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