EXPERT REACTION: Australia secures two new potential coronavirus vaccines

Publicly released: Thu 5 Nov 2020 at 1522 AEDT | 1722 NZDT

It has just been reported that the Federal Government announced two more potential coronavirus vaccines have been secured for Australia. Australia will get 40 million doses of the vaccine being developed by biotechnology company Novavax, and 10 Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Australia secures two new potential coronavirus vaccines

Earthquake video game boosts disaster risk awareness

Publicly released: Thu 5 Nov 2020 at 1313 AEDT | 1513 NZDT

International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction

Researchers in Auckland have studied the use of the Quake Safe House video game at Te Papa museum in Wellington and Quake City in Christchurch. The team interviewed a group of 22 international visitors to the museums to ask them about their Read more about Earthquake video game boosts disaster risk awareness

New understanding of how proteins operate

Publicly released: Thu 5 Nov 2020 at 1305 AEDT | 1505 NZDT

Nature Communications

A discovery by Centenary Institute scientists has provided new understanding as to the nature of proteins and how they exist and operate in the human body. The key finding–the changing state of a protein’s structural bonds–is likely to have Read more about New understanding of how proteins operate

Social media can guide public pandemic policy

Publicly released: Thu 5 Nov 2020 at 1253 AEDT | 1453 NZDT

Health Information Science and Systems

As global cases of COVID-19 fast approach 50 million, a team of QUT researchers examined more than 35,000 tweets and say social media analytics can capture the attitudes and perceptions of the public during a pandemic. They also suggest social media Read more about Social media can guide public pandemic policy

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

You are what you drink: alcohol key to understanding gut health

Publicly released: Thu 5 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature

New research suggests that drinking habits are a key factor in explaining the differences in gut bacteria found in different people. Scientists in the USA built a model using data from the world's largest gut bacteria 'bank', and found that Read more about You are what you drink: alcohol key to understanding gut health

Magic mushroom compound psilocybin could be used to treat depression

Publicly released: Thu 5 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Psychiatry

A trial of 27 patients with major depressive disorder found that psilocybin - the active compound in magic mushrooms - produced large, rapid, and sustained improvements. The patients underwent two sessions on the drug combined with supportive Read more about Magic mushroom compound psilocybin could be used to treat depression

Source of mysterious radio waves from space pinpointed

Publicly released: Thu 5 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature

Three independent studies have found the source of a particular fast radio burst (FRB) - unexplained radio waves that reach us from space and last just a fraction of a second - helping to solve the mystery of what causes the strange phenomenon. The Read more about Source of mysterious radio waves from space pinpointed

Pushing away your poison: New form of brain-training helps prevent relapse after alcohol treatment

Publicly released: Thu 5 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Psychiatry

A recent study has shown that it may be possible to dampen the workings of the subconscious brain to prevent alcohol relapse, the results leading to a world-first trial of a personalised smartphone app called “SWiPE”. Read more about Pushing away your poison: New form of brain-training helps prevent relapse after alcohol treatment

Decline in reported availability of methamphetamine and heroin during COVID-19 restrictions

Publicly released: Thu 5 Nov 2020 at 0005 AEDT | 0205 NZDT

The Drug Trends program at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) at UNSW Sydney has released reports on findings from annual surveys with hundreds of people who regularly use drugs in Australia. Read more about Decline in reported availability of methamphetamine and heroin during COVID-19 restrictions

Improvements in eye health among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Publicly released: Thu 5 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

More Indigenous Australians are accessing eye health services than ever before, according to the AIHW Indigenous eye health measures 2020 report. In the last decade or so, the proportion of Indigenous Australians who had an eye health check Read more about Improvements in eye health among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Vitamin D supplements help kids with severe eczema

Publicly released: Wed 4 Nov 2020 at 1601 AEDT | 1801 NZDT

Pharmacology Research & Perspectives

An Egyptian clinical trial of vitamin D supplementation to treat severe eczema in 86 children found that the supplements eased symptoms in the kids given the treatment, compared with those who did not receive vitamin D supplements. All the children Read more about Vitamin D supplements help kids with severe eczema

Rates of twice-exceptional children higher than previously thought

Publicly released: Wed 4 Nov 2020 at 1450 AEDT | 1650 NZDT

Australasian Journal for the Education of the Gifted

The prevalence rates of twice-exceptional children in Australian schools are significantly under-reported according to new Griffith University research published in the Australasian Journal for the Education of the Gifted. Twice-exceptional Read more about Rates of twice-exceptional children higher than previously thought

Mangroves act as ocean plastic sinks

Publicly released: Wed 4 Nov 2020 at 1425 AEDT | 1625 NZDT

Science Advances

An international research project has discovered that mangrove sediments are trapping much of the plastic that ends up in the world oceans. Results have revealed a pattern of plastic sedimentation gleaned from core samples collected from the Red Sea Read more about Mangroves act as ocean plastic sinks

