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

Hawke’s Bay feral cats take a hit from new poison regime

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

New Zealand Journal of Ecology

Conservationists suggest a predator control regime in Hawke’s Bay has reduced the feral cat population by nearly 40 per cent. A 2018 trial saw toxic PredaSTOP baits laid at stations across 9,000 hectares of bush. They found baits were removed from Read more about Hawke’s Bay feral cats take a hit from new poison regime

Measles outbreaks likely in wake of COVID-19 pandemic

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

The Lancet

Major measles outbreaks will likely occur during 2021 as an unexpected consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new academic article. Read more about Measles outbreaks likely in wake of COVID-19 pandemic

Key patient insights the missing link in understanding COVID-19 and its mutations

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Transboundary and Emerging Diseases

A new study led by Australia’s national science agency CSIRO, has found 95. 5 per cent of current entries in GISAID, the world’s largest novel coronavirus genome database, do not contain relevant patient information — a critical piece Read more about Key patient insights the missing link in understanding COVID-19 and its mutations

Revealing Australia’s multi-billion dollar superbug crisis

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

One of the world’s most common infections will cost Australia more than $1 billion a year within the next decade, if nothing is done to stop the rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria (superbugs). Read more about Revealing Australia’s multi-billion dollar superbug crisis

Supermarkets are getting closer to home in poorer areas

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 1648 AEDT | 1848 NZDT

Social Science & Medicine

The average urban-dwelling Kiwi has a shorter drive to their nearest fast-food outlet and supermarket than they did a decade ago, according to new research. However, in the most deprived areas, there has been an even more notable decrease in the Read more about Supermarkets are getting closer to home in poorer areas

COVID-19 stigma could lead to more infections

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 1631 AEDT | 1831 NZDT

Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine

A comprehensive guide to dealing with stigma around contracting COVID-19 has been developed by a team of researchers including a New Zealander. They say shame associated with the virus could result in more cases as people become reluctant to report Read more about COVID-19 stigma could lead to more infections

Southland skaters confident but concerned

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 1617 AEDT | 1817 NZDT

Journal of Transport & Health

A survey of 775 Southland teenagers has found seven per cent hop on a skateboard to get around - with more than a third of skaters reporting it was their main mode of transport. Skaters also reported doing more physical exercise and had higher Read more about Southland skaters confident but concerned

Truffle munching wallabies shed new light on forest conservation

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 1400 AEDT | 1600 NZDT

Ecology and Evolution

Feeding truffles to wallabies may sound like a madcap whim of the jet-setting elite, but it may give researchers clues to preserving remnant forest systems. Edith Cowan University researcher Dr Melissa Danks led an investigation into how swamp Read more about Truffle munching wallabies shed new light on forest conservation

New drug research for prostate cancer could also fight COVID-19

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 1201 AEDT | 1401 NZDT

Endocrine-Related Cancer

Two drugs under development to treat aggressive prostate cancer will now be tested to combat the deadliest response to COVID-19 infection - acute respiratory distress syndrome. Read more about New drug research for prostate cancer could also fight COVID-19

Get fit with HIIT in time for summer

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Short bursts of intense exercise – known as HIIT – could help you get back into shape by summer and stay that way, a UNSW Sydney exercise physiology researcher says. Read more about Get fit with HIIT in time for summer

Orbits of ancient stars prompt rethink on Milky Way evolution

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

Australian telescopes and a European satellite have combined to reveal unexpected motions among the Galaxy’s rarest objects. Read more about Orbits of ancient stars prompt rethink on Milky Way evolution