Let's talk about sex(bots)... for the elderly and disabled

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Journal of Medical Ethics

Service bots are available to assist with eating, dressing and bathing, so why not sexytime too? The sexbot industry should market their products to older adults and those with disabilities, according to a US ethicist who points out these groups of Read more about Let's talk about sex(bots)... for the elderly and disabled

Night shift could leave you short of breath

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Thorax

Shift workers, especially those working permanent night shifts, may be at a heightened risk of moderate to severe asthma, say UK and US researchers. The team explains that, after taking account of potentially influencing factors, people on permanent Read more about Night shift could leave you short of breath

Heat-detecting drones help find koalas in forests

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Heat-detecting drones are a cheaper, more efficient way to find koalas in forests than traditional spotlighting methods, according to Australian research. Koala populations in NSW are under threat, especially after last summer's devastating Read more about Heat-detecting drones help find koalas in forests

Sexual health status of Australia’s young Indigenous revealed

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

The results are in for the latest Australia-wide sexual health survey of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Read more about Sexual health status of Australia’s young Indigenous revealed

Ranking the best ways to limit COVID spread

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

Nature Human Behaviour

The most effective ways of limiting COVID are cancelling small gatherings, closing schools and unis, border restrictions, individual movement restrictions, national lockdowns and increasing the supply of personal protective equipment, according to Read more about Ranking the best ways to limit COVID spread

First treatment closer for fatal disease affecting premature babies

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

Nature Communications

Melbourne researchers have published a study that will accelerate new treatments for an often-fatal disease affecting premature babies in intensive care, called necrotising enterocolitis (NEC). The condition can trigger massive inflammation causing Read more about First treatment closer for fatal disease affecting premature babies

Every pregnancy helps reduce endometrial cancer risk

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

International Journal of Cancer

It is well known that having a full-term pregnancy reduces a woman’s risk of developing endometrial cancer, but new QIMR Berghofer research has clearly shown for the first time that pregnancies that end in a miscarriage also reduce risk of Read more about Every pregnancy helps reduce endometrial cancer risk

Could key gene system discovery be suffocating corals’ last gasp?

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

Global Change Biology

Ocean deoxygenation is now being recognised as major threat to future global coral reef survival. Climate change and localised pollution are exposing marine life worldwide to lower oxygen levels leaving fragile coral reef ecosystems especially Read more about Could key gene system discovery be suffocating corals’ last gasp?

Abundant corals and fishes emerge from the ancient contours of Arafura Marine Park

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

Scientists have collected the first fine-scale maps and imagery of reefs and submarine canyons in the rarely visited Arafura Marine Park, revealing seafloor environments with surprisingly diverse coral and fish communities. Read more about Abundant corals and fishes emerge from the ancient contours of Arafura Marine Park

New placement for one of Earth's largest mass extinction events

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0700 AEDT | 0900 NZDT

PNAS

Curtin University research has shed new light on when one of the largest mass extinction events on Earth occurred, which gives new meaning to what killed Triassic life and allowed the ecological expansion of dinosaurs in the Jurassic period. The Read more about New placement for one of Earth's largest mass extinction events

National supplies of protein, carbs and fats can predict your lifespan

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0700 AEDT | 0900 NZDT

PNAS

A new global study from the University of Sydney has looked at how macronutrient supplies (proteins, carbohydrates and fats) of different countries are associated with the risk of death at different ages. It is the most extensive analysis to date of Read more about National supplies of protein, carbs and fats can predict your lifespan

Henderson Island fossils reveal new Polynesian sandpiper species

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0700 AEDT | 0900 NZDT

Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society

Fossil bones collected in the early 1990s on Henderson Island, part of the Pitcairn Group, have revealed a new species of Polynesian sandpiper. The newly-described bird is formally named Prosobonia sauli after Cook Islands-based ornithologist and Read more about Henderson Island fossils reveal new Polynesian sandpiper species

