Getting a grip on better health

Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

Nature and Science of Sleep

Men with muscles like a young Arnold Schwarzenegger or a top weightlifter look powerful but a handshake will give away whether they’re a healthy specimen – or at risk of a chronic disease or premature ageing, experts say. Medical researchers in Read more about Getting a grip on better health

VR headsets and hypnosis may help distract patients undergoing medical procedures

Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 1001 AEDT | 1201 NZDT

Euroanaesthesia congress

Virtual reality headsets or medical hypnosis may help with pain and anxiety in patients undergoing short but painful medical procedures, according to Belgian scientists. They split 104 patients undergoing procedures into three groups. All received Read more about VR headsets and hypnosis may help distract patients undergoing medical procedures

Men tuning into Insta-spiration

Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 0930 AEDT | 1130 NZDT

Body Image

New research confirms men and teens are affected by Instagram influencers who set global benchmarks for ideal body shape, fashion and even facial trends. While perhaps not as focused on ‘thinness’ as women appear to be from female influencers, Read more about Men tuning into Insta-spiration

Has quality suffered in the rush to publish COVID-19 research?

Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

MJA

An Australian analysis of research papers on COVID-19 published in five of the world's leading medical journals has found many differed from papers published in the same journals that were not about COVID-19. The researchers say three times as many Read more about Has quality suffered in the rush to publish COVID-19 research?

Mental ill-health major contributor to Australian youth suicide

Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

MJA

The majority of young Australians who died by suicide between 2006 and 2015 had either a diagnosed or a likely mental health disorder, yet more than two-thirds were not in contact with mental health services at the time of their deaths, an analysis Read more about Mental ill-health major contributor to Australian youth suicide

Game changer in thermoelectric materials could unlock body-heat powered personal devices, such as wrist-watches

Publicly released: Sun 29 Nov 2020 at 1334 AEDT | 1534 NZDT

Advanced Energy Materials

An improvement in ultra‐efficient thermoelectric materials, which can convert heat into electricity and vice versa, has great potential for applications ranging from low-maintenance, solid-state refrigeration to compact, zero-carbon power Read more about Game changer in thermoelectric materials could unlock body-heat powered personal devices, such as wrist-watches

Nanoscopic barcodes set a new science limit

Publicly released: Fri 27 Nov 2020 at 2100 AEDT | 2300 NZDT

Nature Communications

Imagine shrinking barcodes a million times, from millimetre to nanometre scale, so that they could be used inside living cells to label, identify and track the building blocks of life or, blended into inks to prevent counterfeiting. This is the Read more about Nanoscopic barcodes set a new science limit

COVID-19 Peer Hub combats vaccine avoidance amid pandemic

Publicly released: Fri 27 Nov 2020 at 1516 AEDT | 1716 NZDT

UniSA researchers are evaluating a new vaccination education initiative – the COVID-19 Peer Hub – to help immunisation and public health professionals to tackle the emerging dangers of vaccine hesitancy amid the pandemic. Read more about COVID-19 Peer Hub combats vaccine avoidance amid pandemic

COVID-19 may hijack our cells' 'good cholesterol' system to spread through the body

Publicly released: Fri 27 Nov 2020 at 1130 AEDT | 1330 NZDT

Nature Metabolism

SARS-CoV-2 may hijack our cells' internal cholesterol processing system to help it spread from cell to cell, according to a Chinese study of cells in a dish. They found the SARS-CoV-2 virus bound to HDL cholesterol (also known as 'good' Read more about COVID-19 may hijack our cells' 'good cholesterol' system to spread through the body

Climate change may mean trees will shed their leaves earlier

Publicly released: Fri 27 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

Science

Trees that lose their leaves in the autumn may be doing so earlier as climate change forces them to store more carbon earlier in the warmer months. Researchers looked at tree data from Europe harking as far back as 1948, and found that warmer Read more about Climate change may mean trees will shed their leaves earlier

Neanderthals were all thumbs

Publicly released: Fri 27 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Scientific Reports

Our Neanderthal ancestors' thumbs were made for squeezing, rather than precision like our own modern thumbs, say international researchers. The team digitally mapped out the thumb and thumb joints of five Neanderthals and compared them to the Read more about Neanderthals were all thumbs

