Learning a new language recruits the right side of the brain

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

JNeurosci

In most people, language relies on the brain's left hemisphere, but the right hemisphere may chip in to help you understand when you learn a language later in life, according to Spanish researchers. They scanned the brains of adults while they read, Read more about Learning a new language recruits the right side of the brain

Overcrowded nursing homes hit much harder by COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Internal Medicine

Data from 623 nursing homes in Ontario, Canada suggest crowded homes were more likely to experience larger and deadlier COVID-19 outbreaks, according to Canadian researchers. Overcrowding was determined based on the number of residents per bedroom Read more about Overcrowded nursing homes hit much harder by COVID-19

We just added over 12,000 new species to the list of Earth's bacteria

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Biotechnology

Australian scientists have helped boost what we know about the bacteria that live on and around us by deciphering the DNA of over 12,000 new species from 52,000 environmental DNA samples. The samples were previously taken from oceans, soil, animals Read more about We just added over 12,000 new species to the list of Earth's bacteria

Hominin cranium discovery opens unparalleled window into human microevolutionary history

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Ecology & Evolution

Palaeoanthropologists have discovered a two-million-year-old adult hominin skull – the earliest known and best preserved Paranthropus robustus specimen ever found. Read more about Hominin cranium discovery opens unparalleled window into human microevolutionary history

Jupiter may have a glow-in-the-dark moon

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Astronomy

The night side of Jupiter’s moon Europa might glow visibly, according to lab simulations. Researchers in NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory simulated the impact of space radiation on the surface of Europa using salted ice, which gave off a greenish Read more about Jupiter may have a glow-in-the-dark moon

Yet another trial finds hydroxychloroquine doesn't treat COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA

A randomised controlled trial of hydroxychloroquine has once again found the treatment did not significantly improve the outcome of patients hospitalised with COVID-19. The study compared the effects of hydroxychloroquine versus a placebo on almost Read more about Yet another trial finds hydroxychloroquine doesn't treat COVID-19

New cancer drugs have helped save more than a million Americans over the last 16 years

Publicly released: Mon 9 Nov 2020 at 1601 AEDT | 1801 NZDT

Journal of Medical Economics

More than 1. 2 million lives were saved between 2000 and 2016 in the US alone thanks in part to new cancer drugs, according to US researchers, including a scientist from drug manufacturer Pfizer Inc. , which also funded the study. They say 106 new Read more about New cancer drugs have helped save more than a million Americans over the last 16 years

Immune system discovery could lead to better treatments and vaccines

Publicly released: Mon 9 Nov 2020 at 1514 AEDT | 1714 NZDT

Nature Communications

New Zealand researchers have discovered a single type of cell found on the skin could be involved in causing a number of allergies and autoimmune disorders. The researchers say the discovery - although in mice - could allow for more targeted allergy Read more about Immune system discovery could lead to better treatments and vaccines

Autism CRC publishes landmark report on evidence for autism interventions

Publicly released: Mon 9 Nov 2020 at 1400 AEDT | 1600 NZDT

Autism CRC has today published a landmark report for families, clinicians, researchers and policy makers, which synthesises the best available high-quality evidence about interventions for children on the autism spectrum aged up to 12 years. The Read more about Autism CRC publishes landmark report on evidence for autism interventions

1000 Discoveries from Plant Energy Biology

Publicly released: Mon 9 Nov 2020 at 1200 AEDT | 1400 NZDT

In 2020, a world leading Australian plant research Centre hit a milestone 1000 publications. To celebrate, the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology are recounting some of their biggest, weirdest, most impactful and most surprising Read more about 1000 Discoveries from Plant Energy Biology