Who's Australia's best super-recogniser? This test could help us find them

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS One

Psychologists are hoping the UNSW Face Test will help unearth more of Australia’s top performers in facial recognition, known as super-recognisers. Read more about Who's Australia's best super-recogniser? This test could help us find them

Using sand to reconstruct 3,000 years of typhoons

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Geoscience

The number of typhoons and tropical cyclones in the past has been affected by changes in ocean and atmosphere conditions, new research finds. The research team, including a New Zealander, looked at evidence of past cyclones in sediment layers to Read more about Using sand to reconstruct 3,000 years of typhoons

Native lizards thriving after Kāpiti Island cleared of rats

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

New Zealand Journal of Ecology

Some native lizard populations have increased 28-fold after rats were eradicated from Kāpiti Island, off the West coast of the lower North Island. Ecologists surveyed the island in 2014-15 and found more of almost every type of skink and gecko than Read more about Native lizards thriving after Kāpiti Island cleared of rats

Hawke’s Bay feral cats take a hit from new poison regime

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

New Zealand Journal of Ecology

Conservationists suggest a predator control regime in Hawke’s Bay has reduced the feral cat population by nearly 40 per cent. A 2018 trial saw toxic PredaSTOP baits laid at stations across 9,000 hectares of bush. They found baits were removed from Read more about Hawke’s Bay feral cats take a hit from new poison regime

Measles outbreaks likely in wake of COVID-19 pandemic

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

The Lancet

Major measles outbreaks will likely occur during 2021 as an unexpected consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new academic article. Read more about Measles outbreaks likely in wake of COVID-19 pandemic

Key patient insights the missing link in understanding COVID-19 and its mutations

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Transboundary and Emerging Diseases

A new study led by Australia’s national science agency CSIRO, has found 95. 5 per cent of current entries in GISAID, the world’s largest novel coronavirus genome database, do not contain relevant patient information — a critical piece Read more about Key patient insights the missing link in understanding COVID-19 and its mutations

Revealing Australia’s multi-billion dollar superbug crisis

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

One of the world’s most common infections will cost Australia more than $1 billion a year within the next decade, if nothing is done to stop the rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria (superbugs). Read more about Revealing Australia’s multi-billion dollar superbug crisis

Supermarkets are getting closer to home in poorer areas

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 1648 AEDT | 1848 NZDT

Social Science & Medicine

The average urban-dwelling Kiwi has a shorter drive to their nearest fast-food outlet and supermarket than they did a decade ago, according to new research. However, in the most deprived areas, there has been an even more notable decrease in the Read more about Supermarkets are getting closer to home in poorer areas

COVID-19 stigma could lead to more infections

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 1631 AEDT | 1831 NZDT

Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine

A comprehensive guide to dealing with stigma around contracting COVID-19 has been developed by a team of researchers including a New Zealander. They say shame associated with the virus could result in more cases as people become reluctant to report Read more about COVID-19 stigma could lead to more infections

Southland skaters confident but concerned

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 1617 AEDT | 1817 NZDT

Journal of Transport & Health

A survey of 775 Southland teenagers has found seven per cent hop on a skateboard to get around - with more than a third of skaters reporting it was their main mode of transport. Skaters also reported doing more physical exercise and had higher Read more about Southland skaters confident but concerned

Truffle munching wallabies shed new light on forest conservation

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 1400 AEDT | 1600 NZDT

Ecology and Evolution

Feeding truffles to wallabies may sound like a madcap whim of the jet-setting elite, but it may give researchers clues to preserving remnant forest systems. Edith Cowan University researcher Dr Melissa Danks led an investigation into how swamp Read more about Truffle munching wallabies shed new light on forest conservation

New drug research for prostate cancer could also fight COVID-19

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 1201 AEDT | 1401 NZDT

Endocrine-Related Cancer

Two drugs under development to treat aggressive prostate cancer will now be tested to combat the deadliest response to COVID-19 infection - acute respiratory distress syndrome. Read more about New drug research for prostate cancer could also fight COVID-19

