COVID-19 may hijack our cells' 'good cholesterol' system to spread through the body

Publicly released: Fri 27 Nov 2020 at 1130 AEDT | 1330 NZDT

Nature Metabolism

SARS-CoV-2 may hijack our cells' internal cholesterol processing system to help it spread from cell to cell, according to a Chinese study of cells in a dish. They found the SARS-CoV-2 virus bound to HDL cholesterol (also known as 'good' Read more about COVID-19 may hijack our cells' 'good cholesterol' system to spread through the body

Climate change may mean trees will shed their leaves earlier

Publicly released: Fri 27 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

Science

Trees that lose their leaves in the autumn may be doing so earlier as climate change forces them to store more carbon earlier in the warmer months. Researchers looked at tree data from Europe harking as far back as 1948, and found that warmer Read more about Climate change may mean trees will shed their leaves earlier

Neanderthals were all thumbs

Publicly released: Fri 27 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Scientific Reports

Our Neanderthal ancestors' thumbs were made for squeezing, rather than precision like our own modern thumbs, say international researchers. The team digitally mapped out the thumb and thumb joints of five Neanderthals and compared them to the Read more about Neanderthals were all thumbs

The case of the missing dark matter: new suspect found in galactic mystery

Publicly released: Fri 27 Nov 2020 at 0100 AEDT | 0300 NZDT

The Astrophysical Journal

A faraway galaxy with almost no dark matter has threatened to break our theory of galaxy formation. New evidence suggests the galaxy isn’t an anomaly – but a victim of theft. Read more about The case of the missing dark matter: new suspect found in galactic mystery

Descendants suggest indigenous role in the William Hann's exploration of Cape York has been downplayed

Publicly released: Fri 27 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Historical Records of Australian Science

William Hann’s journey to explore Cape York Peninsula in 1872 was plagued by disharmony and now the descendants of members of his party have revisited the expedition and found his Indigenous guide and translator, Jerry, probably had a greater Read more about Descendants suggest indigenous role in the William Hann's exploration of Cape York has been downplayed

Aboriginal knowledge key to fight against bushfires and climate change: Narrm Oration

Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 1800 AEDT | 2000 NZDT

Wiradjuri man and geographer, Associate Professor Michael-Shawn Fletcher, explores how Indigenous people and knowledge can save Australia’s environmental unravelling in this year’s Narrm Oration. Read more about Aboriginal knowledge key to fight against bushfires and climate change: Narrm Oration

High blood pressure in midlife may increase brain damage later

Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 1631 AEDT | 1831 NZDT

European Heart Journal

Higher than normal blood pressure in mid-life is linked to more extensive brain damage associated with stroke, dementia, physical disabilities, depression and a decline in thinking abilities in the elderly, according to a UK study of 37,041 Read more about High blood pressure in midlife may increase brain damage later

Understanding traditional Chinese medicine can help protect species

Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 1600 AEDT | 1800 NZDT

People and Nature

Demystifying traditional Chinese medicine for conservationists could be the key to better protecting endangered species like pangolins, tigers and rhino, according to University of Queensland-led researchers. UQ PhD candidate Hubert Cheung said Read more about Understanding traditional Chinese medicine can help protect species

Plasma-developed new material fundamental to Internet of Things

Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 1241 AEDT | 1441 NZDT

Nature Communications

A new light-energised material that is much brighter and more dynamic than existing photo-luminescent material could power future devices fundamental to the Internet of Things. Smart devices could process information faster, better talk to each other Read more about Plasma-developed new material fundamental to Internet of Things

Jaguars robust to climate extremes but lack of food threatens species

Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 1053 AEDT | 1253 NZDT

Ecology and Evolution

QUT researchers lead an investigation into the chances of wild jaguars surviving climate extremes with six scenarios modelling the behaviour, mating, births of cubs, competition, illegal hunting, death from starvation and availability of prey. Read more about Jaguars robust to climate extremes but lack of food threatens species