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Stopping HIV in its tracks
eLife
New anti-viral treatment hacks the virus’ protective shield. Just over a year ago, the European Union and the US Food and Drug Administration approved a new anti-retroviral drug to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. Lenacapavir Read more about Stopping HIV in its tracks
Australia; International; NSWThe University of New South Wales -
Toolkit to help employ people with an intellectual disability
Finding reliable, conscientious and efficient workers in hospitality can be a challenge for both small and large employers. To help, Flinders University experts have developed a new toolkit and resources for small to medium size enterprises (SMEs) Read more about Toolkit to help employ people with an intellectual disability
Australia; SAFlinders University -
Australia's most at-risk bird species share some common traits
EMU - AUSTRAL ORNITHOLOGY
Australian birds that live on islands are among the species most at risk of extinction, a first-of-its-kind study from The Australian National University (ANU) shows. Australia has over 750 native bird species. But lead author Dr George Olah said Read more about Australia's most at-risk bird species share some common traits
Australia; VIC; NT; ACTThe Australian National University|Charles Darwin University... -
Improving survival rates for deadly lung diseases
The latest discovery of asbestos in contaminated mulch around schools and playgrounds in Sydney highlights the ongoing dangerous issues that Australia faces from this potentially deadly material which remains prevalent in the built environment says Read more about Improving survival rates for deadly lung diseases
Australia; SAFlinders University -
Research to help people born preterm breathe easier
Curtin University will use sophisticated machine learning approaches to better understand the different types of lung disease affecting more than half of people born preterm, to create more effective treatments and better predict those at risk of Read more about Research to help people born preterm breathe easier
Australia; VIC; WACurtin University|Telethon Kids Institute|The University of Melbourne... -
Research finds no impairment on simulated driving performance from prescribed medical cannabis
Journal of Psychopharmacology
A new study conducted by researchers at Swinburne University of Technology’s Centre for Human Psychopharmacology has made significant findings in the field of medical cannabis use. Published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, the research Read more about Research finds no impairment on simulated driving performance from prescribed medical cannabis
Australia; VICSwinburne University of Technology -
Academy welcomes diversity in STEM review
The Australian Academy of Science welcomes the release of the final report of the Pathway to Diversity in STEM review. The Australian Academy of Science welcomes the release of the final report of the Pathway to Diversity in STEM review. “It is Read more about Academy welcomes diversity in STEM review
AustraliaAustralian Academy of Science -
Online cancel culture is fueled by strongly-held political beliefs
Acta Psychologica
People whose identities are strongly defined by political beliefs are more likely to engage in online cancel culture, new research finds. From a survey of around 460 people, researchers found that the desire to show off one's moral beliefs (virtue Read more about Online cancel culture is fueled by strongly-held political beliefs
New Zealand; InternationalAUT University -
Overpressured fluids played large role in Kaikōura quake
Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors
A study on the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake shows how "overpressured" fluids underground – basically, lots of water molecules trapped under an impermeable layer of rock – likely facilitated the beginning of the quake. The researchers also found that Read more about Overpressured fluids played large role in Kaikōura quake
New ZealandGNS Science|University of Otago|Victoria University of Wellington... -
Tracking a preschoolers eye movements could help detect autism
PLOS ONE
Tracking the eye movement of preschoolers for as little as one minute could help with the early detection of autism spectrum disorder, according to Australian research. The study tracked the eye movements of children both with and without autism Read more about Tracking a preschoolers eye movements could help detect autism
Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales -
Salt substitute could reduce high blood pressure problems
Journal of the American College of Cardiology
Replacing regular salt with a salt substitute could reduce incidences of high blood pressure in older adults, without increasing the risk of low blood pressure episodes, according to international researchers. The team included 611 participants 55 Read more about Salt substitute could reduce high blood pressure problems
InternationalPeking University Clinical Research Institute, China -
Using a substitute could be a cost-effective option to cut back on the salt
JAMA Network Open
Replacing regular salt with a salt substitute could be a potential cost-saving strategy, according to Aussie and international researchers. The team conducted a trial of 1,612 adults in 48 eldercare facilities across China, splitting the residents Read more about Using a substitute could be a cost-effective option to cut back on the salt
Australia; NSWWestern Sydney University|The University of New South Wales -
Conservatives and progressives both less likely to change their minds about drug stigma
Drug and Alcohol Review
People with moderate politics and values are more likely to change their minds when it comes to stigmatising views on people who inject drugs, according to Australian research. The team surveyed about 250 people about their social/political values Read more about Conservatives and progressives both less likely to change their minds about drug stigma
Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales -
Some proteins in the blood could warn of dementia a decade before diagnosis
Nature Aging
Changes in the levels of specific proteins in the blood could predict a dementia diagnosis up to a decade early, according to international research. The team used data from the UK Biobank study to search for patterns in the blood of a large group Read more about Some proteins in the blood could warn of dementia a decade before diagnosis
InternationalFudan University, China -
Baby Mars had volcanic tantrums
Nature Astronomy
The early years of our celestial neighbour Mars' existence was likely followed by a period of volcanic eruptions and cycling crust, according to international researchers. The team looked at remote sensing data from a few orbiting satellites and say Read more about Baby Mars had volcanic tantrums
InternationalUniversity of Hong Kong, Hong Kong -
Most Aussies who die of alcohol poisoning are older, experienced drinkers
Drug and Alcohol Review
Older, more experienced heavy drinkers are more likely to die of alcohol poisoning in Australia than younger drinkers, according to Australian research. The team identified 891 cases of fatal alcohol poisoning from the past decade and analysed them Read more about Most Aussies who die of alcohol poisoning are older, experienced drinkers
Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales|The University of Sydney -
When human bodies decay, they all share this interesting feature
Nature Microbiology
The kind of microbiome present when a human dies and decomposes – that is, the combination of microscopic organisms including bacteria and tiny fungi – is universal regardless of location or environmental conditions, according to international Read more about When human bodies decay, they all share this interesting feature
InternationalColorado State University, USA -
Famous athletes are the most common type of role model for Indigenous children
Australian Journal of Social Issues
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boys overwhelmingly look up to their favourite athletes as role models, according to Australian research. The team surveyed 307 Indigenous children aged 10-12 from around Australia, asking them to name someone Read more about Famous athletes are the most common type of role model for Indigenous children
Australia; TASUniversity of Tasmania -
New sun safety advice tailored for Australia’s diverse population
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
A new paper led by researchers from QIMR Berghofer paves the way for more specific public health information to provide a better balance between the harms and benefits of sun exposure in Australia. The paper, published in ANZJPH, acknowledges that Read more about New sun safety advice tailored for Australia’s diverse population
Australia; New Zealand; QLDQIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute -
EXPERT REACTION: UN report on migratory species shows shocking state of wildlife
Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP14)
Nearly half (44%) of the world’s migratory species are showing population decline, according to the first-ever report on the State of the World’s Migratory Species by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), Read more about EXPERT REACTION: UN report on migratory species shows shocking state of wildlife
Australia; InternationalUnited Nations Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals -
Physical activity could help with pain in cancer survivors
Cancer
Being physically active may help with the ongoing pain that people with cancer often experience, according to Aussie researchers. The team analysed information from 10,651 with past cancer diagnosis as well as 51,439 adults without a history of Read more about Physical activity could help with pain in cancer survivors
Australia; VICThe University of Melbourne -
Indigenous families' needs are not considered when trialling parenting programs in Australia
Medical Journal of Australia
The specific needs and interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families have not generally been considered in Australian trials of parenting programs that aim to improve the mental and physical health of children, according to new research Read more about Indigenous families' needs are not considered when trialling parenting programs in Australia
Australia; NSWThe University of Newcastle -
Monkey see, monkey do: how sideline sports behaviours affect kids
Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
For children’s sports, there’s no doubt that parents are essential – they’re the free ferry service, the half-time orange supplier, and the local cheer squad. But when it comes to sideline behaviour, some parents can behave badly, and when Read more about Monkey see, monkey do: how sideline sports behaviours affect kids
Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia -
LEGO® robotics therapy may be a pull for improving school attendance rates for autistic teenagers
Flinders University
A social development program based on LEGO® therapy, combined with robotics, may have the potential to reduce school absenteeism for autistic teenagers, which is currently three times higher than their peers. LEGO® therapy uses toy bricks as a Read more about LEGO® robotics therapy may be a pull for improving school attendance rates for autistic teenagers
Australia; QLD; SAFlinders University|Griffith University -
T cells team-up to protect the liver from infection
Nature Communications
Researchers at the Centenary Institute have made an important breakthrough in understanding how the immune system fights off infections in the liver – paving the way for more specific and effective therapies to treat and prevent liver diseases Read more about T cells team-up to protect the liver from infection
Australia; NSW; VICCentenary Institute|The University of Sydney|The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity... -
Strongest contender in decades in fight against breast cancer
