An antidepressant might help stop mild COVID-19 from becoming worse

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA

The antidepressant fluvoxamine, usually sold under the brand name Luvox, may stop mild COVID-19 from becoming more severe, according to a small clinical trial by US researchers. In a randomised trial of people with mild COVID-19, none of the 80 Read more about An antidepressant might help stop mild COVID-19 from becoming worse

EXPERT REACTION: Climate model suggests we may be past the 'point of no return'

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Scientific Reports

New climate modelling suggests that even ceasing all greenhouse gas emissions today might not be enough to stop global warming. The reduced complexity model suggests that even with no further emissions, global temperatures will rise enough for Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Climate model suggests we may be past the 'point of no return'

BRIEFING: State of the Climate BOM/CSIRO report - More big weather is coming

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

The sixth instalment of the joint Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO State of the Climate report will be released on Friday 13 November. The report, released every two years, shows Australia is continuing to warm and experiencing more frequent extreme Read more about BRIEFING: State of the Climate BOM/CSIRO report - More big weather is coming

Tired of COVID? More than half of those who caught it have lasting fatigue

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 1651 AEDT | 1851 NZDT

PLOS ONE

If you think you are tired of COVID, spare a thought for those who actually caught it, with a new Irish study showing that more than half of people with acute COVID-19 infection still feel fatigued 10 weeks after their initial illness. Of the 128 Read more about Tired of COVID? More than half of those who caught it have lasting fatigue

C4 rice’s first wobbly steps towards reality

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 1530 AEDT | 1730 NZDT

Plant Biotechnology Journal

An international long-term research collaboration aimed at creating high yielding and water use efficient rice varieties, has successfully installed part of the photosynthetic machinery from maize into rice. Read more about C4 rice’s first wobbly steps towards reality

Tertiary funding system disadvantages Māori researchers

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 1506 AEDT | 1706 NZDT

Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics

A new paper argues the system of funding universities and other tertiary institutes based on their performance, is to the disadvantage of Māori academics and worldviews. The authors say the system should be rebuilt, to better recognise not only Read more about Tertiary funding system disadvantages Māori researchers

Cutting-edge computer vision technologies help detect threats

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 1430 AEDT | 1630 NZDT

UTS Intelligent Drone Lab and local industry partner DroneShield combine expertise to develop a world-leading computer vision system to help identify threats from incoming drones. Read more about Cutting-edge computer vision technologies help detect threats

Less screen time and more sleep critical for preventing depression

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 1201 AEDT | 1401 NZDT

BMC Medicine

A cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of data from the UK Biobank, involving almost 85,000 people, has found that lifestyle factors such as less screen time, adequate sleep, a better-quality diet, and physical activity strongly impact Read more about Less screen time and more sleep critical for preventing depression

Is proton therapy the silver bullet for children with brain cancer?

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Cancers

How safe is proton therapy for children with brain cancer compared to the conventional x-ray radiation delivered post-surgery? Read more about Is proton therapy the silver bullet for children with brain cancer?

Light, liposomes, action: researchers show safer, more targeted way to deliver CRISPR gene therapy

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces

Biomedical researchers have come up with a novel way to use a beam of light to deliver CRISPR gene therapy molecules targeting illnesses. Read more about Light, liposomes, action: researchers show safer, more targeted way to deliver CRISPR gene therapy

Australian healthcare workers almost 3 times more likely to get COVID-19 than the general population

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

International Journal of Nursing Studies

A new study has estimated how health workers’ risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection differs from that of the broader community. Read more about Australian healthcare workers almost 3 times more likely to get COVID-19 than the general population

Evidence against paired brain training and stimulation for older adults

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

Nature Human Behaviour

University of Queensland School of Psychology researchers conducted the largest study to date to determine whether combined brain training and electrical stimulation would improve a range of cognitive functions, such as attention, decision making Read more about Evidence against paired brain training and stimulation for older adults

Australian Food Safety Week: Aussies urged to learn about food safety

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 0700 AEDT | 0900 NZDT

Australian Food Safety Week 14 – 21 November 2020 - Food Safety Information Council research has found poorer food safety knowledge among younger Australians for example only 75% between 18 and 34 years said they always washed their hands after Read more about Australian Food Safety Week: Aussies urged to learn about food safety

