Young people bear the brunt of pandemic mental health issues

Publicly released: Thu 29 Oct 2020 at 1516 AEDT | 1716 NZDT

Public Health

Young people are at greater risk of depression and anxiety in lockdown than older adults, according to new research. A study in the UK has found that 84 per cent of people aged 18-24 years reported symptoms of depression, and 72 per cent reported Read more about Young people bear the brunt of pandemic mental health issues

Childhood upbringing linked to pandemic stockpiling

Publicly released: Thu 29 Oct 2020 at 1421 AEDT | 1621 NZDT

Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services

Kiwi researchers have investigated the factors which influence stockpiling behaviour in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their results suggest that the design of public health campaigns can impact the level of threat people feel from the virus, Read more about Childhood upbringing linked to pandemic stockpiling

Cut chores and kill chill time: new advice to boost children’s academic achievement

Publicly released: Thu 29 Oct 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Health Education & Behavior

Determining a child’s best daily balance of sleep, activity and relaxation can be a challenge, but if you’re hoping to improve their academic results, then it’s time to cut back on chores and chill time, according to new research from the Read more about Cut chores and kill chill time: new advice to boost children’s academic achievement

Researchers reveal the origins of merging black holes

Publicly released: Thu 29 Oct 2020 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

Researchers have announced a series of discoveries providing some of the first hints as to the origin of black hole mergers. Read more about Researchers reveal the origins of merging black holes

Smart solution to detect seafood spoilage

Publicly released: Thu 29 Oct 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Food Chemistry

Existing methods for detecting seafood spoilage are far from satisfactory for ensuring food safety and security. To solve this problem, Flinders University researchers have constructed and tested a solid-state fluorescent sensor loaded on filter Read more about Smart solution to detect seafood spoilage

Severe form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease linked to a strain of mouth bacteria

Publicly released: Thu 29 Oct 2020 at 0800 AEDT | 1000 NZDT

Microbial Genomics

Bacteria from the mouth could hold clues to understanding – and potentially treating – severe ulcerative colitis, a painful bowel disease. Read more about Severe form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease linked to a strain of mouth bacteria

Small brain device proves big game changer for severely paralysed patients

Publicly released: Thu 29 Oct 2020 at 0730 AEDT | 0930 NZDT

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery

A tiny device the size of a small paperclip has been shown to help patients with upper limb paralysis to text, email and even shop online in the first human trial. Read more about Small brain device proves big game changer for severely paralysed patients

CSIRO dishes up convenient low carb meals

Publicly released: Thu 29 Oct 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, is partnering with Australian food manufacturers and retailers to make it easier for time-poor Australians to choose nutritious ready meals consistent with the successful CSIRO Low Carb Diet and Read more about CSIRO dishes up convenient low carb meals

Koala hotspot populations on NSW North Coast in long-term decline

Publicly released: Thu 29 Oct 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

PLOS ONE

New research from Western Sydney University has analysed close to three decades of data from Port Stephens, Port Macquarie and Lismore — major koala hotspots in New South Wales — to find populations have steadily declined, with disease the most Read more about Koala hotspot populations on NSW North Coast in long-term decline

A bumpy landing reveals a duck-shaped comet's soft-serve heart

Publicly released: Thu 29 Oct 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature

The lander Philae touched down on the duck-shaped comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko back in 2014 but it was not a smooth landing, and it bounced twice on touchdown before coming to rest. Although the first and third landing points were identified Read more about A bumpy landing reveals a duck-shaped comet's soft-serve heart

Multiscreening may muddle your memory

Publicly released: Thu 29 Oct 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature

How many of you pull out your phones while binging Netflix? Well, US researchers say that may be bad for your memory after they found a link between 'multiscreening' and an increase in being forgetful. The team say a group of young adults were more Read more about Multiscreening may muddle your memory

Researchers call for policy shift to focus on middle years of schooling

Publicly released: Thu 29 Oct 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Academic Pediatrics

A significant number of students in the middle school years across Australia have emotional and behavioural problems and experience high rates of bullying that can negatively affect their long-term health and learning, according to a new policy Read more about Researchers call for policy shift to focus on middle years of schooling

Prime Minister's prizes celebrate the best of science

Publicly released: Wed 28 Oct 2020 at 1900 AEDT | 2100 NZDT

A team that was instrumental in the world-first detection of gravitational waves has won this year’s Prime Minister’s Prize for Science. Emeritus Professor David Blair, Professor David McClelland, Professor Susan Scott and Professor Peter Veitch Read more about Prime Minister's prizes celebrate the best of science

The future is now: long-term research shows ocean acidification ramping up on the Reef

Publicly released: Wed 28 Oct 2020 at 1430 AEDT | 1630 NZDT

Scientific Reports

A new study has shown ocean acidification is no longer a sombre forecast for the Great Barrier Reef but a present-day reality. The study shows seawater carbon dioxide on the Reef has risen 6 per cent in ten years, matching the rate of carbon Read more about The future is now: long-term research shows ocean acidification ramping up on the Reef

'Extremely large' number of volunteers needed for COVID-19 vaccine

Publicly released: Wed 28 Oct 2020 at 1326 AEDT | 1526 NZDT

The Lancet Infectious Diseases

International scientists have identified key challenges in producing a COVID-19 vaccine in a new research review. They say that an "extremely large" number of volunteers are needed in a clinical trial to get a reliable measure of how effectively a Read more about 'Extremely large' number of volunteers needed for COVID-19 vaccine

Renewable energy targets can undermine sustainable intentions

Publicly released: Wed 28 Oct 2020 at 1230 AEDT | 1430 NZDT

Nature Climate Change

Renewable energy targets (RETs) may be too blunt a tool for ensuring a sustainable future, according to University of Queensland-led research. PhD candidate Scott Spillias, from UQ’s School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, said that, while Read more about Renewable energy targets can undermine sustainable intentions

Baby girls who do not live with both parents may be at higher risk of early puberty

Publicly released: Wed 28 Oct 2020 at 1200 AEDT | 1400 NZDT

BMC Pediatrics

Girls who do not live with both parents from birth to age two may be at higher risk of starting puberty at a younger age than girls living with both parents, research from the US suggests. The authors say their findings support the hypothesis that Read more about Baby girls who do not live with both parents may be at higher risk of early puberty

Speaking a Pacific language may help new mums

Publicly released: Wed 28 Oct 2020 at 1146 AEDT | 1346 NZDT

Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health

Maintaining Pacific identity through language may decrease the likelihood of mental health issues for new mothers, according to a study of over 1200 Pacific women living in NZ. Two years after giving birth, 5 per cent of English-and-Pacific speaking Read more about Speaking a Pacific language may help new mums

Microplastics put coral damselfish in distress

Publicly released: Wed 28 Oct 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society B

Microplastic exposure may have a greater impact on fish survival and behaviour than the degradation of their coral reef habitat, according to Australian research. The researchers raised damselfish in microplastic polluted waters then placed them on Read more about Microplastics put coral damselfish in distress

Australia is a major source of shark fins for soup

Publicly released: Wed 28 Oct 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Biology Letters

The unsustainable trade in shark fin soup depends heavily on coastal shark species dwelling in more easily protected territorial waters, including those off the coast of Australia, according to US research. Using DNA barcoding of fins from global Read more about Australia is a major source of shark fins for soup