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Chimps love fishing for termites and may be able to predict their catch
Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
Chimps in western Tanzania fish for termites using stick tools because they enjoy it, not because they're short of other foods, and they may be able to predict when the insects are biting, according to US and UK researchers. The team found Read more about Chimps love fishing for termites and may be able to predict their catch
InternationalUniversity of California Santa Cruz, USA -
Identifying AI models to improve automated chest X-ray diagnoses
Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
Scientists from CSIRO’s Australian e-Health Research Centre (AEHRC) have compared different AI models to achieve a better understanding of, and identify improvements in, the diagnostic accuracy of automated chest X-ray interpretation and reporting. Read more about Identifying AI models to improve automated chest X-ray diagnoses
Australia; QLDCSIRO -
Social media helping to protect biodiversity
One Earth
Nature photographers posting to social media are helping improve biodiversity conservation mapping in South Asia, and the method could go global. Dr Shawan Chowdhury from UQ’s School of the Environment led an international team which scoured Read more about Social media helping to protect biodiversity
Australia; International; QLDThe University of Queensland|University of the Sunshine Coast -
Beach signage education could save lives this summer
Safety Science
A new beach safety study aims to prevent accidental beach drownings of young people through the identification of their understanding – and misunderstanding – of common beach signs. A new beach safety study aims to prevent accidental beach Read more about Beach signage education could save lives this summer
Australia; NSW; SAThe University of Adelaide|The University of New South Wales -
New drug testing strategies aimed at helping curb fatalities caused by illicit drugs
International Association of Forensic Sciences (IAFS) conference
UTS Centre for Forensic Science researchers are testing a new handheld device for rapidly and accurately identifying drug specimens and conducting ongoing chemical analysis of used syringes in a bid to reduce illicit drug deaths. University of Read more about New drug testing strategies aimed at helping curb fatalities caused by illicit drugs
Australia; NSWUniversity of Technology Sydney (UTS) -
Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on preschool kids a mixed bag
JAMA Network Open
Canadian scientists say preschool kids exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country have better problem-solving skills and fine movement skills compared with kids who grew up before the pandemic, but they have lower personal-social skills. At age Read more about Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on preschool kids a mixed bag
InternationalUniversity of Toronto, Canada -
We achieved gender parity in astronomy in just five years
Nature Astronomy
ASTRO 3D has achieved gender parity… all while discovering how the Universe evolved, how galaxies form and where the elements come from. Around the world, research agencies are struggling to achieve gender parity. A paper published in Nature Read more about We achieved gender parity in astronomy in just five years
Australia; International; WAARC Centre of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3D (ASTRO 3D)... -
Like the phoenix, Australia’s giant birds of prey rise again from limestone caves
Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology
Australia’s only vulture, and a fearsome extinct eagle, are among the earliest recorded birds of prey from the Pleistocene period more than 50,000 years ago – and now Flinders University researchers are bringing them to life again. Along with Read more about Like the phoenix, Australia’s giant birds of prey rise again from limestone caves
Australia; SAFlinders University -
New tool helps Vanuatu accelerate adaptation to climate change
A comprehensive suite of resources for managing climate change risk in Vanuatu has been unveiled today, making critical climate information readily accessible to decision-makers in government, industry and local communities. The Vanuatu Climate Read more about New tool helps Vanuatu accelerate adaptation to climate change
Australia; Pacific; InternationalCSIRO -
Coloured by numbers? Pack images get tick of approval to make product varieties stand out
International Journal of Market Research
New research from the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing Science at the University of South Australia has explored how colours and images can help identify a line extension, finding that images, rather than colours, are much better at signalling Read more about Coloured by numbers? Pack images get tick of approval to make product varieties stand out
Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia -
Astrofest: Australia's largest free community astronomy event is back!
Astrofest, Australia's premier community astronomy event, is returning to Curtin Stadium, Perth on Saturday 18th November for another night of celestial wonders and stargazing. This annual event is organised by a collective of organisations and is Read more about Astrofest: Australia's largest free community astronomy event is back!