The case of the missing dark matter: new suspect found in galactic mystery

Publicly released: Fri 27 Nov 2020 at 0100 AEDT | 0300 NZDT

The Astrophysical Journal

A faraway galaxy with almost no dark matter has threatened to break our theory of galaxy formation. New evidence suggests the galaxy isn’t an anomaly – but a victim of theft. Read more about The case of the missing dark matter: new suspect found in galactic mystery

Descendants suggest indigenous role in the William Hann's exploration of Cape York has been downplayed

Publicly released: Fri 27 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Historical Records of Australian Science

William Hann’s journey to explore Cape York Peninsula in 1872 was plagued by disharmony and now the descendants of members of his party have revisited the expedition and found his Indigenous guide and translator, Jerry, probably had a greater Read more about Descendants suggest indigenous role in the William Hann's exploration of Cape York has been downplayed

Aboriginal knowledge key to fight against bushfires and climate change: Narrm Oration

Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 1800 AEDT | 2000 NZDT

Wiradjuri man and geographer, Associate Professor Michael-Shawn Fletcher, explores how Indigenous people and knowledge can save Australia’s environmental unravelling in this year’s Narrm Oration. Read more about Aboriginal knowledge key to fight against bushfires and climate change: Narrm Oration

High blood pressure in midlife may increase brain damage later

Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 1631 AEDT | 1831 NZDT

European Heart Journal

Higher than normal blood pressure in mid-life is linked to more extensive brain damage associated with stroke, dementia, physical disabilities, depression and a decline in thinking abilities in the elderly, according to a UK study of 37,041 Read more about High blood pressure in midlife may increase brain damage later

Understanding traditional Chinese medicine can help protect species

Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 1600 AEDT | 1800 NZDT

People and Nature

Demystifying traditional Chinese medicine for conservationists could be the key to better protecting endangered species like pangolins, tigers and rhino, according to University of Queensland-led researchers. UQ PhD candidate Hubert Cheung said Read more about Understanding traditional Chinese medicine can help protect species

Plasma-developed new material fundamental to Internet of Things

Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 1241 AEDT | 1441 NZDT

Nature Communications

A new light-energised material that is much brighter and more dynamic than existing photo-luminescent material could power future devices fundamental to the Internet of Things. Smart devices could process information faster, better talk to each other Read more about Plasma-developed new material fundamental to Internet of Things

Jaguars robust to climate extremes but lack of food threatens species

Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 1053 AEDT | 1253 NZDT

Ecology and Evolution

QUT researchers lead an investigation into the chances of wild jaguars surviving climate extremes with six scenarios modelling the behaviour, mating, births of cubs, competition, illegal hunting, death from starvation and availability of prey. Read more about Jaguars robust to climate extremes but lack of food threatens species

Kids born early at higher risk of hospital trips

Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The BMJ

Premature birth is linked to higher risk of hospital admissions up to the age of 10 years old, according to new research. Scientists in the UK tracked more than 1 million children between 2005 and 2015, and found that those born early were more Read more about Kids born early at higher risk of hospital trips

Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook: December 2020 – February 2021

Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The main fire risk for Australia this summer will be grass fires in the east and bushfires in the west, according to the Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook: December 2020 – February 2021, released today by the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Read more about Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook: December 2020 – February 2021

When hoarding becomes a health problem

Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 1026 AEDT | 1226 NZDT

Hoarding is a recognised mental health condition and should be treated as such – without the stigma associated with high-profile cases seen in the media, a UNSW clinical psychologist says. Read more about When hoarding becomes a health problem

Low-cost population-wide salt reduction strategies could save lives

Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 1025 AEDT | 1225 NZDT

BMJ Open

Reducing salt consumption at population levels is a cost-effective strategy to combat high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease in Africa according to new Griffith University-led research. Read more about Low-cost population-wide salt reduction strategies could save lives

Exercise can offset the risks of sitting around all day

Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 0959 AEDT | 1159 NZDT

British Journal of Sports Medicine

Getting in a good sweat for 30-40 minutes a day can reduce the health risks linked to prolonged sitting, such as early death. The findings come after researchers analysed data that tracked how more than 44,000 people from four countries moved. The Read more about Exercise can offset the risks of sitting around all day

Babbling back at bubs may boost their vocab

Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

US scientists say imitating the babbling sounds babies make, while incorporating real words, may help boost their vocabularies. The team recorded whole days of 'conversation' between 53 13-month-old babies and their carers and asked the carers to Read more about Babbling back at bubs may boost their vocab

