New plant-based gel to fast-track 'mini-organs' growth, improve cancer treatment

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 1200 AEDT | 1400 NZDT

Advanced Science

Monash University researchers have created the world’s first bioactive plant-based nanocellulose hydrogel to support organoid growth for biomedical applications. This includes cancer development and treatment, and for COVID-19. Read more about New plant-based gel to fast-track 'mini-organs' growth, improve cancer treatment

Little megalodons were raised in nurseries

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Biology Letters

Spanish and UK scientists say megalodons (Otodus megalodon), the enormous, extinct relatives of modern sharks, may have raised their young in nurseries. They examined nine areas where megalodon remains have been found, and say five may have been Read more about Little megalodons were raised in nurseries

Westland petrels fly to the beat of their own drum

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Royal Society Open Science

Unlike its close seabird relatives, the Westland petrel breeds in the winter, takes a co-ed approach to foraging, and doesn’t have to go far to eat. Researchers used tracking data to study almost 30 adult Westland petrels, which live on the west Read more about Westland petrels fly to the beat of their own drum

Young hihi cave to peer pressure

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society B

When it’s time for a young animal to be more independent, does it keep the skills it learned from its parents or does it follow what its peers are doing? Researchers studied New Zealand’s own hihi for clues into this question, keeping an eye on Read more about Young hihi cave to peer pressure

Malaria-spreading mosquito bites come later

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

The first mosquito bites are less likely to be the ones that spread malaria, according to new research. Using birds in a lab experiment, researchers found that the amount of parasites within the mosquito tripled between the mosquito’s first and Read more about Malaria-spreading mosquito bites come later

Identifying a zapped bug from its smell

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Open Biology

For some, summer comes with the familiar smell of an insect when it hits a ‘zapper', but researchers say that unique odour could hold insights to help identify the bug. Researchers analysed the molecules of the burnt smell that came from different Read more about Identifying a zapped bug from its smell

Make your own N95 mask with a candy floss machine?

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society A

A physicist is proposing an innovative way for people to make their own N95-style masks using the same machinery that turns sugar into candy floss. N95 masks are already made by electrically charging the fabric to improve their filtration, but Read more about Make your own N95 mask with a candy floss machine?

Plasma from recovered COVID patients of no benefit in severe COVID-19

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

New England Journal of Medicine

The plasma of patients who have recovered from COVID-19, known as convalescent plasma, has been found to be no better than placebo for patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, according to an Argentinian trial. Convalescent plasma is often given Read more about Plasma from recovered COVID patients of no benefit in severe COVID-19

Hydroxychloroquine also doesn't work to prevent COVID-19

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

New England Journal of Medicine

A trial which used hydroxychloroquine to try and prevent COVID-19 developing in people who were close contacts of a confirmed case, has found it provides no benefit. the trial of over 200 people found COVID-19 developed at the same rate in both the Read more about Hydroxychloroquine also doesn't work to prevent COVID-19

Meet the experts behind ensuring the reliability of sewage testing for coronavirus

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

The collaboration on Sewage Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 (ColoSSoS Project) is giving our regulators, industry and the community confidence in the quality and reliability of testing methods. The National Measurement Institute (NMI), together with Read more about Meet the experts behind ensuring the reliability of sewage testing for coronavirus