Common form of food poisoning still comes mainly from chicken

Publicly released: Tue 24 Nov 2020 at 0921 AEDT | 1121 NZDT

International Journal of Infectious Diseases

Kiwi scientists looked at recent data to re-visit which food sources are responsible for Campylobacter infections, a common form of food poisoning caused by bacteria. Poultry still remains the lead culprit, with 84% of Campylobacter infections in Read more about Common form of food poisoning still comes mainly from chicken

Mother’s touch lingers in her child’s genes

Publicly released: Tue 24 Nov 2020 at 0910 AEDT | 1110 NZDT

eLife

Mothers leave their mark on their children in many ways – and Melbourne researchers have discovered a protein called SMCHD1 is involved in this ‘imprinting’ process. SMCHD1 switches certain genes off, altering how a cell behaves. The new Read more about Mother’s touch lingers in her child’s genes

Sound waves power new advances in drug delivery and smart materials

Publicly released: Tue 24 Nov 2020 at 0845 AEDT | 1045 NZDT

Advanced Science

Researchers have revealed how high-frequency sound waves can be used to build new materials, make smart nanoparticles and even deliver drugs to the lungs for painless, needle-free vaccinations. Read more about Sound waves power new advances in drug delivery and smart materials

Next generation drones could learn from bumblebees’ amazing flight

Publicly released: Tue 24 Nov 2020 at 0700 AEDT | 0900 NZDT

PNAS

An international study, led by researchers from UNSW Canberra, has discovered the secret of bumblebees’ self-aware dexterous flight, that could have applications for the next generation of drones and autonomous vehicles. Read more about Next generation drones could learn from bumblebees’ amazing flight

Isolation makes us literally hungry for company

Publicly released: Tue 24 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Neuroscience

Social isolation can evoke a craving response in the human brain, US research finds. Scientists restricted the in-person and online social interactions of 40 people for ten hours and measured their brain response. Showing the participants pictures Read more about Isolation makes us literally hungry for company

Candy with a chance of meatballs: Movie food and drinks fail the health test

Publicly released: Tue 24 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Internal Medicine

Popular US movies depict an unhealthy diet, with the majority showing unhealthy foods and drinks, according to US research. The study looked at the 250 top-grossing US films between 1994 and 2018 and found that 73 per cent would be unhealthy enough Read more about Candy with a chance of meatballs: Movie food and drinks fail the health test

Study reveals true origin of oldest evidence of animals

Publicly released: Tue 24 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Ecology & Evolution

Two teams of scientists have resolved a longstanding controversy surrounding the origins of complex life on Earth. The joint studies found molecular fossils extracted from 635-million-year-old rocks aren’t the earliest evidence of animals, but Read more about Study reveals true origin of oldest evidence of animals

Using cutting edge technology to bioprint mini-kidneys

Publicly released: Tue 24 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Materials

Researchers have used cutting edge technology to bioprint miniature human kidneys in the lab, paving the way for new treatments for kidney failure and possibly lab-grown transplants. Similar to the process used to 3D print materials like metal and Read more about Using cutting edge technology to bioprint mini-kidneys

Greenhouse gas is still at record levels despite COVID-19 lockdowns, according to WMO

Publicly released: Mon 23 Nov 2020 at 2100 AEDT | 2300 NZDT

WMO Greenhouse Gas Bulletin

The WMO says COVID-19 has not curbed record levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, despite the industrial slowdown as a result of the pandemic. The WMO Greenhouse Gas Bulletin reports that the reduction in CO2 emissions in 2020 will be Read more about Greenhouse gas is still at record levels despite COVID-19 lockdowns, according to WMO

Machine learning predicts onset of dementia

Publicly released: Mon 23 Nov 2020 at 2100 AEDT | 2300 NZDT

Nature Scientific Reports

Researchers from the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) and the School of Computer Science and Engineering at UNSW Sydney have undertaken the largest comparison of survival analysis methods to date, to predict the onset of dementia using Read more about Machine learning predicts onset of dementia

NT croc resurgence under investigation

Publicly released: Mon 23 Nov 2020 at 1700 AEDT | 1900 NZDT

A team of researchers from Charles Darwin University will investigate the impact of the recovery of the northern Australian estuarine crocodile population on river ecosystems. The project in collaboration with Griffith University, the Australian Read more about NT croc resurgence under investigation

No meat may make vegan bones brittle

Publicly released: Mon 23 Nov 2020 at 1201 AEDT | 1401 NZDT

BMC Medicine

A lack of meat in their diet may be making vegans, vegetarians and pescatarians more susceptible to bone breaks, say UK scientists. The team say when compared with people who ate meat, vegans with lower calcium and protein intakes on average had a Read more about No meat may make vegan bones brittle