Female founding CEOs in male-dominated industries fare worse with investors

Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

Science Advances

When men launch businesses in male-dominated industries, they raise more than ten times the average (NZD30 million) of what’s raised by women-led businesses, according to new research. An international research team looked at the data of hundreds Read more about Female founding CEOs in male-dominated industries fare worse with investors

Invasive wasps nesting in aircraft instruments in Brisbane could lead to disaster

Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Please note this embargo has changed from 6AM AEDT Thursday 26 November to 6AM AEDT Tuesday 1 December 2020. Invasive keyhole wasps (Pachodynerus nasidens) in Brisbane like to nest in aircraft pitot probes - vital instruments that measure airspeed Read more about Invasive wasps nesting in aircraft instruments in Brisbane could lead to disaster

Landmark study to improve global wheat production

Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 0301 AEDT | 0501 NZDT

Nature

In a landmark study, an international team of scientists, including researchers from The University of Western Australia, have sequenced and analysed the genomes of 15 wheat varieties that represent breeding programs from around the world. The Read more about Landmark study to improve global wheat production

Unexpected discovery about stem cell immortality

Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature

A new paper out in Nature will upend 20 years of thinking on how stem cells protect their DNA. Telomeres are the protective caps at chromosome ends. In adult cells, telomeres shorten each time a cell divides and this contributes to ageing and cancer. Read more about Unexpected discovery about stem cell immortality

New wheat and barley genomes will help feed the world

Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature

An international research collaboration, including scientists from the University of Adelaide’s Waite Research Institute, has unlocked new genetic variation in wheat and barley – a major boost for the global effort in breeding higher-yielding Read more about New wheat and barley genomes will help feed the world

New insights into what makes massive stars shine

Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature

Scientists have gained new evidence into the way the Sun (and other more massive stars) produce energy. Stars are fuelled by the nuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium, but there’s another fusion process, involving carbon, nitrogen and oxygen, Read more about New insights into what makes massive stars shine

COVID toes may point to an overactive immune response

Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Dermatology

People coming to a clinic with a chilblain-like condition during the COVID-19 pandemic, often called 'COVID toes', have characteristics which indicate an overactive immune response called a type I interferonopathy, according to French research. Read more about COVID toes may point to an overactive immune response

Reach for the stars, but don't get burned - how spaceflight affects astronaut health

Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Cell

As humanity continues to reach for the stars, we are discovering how space travel may affect our health. Loss of bone and muscle mass, immune dysfunction, as well as heart and liver problems have all been identified as existing issues resulting from Read more about Reach for the stars, but don't get burned - how spaceflight affects astronaut health

Tackling disadvantaged children's education post-COVID

Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 0101 AEDT | 0301 NZDT

COVID-19 has exposed fault lines in the education system for already disadvantaged students who are more likely to be severely impacted by the pandemic. Read more about Tackling disadvantaged children's education post-COVID

Fiji's vaccine program reduces childhood death and illness

Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 0101 AEDT | 0301 NZDT

The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific

Fiji’s national vaccine program against pneumonia, a serious lung condition, and rotavirus, a common disease which causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting, has reduced illness and death, new research shows. Read more about Fiji's vaccine program reduces childhood death and illness

1 in 4 drowning deaths off Aussie beaches are in young men

Publicly released: Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Injury Prevention

Young men make up a quarter of drowning deaths off Aussie beaches, and researchers say the data suggests they may be overestimating their swimming ability or engaging in risky behaviour like jumping into the water without precaution. The study Read more about 1 in 4 drowning deaths off Aussie beaches are in young men

Survival protein may prevent collateral damage during cancer therapy

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 2200 AEDT | Thu 26 Nov 2020 at 0000 NZDT

EMBO Journal

WEHI researchers have identified a protein that could protect the kidneys from ‘bystander’ damage caused by cancer therapies. The ‘cell survival protein’, called BCL-XL, was required in laboratory models to keep kidney cells alive and Read more about Survival protein may prevent collateral damage during cancer therapy

New therapy to target the spread of bowel cancer

Publicly released: Wed 25 Nov 2020 at 1645 AEDT | 1845 NZDT

Gastroenterology

For the first time, SAHMRI and University of Adelaide researchers are investigating gene therapy as an option to help people with metastatic bowel cancer. Read more about New therapy to target the spread of bowel cancer

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