Putting it between the posts: Researchers offer tips to improve goal kicking accuracy in AFL

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Wanna kick goals like Tory Dickson and get it between the posts every time? Aussie researchers have found a host of factors that effect AFL goal kicking accuracy, including the players’ approach line path, their support-leg mechanics, the Read more about Putting it between the posts: Researchers offer tips to improve goal kicking accuracy in AFL

Rare deep-sea Bigfin Squid filmed in Aussie waters for the first time

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS One

Scientists have announced multiple sightings of the elusive Bigfin Squid in the Great Australian Bight. The squid, which have extremely long arms and tentacles, were filmed at depths of 2 to 3 kilometres during a program of deep-sea survey voyages Read more about Rare deep-sea Bigfin Squid filmed in Aussie waters for the first time

New tractor beam has potential to tame lightning

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

Nature Communications

Lightning never strikes twice, so the saying goes, but new technology may allow us to control where it hits the ground, reducing the risk of catastrophic bushfires. Read more about New tractor beam has potential to tame lightning

Meth use in Victoria shows Melbourne is different from the regions

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Drug and Alcohol Review

People who use methamphetamine in Melbourne differ to those in the regions in terms of the sociodemographic characteristics and in how they use the drug, according to Australian research. The study found higher rates of methamphetamine dependence Read more about Meth use in Victoria shows Melbourne is different from the regions

You could get 'hot tub lung' from a pool, if it's humid enough

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Respirology Case Reports

Ever dreamt of a big house with a fancy indoor pool? This might change your dream home design: Aussie researchers have described the first case of ‘hot tub lung’ originating from a Queensland family’s indoor swimming pool. Hot tub lung is a Read more about You could get 'hot tub lung' from a pool, if it's humid enough

Investigating the causes of stuttering

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

New Zealand is participating in an international study that is searching for the genes that cause stuttering. Researchers are recruiting 1000 New Zealanders who stutter for the largest study of its kind into stuttering that aims to help develop Read more about Investigating the causes of stuttering

Older adults at greater risk of heart disease, and cholesterol meds might help

Publicly released: Wed 11 Nov 2020 at 2000 AEDT | 2200 NZDT

The Lancet

The risk of heart attack and cardiovascular disease is highest in people aged 70 and over with elevated levels of LDL cholesterol, compared to younger age groups, according to an observational study which estimates the number needed to treat with Read more about Older adults at greater risk of heart disease, and cholesterol meds might help

Legal avenues to Tobacco Endgame goal

Publicly released: Wed 11 Nov 2020 at 1600 AEDT | 1800 NZDT

A multi-stranded strategy is needed to reach the lofty goal of the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence on Achieving the Tobacco Endgame (CREATE), says a chief investigator and co-director of the project’s legal dimension, QUT Professor Matthew Read more about Legal avenues to Tobacco Endgame goal

Cane toads are getting harder, better, faster, stronger

Publicly released: Wed 11 Nov 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society B

Cane toads have become faster and more efficient as they’ve spread across Australia, according to Aussie researchers who looked at how they’ve evolved in leaps and bounds as they’ve spread into new regions. Researchers measured toads in Read more about Cane toads are getting harder, better, faster, stronger

Distancing age groups could reduce COVID-19 deaths

Publicly released: Wed 11 Nov 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Open Biology

COVID-19 deaths could be significantly reduced if people are only allowed to socialise within their own age group in places such as movie theatres or restaurants, according to new modelling. The study authors modelled the pandemic under these rules, Read more about Distancing age groups could reduce COVID-19 deaths

New seal species named after Middle-Earth’s Great Sea

Publicly released: Wed 11 Nov 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Researchers have found a new species of extinct monk seal which lived in the Tasman Sea around New Zealand. The discovery has forced an rethink of the evolutionary history of seals, as it shows ‘true seals’ evolved in the Southern Hemisphere far Read more about New seal species named after Middle-Earth’s Great Sea

Link between sleep apnea and increased risk of dementia found

Publicly released: Wed 11 Nov 2020 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

Journal of Alzheimer's Disease

A new study by Monash University has found that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been linked to an increased risk of dementia. The study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, and led by Dr Melinda Jackson from the Turner Institute for Read more about Link between sleep apnea and increased risk of dementia found