Get fit with HIIT in time for summer

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Short bursts of intense exercise – known as HIIT – could help you get back into shape by summer and stay that way, a UNSW Sydney exercise physiology researcher says. Read more about Get fit with HIIT in time for summer

Orbits of ancient stars prompt rethink on Milky Way evolution

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

Australian telescopes and a European satellite have combined to reveal unexpected motions among the Galaxy’s rarest objects. Read more about Orbits of ancient stars prompt rethink on Milky Way evolution

Almost 1 in 10 university students may be misusing prescription medication as 'study drugs'

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Drug and Alcohol Review

A survey of university students has found that in the last year almost 1 in 10 used misused prescription drugs in an effort to help them study, with most students getting them from friends or from the internet. The survey of around 2,000 university Read more about Almost 1 in 10 university students may be misusing prescription medication as 'study drugs'

Do efforts to get more women in STEM actually work?

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Australian Journal of Social Issues

We know there is a gender gap in science, but do programs designed to close this gap actually work? A review of initiatives offered across Australia focused on women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), has found little Read more about Do efforts to get more women in STEM actually work?

Strict COVID-19 measures in the NT have smashed the curve

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

MJA

The Northern Territory’s strict public health measures in response to COVID-19 have so far proved successful in containing community transmission and preventing any deaths, despite the NT hospital system often operating “beyond capacity”, Read more about Strict COVID-19 measures in the NT have smashed the curve

Lived experience of Indigenous Aussies crucial to eliminating rheumatic heart disease by 2031

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Medical Journal of Australia

Updated guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis and management of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease have been published, and experts say that cultural appropriateness and lived experience are crucial to eliminating the disease from Read more about Lived experience of Indigenous Aussies crucial to eliminating rheumatic heart disease by 2031

How the Royal Melbourne Hospital controlled Australia's biggest outbreak of COVID in health care workers

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Medical Journal of Australia

Royal Melbourne Hospital had the largest institutional outbreak of COVID-19 in health care workers in Australia to date, and used a range of approaches to control the spread of the virus, say Australian experts. The Royal Park Campus had 40 per cent Read more about How the Royal Melbourne Hospital controlled Australia's biggest outbreak of COVID in health care workers

Go (over) easy on the eggs: ‘Egg-cess’ consumption linked to diabetes

Publicly released: Sat 14 Nov 2020 at 1930 AEDT | 2130 NZDT

British Journal of Nutrition

Scrambled, poached or boiled, eggs are a popular breakfast food the world over. Yet the health benefits of the humble egg might not be all they’re cracked up to be as new research from the University of South Australia shows that excess egg Read more about Go (over) easy on the eggs: ‘Egg-cess’ consumption linked to diabetes

NZ scientist helps keep track of half the world’s fishing

Publicly released: Sat 14 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Small-scale fisheries are estimated to land half the world’s fish catch, and a research team including a Kiwi has created a software program to help them keep track of their activities. The team tested the software in Timor-Leste and found it can Read more about NZ scientist helps keep track of half the world’s fishing

Poor diet could be linked to erectile dysfunction

Publicly released: Sat 14 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

A healthy diet could also help maintain erectile function in men, according to US researchers. The study used data from the Health Professionals Follow-Up study, which included information about the diet and health of 21,469 male health professionals Read more about Poor diet could be linked to erectile dysfunction

EXPERT REACTION: Preliminary results from University of Queensland's phase I COVID-19 vaccine trial

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 1300 AEDT | 1500 NZDT

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has this morning announced that the University of Queensland's COVID-19 vaccine is so far proving "safe and effective", based on phase 1 trials. Various media reports have included that the vaccine is producing virus Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Preliminary results from University of Queensland's phase I COVID-19 vaccine trial

Ahead of World Diabetes Day, experts call for urgent action to address global diabetes epidemic

