Potential new target to combat inflammatory diseases

Publicly released: Thu 19 Nov 2020 at 1618 AEDT | 1818 NZDT

EBioMedicine

An international team of researchers have uncovered a drug-like compound that blocks a crucial inflammatory pathway, potentially paving the way for a new treatment for a host of diseases – including COVID-19. WEHI’s Associate Professor Seth Read more about Potential new target to combat inflammatory diseases

Smartwatches could help detect COVID before symptoms appear

Publicly released: Thu 19 Nov 2020 at 1508 AEDT | 1708 NZDT

Nature Biomedical Engineering

Smartwatches can detect changes in you body as much as nine days before COVID symptoms appear, according to US research. The researchers analysed data from 32 individuals infected with COVID-19, identified from a group of nearly 5,300 participants, Read more about Smartwatches could help detect COVID before symptoms appear

New report reveals chronic disadvantage among social housing tenants

Publicly released: Thu 19 Nov 2020 at 1500 AEDT | 1700 NZDT

The first report from a five-year study has found social housing tenants are more likely to have experienced chronic, often lifelong, disadvantage than other groups, revealing complex needs for which effective social housing is a crucial social Read more about New report reveals chronic disadvantage among social housing tenants

Trial questions how well masks actually work for COVID-19

Publicly released: Thu 19 Nov 2020 at 1300 AEDT | 1500 NZDT

Annals of Internal Medicine

A randomised trial of more than 6,000 people in Denmark suggests masks have limited additional benefit in stopping COVID-19 spread for people already following social distancing and hygiene recommendations. The trial, known as the DANMASK-19 trial, Read more about Trial questions how well masks actually work for COVID-19

EXPERT REACTION: Does Adelaide have a "super-strain" of COVID-19?

Publicly released: Thu 19 Nov 2020 at 1249 AEDT | 1449 NZDT

As South Australia begins a 6-day "circuit-breaking" lockdown, questions have been raised about the particular strain that has caused a cluster in Adelaide's north-west. Premier Steven Marshall described it as "particularly sneaky", with SA's Chief Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Does Adelaide have a "super-strain" of COVID-19?

Scientists defy nature to make insta-bling at room temperature

Publicly released: Thu 19 Nov 2020 at 1200 AEDT | 1400 NZDT

Small

An international team of scientists has defied nature to make diamonds in minutes in a laboratory at room temperature – a process that normally requires billions of years, huge amounts of pressure and super-hot temperatures. Read more about Scientists defy nature to make insta-bling at room temperature

Can animals use iridescent colours to communicate?

Publicly released: Thu 19 Nov 2020 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

Trends in Ecology and Evolution

A new paper from the University of Melbourne reveals how animals use beautiful but unreliable iridescent colours as communication signals. Special adaptations enable animals to control how these shifting colours appear so that they can convey Read more about Can animals use iridescent colours to communicate?

Little impact of COVID-19 pandemic on routine childhood vaccination in Australia

Publicly released: Thu 19 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

A new report “COVID-19: Impact on routine childhood vaccination uptake in Australia” released today by NCIRS found no substantial impact on vaccination uptake at any of the National Immunisation Program schedule points. Read more about Little impact of COVID-19 pandemic on routine childhood vaccination in Australia

World-first skin cancer treatment aims to help transplant patients

Publicly released: Thu 19 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

A new medication which can be applied to the skin could help prevent organ transplant recipients from developing harmful skin cancers. Read more about World-first skin cancer treatment aims to help transplant patients

Gut microbiome link to deadly lung disease

Publicly released: Thu 19 Nov 2020 at 0800 AEDT | 1000 NZDT

Nature Communications

Research led by the Centenary Institute, the University of Technology Sydney and the University of Queensland has shown for the first time a link between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an often fatal lung condition, and the gut Read more about Gut microbiome link to deadly lung disease