Magma ‘conveyor belt’ fuelled world’s longest erupting supervolcanoes

Publicly released: Wed 4 Nov 2020 at 1153 AEDT | 1353 NZDT

Geology

International research led by geologists from Curtin University has found that a volcanic province in the Indian Ocean was the world’s most continuously active — erupting for 30 million years — fuelled by a constantly moving ‘conveyor Read more about Magma ‘conveyor belt’ fuelled world’s longest erupting supervolcanoes

Tea break snacks give us the feels

Publicly released: Wed 4 Nov 2020 at 1128 AEDT | 1328 NZDT

Food Quality and Preference

What you eat at tea break - and where you eat it - can conjure up different emotions, according to new Kiwi research. Scientists compared the emotional effects of eating a chocolate biscuit versus a caramel slice in different contexts: a real-world Read more about Tea break snacks give us the feels

Dying eggs blue could boost fertility treatment

Publicly released: Wed 4 Nov 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Journal of the Royal Society Interface

Reliably predicting the health of human egg cells is a major challenge for assisted fertility treatment. In a new study, researchers in Germany used a blue dye that selectively stained healthy pig egg cells without damaging the surrounding follicle Read more about Dying eggs blue could boost fertility treatment

Crown-of-thorns starfish 'party at night, sleep-in and only some find their way home'

Publicly released: Wed 4 Nov 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society B

Time-lapse monitoring of the Great Barrier Reef by Aussie and international researchers has revealed that most crown-of-thorns starfish move short distances to feed at night before returning to shelter. However, when their preferred coral snack was Read more about Crown-of-thorns starfish 'party at night, sleep-in and only some find their way home'

R0 may not be the best way to keep track of COVID-19

Publicly released: Wed 4 Nov 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Journal of the Royal Society Interface

International scientists say R0 - the basic reproductive number used to indicate the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19 - is too simple to reflect the complex process of a virus spreading through the population. They point out Read more about R0 may not be the best way to keep track of COVID-19

Purple Crowned Fairy Wren unlocks key to immune function

Publicly released: Wed 4 Nov 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society B

A study led by Monash scientists has found the iconic Purple-crowned fairy-wren may hold the key to better understanding immune function. Read more about Purple Crowned Fairy Wren unlocks key to immune function

Smartphone case demonstrates a stronger bio plastic

Publicly released: Wed 4 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Communications

Chinese scientists have developed a method for producing a strong, bio-based material, which they say could be used as a replacement for plastics. Previous plastic alternatives have not been as strong as petroleum-based plastics, but the researchers Read more about Smartphone case demonstrates a stronger bio plastic

Growing up in an impoverished neighbourhood may be bad for kids' brains

Publicly released: Wed 4 Nov 2020 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

US scientists analysed 11,875 American children aged nine or ten and found living in a deprived neighbourhood was linked to lower scores in tests of thinking and lower brain volume in the prefrontal regions of the brain, which are important in speech Read more about Growing up in an impoverished neighbourhood may be bad for kids' brains

NEWS BRIEFING: Australia's current biosecurity not enough to meet growing threats - CSIRO Report 

Publicly released: Wed 4 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Briefing recording now available If COVID has taught us anything, it is that keeping biological threats out is critical. At least 75 per cent of emerging human infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, originate from animals. Biosecurity is also Read more about NEWS BRIEFING: Australia's current biosecurity not enough to meet growing threats - CSIRO Report 

Leap forward for brain research

Publicly released: Tue 3 Nov 2020 at 2100 AEDT | 2300 NZDT

Nature Communications

Pre-clinical research into deadly brain cancer, Parkinson's, dementia, epilepsy and other major psychiatric and neurological conditions can speed up with the global commercialisation of an advanced neuromedium, called BrainPhys™. As outlined in Read more about Leap forward for brain research

Cancer treatment could be replicated for COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 3 Nov 2020 at 1200 AEDT | 1400 NZDT

Frontiers in Immunology

Beta-blockers could potentially be used to treat COVID-19, according to a new international study by Italian and Australian scientists. Read more about Cancer treatment could be replicated for COVID-19

Democrat voters had poorer mental health after Trump won in 2016

Publicly released: Tue 3 Nov 2020 at 1055 AEDT | 1255 NZDT

Journal of General Internal Medicine

In the month after Trump won the last US election, people living in states that voted more for Clinton had an increase in poor mental health, while those in Pro-Trump states did not, according to US research. The study found that in pro-Clinton Read more about Democrat voters had poorer mental health after Trump won in 2016

People in the pro-Trump parts of the US stayed at home less and got COVID more

Publicly released: Tue 3 Nov 2020 at 1014 AEDT | 1214 NZDT

Nature Human Behaviour

People in counties in the United States that voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election tended to physically distance 14 per cent less than those in counties that voted for Hillary Clinton, according to US research. The counties who Read more about People in the pro-Trump parts of the US stayed at home less and got COVID more

How to beat procrastination during COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 3 Nov 2020 at 1008 AEDT | 1208 NZDT

Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning

Staying motivated can be hard when times are tough. Researchers in New Zealand and Australia have recorded the challenges they faced producing their own studies during the COVID-19 pandemic. They looked at factors influencing motivation, like Read more about How to beat procrastination during COVID-19

Even a gentle jog can spark joy

Publicly released: Tue 3 Nov 2020 at 0955 AEDT | 1155 NZDT

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Running and jogging can boost mood and improve mental health, according to new findings. Researchers from Scotland and Victoria University of Wellington reviewed over 100 studies to investigate the relationship between running and mental health - Read more about Even a gentle jog can spark joy

Proof is in the proteins: new way to validate mānuka honey

Publicly released: Tue 3 Nov 2020 at 0937 AEDT | 1137 NZDT

Food Chemistry

Scientists at the University of Auckland and Comvita Ltd have developed a new way to analyse honey by measuring the levels of proteins from mānuka nectar. The team found twelve potential molecules which are all unique to the mānuka plant. They Read more about Proof is in the proteins: new way to validate mānuka honey

Social media linked to student self-harm and suicidal behaviour

Publicly released: Tue 3 Nov 2020 at 0910 AEDT | 1110 NZDT

Computers in Human Behaviour

Different ways of using social media are linked to different levels of risk for young people, according to new research from the University of Auckland. Researchers surveyed over 40,000 university students in Norway, who spent about 7 hours on Read more about Social media linked to student self-harm and suicidal behaviour

Combining NZ's beef and dairy farms could lower emissions

Publicly released: Tue 3 Nov 2020 at 0720 AEDT | 0920 NZDT

Agricultural Systems

Integrating dairy and beef production would reduce NZ's annual greenhouse gas emissions from beef production by one fifth, according to new research. Scientists from the Netherlands and New Zealand created a model to simulate the impact of replacing Read more about Combining NZ's beef and dairy farms could lower emissions

Removing this hidden nasty from our food could save thousands of lives

Publicly released: Tue 3 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS Medicine

Banning a harmful ingredient from the Australian food supply could prevent thousands of deaths from heart disease according to new research from The George Institute for Global Health. Read more about Removing this hidden nasty from our food could save thousands of lives

How to find the next Dusty: The role of AFL recruiters in spotting footy talent

Publicly released: Tue 3 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS One

Finding the next Dustin Martin or Lachie Neale is no easy task, so Victorian researchers delved into exactly how Australian Football League (AFL) recruiters do their job in selecting the next crop of AFL talent. The study interviewed recruiters Read more about How to find the next Dusty: The role of AFL recruiters in spotting footy talent

Avoiding 'inflammatory' foods may help keep your heart in check

Publicly released: Tue 3 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

Journal of the American College of Cardiology

US researchers say foods that cause an increase in inflammation in our bodies may increase our risk of heart disease or stroke. The team compared people with diets high in foods thought to promote inflammation, such as red and processed meats, Read more about Avoiding 'inflammatory' foods may help keep your heart in check

Coupling bits of the flu virus together could help develop a universal flu vaccine

Publicly released: Tue 3 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Australian researchers have found that sticking bits of the flu virus together could help with the development of a universal flu vaccine that might protect against all strains of the virus. Current seasonal flu vaccines need to change each year as Read more about Coupling bits of the flu virus together could help develop a universal flu vaccine

We mammals may have been cuddling for over 75 million years

Publicly released: Tue 3 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Ecology & Evolution

Mammals may have been snuggling up way earlier than we thought, say international researchers who found a 75. 5 million-year-old burrow containing fossils of rodent-like mammals cuddled-up together. Previously, scientists believed that mammals had Read more about We mammals may have been cuddling for over 75 million years

Turning land from forest to farm impacts NZ soil microbes

Publicly released: Tue 3 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

New Zealand Journal of Ecology

Researchers in New Zealand have studied the diversity of microbes in New Zealand soil. Taking samples from across the South Island, their results suggest that different types of landcover harbour different communities of bugs underground. The Read more about Turning land from forest to farm impacts NZ soil microbes

Devil in the defect detail of quantum emissions unravelled

Publicly released: Tue 3 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Materials

Emerging quantum technologies require a means to transmit quantum information, effectively requiring new ways to reliably encode, transmit and detect quantum properties on individual particles of light, or photons. An international collaboration, Read more about Devil in the defect detail of quantum emissions unravelled

Poisoning at school a common occurrence for Aussie kids

Publicly released: Tue 3 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Archives of Disease in Childhood

Poisonings at Aussie schools are common, according to Australian research, which found there were 1,751 school-related calls to the New South Wales Poisons Information Centre over a four and a half year period. Most were the result of accidental Read more about Poisoning at school a common occurrence for Aussie kids

What’s for dinner? The secret diets of dolphins

Publicly released: Mon 2 Nov 2020 at 1711 AEDT | 1911 NZDT

Marine Ecology Progress

More evidence has emerged to support stricter coastal management, this time focusing on pollution and overfishing in the picturesque tourist waters off Auckland in New Zealand. A study of common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in the Hauraki Gulf Read more about What’s for dinner? The secret diets of dolphins