Future doctors need more nutrition education

Publicly released: Wed 11 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health

Medical students need more support to increase their nutrition knowledge and skills before they graduate a Griffith University study has found. The five-year study published in the journal BMJ Nutrition, Prevention and Health, examined over 100 New Read more about Future doctors need more nutrition education

Engineering Australia's Next Industrial Revolution

Publicly released: Wed 11 Nov 2020 at 0700 AEDT | 0900 NZDT

The 2020 recipient of the RSV’s prestigious Medal for Excellence in Scientific Research is Professor Bronwyn Fox, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) at Swinburne University of Technology. “It is because of her sustained Read more about Engineering Australia's Next Industrial Revolution

Around 1 in 6 of us drank more booze during the pandemic, but 1 in 6 drank less

Publicly released: Wed 11 Nov 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Drug and Alcohol Review

Around 1 in 6 Australians drank more alcohol during the COVID19 pandemic  - but around 1 in 6 Aussies also drank less, possibly because the pubs and clubs were shut, according to Australian research. The survey of over 2,000 people found that Read more about Around 1 in 6 of us drank more booze during the pandemic, but 1 in 6 drank less

Looking through the door of meth labs

Publicly released: Wed 11 Nov 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Drug and Alcohol Review

Methamphetamine ‘cooks’ in domestic labs are most likely to be male, Caucasian and about 30 years’ old, according to University of Queensland researchers. Read more about Looking through the door of meth labs

Reopening restaurants and cafes carries high risk of spreading COVID

Publicly released: Wed 11 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature

Reopening places such as restaurants, fitness centres, cafes, and hotels carries the highest risk for transmitting SARS-CoV-2, according to modelling based on US data, but there is hope for our café culture, with the research also suggesting that Read more about Reopening restaurants and cafes carries high risk of spreading COVID

Microbe mining in space

Publicly released: Wed 11 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Communications

Bacteria could enable space exploration, according to research that included experiments on the International Space Station. Rare Earth elements (REEs) are critical components of electronics, so if humans are to settle on other planets we will need Read more about Microbe mining in space

A step closer to holographic phone screens

Publicly released: Wed 11 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Communications

A thin, interactive holographic display which can be viewed from a wide range of angles has been developed by South Korean and Russian researchers. Current thin-panel holographic displays are limited by computational power and the amount of pixels Read more about A step closer to holographic phone screens

Children face extensive wait times for costly private mental health support

Publicly released: Wed 11 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health

Parents are facing extensive wait times and substantial out-of-pocket costs when seeking private mental health support for their children, according to a new study. Read more about Children face extensive wait times for costly private mental health support

Animation reveals secrets of critical tumour protein

Publicly released: Wed 11 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

The latest animation technology has revealed the molecular detail of how our bodies are protected from cancer by a key ‘tumour suppressor’ protein. The new WEHI-TV animation visualises discoveries from more than 40 years of research to explain Read more about Animation reveals secrets of critical tumour protein

Muscle typology may be key to elite cyclists' success at chosen sport

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 1500 AEDT | 1700 NZDT

Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise

The differences in the muscle typology of world-class cyclists competing in different disciplines could help determine discipline selection and talent identification of young cyclists a new study has found. Read more about Muscle typology may be key to elite cyclists' success at chosen sport

Schools unfairly targeting vulnerable children with exclusion policies

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 1400 AEDT | 1600 NZDT

Australian schools are unfairly suspending and excluding students – particularly boys, Indigenous students, and students with a disability – according to new research from the University of South Australia. Read more about Schools unfairly targeting vulnerable children with exclusion policies

New neural network explains human behaviours from dynamic brain activity

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

Nature Neuroscience

An international research team has uncovered a new method that can analyse signals in the brain to assess how we control our everyday behaviours. In the future, this algorithm will unlock the potential to decode brain signals and allow patients to Read more about New neural network explains human behaviours from dynamic brain activity

EXPERT REACTION: Pfizer announces COVID-19 vaccine is 90% effective

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

US pharmaceutical company Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech announced overnight that their vaccine candidate was more than 90 per cent effective in preventing COVID-19. The results are based on initial data from a large study of 43,538 Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Pfizer announces COVID-19 vaccine is 90% effective

