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Seaweed-munching crabs could help save coral reefs
Current Biology
Coral reefs in the Caribbean may be getting a boost from king crabs, which appear to keep excessive seaweed growth under control in the reefs. Experiments on the Florida Keys demonstrated that the king crabs are much better than other species at Read more about Seaweed-munching crabs could help save coral reefs
InternationalFlorida International University, USA -
Human eggs often contains serious errors in their chromosomes
The American Journal of Human Genetics
Around 1 in 15 human eggs have a pair of chromosomes that failed to exchange genetic material properly, which researcher say suggests that right from the get-go a large proportion of human eggs are predestined to be chromosomally abnormal. The Read more about Human eggs often contains serious errors in their chromosomes
InternationalWashington State University, USA -
Tiny bubbles on electrodes key to speeding up chemical processes
Nature Communications
New Curtin University-led research has shown the formation of bubbles on electrodes, usually thought to be a hindrance, can be beneficial, with deliberately added bubbles, or oil droplets, able to accelerate processes such as the removal of Read more about Tiny bubbles on electrodes key to speeding up chemical processes
Australia; WACurtin University -
CSIRO maps Darwin’s ‘hot spots’ and heat-health vulnerability
On the back of Darwin’s record-breaking November heat, scientists from Australia’s national science agency CSIRO have released two reports, one mapping the city’s surface temperatures and one providing strategies to deal with urban heat. Read more about CSIRO maps Darwin’s ‘hot spots’ and heat-health vulnerability
Australia; NTCSIRO -
New resource to help clinicians implement best-practice guideline for the diagnosis of autism
Autism CRC has today launched a National Guideline Implementation Toolkit to help clinicians to upskill and deliver the recommendations of the recently published National Guideline for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism. The Toolkit makes an Read more about New resource to help clinicians implement best-practice guideline for the diagnosis of autism
AustraliaAutism CRC -
Wastewater flushes out COVID-19 cases weeks before people show symptoms
Environmental Research
An Aussie study has provided further evidence that wastewater (untreated sewage) testing can detect COVID-19 in communities weeks before people display symptoms, suggesting this testing could provide a targeted early detection system as economies Read more about Wastewater flushes out COVID-19 cases weeks before people show symptoms
Australia; QLDCSIRO|The University of Queensland -
Cannabis genomics has potential to transform production of high-quality plant-derived therapeutics
New Phytologist
Cannabis research and genetic improvements are gathering pace thanks to new genomic technologies, combined with less restrictive laws governing cultivation, research and use of the plant, according to a La Trobe University study. Read more about Cannabis genomics has potential to transform production of high-quality plant-derived therapeutics
Australia; VICLa Trobe University -
The AusSMC's Top 10 Science Stories 2020
There's no getting away from the fact that 2020 was an 'annus horribilis' for us all, as COVID-19 infected millions around the world, killing more than a million, and leading to drastic curbs on normal life. The virus hit while Australia was still Read more about The AusSMC's Top 10 Science Stories 2020
AustraliaAustralian Science Media Centre -
Men with Covid-19 nearly three times as likely to require intensive care as women
Nature Communications
Small studies that indicated men are more likely to develop severe Covid-19 have been confirmed by a larger global analysis of three million patients. Analysis of information from 46 countries found that while males and females appear equally likely Read more about Men with Covid-19 nearly three times as likely to require intensive care as women
Australia; New Zealand; InternationalUniversity of Cape Town, South Africa; University College London, UK -
Weathered micro-plastics may be more likely to be absorbed by mouse cells
Science Advances
Micro-plastic particles that have been in water for several weeks are absorbed by mouse cells 10 times more often than pristine plastic particles, according to new German research. The researchers found crusts of microbes and molecules on the Read more about Weathered micro-plastics may be more likely to be absorbed by mouse cells
InternationalUniversity of Bayreuth, Germany -
Stopping asthma drugs during pregnancy linked to premature births and small babies
PLOS ONE
Prescriptions of asthma medicines before or during pregnancy have been linked to a higher risk of premature birth and small birthweight babies, according to UK research, but the study found that this was particularly the case if prescriptions were Read more about Stopping asthma drugs during pregnancy linked to premature births and small babies
InternationalSwansea University, UK -
The 7 signs someone is likely to be COVID positive
PLOS ONE
Australian research have developed a checklist of seven features they have found are linked to a positive COVID-19 test. The seven features are: COVID-19 patient exposure or international travel, discomfort or aches and pains, loss of smell or taste, Read more about The 7 signs someone is likely to be COVID positive
Australia; VICThe University of Melbourne|Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre... -
Asian honey bees use poo to shoo away giant hornets
PLOS ONE
New research into Asian honey bees (Apis cerana) in Vietnam suggests they collect other animals’ faeces to protect their hives from giant hornets (Vespa soror). Bees add faecal spots near their hive entrance after a visit from giant hornet, and Read more about Asian honey bees use poo to shoo away giant hornets
InternationalWellesley College, USA -
Kids with special healthcare needs are more frequently known to child protection services
Australian Journal of Social Issues
Kids with chronic physical, developmental, behavioural, or emotional conditions who also require health services are more likely to have had contact with child protection before they are six than kids without special needs, according to Australian Read more about Kids with special healthcare needs are more frequently known to child protection services
Australia; NSW; VIC; QLDThe University of New South Wales|Queensland University of Technology (QUT)... -
Small dino-like sister suggests origin of pterosaurs
Nature
The closest evolutionary relatives of pterosaurs, the first vertebrates to evolve powered flight, may be a group of small, dinosaur-like animals known as lagerpetids, international research reveals. This finding provides a new framework to study Read more about Small dino-like sister suggests origin of pterosaurs
InternationalMuseo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”, Argentina -
There may be more human-made stuff in the world than living plants and animals
Nature
This year may be the year that the mass of human-made items exceeds living biomass like plants and animals. Researchers in Israel estimate that over the last 100 years, the mass of material made by people has doubled every 20 years, while natural Read more about There may be more human-made stuff in the world than living plants and animals
InternationalWeizmann Institute of Science, Israel -
Routine risk scores may not help heart attack patients
JAMA Cardiology
Although international guidelines recommend use of the risk scores to guide treatment of patients suspected of having a heart attack or other acute coronary syndrome, Australian research has found that they had no impact on patient care aside from Read more about Routine risk scores may not help heart attack patients
Australia; NSW; VIC; SAFlinders University|The University of Sydney|Swinburne University of Technology -
Space weather discovery puts ‘habitable planets’ at risk
The Astrophysical Journal
Stellar flares with a chance of radio bursts: that's the weather from Proxima Centauri. New research led by the University of Sydney suggests exoplanets around red dwarf M-type stars will likely be exposed to coronal mass ejections, making the Read more about Space weather discovery puts ‘habitable planets’ at risk
Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney -
Burns prevention and treatment an urgent priority for Indigenous children
Journal of Burns Care Research, Injury Epidemiology
A nine-year analysis of Australian children hospitalised for burns has found Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were admitted three times as frequently as non-Indigenous children and spent five times longer in hospital. Read more about Burns prevention and treatment an urgent priority for Indigenous children
Australia; NSWGeorge Institute for Global Health -
Helping Australia remain a key player in quantum hardware development
Nature Communications
A joint research venture between the Monash University School of Physics and Astronomy and the University Melbourne School of Physics is investigating the integration of cutting-edge research in quantum computing with commercial activities. Read more about Helping Australia remain a key player in quantum hardware development
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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