New plant-based gel to fast-track 'mini-organs' growth, improve cancer treatment

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 1200 AEDT | 1400 NZDT

Advanced Science

Monash University researchers have created the world’s first bioactive plant-based nanocellulose hydrogel to support organoid growth for biomedical applications. This includes cancer development and treatment, and for COVID-19. Read more about New plant-based gel to fast-track 'mini-organs' growth, improve cancer treatment

Little megalodons were raised in nurseries

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Biology Letters

Spanish and UK scientists say megalodons (Otodus megalodon), the enormous, extinct relatives of modern sharks, may have raised their young in nurseries. They examined nine areas where megalodon remains have been found, and say five may have been Read more about Little megalodons were raised in nurseries

Westland petrels fly to the beat of their own drum

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Royal Society Open Science

Unlike its close seabird relatives, the Westland petrel breeds in the winter, takes a co-ed approach to foraging, and doesn’t have to go far to eat. Researchers used tracking data to study almost 30 adult Westland petrels, which live on the west Read more about Westland petrels fly to the beat of their own drum

Young hihi cave to peer pressure

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society B

When it’s time for a young animal to be more independent, does it keep the skills it learned from its parents or does it follow what its peers are doing? Researchers studied New Zealand’s own hihi for clues into this question, keeping an eye on Read more about Young hihi cave to peer pressure

Malaria-spreading mosquito bites come later

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

The first mosquito bites are less likely to be the ones that spread malaria, according to new research. Using birds in a lab experiment, researchers found that the amount of parasites within the mosquito tripled between the mosquito’s first and Read more about Malaria-spreading mosquito bites come later

Identifying a zapped bug from its smell

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Open Biology

For some, summer comes with the familiar smell of an insect when it hits a ‘zapper', but researchers say that unique odour could hold insights to help identify the bug. Researchers analysed the molecules of the burnt smell that came from different Read more about Identifying a zapped bug from its smell

Make your own N95 mask with a candy floss machine?

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society A

A physicist is proposing an innovative way for people to make their own N95-style masks using the same machinery that turns sugar into candy floss. N95 masks are already made by electrically charging the fabric to improve their filtration, but Read more about Make your own N95 mask with a candy floss machine?

Plasma from recovered COVID patients of no benefit in severe COVID-19

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

New England Journal of Medicine

The plasma of patients who have recovered from COVID-19, known as convalescent plasma, has been found to be no better than placebo for patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, according to an Argentinian trial. Convalescent plasma is often given Read more about Plasma from recovered COVID patients of no benefit in severe COVID-19

Hydroxychloroquine also doesn't work to prevent COVID-19

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

New England Journal of Medicine

A trial which used hydroxychloroquine to try and prevent COVID-19 developing in people who were close contacts of a confirmed case, has found it provides no benefit. the trial of over 200 people found COVID-19 developed at the same rate in both the Read more about Hydroxychloroquine also doesn't work to prevent COVID-19

Meet the experts behind ensuring the reliability of sewage testing for coronavirus

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

The collaboration on Sewage Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 (ColoSSoS Project) is giving our regulators, industry and the community confidence in the quality and reliability of testing methods. The National Measurement Institute (NMI), together with Read more about Meet the experts behind ensuring the reliability of sewage testing for coronavirus

Urban estuaries have more methane making microbes

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

More urbanised parts of the Burnett River Estuary, around Bundaberg, and within the Great Barrier Reef catchment, have a higher proportion of methane producing microbes, according to Australian research. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and it is Read more about Urban estuaries have more methane making microbes

Tassie devil tumours evolved rapidly as they spread

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS Biology

Tassie devil transmissible cancer devil facial tumor 1 (DFT1) has evolved over the past two decades with new types spreading and replacing others, which may explain why the iconic marsupial has become endangered so quickly, according to Read more about Tassie devil tumours evolved rapidly as they spread

C-section babies do just as well at school

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

A study finds kids born via caesarean section have just as good NCEA results as vaginally birthed babies. C-section babies often have different microbes in their gut, which researchers suspected might influence their academic performance through a Read more about C-section babies do just as well at school

EXPERT REACTION: Emergency department visits surged during 2019-20 black summer bushfires

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

A new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows increases in emergency department visits for respiratory problems and sales of asthma medication in regions affected by the 2019–20 bushfires. The report brings together data Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Emergency department visits surged during 2019-20 black summer bushfires

Hepatitis C testing and treatment declines in Australia

Publicly released: Tue 24 Nov 2020 at 1531 AEDT | 1731 NZDT

New report shows stigma remains high despite access to highly effective treatments. Fewer Australians are seeking testing and treatment for hepatitis C, according to the report monitoring Australia’s progress in eliminating the disease. Read more about Hepatitis C testing and treatment declines in Australia

Injectable opioid treatment – an important option for a minority of people who use drugs.

Publicly released: Tue 24 Nov 2020 at 1201 AEDT | 1401 NZDT

Addiction

Opioid agonist therapy (OAT) is an effective treatment for opioid addiction, including drugs such as heroin, oxycodone and fentanyl. It involves taking a regular dose of opioid medicines such as methadone or buprenorphine, usually orally or in films Read more about Injectable opioid treatment – an important option for a minority of people who use drugs.

Netball teams should go for long shots when the two-point rule is in play

Publicly released: Tue 24 Nov 2020 at 1053 AEDT | 1253 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Teams competing in Australia’s national netball league should favour long- over mid-range shots when the two-point shot is available, according to Australian research. Australia's national netball league, Suncorp Super Netball, introduced a Read more about Netball teams should go for long shots when the two-point rule is in play

UK SMC BRIEFING + EXPERT REACTION: Phase 3 Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID vaccine trial results

Publicly released: Tue 24 Nov 2020 at 1042 AEDT | 1242 NZDT

Our colleagues at the UK SMC have hosted a media briefing to present the results of the Phase 3 trial into the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID vaccine. Phase 3 interim analysis including 131 Covid-19 cases indicates that the vaccine is 70. 4 per cent Read more about UK SMC BRIEFING + EXPERT REACTION: Phase 3 Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID vaccine trial results

Areas where the next pandemic could emerge are revealed

Publicly released: Tue 24 Nov 2020 at 1039 AEDT | 1239 NZDT

One Health

An international team of human- and animal health experts has incorporated environmental, social and economic considerations – including air transit centrality, to identify key areas at risk of leading to the next pandemic. The paper led by the Read more about Areas where the next pandemic could emerge are revealed

Taking the pill could be linked to reduced asthma severity

Publicly released: Tue 24 Nov 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Thorax

Taking the Pill may cut the risk of severe bouts of asthma, according to international researchers, however this effect is relatively small and doesn’t include the progesterone-only pill. The team looked at a database of six million patients, and Read more about Taking the pill could be linked to reduced asthma severity