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

Ultra-marathoners have tougher minds than other athletes

Publicly released: Thu 5 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Ultra-marathoners push themselves through gruelling 100-mile endurance runs, and Aussie and UK researchers believe they stick it out because their minds are tougher than the rest of us normal-marathon plebs. The team examined whether mental Read more about Ultra-marathoners have tougher minds than other athletes

Bronze Age travel routes revealed using pioneering research method

Publicly released: Thu 5 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Archaeologists from the University of Sydney have reconstructed the ancient seasonal migration routes of Bronze Age herders in Xinjiang, north-western China. Their research was the result of innovative methodology. To determine snow cover and Read more about Bronze Age travel routes revealed using pioneering research method

Deep sea DNA can tell us what's lurking down in the depths

Publicly released: Thu 5 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS One

Trying to figure out which fish are swimming around in the deep sea isn't easy, but researchers have found a new way – by testing for fish DNA in seawater samples. Keeping an eye on fish populations is important for managing fisheries and studying Read more about Deep sea DNA can tell us what's lurking down in the depths

Expert Reaction: Mental health impacts of NZ lockdown revealed

Publicly released: Thu 5 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

New Zealand's lockdown reduced wellbeing - particularly among young adults - according to a survey of 2000 Kiwis taken in April 2020. Researchers at the University of Otago found that almost 40 per cent reported low wellbeing, and about one third Read more about Expert Reaction: Mental health impacts of NZ lockdown revealed

Those who pitch together, publish together: funding schemes could impact how Kiwi science evolves

Publicly released: Thu 5 Nov 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

A new study suggests that science funding schemes can impact how researchers work together in New Zealand. Researchers at Motu Economic, the Royal Society Te Apārangi and the University of Auckland investigated whether researchers who collaborate Read more about Those who pitch together, publish together: funding schemes could impact how Kiwi science evolves