The Lancet Oncology
For decades, hormonal treatment of breast cancer has been going in one direction – blocking estrogen. Now a global study involving researchers at the University of Adelaide has discovered there may be another, less toxic way to defeat the most Read more about Strongest contender in decades in fight against breast cancer
Australia; SAThe University of Adelaide|University of Liverpool, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute -
Dancing may be better than other exercise for improving mental health
Sports Medicine
A structured dance program may be better than other physical activities in improving well-being and cognitive capacity. A structured dance program of at least six weeks’ duration can significantly improve psychological and cognitive health Read more about Dancing may be better than other exercise for improving mental health
Australia; NSW; QLDThe University of Sydney|The University of New South Wales... -
Young people urged to wash their hands and follow food safety tips
As students return to University, the Food Safety Information Council is urging them to follow simple food safety tips to avoid being one of the estimated 4. 67 million cases of foodborne disease each year in Australia. A recent Australia-wide Read more about Young people urged to wash their hands and follow food safety tips
Australia; QLDFood Safety Information Council -
Need to lower your blood pressure? Try Tai Chi
JAMA Network Open
Want to reduce your blood pressure? Give tai chi a go, say Chinese researchers. The team conducted a trial with 342 participants aged 18 to 65 with prehypertension – a warning sign that they may get high blood pressure in the future. Participants Read more about Need to lower your blood pressure? Try Tai Chi
InternationalChina Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, China -
Temperature sensitive hand allows amputees to feel human touch again
Med
International researchers have developed a prosthetic that allows amputees to sense and respond to temperature. The ‘MiniTouch’ device, a temperature-sensitive prosthetic delivers thermal information from the prosthesis’ fingertip, right to Read more about Temperature sensitive hand allows amputees to feel human touch again
InternationalÉcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland -
Bariatric surgery could improve brain function in people with obesity
JAMA Network Open
People with obesity who get bariatric surgery to help with weight loss could see long-term improvement in their brain function, according to international research. The team monitored the health, activity and brain function of 133 people with Read more about Bariatric surgery could improve brain function in people with obesity
InternationalRadboud University Medical Center, The Netherlands -
Language barriers could contribute to higher aggression in people with dementia
BMC Geriatrics
Immigrants living with dementia were more likely to present with agitation and aggression compared with their non-immigrant counterparts, a new study by Edith Cowan University (ECU) has found. The team noted that loneliness, boredom, language Read more about Language barriers could contribute to higher aggression in people with dementia
Australia; NSW; WAEdith Cowan University|Curtin University|The University of Sydney -
Promoting positive change for women and girls in STEM
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science (11 February 2024) is an opportunity to examine the disparities and tackle the barriers facing women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). While gender gaps in engineering, Read more about Promoting positive change for women and girls in STEM
Australia; SA; NTFlinders University -
Climate change keeps NZ agriculture leaders and experts up at night
Climate change is the most pressing issue for the near future for more than 280 leaders in agribusiness and Māori enterprises, policymakers, and academics. Researchers asked them to identify and rank their three most "front of mind" issues, with Read more about Climate change keeps NZ agriculture leaders and experts up at night
New ZealandOur Land and Water National Science Challenge -
EXPERT REACTION: New insight into ancient Earth's climate
Science
New Zealand researchers say they have rewritten the deep time history of Earth’s temperature record. The findings disprove ideas that early oceans were hot with temperatures greater than 60°C prior to approximately half a billion years ago, Read more about EXPERT REACTION: New insight into ancient Earth's climate
New Zealand; InternationalUniversity of Waikato -
Debunking the role of ‘junk cells’ in the fight against malaria
Science Immunology
Researchers from The Australian National University (ANU) have discovered a previously unknown ability of a group of immune system cells, known as Atypical B cells (ABCs), to fight infectious diseases such as malaria. The scientists say ABCs could Read more about Debunking the role of ‘junk cells’ in the fight against malaria
Australia; International; NSW; VIC; ACTThe Australian National University|The University of New South Wales... -
Teaching Indigenous knowledge alongside science in the classroom
Science
Evidence supports the teaching of Indigenous knowledge alongside sciences in the classroom, argue two Aotearoa New Zealand researchers in a new policy analysis in Science. According to the authors, many arguments used to defend science by presenting Read more about Teaching Indigenous knowledge alongside science in the classroom
New ZealandLincoln University|University of Canterbury|Bioprotection Aotearoa -
EXPERT REACTION: Icelandic magma moved at unprecedented speed
Science
New research has found that the magma that flowed into a dike beneath the Icelandic town of Grindavík in November 2023, was moving at an unprecedented 7,400 cubic metres per second. The resulting lava flow caused widespread damage. Vertical magma Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Icelandic magma moved at unprecedented speed