Australia; WAInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) -
EXPERT REACTION: Imminent volcanic eruption in Iceland
The Reykjanes peninsula in southwest Iceland experienced a series of intense earthquakes during the afternoon of 10 November and the risk of a volcanic eruption seems likely. Almost 4000 people have been evacuated from a coastal town after Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Imminent volcanic eruption in Iceland
Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; SA; ACTAustralian Science Media Centre -
Developing a blood test to detect silent, lethal cancer
Australian researchers are working to develop the first early detection blood test for pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is one of Australia’s biggest killers, with poor survival rates marred by a lack of distinct symptoms and screening tools Read more about Developing a blood test to detect silent, lethal cancer
Australia; VICWEHI -
Expanding malaria treatment could help accelerate elimination
The Lancet
A clinical trial by Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies) published in The Lancet today has revealed promising results to reduce malaria relapses, through the broader use of primaquine. A clinical trial by Menzies School of Health Research Read more about Expanding malaria treatment could help accelerate elimination
Australia; International; VIC; NTMenzies School of Health Research|The University of Melbourne -
Assessing climate change impacts on Torres Strait fisheries
Australia’s national science agency is embarking on a new research project that will provide vital information into the impacts of climate change on key fisheries in the Torres Strait. Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, is embarking on Read more about Assessing climate change impacts on Torres Strait fisheries
Australia; Pacific; QLDCSIRO -
Swapping animal-based for plant-based foods could be better for you
BMC Medicine
Swapping animal-based foods for plant-based could reduce your risk of health conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes, as well as death, according to international researchers. The team summarised findings from 37 previous studies which Read more about Swapping animal-based for plant-based foods could be better for you
InternationalGerman Diabetes Center (DDZ), Germany -
Building a better internet for children: how-to guide launched
The internet is the 'wild west' for children. Now researchers from the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child have created a guide to make it a better place for them to use digital products and services. It Read more about Building a better internet for children: how-to guide launched
Australia; QLDQueensland University of Technology (QUT) -
Antibody drug targeting early Alzheimer’s disease fails to slow clinical decline
New England Journal of Medicine
Some of the most recent drugs approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease are monoclonal antibodies which target the amyloid protein thought to be involved in the disease, but now two trials of an amyloid-targeting antibody have failed to Read more about Antibody drug targeting early Alzheimer’s disease fails to slow clinical decline
InternationalWashington University School of Medicine, USA -
'Never witnessed before' – Astronomers baffled by repeat explosions 100 billion times the energy of the Sun
Nature
Astronomers are baffled by a mysterious and extremely bright event in the distant Universe, nicknamed the 'Tasmanian Devil', which has been observed to explode repeatedly and emit more energy than hundreds of billions of stars like our Sun. Read more about 'Never witnessed before' – Astronomers baffled by repeat explosions 100 billion times the energy of the Sun
Australia; International; VICSwinburne University of Technology|Cornell University -
Devil in the detail – What corporations aren’t disclosing about their CO2 emissions
PLOS Climate
A new study estimates most corporations are not reporting the full scope of their carbon footprint with many claiming to be ‘green’ despite a lack of reporting on Scope 3 key categories, which measures indirect, upstream and downstream emissions Read more about Devil in the detail – What corporations aren’t disclosing about their CO2 emissions
Australia; New Zealand; NSW; QLDGriffith University|University of Otago|The University of New South Wales... -
Victorian rock formation reveals Australia's earliest birds
PLOS ONE
27 avian footprints discovered at the Wonthaggi Formation of Victoria reveal the diversity of Australia's early birds, according to Australian and international researchers. The researchers say bird fossils are hard to come by in the Southern Read more about Victorian rock formation reveals Australia's earliest birds
Australia; VICMonash University|Emory University, USA -
Companies' indirect emissions still a blind spot
PLOS Climate
To get a true picture of a company's environmental impact, we need to take into account emissions from their entire supply chain - including producing the raw materials, distributing the products, and how they're disposed of. New research from New Read more about Companies' indirect emissions still a blind spot
Australia; New Zealand; QLDUniversity of Otago|Griffith University|The University of New South Wales -
3000 years of carbon monoxide records show positive impact of global intervention in the 1980s
Climate of the Past
An international team of scientists have assembled the first complete record of carbon monoxide concentrations in the southern hemisphere, based on measurements of air. An international team of scientists has reconstructed a historic record of the Read more about 3000 years of carbon monoxide records show positive impact of global intervention in the 1980s
Australia; InternationalCSIRO -
Women with breast cancer are taking their sexual health into their own hands
PLOS ONE
Women with breast cancer are following tips and advice from other survivors, or working out for themselves how to cope with sexual dysfunction symptoms during and after treatment. A survey of around 500 women that were members of the popular Read more about Women with breast cancer are taking their sexual health into their own hands
InternationalDana-Farber Cancer Institute, USA -
AI image generators think 98% of surgeons are white and male
JAMA Surgery
Two leading publicly available AI text-to-image generators create images of surgeons that are 98% white and male, magnifying existing stereotypes, according to a US study. The researchers asked the DALL-E 2, Midjourney and Stable Diffusion AI image Read more about AI image generators think 98% of surgeons are white and male
InternationalThe Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University -
