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

Common form of food poisoning still comes mainly from chicken

Publicly released: Tue 24 Nov 2020 at 0921 AEDT | 1121 NZDT

International Journal of Infectious Diseases

Kiwi scientists looked at recent data to re-visit which food sources are responsible for Campylobacter infections, a common form of food poisoning caused by bacteria. Poultry still remains the lead culprit, with 84% of Campylobacter infections in Read more about Common form of food poisoning still comes mainly from chicken