Sugary snacking may cause more cavities than sugar at mealtimes

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 1059 AEDT | 1259 NZDT

European Journal of Oral Sciences

The body of scientific research points to snacking on sugary and starchy foods as a major culprit in developing dental cavities, according to NZ academics who have reviewed a range of studies. However they had mixed results on whether cavities were Read more about Sugary snacking may cause more cavities than sugar at mealtimes

Taking those multivitamins to keep you healthy? It might be all in your mind

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

BMJ Open

The health benefits of multivitamins and mineral supplements may be all our minds, with new research showing that the people who take them say they are healthier than those who don't, despite there being no real differences in measurable health Read more about Taking those multivitamins to keep you healthy? It might be all in your mind

Lockdown may lead to future flu outbreaks

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 0904 AEDT | 1104 NZDT

PNAS

Scientists warn healthcare systems need to gear up for an influx of respiratory infections like influenza once lockdowns and physical distancing rules are lifted. The researchers found that the measures intended to limit the spread of COVID-19 have Read more about Lockdown may lead to future flu outbreaks

Printable ink guides cell growth, offers nerve injury hope

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 0800 AEDT | 1000 NZDT

RSC Advances

Researchers have developed a neuron-growing ink that uses the body’s own electrical signals to precisely guide the growth of nerve cells. Read more about Printable ink guides cell growth, offers nerve injury hope

Gene editing study finds gene for heat tolerance in corals

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 0700 AEDT | 0900 NZDT

PNAS

Scientists have used CRISPR-Cas technology to identify a gene responsible for heat tolerance in a coral on the Great Barrier Reef. Read more about Gene editing study finds gene for heat tolerance in corals

Learning a new language recruits the right side of the brain

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

JNeurosci

In most people, language relies on the brain's left hemisphere, but the right hemisphere may chip in to help you understand when you learn a language later in life, according to Spanish researchers. They scanned the brains of adults while they read, Read more about Learning a new language recruits the right side of the brain

Overcrowded nursing homes hit much harder by COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Internal Medicine

Data from 623 nursing homes in Ontario, Canada suggest crowded homes were more likely to experience larger and deadlier COVID-19 outbreaks, according to Canadian researchers. Overcrowding was determined based on the number of residents per bedroom Read more about Overcrowded nursing homes hit much harder by COVID-19

We just added over 12,000 new species to the list of Earth's bacteria

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Biotechnology

Australian scientists have helped boost what we know about the bacteria that live on and around us by deciphering the DNA of over 12,000 new species from 52,000 environmental DNA samples. The samples were previously taken from oceans, soil, animals Read more about We just added over 12,000 new species to the list of Earth's bacteria

Hominin cranium discovery opens unparalleled window into human microevolutionary history

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Ecology & Evolution

Palaeoanthropologists have discovered a two-million-year-old adult hominin skull – the earliest known and best preserved Paranthropus robustus specimen ever found. Read more about Hominin cranium discovery opens unparalleled window into human microevolutionary history

Jupiter may have a glow-in-the-dark moon

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Astronomy

The night side of Jupiter’s moon Europa might glow visibly, according to lab simulations. Researchers in NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory simulated the impact of space radiation on the surface of Europa using salted ice, which gave off a greenish Read more about Jupiter may have a glow-in-the-dark moon

Yet another trial finds hydroxychloroquine doesn't treat COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 10 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA

A randomised controlled trial of hydroxychloroquine has once again found the treatment did not significantly improve the outcome of patients hospitalised with COVID-19. The study compared the effects of hydroxychloroquine versus a placebo on almost Read more about Yet another trial finds hydroxychloroquine doesn't treat COVID-19

New cancer drugs have helped save more than a million Americans over the last 16 years

Publicly released: Mon 9 Nov 2020 at 1601 AEDT | 1801 NZDT

Journal of Medical Economics

More than 1. 2 million lives were saved between 2000 and 2016 in the US alone thanks in part to new cancer drugs, according to US researchers, including a scientist from drug manufacturer Pfizer Inc. , which also funded the study. They say 106 new Read more about New cancer drugs have helped save more than a million Americans over the last 16 years