STEM superstars call for more gender and cultural diversity

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

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The University of Melbourne leads this year's STEM superstars cohort with five academics chosen to step into the media spotlight. Read more about STEM superstars call for more gender and cultural diversity

New butterfly-inspired hydrogen sensor is powered by light

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 2215 AEDT | Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 0015 NZDT

ACS Sensors

Inspired by the surface of butterfly wings, researchers have developed a light-activated hydrogen sensor that produces ultra-precise results at room temperature. Read more about New butterfly-inspired hydrogen sensor is powered by light

Only a small fraction of those surfing the dark web are nefarious

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 1502 AEDT | 1702 NZDT

PNAS

Almost seven percent of regular dark web users are likely using the anonymous network for malicious purposes, according to new research. The dark web allows users to protect their anonymity, but it also protects those who use it for illegal or Read more about Only a small fraction of those surfing the dark web are nefarious

Tanning beds may be linked to greater risk of endometriosis

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 1105 AEDT | 1305 NZDT

Human Reproduction

Tanning beds and getting sunburns may be linked to a greater risk of developing endometriosis, according to a new study that analysed survey data of more than 95,000 American women from 1989 to 2015. Researchers found that women who had used tanning Read more about Tanning beds may be linked to greater risk of endometriosis

Kiwi 'sixth sense' evolved in the time of the dinosaurs

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

An organ that gives Kiwi and some other birds a "sixth sense" to find buried prey probably arose before those birds evolved to what they are today. A comparative study of 353 living bird species, such as Kiwi, shorebirds, and ibises, and six fossil Read more about Kiwi 'sixth sense' evolved in the time of the dinosaurs

People interpret screams and gasps based on context

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Royal Society Open Science

People usually interpret harsh 'nonvocal' sounds, like a scream or a gasp, as signifying a negative emotion, but new research has found that people can interpret the same sounds differently if other context is available. European researchers asked Read more about People interpret screams and gasps based on context

More midwives could save millions of lives

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The Lancet Global Health

Increasing the number of midwives and their level of care could reduce birth-related deaths by two thirds in low and middle income countries over the next 15 years. Too few midwives, along with poor training and support, result in inadequate care Read more about More midwives could save millions of lives

Targets for avoidable sight loss ‘not being met’: 30-year study finds

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The Lancet Global Health

A new global study has found no significant reduction in the number of people with treatable sight loss since 2010. Published in The Lancet Global Health, it examined population-based surveys of eye disease worldwide from 1980 and found public Read more about Targets for avoidable sight loss ‘not being met’: 30-year study finds

Don't drink the hand sanitiser - it can kill

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

BMJ Evidence Based Medicine

You might think it goes without saying, but two deaths identified in UK coroners’ reports are a reminder to all of us not to swallow alcohol-based hand sanitiser. The report also refers to an Australian case where a six year old was diagnosed Read more about Don't drink the hand sanitiser - it can kill

Swift action needed to help critically endangered parrot

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

Animal Conversation

There could be fewer than 300 swift parrots left in the wild, according to new research from The Australian National University (ANU). Read more about Swift action needed to help critically endangered parrot