New Zealand; InternationalGNS Science|University of Iceland, Iceland; Iceland Meteorological Office, Iceland; University of Leeds, UK; Uppsala University, Sweden -
Good lighting can help people with vision impairment keep active in their homes
JAMA Opthalmology
How well a house is lit could impact the amount of passive exercise someone with a vision impairment is getting in their house, according to international research. Simple physical tasks at home like walking through the house, making the bed and Read more about Good lighting can help people with vision impairment keep active in their homes
InternationalJohns Hopkins University, USA -
EXPERT REACTION: Tanning beds resurface as 'collariums' despite ban
There are reports that collarium sunbeds are being advertised for commercial use in parts of Australia, despite sunbeds or tanning beds being banned for commercial use in Australia for close to 10 years. Below Australian experts comment. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Tanning beds resurface as 'collariums' despite ban
Australia; VIC; SA; ACTAustralian Science Media Centre -
EXPERT REACTION: BoM Annual Climate Statement 2023
The Bureau of Meteorology has today released their Annual Climate Statement 2023 report which analyses Australia's temperature, rainfall, water, oceans, sea ice, significant weather and influences during the last year. The report includes that 2023 Read more about EXPERT REACTION: BoM Annual Climate Statement 2023
Australia; SAAustralian Science Media Centre -
Film posters are getting closer to reflecting the diverse population of the US
Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
Movie posters for films coming out of the USA are still dominated by white faces, but they are much more reflective of the US population than they were, according to international research. The team trained an algorithm to assign faces into four Read more about Film posters are getting closer to reflecting the diverse population of the US
InternationalBen-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel -
Problematic ‘zombie leadership’ lives on
The Leadership Quarterly
Outdated perceptions of leadership persist across society despite being repeatedly debunked, University of Queensland research has found. Outdated perceptions of leadership persist across society despite being repeatedly debunked, University of Read more about Problematic ‘zombie leadership’ lives on
Australia; International; QLDThe University of Queensland -
After a heart attack in hospital, chances of survival drop rapidly as the duration of CPR increases
The BMJ
Your chances of surviving while receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for a heart attack in hospital decline rapidly from 22% after one minute to less than 1% after 39 minutes, according to US scientists. They also found the chances of Read more about After a heart attack in hospital, chances of survival drop rapidly as the duration of CPR increases
InternationalUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, USA -
Online group course can help people with long COVID improve their health
The BMJ
An online group course offering exercise and psychological support to people with long COVID can help improve their health, according to a team of researchers, including an Australian, who say the course is a cost-effective way to treat more people Read more about Online group course can help people with long COVID improve their health
Australia; International; NSW; VICDeakin University|The University of Melbourne|The University of Sydney... -
What turned Earth into a giant snowball 700m years ago? Scientists now have an answer
Geology
Inspired during field work in South Australia's Flinders Ranges, Australian geoscientists have proposed that all-time low volcanic carbon dioxide emissions triggered a 57 million year-long global 'Sturtian' ice age. Australian geologists have used Read more about What turned Earth into a giant snowball 700m years ago? Scientists now have an answer
Australia; International; NSW; SAThe University of Sydney -
Driving the WHO guidelines on preventing maternal deaths
American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology,
New analysis by Burnet researchers has shown how care bundles can help improve health outcomes for women experiencing postpartum haemorrhage. Published today in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, the study undertook a systematic review Read more about Driving the WHO guidelines on preventing maternal deaths
Australia; VICBurnet Institute -
EXPERT REACTION: No single solution for changing people's climate beliefs and behaviours
Science Advances
In order to reduce climate change, people's behaviour needs to change on a global level. Researchers tested 11 interventions on almost 60,000 participants from 63 countries, including New Zealand and Australia, to see what effect they had on Read more about EXPERT REACTION: No single solution for changing people's climate beliefs and behaviours
Australia; New Zealand; International; NSW; VIC; QLD; ACTUniversity of Canterbury|University of Auckland|Macquarie University... -
Aussie experts pave the way towards better measures of Alopecia severity
JAMA Dermatology
Aussie experts have led a study that brought together hair and scalp experts from around the world to identify the factors that define Alopecia areata severity, to try and better capture the impacts of the disease. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune Read more about Aussie experts pave the way towards better measures of Alopecia severity
Australia; VICThe University of Melbourne|Sinclair Dermatology -
One of Saturn's moons might be hiding a secret ocean
Nature
Saturn's smallest major moon Mimas could be hiding an ocean beneath it's cratered body, say international researchers. Before the final dive of the Cassini spacecraft into Saturn, the ship collected data suggesting that Mimas' position and orbit is Read more about One of Saturn's moons might be hiding a secret ocean
InternationalObservatoire de Paris, Paris, France