New tool to combat terrorism

Publicly released: Mon 23 Nov 2020 at 1156 AEDT | 1356 NZDT

Forensic Science International: Genetics

Forensic science experts at Flinders University are refining an innovative counter-terrorism technique that checks for environmental DNA in the dust on clothing, baggage, shoes or even a passport. The research, led by postdoctoral research associate Read more about New tool to combat terrorism

Unlocking cheaper, sustainable chemicals

Publicly released: Mon 23 Nov 2020 at 1104 AEDT | 1304 NZDT

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces Article

A new technique to make cheaper more efficient biological enzyme hybrids could have valuable applications in future water recycling, targeted drug manufacturing and other industries, Flinders University green chemistry researchers say in a new Read more about Unlocking cheaper, sustainable chemicals

Bite-size view of brain space

Publicly released: Mon 23 Nov 2020 at 1013 AEDT | 1213 NZDT

Royal Society Open Science

A new study fills in another gap in the remarkable evolutionary transition of life from water to land on Earth. Using micro-CT and MRI scans to make 3D models of small animal heads, palaeontology researchers from the University of Edinburgh, Read more about Bite-size view of brain space

Almost two-thirds of the public support pill testing at music festivals

Publicly released: Mon 23 Nov 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Drug and Alcohol Review

Almost two-thirds of the public support pill testing at music festivals, but opinions are highly polarised across the political spectrum, according to Australian research. The data from the 2019 Australian Election Study survey — a large Read more about Almost two-thirds of the public support pill testing at music festivals

Changes in fire activity are threatening more than 4,400 species globally

Publicly released: Mon 23 Nov 2020 at 0400 AEDT | 0600 NZDT

Science

Major new paper says too much or too little fire is threatening more than 4,400 species around the world, including the orangutan in Indonesia and mallee emu-wren in Australia. The research team also found a striking example from Australia: the Read more about Changes in fire activity are threatening more than 4,400 species globally

"Speaking up" could improve professionalism in healthcare

Publicly released: Mon 23 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

MJA

Hospital staff who say they have skills in “speaking up” seemed to experience less incivility and bullying from their colleagues, according to researchers who say training in speaking up might help eliminate unprofessional behaviour in healthcare Read more about "Speaking up" could improve professionalism in healthcare

Queenslanders needed for OCD treatment clinical trial

Publicly released: Mon 23 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Researchers at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Brisbane are recruiting participants for a clinical trial of a new brain stimulation treatment for people diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Read more about Queenslanders needed for OCD treatment clinical trial

Ritalin in uni unfair according to NZ professionals

Publicly released: Sat 21 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS One

Professionals are in agreement that it’s unfair to use cognitive enhancing drugs like Ritalin to get through university. The results are from a survey of 400 New Zealand pharmacists, doctors, nurses, lawyers, and accountants. However some Read more about Ritalin in uni unfair according to NZ professionals

Did Health Star Ratings on our foods help them become healthier?

Publicly released: Sat 21 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS Medicine

Researchers from NZ and Australia suggest that Health Star Ratings (HSR) had a small effect on the healthiness of foods that were labelled. HSRs were introduced in 2014, and producers were asked to voluntarily add the label to their packaging to Read more about Did Health Star Ratings on our foods help them become healthier?

Pioneering remote screening for vital health signs indicating COVID-19

Publicly released: Fri 20 Nov 2020 at 1330 AEDT | 1530 NZDT

A key symptom of COVID-19 – oxygen saturation – is now being estimated remotely from a camera, thanks to research from University of South Australia engineers Professor Javaan Chahl, Dr Ali Al-Naji and their team of graduate students. Read more about Pioneering remote screening for vital health signs indicating COVID-19

New findings speed progress towards affordable gene therapy

Publicly released: Fri 20 Nov 2020 at 1130 AEDT | 1330 NZDT

Chemical Communcations

In a promising advance for affordable, personalised medicine, researchers have used metal-organic frameworks to successfully deliver the genetic snipping tool CRISPR/Cas9 into human cancer cells. Read more about New findings speed progress towards affordable gene therapy

Don’t use remdesivir to treat COVID-19 - WHO

Publicly released: Fri 20 Nov 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

The BMJ

The WHO has concluded that remdesivir has no meaningful effect on whether COVID-19 patients die, need to go on a ventilator, or how long they take to improve. After thoroughly reviewing the evidence, the WHO Guideline Development Group expert panel Read more about Don’t use remdesivir to treat COVID-19 - WHO

Infectiousness peaks early in COVID-19 patients, cases need to be rapidly isolated

Publicly released: Fri 20 Nov 2020 at 1050 AEDT | 1250 NZDT

The Lancet Microbe

People infected with SARS-CoV-2 are most likely to be highly infectious in the first week after symptom onset, highlighting the need to identify and isolate cases early, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis. The study suggests Read more about Infectiousness peaks early in COVID-19 patients, cases need to be rapidly isolated

