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The Life of Brain? 'Movies' with sound illuminate patterns of brain activity
PLOS ONE
US scientists have translated complex brain imaging data into 'movies', or short videos with accompanying musical soundtracks to be more precise (there's not much of a plot). They say their approach could potentially help interpret what happens in Read more about The Life of Brain? 'Movies' with sound illuminate patterns of brain activity
InternationalColumbia University, USA -
Youth community spaces help make cities mental health friendly
Nature
Access to free and safe community hubs is the most important factor in improving mental health for youth living in cities, according to a survey of 500 experts from across the globe including Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, and Papua New Guinea. Read more about Youth community spaces help make cities mental health friendly
Australia; New Zealand; Pacific; International; VICThe University of Melbourne|Orygen|Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA -
Acupuncture may help veterans with PTSD
JAMA Psychiatry
A US 'gold standard' clinical trial comparing acupuncture with sham acupuncture for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 71 combat veterans found receiving genuine acupuncture was effective as a treatment and had positive Read more about Acupuncture may help veterans with PTSD
InternationalTibor Rubin VA Medical Center, USA -
Newly discovered prehistoric dolphin may have used its jaw to imprison fish
Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand
New Zealand scientists have discovered a new species of ancient dolphin with splayed out teeth, suggesting it hunted its prey in a very unique way. The researchers theorise the dolphin could have swept through schools of small fish in shallow waters, Read more about Newly discovered prehistoric dolphin may have used its jaw to imprison fish
New ZealandUniversity of Otago|Moulton College, UK -
A specialised larynx allows humpbacks to sing, but they're being drowned out by shipping noise
Nature
Exactly how baleen whales, including humpbacks, sing to each other over such long distances has long puzzled scientists, but now an international team has discovered that specific vocal structures in the larynx convert aerodynamic vibrations into Read more about A specialised larynx allows humpbacks to sing, but they're being drowned out by shipping noise
InternationalUniversity of Southern Denmark, Denmark -
Path to lower emissions demands a smarter grid
Cell Reports Physical Science
Researchers at the University of Adelaide believe the global investment being made in smart metering infrastructure could fall short of fulfilling promised benefits to customers if key systems issues are not addressed. Researchers at the University Read more about Path to lower emissions demands a smarter grid
InternationalThe University of Adelaide -
Get your nan moving to protect her heart
JAMA Cardiology
US researchers investigating the heart health of close to 6,000 women aged 63 to 99 say regular physical activity and less time sitting around was linked to better heart health. The team strapped fitness trackers to the women and found those who had Read more about Get your nan moving to protect her heart
InternationalUniversity at Buffalo, USA -
Revealing what makes bacteria life-threatening
Nature Communications
Researchers have discovered that 'bad' bacteria can't make cellulose on their cell surface, ultimately leading to severe disease. Queensland researchers have discovered that a mutation allows some E. coli bacteria to cause severe disease in people Read more about Revealing what makes bacteria life-threatening
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland|Institute for Molecular Bioscience -
Too much TV might make you have to wee
Neurourology and Urodynamics
Have you ever found yourself needing to wee in the night after a hearty netflix binge? Well, you might not be alone, after international researchers found adults who spent five or more hours a day watching TV and/or videos were more likely to Read more about Too much TV might make you have to wee
InternationalWenzhou Medical University(The First People's Hospital of Wenling), China -
Small study suggests yoga may help chronic back pain
Journal of Orthopaedic Research
A small study of 10 women with chronic back pain and 11 without found an eight-session yoga program over four weeks led those with pain to report a decrease in its intensity and found they had measurably more flexible spines following the program. Read more about Small study suggests yoga may help chronic back pain
InternationalUniversity of Catanzaro, Italy -
Dangerous snoring and sleep apnoea linked to an unhealthy diet
ERJ Open Research
People who eat a healthy, plant-based diet that is high in vegetables, fruit, whole grains and nuts are less likely to suffer with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), according to a new study led by Flinders University. The new study is one of the first Read more about Dangerous snoring and sleep apnoea linked to an unhealthy diet
Australia; SAFlinders University -
Monarch caterpillars drink 'toxic sap' from swan plants to stay safe
Proceedings of the Royal Society B
Caterpillars of the iconic Monarch butterfly may drink toxic latex from swan plants for their own self-defense. Monarch caterpillars are known to sever swan plant veins to stop toxic latex from flowing into the parts of leaves that they eat. However, Read more about Monarch caterpillars drink 'toxic sap' from swan plants to stay safe
InternationalUniversity of Hohenheim, Germany -
Could ADHD have evolved because it makes us better explorers?
Proceedings of the Royal Society B
People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be more likely to take a risk and explore new options, according to US and Indian scientists, which may make them better foragers, and possibly explorers, than people without ADHD. That Read more about Could ADHD have evolved because it makes us better explorers?
InternationalUniversity of Pennsylvania, USA -
Boosting potassium is key for blood pressure control
Journal of Human Hypertension
More than two-thirds of the blood pressure-lowering effect of salt substitutes may be due to the added potassium. While reducing salt intake has been the focus of dietary advice to control high blood pressure (hypertension), a new study suggests Read more about Boosting potassium is key for blood pressure control
Australia; NSWGeorge Institute for Global Health -
Mating strategies of male Wellington tree wētā
Royal Society Open Science
Male Wellington tree wētā have three different mating strategies related to the size of their jaw-like weapons, according to new research. While male wētā that matured early had smaller weaponry, their head start allowed them to circumvent Read more about Mating strategies of male Wellington tree wētā
New ZealandUniversité du Québec à Montréal, Canada -
Does a healthy life mean a healthy gut?
Gut
Researchers from China and Hong Kong say there is a strong link between adopting a healthy lifestyle and a lower risk of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). They say, of the 'big five' healthy behaviours, not smoking, a high level of vigorous physical Read more about Does a healthy life mean a healthy gut?
InternationalThe Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong -
Unravelling the genetic and environmental influences on trust
Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization
Trust, a cornerstone of human interaction, has a significant genetic component, according to new research. Trust, a cornerstone of human interaction, has a significant genetic component, with around 33% of the variation between individuals Read more about Unravelling the genetic and environmental influences on trust
Australia; NSWUniversity of Technology Sydney (UTS)|The University of Sydney -
Examining the medical mystery of a child hepatitis outbreak
Journal of Infection
An analysis of a sudden global outbreak of hepatitis in children that occurred in 2022 finds although the primary suspect is highly likely to be an infection by multiple viruses, many questions still puzzle researchers. A University of Sydney study Read more about Examining the medical mystery of a child hepatitis outbreak
Australia; International; NSWThe University of Sydney -
Ancient DNA reveals Down syndrome in past human societies
Nature Communications
By analysing ancient DNA, an international team of researchers have uncovered cases of chromosomal disorders, including what could be the first case of Edwards syndrome ever identified from prehistoric remains. By analysing ancient DNA, an Read more about Ancient DNA reveals Down syndrome in past human societies
Australia; SAThe University of Adelaide|The Australian National University... -
Prosthetic limbs may soon be able to 'feel'
Nature Communications
International researchers have created a brain-robot connection that provides more naturalistic sensations to amputees when they are walking on their prosthetics. The researchers tested their new system on three lower-limb amputees with brain Read more about Prosthetic limbs may soon be able to 'feel'
InternationalETH Zürich, Switzerland