māori diabetes patients missing out on key medicine