Victorian bushfires have become more severe

Publicly released: Fri 20 Nov 2020 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Bushfires in southern Australia have become more severe over the last 30 years, according to Australian research. The study found that the number of bushfires each year that were larger than 1,000 ha increased significantly between 1987 and 2017, a Read more about Victorian bushfires have become more severe

Slaughterhouses are coronavirus hotspots

Publicly released: Fri 20 Nov 2020 at 0930 AEDT | 1130 NZDT

PNAS

Livestock processing plants are responsible for up to 8 per cent of all coronavirus infections in the United States, new research finds. The study authors say as of July, slaughterhouses were linked to up to 310,000 COVID-19 cases, and up to 5,200 Read more about Slaughterhouses are coronavirus hotspots

Closing the gap for vision – good progress made but still a way to go

Publicly released: Fri 20 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

Australia continues to Close the Gap for Vision for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, but not fast enough, according to a report being launched today. Read more about Closing the gap for vision – good progress made but still a way to go

How the flu spreads within cities

Publicly released: Fri 20 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS Pathogens

The spread of respiratory diseases, such as the flu, is affected by temperature and school-aged children, according to Swiss researchers, who looked at how the flu spread within a city. The researchers looked at the genetic sequences of the flu Read more about How the flu spreads within cities

Cesarean-born babies at increased risk of infection-related hospitalisation in early childhood

Publicly released: Fri 20 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS Medicine

Cesarean-born babies are at increased risk during early childhood of being hospitalised due to an infection, according to a new study of over seven million births from four countries. Read more about Cesarean-born babies at increased risk of infection-related hospitalisation in early childhood

The carrots and sticks of freshwater policy

Publicly released: Fri 20 Nov 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

A new research paper by Motu Economic and Public Policy Research presents the array of different policy instruments available for managing freshwater quality and quantity and provides insights into how the various instruments can be used to Read more about The carrots and sticks of freshwater policy

First map of bee species creating some buzz

Publicly released: Fri 20 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Current Biology

International researchers have created some buzz after putting together the most complete map of bee species to date. There are over 20,000 species of bee – more than birds and mammals combined – but until now, information about how these Read more about First map of bee species creating some buzz

Start monitoring for vaccine side effects now - GP

Publicly released: Fri 20 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

NZMJ

A retired GP says New Zealand should set up a system to actively monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines. In a Viewpoint article, he says enough people will be getting the jab that there is a decent risk of adverse side-effects, negative publicity Read more about Start monitoring for vaccine side effects now - GP

Pregnant New Zealanders are eating unsafe foods

Publicly released: Fri 20 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

NZMJ

A survey of 200 pregnant New Zealanders has found a concerning lack of knowledge of which foods are safe for them to eat. Three quarters of those surveyed incorrectly identified a potentially dangerous food as safe. It also highlighted that Māori Read more about Pregnant New Zealanders are eating unsafe foods

NZers toughed out appendicitis through lockdown

Publicly released: Fri 20 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

NZMJ

The number of patients with appendicitis in New Zealand hospitals noticeably dropped over the national COVID-19 lockdown. However those who did go to hospital had been experiencing symptoms for longer, suffered more complications, and had to stay in Read more about NZers toughed out appendicitis through lockdown

Oxford's COVID-19 jab safer in older adults

Publicly released: Thu 19 Nov 2020 at 1800 AEDT | 2000 NZDT

The Lancet

Phase 2 trial results from Oxford’s ChAdOx1 vaccine shows it’s better tolerated in older people compared to younger adults, and produces a similar immune response in old and young adults. The study of 560 healthy adults – including 240 over 70 Read more about Oxford's COVID-19 jab safer in older adults

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

Alzheimer’s disease drug may help fight against antibiotic resistance

Publicly released: Thu 19 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

Science Translational Medicine

An experimental Alzheimer's disease treatment is proving effective at treating some of the most persistent, life-threatening antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Researchers from The University of Queensland, The University of Melbourne and Griffith Read more about Alzheimer’s disease drug may help fight against antibiotic resistance

Emotional responses to music - without a sound

Publicly released: Thu 19 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Music prompts strong emotional responses in people – but often it’s not just the sounds that shape what emotion we experience. Many inbuilt expectations and preferences set up our emotional framework for music, even notions that don’t even Read more about Emotional responses to music - without a sound

New hope for tinnitus sufferers

Publicly released: Thu 19 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Australian researchers have developed a new technology to objectively measure tinnitus, according to a study published on November 18th in the journal PLOS ONE. Read more about New hope for tinnitus sufferers

Super-resolution 'street view' microscopy hits the SPOT

Publicly released: Wed 18 Nov 2020 at 2100 AEDT | 2300 NZDT

Nature Communications

An advanced technique called SPOT is giving researchers a 'street view' of the vital lipid membranes surrounding organelles. This opens up opportunities to study the sophisticated world of lipid dynamics with the potential for monitoring and Read more about Super-resolution 'street view' microscopy hits the SPOT