Protecting native fauna from our feline friends
New Zealand Journal of Ecology
New Zealanders have the highest rate of cat ownership in the world, but unfortunately our feline friends are a major contributor to native biodiversity decline. Researchers from Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Researcher have reviewed current research on Read more about Protecting native fauna from our feline friends
New ZealandManaaki Whenua - Landcare Research -
An Aussie is hospitalised with head injuries every four minutes
142,000 Aussies were hospitalised for head injuries in 2020-21, the equivalent of one every four minutes, according to a new Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) report. The report also reveals that head injuries led to 406,000 Read more about An Aussie is hospitalised with head injuries every four minutes
AustraliaAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) -
Greenhouse Gas concentrations hit record high... again
The abundance of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere once again reached a new record last year and there is no end in sight to the rising trend, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which includes Read more about Greenhouse Gas concentrations hit record high... again
Australia; InternationalWorld Meteorological Organization (WMO) -
Sydney house prices: Negative gearing's impact
Journal of Housing and the Built Environment
New research shows negative gearing is a fundamental factor driving investment decisions. With a chronic shortage of rental properties, and lack of affordable housing supply, is it time to have another look at negative gearing? New research from the Read more about Sydney house prices: Negative gearing's impact
Australia; NSWUniversity of Technology Sydney (UTS)|The University of New South Wales -
Sand and dust storms are worsening, and Australia is one of the major dust sources
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
Sand and dust storms are an under-appreciated problem now “dramatically” more frequent in some places worldwide including Australia, according to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), with a single sand and dust storm event in Read more about Sand and dust storms are worsening, and Australia is one of the major dust sources
Australia; InternationalUnited Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) -
Asia Pacific women researchers in mosquito-borne diseases build collaborative network
Ten scientists, clinicians and public health managers from the Asia Pacific will take part in a QUT-hosted, two-week Australia Awards Fellowship with the aim of building a collaborative network of women researchers in transmission of mosquito-borne Read more about Asia Pacific women researchers in mosquito-borne diseases build collaborative network
Australia; New Zealand; Pacific; QLDQueensland University of Technology (QUT) -
Footprints second oldest Moa fossil ever discovered
Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand
Seven moa footprints found in 2019, believed to be the first ever discovered in the South Island, have been dated as coming from around the late Pliocene - or about 3 million years ago - making them the second oldest moa fossils reported to date. Read more about Footprints second oldest Moa fossil ever discovered
New ZealandOtago Museum|University of Otago|Victoria University of Wellington -
Google's DeepMind AI turns weather forecaster and beats existing techniques
Science
Google's DeepMind artificial intelligence (AI) is better and faster at making 10-day weather predictions than existing costly and complex 'numerical weather prediction (NWP)' methods, beating them 90% of the time, according to Google scientists. Read more about Google's DeepMind AI turns weather forecaster and beats existing techniques
InternationalGoogle DeepMind, UK, Google Research, USA -
Criminalisation prevents steroid users from seeking help
Journal of Criminology
New research from Griffith University’s School of Applied Psychology has investigated the effect criminalisation of Anabolic–Androgenic Steroid (AAS) use has on users’ ability to seek help. Interviewing male and female AAS users as well as Read more about Criminalisation prevents steroid users from seeking help
Australia; VIC; QLDGriffith University|Deakin University -
Shark fear: Just when you thought it was safe to get back in the water…
Journal of Environmental Media,
It’s one of the most famous taglines in film history, immortalising sharks as ruthless predators. But beyond the horror generated by Spielberg’s Jaws series, a persistent fear of sharks remains, with consequences that extend into reality. Read more about Shark fear: Just when you thought it was safe to get back in the water…
Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia -
Tau-ting the importance of protein mapping
Nature Communications
For the first time, University of Queensland (UQ) researchers have shown how the tau protein, known for its role in dementias, behaves where communication in the brain takes place. The study led by Dr Ramón Martínez-Mármol and PhD Read more about Tau-ting the importance of protein mapping
Australia; International; NSW; QLDQueensland Brain Institute|The University of Sydney... -
Pivotal role of TLR7 protein revealed in lung disease
Nature Communications
Researchers have revealed that the protein Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7), usually associated with antiviral defence in the body, surprisingly, exacerbates lung conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also known as emphysema. Read more about Pivotal role of TLR7 protein revealed in lung disease
Australia; NSW; VIC; TASCentenary Institute|University of Technology Sydney (UTS)... -
Crash landing comets may have delivered molecules for life at the perfect speed
Proceedings of the Royal Society A
Our solar system might have been perfectly set out to encourage life on Earth, according to international researchers, who say the configuration of our planets increased the odds of comets delivering the materials we needed. Comets are thought to be Read more about Crash landing comets may have delivered molecules for life at the perfect speed
InternationalUniversity of Cambridge, UK -
Impulse control: North Island robins think before they act
Royal Society Open Science
Being able to control automatic urges may allow animals to carry out actions such as waiting for the best time to attack prey, caching food to eat later, or sharing food with other members of their own species. At the moment, not much is known about Read more about Impulse control: North Island robins think before they act
New Zealand; InternationalVictoria University of Wellington -
Polly loves a perch: How do birds stand for so long without getting tired?
