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Tertiary funding system disadvantages Māori researchers
Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics
A new paper argues the system of funding universities and other tertiary institutes based on their performance, is to the disadvantage of Māori academics and worldviews. The authors say the system should be rebuilt, to better recognise not only Read more about Tertiary funding system disadvantages Māori researchers
New ZealandUniversity of Auckland|University of Canterbury -
Cutting-edge computer vision technologies help detect threats
UTS Intelligent Drone Lab and local industry partner DroneShield combine expertise to develop a world-leading computer vision system to help identify threats from incoming drones. Read more about Cutting-edge computer vision technologies help detect threats
Australia; NSWUniversity of Technology Sydney (UTS) -
Less screen time and more sleep critical for preventing depression
BMC Medicine
A cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of data from the UK Biobank, involving almost 85,000 people, has found that lifestyle factors such as less screen time, adequate sleep, a better-quality diet, and physical activity strongly impact Read more about Less screen time and more sleep critical for preventing depression
Australia; NSWWestern Sydney University|University of Manchester, NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre and King’s College London, United Kingdom, and the University of Padua, Padua, Italy. -
Is proton therapy the silver bullet for children with brain cancer?
Cancers
How safe is proton therapy for children with brain cancer compared to the conventional x-ray radiation delivered post-surgery? Read more about Is proton therapy the silver bullet for children with brain cancer?
Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia -
Light, liposomes, action: researchers show safer, more targeted way to deliver CRISPR gene therapy
ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
Biomedical researchers have come up with a novel way to use a beam of light to deliver CRISPR gene therapy molecules targeting illnesses. Read more about Light, liposomes, action: researchers show safer, more targeted way to deliver CRISPR gene therapy
Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales -
Australian healthcare workers almost 3 times more likely to get COVID-19 than the general population
International Journal of Nursing Studies
A new study has estimated how health workers’ risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection differs from that of the broader community. Read more about Australian healthcare workers almost 3 times more likely to get COVID-19 than the general population
Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales|The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society -
Evidence against paired brain training and stimulation for older adults
Nature Human Behaviour
University of Queensland School of Psychology researchers conducted the largest study to date to determine whether combined brain training and electrical stimulation would improve a range of cognitive functions, such as attention, decision making Read more about Evidence against paired brain training and stimulation for older adults
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
Australian Food Safety Week: Aussies urged to learn about food safety
Australian Food Safety Week 14 – 21 November 2020 - Food Safety Information Council research has found poorer food safety knowledge among younger Australians for example only 75% between 18 and 34 years said they always washed their hands after Read more about Australian Food Safety Week: Aussies urged to learn about food safety
AustraliaFood Safety Information Council -
Putting it between the posts: Researchers offer tips to improve goal kicking accuracy in AFL
PLOS ONE
Wanna kick goals like Tory Dickson and get it between the posts every time? Aussie researchers have found a host of factors that effect AFL goal kicking accuracy, including the players’ approach line path, their support-leg mechanics, the Read more about Putting it between the posts: Researchers offer tips to improve goal kicking accuracy in AFL
Australia; NSW; VICVictoria University|Australian Catholic University -
Rare deep-sea Bigfin Squid filmed in Aussie waters for the first time
PLOS One
Scientists have announced multiple sightings of the elusive Bigfin Squid in the Great Australian Bight. The squid, which have extremely long arms and tentacles, were filmed at depths of 2 to 3 kilometres during a program of deep-sea survey voyages Read more about Rare deep-sea Bigfin Squid filmed in Aussie waters for the first time
Australia; VIC; WA; TASCSIRO|Museums Victoria -
New tractor beam has potential to tame lightning
Nature Communications
Lightning never strikes twice, so the saying goes, but new technology may allow us to control where it hits the ground, reducing the risk of catastrophic bushfires. Read more about New tractor beam has potential to tame lightning
Australia; ACTThe University of New South Wales|The Australian National University -
Meth use in Victoria shows Melbourne is different from the regions
Drug and Alcohol Review
People who use methamphetamine in Melbourne differ to those in the regions in terms of the sociodemographic characteristics and in how they use the drug, according to Australian research. The study found higher rates of methamphetamine dependence Read more about Meth use in Victoria shows Melbourne is different from the regions
Australia; NSW; VICBurnet Institute|Monash University|The University of New South Wales -
You could get 'hot tub lung' from a pool, if it's humid enough
Respirology Case Reports
Ever dreamt of a big house with a fancy indoor pool? This might change your dream home design: Aussie researchers have described the first case of ‘hot tub lung’ originating from a Queensland family’s indoor swimming pool. Hot tub lung is a Read more about You could get 'hot tub lung' from a pool, if it's humid enough
Australia; QLDGriffith University -
Investigating the causes of stuttering
New Zealand is participating in an international study that is searching for the genes that cause stuttering. Researchers are recruiting 1000 New Zealanders who stutter for the largest study of its kind into stuttering that aims to help develop Read more about Investigating the causes of stuttering
Australia; New Zealand; VICMurdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI)|WEHI|University of Otago -
Older adults at greater risk of heart disease, and cholesterol meds might help
The Lancet
The risk of heart attack and cardiovascular disease is highest in people aged 70 and over with elevated levels of LDL cholesterol, compared to younger age groups, according to an observational study which estimates the number needed to treat with Read more about Older adults at greater risk of heart disease, and cholesterol meds might help
Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney -
Legal avenues to Tobacco Endgame goal
A multi-stranded strategy is needed to reach the lofty goal of the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence on Achieving the Tobacco Endgame (CREATE), says a chief investigator and co-director of the project’s legal dimension, QUT Professor Matthew Read more about Legal avenues to Tobacco Endgame goal
Australia; QLDQueensland University of Technology (QUT) -
Cane toads are getting harder, better, faster, stronger
Proceedings of the Royal Society B
Cane toads have become faster and more efficient as they’ve spread across Australia, according to Aussie researchers who looked at how they’ve evolved in leaps and bounds as they’ve spread into new regions. Researchers measured toads in Read more about Cane toads are getting harder, better, faster, stronger
Australia; NSW; QLD; NT; ACTThe University of Sydney|The Australian National University... -
Distancing age groups could reduce COVID-19 deaths
Open Biology
COVID-19 deaths could be significantly reduced if people are only allowed to socialise within their own age group in places such as movie theatres or restaurants, according to new modelling. The study authors modelled the pandemic under these rules, Read more about Distancing age groups could reduce COVID-19 deaths
InternationalUniversity of Haifa, Israel -
New seal species named after Middle-Earth’s Great Sea
Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Researchers have found a new species of extinct monk seal which lived in the Tasman Sea around New Zealand. The discovery has forced an rethink of the evolutionary history of seals, as it shows ‘true seals’ evolved in the Southern Hemisphere far Read more about New seal species named after Middle-Earth’s Great Sea
Australia; New Zealand; VICMonash University|Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa... -
Link between sleep apnea and increased risk of dementia found
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease
A new study by Monash University has found that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been linked to an increased risk of dementia. The study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, and led by Dr Melinda Jackson from the Turner Institute for Read more about Link between sleep apnea and increased risk of dementia found
Australia; VICMonash University
EXPERT Q&A: Answering your questions about COVID-19 variants
With reports of new COVID-19 strains emerging in the UK, South Africa, and Brazil, an Australian expert a...
Mantis males must wrestle if they don't want to lose their heads
The praying mantis has a reputation for cannibalism because females often eat males before they get a cha...
Bee gone? A quarter of bee species haven’t been seen in 30 years
While reports and records of animal species have increased dramatically over the last few decades, the nu...
Resources for journalists
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