First treatment closer for fatal disease affecting premature babies

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

Nature Communications

Melbourne researchers have published a study that will accelerate new treatments for an often-fatal disease affecting premature babies in intensive care, called necrotising enterocolitis (NEC). The condition can trigger massive inflammation causing Read more about First treatment closer for fatal disease affecting premature babies

Every pregnancy helps reduce endometrial cancer risk

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

International Journal of Cancer

It is well known that having a full-term pregnancy reduces a woman’s risk of developing endometrial cancer, but new QIMR Berghofer research has clearly shown for the first time that pregnancies that end in a miscarriage also reduce risk of Read more about Every pregnancy helps reduce endometrial cancer risk

Could key gene system discovery be suffocating corals’ last gasp?

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

Global Change Biology

Ocean deoxygenation is now being recognised as major threat to future global coral reef survival. Climate change and localised pollution are exposing marine life worldwide to lower oxygen levels leaving fragile coral reef ecosystems especially Read more about Could key gene system discovery be suffocating corals’ last gasp?

Abundant corals and fishes emerge from the ancient contours of Arafura Marine Park

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

Scientists have collected the first fine-scale maps and imagery of reefs and submarine canyons in the rarely visited Arafura Marine Park, revealing seafloor environments with surprisingly diverse coral and fish communities. Read more about Abundant corals and fishes emerge from the ancient contours of Arafura Marine Park

New placement for one of Earth's largest mass extinction events

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0700 AEDT | 0900 NZDT

PNAS

Curtin University research has shed new light on when one of the largest mass extinction events on Earth occurred, which gives new meaning to what killed Triassic life and allowed the ecological expansion of dinosaurs in the Jurassic period. The Read more about New placement for one of Earth's largest mass extinction events

National supplies of protein, carbs and fats can predict your lifespan

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0700 AEDT | 0900 NZDT

PNAS

A new global study from the University of Sydney has looked at how macronutrient supplies (proteins, carbohydrates and fats) of different countries are associated with the risk of death at different ages. It is the most extensive analysis to date of Read more about National supplies of protein, carbs and fats can predict your lifespan

Henderson Island fossils reveal new Polynesian sandpiper species

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0700 AEDT | 0900 NZDT

Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society

Fossil bones collected in the early 1990s on Henderson Island, part of the Pitcairn Group, have revealed a new species of Polynesian sandpiper. The newly-described bird is formally named Prosobonia sauli after Cook Islands-based ornithologist and Read more about Henderson Island fossils reveal new Polynesian sandpiper species

Who's Australia's best super-recogniser? This test could help us find them

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS One

Psychologists are hoping the UNSW Face Test will help unearth more of Australia’s top performers in facial recognition, known as super-recognisers. Read more about Who's Australia's best super-recogniser? This test could help us find them

Using sand to reconstruct 3,000 years of typhoons

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Geoscience

The number of typhoons and tropical cyclones in the past has been affected by changes in ocean and atmosphere conditions, new research finds. The research team, including a New Zealander, looked at evidence of past cyclones in sediment layers to Read more about Using sand to reconstruct 3,000 years of typhoons

Native lizards thriving after Kāpiti Island cleared of rats

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

New Zealand Journal of Ecology

Some native lizard populations have increased 28-fold after rats were eradicated from Kāpiti Island, off the West coast of the lower North Island. Ecologists surveyed the island in 2014-15 and found more of almost every type of skink and gecko than Read more about Native lizards thriving after Kāpiti Island cleared of rats