Journal of the Royal Society Interface
Birds can rest and even sleep standing up, and now French scientists think they know how our feathered friends stand for so long without getting tired. The researchers created a mathematical model based on the anatomy of the zebra finch and found Read more about Polly loves a perch: How do birds stand for so long without getting tired?
InternationalMuséum National d'Histoire Naturelle de Paris, France -
Fairy wrens will help raise a relative's babies but they may also be eyeing off their partner
Royal Society Open Science
Some fairy wrens forgo having their own babies to help others raise their brood, something known as cooperative breeding, and now Aussie researchers think they know what drives this behaviour. The researchers found that these 'helpers' would only Read more about Fairy wrens will help raise a relative's babies but they may also be eyeing off their partner
Australia; VICMonash University -
Heat deaths likely to see 4.7-fold increase by mid 21st century
The Lancet
Heat-related deaths are likely to see a 4. 7-fold increase by mid-century under the current global warming trajectory, according to the 8th annual Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change report. The report brings together research from 114 Read more about Heat deaths likely to see 4.7-fold increase by mid 21st century
Australia; International; NSW; VICMacquarie University|The University of Melbourne|The University of Sydney -
Delayed clamping of the umbilical cord reduce the risk of death for premature babies
The Lancet
Waiting at least two minutes before clamping the umbilical cord after a premature baby is born reduces the risk of the baby dying by two-thirds, according to Australian research. The researchers conducted two meta-analyses to analyse research on how Read more about Delayed clamping of the umbilical cord reduce the risk of death for premature babies
Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney -
Soft drink tax may have reduced tooth fairy visits to hospitals
BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health
The tooth fairy might be visiting UK hospitals a bit less with a study showing that a tax on soft drinks introduced in the UK in 2018 has been linked to a fall in the number of kids being admitted to hospital to get their decaying teeth removed. The Read more about Soft drink tax may have reduced tooth fairy visits to hospitals
InternationalUniversity of Cambridge, UK -
Downloading NASA’s dark matter data from above the clouds
Aerospace
Data from a NASA mission to map dark matter around galaxy clusters has been saved by a new recovery system designed by scientists at the University of Sydney. The system allowed the retrieval of gigabytes of information, even after communication Read more about Downloading NASA’s dark matter data from above the clouds
Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney -
Introduced plants may spread much further across Australia
PLOS Biology
Non-native plants that have thrived in Australia may spread much further around the country, according to international researchers. They say we don't know enough about the extent to which introduced species might spread around the world, so they Read more about Introduced plants may spread much further across Australia
Australia; InternationalUniversity of Exeter, UK -
Underworld marketplace exposed: Fake Australian IDs for sale on the dark web
International Association of Forensic Sciences (IAFS) conference
Fake Australian driver’s licences are some of the most sold documents on the dark web, new research shows. Counterfeit Australian identity documents, especially driver’s licences, rank among some of the most frequently listed and sold identity Read more about Underworld marketplace exposed: Fake Australian IDs for sale on the dark web
Australia; NSWUniversity of Technology Sydney (UTS) -
Feeling like 'Hulking out'? Strongest ever gamma ray burst hits Earth
Nature Communications
A gamma-ray burst (GRB) that hit Earth last year was likely the strongest ever, according to international researchers. The team studied data collected by satellites and ground-based observation stations during a GRB in October 2022, which they say Read more about Feeling like 'Hulking out'? Strongest ever gamma ray burst hits Earth
InternationalUniversity of L’Aquila, Italy -
Industry funding common in recent influential clinical trials
JAMA Network Open
A study of 600 of the most-cited clinical trials published after 2018 found that industry involvement was very common with 68% receiving industry funding, 59% having industry authors, and 47% involving industry analysts. The researchers Read more about Industry funding common in recent influential clinical trials
InternationalSapienza University of Rome, Italy, Stanford University, USA -
Move over MC Hammer, this robotic hand CAN touch this
Nature Communications
International researchers have developed an artificial sensor that can recognise fine fabric textures such as corduroy and wool with high resolution, similar to a human fingerprint. The findings may help improve the abilities of robots to feel Read more about Move over MC Hammer, this robotic hand CAN touch this
InternationalSouthern University of Science and Technology, China
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