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Lancet

Ahead of World Diabetes Day on Saturday 14 November, a new report is calling for action to close the gap in diabetes prevention and care. Worldwide, 463 million people have diabetes, with 80 per cent from low-income and middle-income countries. In Read more about Ahead of World Diabetes Day, experts call for urgent action to address global diabetes epidemic

Covid treatment gets hospital patients back on their feet

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

The Lancet Respiratory Medicine

A clinical trial suggests interferon beta-1a is an effective treatment for hospitalised COVID-19 patients. Those who inhaled the immune response protein were more than twice as likely to recover from their infection to a point where everyday Read more about Covid treatment gets hospital patients back on their feet

COVID-19 takes a year off life expectancy in Spain

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 0930 AEDT | 1130 NZDT

PLOS One

Spain’s annual life expectancy at birth dropped by 0. 9 years between 2019 and July 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study. It also shows that in the hard-hit city of Madrid weekly life expectancy dropped by 15 years, during Read more about COVID-19 takes a year off life expectancy in Spain

Rapid COVID-19 test could be misleading

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 0915 AEDT | 1115 NZDT

The BMJ

As many as one in five people who receive a positive result from a finger-prick antibody test might have never had a Covid infection, new research suggests. The study authors say the AbC-19 Rapid Test is accurate enough to give a good estimate of Read more about Rapid COVID-19 test could be misleading

Dust storms make Mars sweat

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 0902 AEDT | 1102 NZDT

Science

Our cold and dry solar system neighbour was once wet and warm, and researchers have posed a new theory for how Mars’ rivers and oceans disappeared. They’ve found evidence that Martian water is transported to the upper atmosphere, where it is Read more about Dust storms make Mars sweat

Significant barriers to COVID-19 antibody treatments

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

JAMA

Antibody treatments for COVID-19 could face major issues with emergency approval and equity of treatment, US medical researchers argue. Monoclonal antibodies garnered attention when they were part of the cocktail of drugs used to treat US President Read more about Significant barriers to COVID-19 antibody treatments

New COVID-19 strategy: vaccinate potential superspreaders first

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

As the world pins its hopes on Pfizer's announcement this week of an effective vaccine, Macquarie University researchers have unveiled a strategy addressing the question of who should be vaccinated first. Read more about New COVID-19 strategy: vaccinate potential superspreaders first

An antidepressant might help stop mild COVID-19 from becoming worse

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA

The antidepressant fluvoxamine, usually sold under the brand name Luvox, may stop mild COVID-19 from becoming more severe, according to a small clinical trial by US researchers. In a randomised trial of people with mild COVID-19, none of the 80 Read more about An antidepressant might help stop mild COVID-19 from becoming worse

EXPERT REACTION: Climate model suggests we may be past the 'point of no return'

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Scientific Reports

New climate modelling suggests that even ceasing all greenhouse gas emissions today might not be enough to stop global warming. The reduced complexity model suggests that even with no further emissions, global temperatures will rise enough for Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Climate model suggests we may be past the 'point of no return'

BRIEFING: State of the Climate BOM/CSIRO report - More big weather is coming

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

The sixth instalment of the joint Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO State of the Climate report will be released on Friday 13 November. The report, released every two years, shows Australia is continuing to warm and experiencing more frequent extreme Read more about BRIEFING: State of the Climate BOM/CSIRO report - More big weather is coming

Tired of COVID? More than half of those who caught it have lasting fatigue

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 1651 AEDT | 1851 NZDT

PLOS ONE

If you think you are tired of COVID, spare a thought for those who actually caught it, with a new Irish study showing that more than half of people with acute COVID-19 infection still feel fatigued 10 weeks after their initial illness. Of the 128 Read more about Tired of COVID? More than half of those who caught it have lasting fatigue

C4 rice’s first wobbly steps towards reality

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 1530 AEDT | 1730 NZDT

Plant Biotechnology Journal

An international long-term research collaboration aimed at creating high yielding and water use efficient rice varieties, has successfully installed part of the photosynthetic machinery from maize into rice. Read more about C4 rice’s first wobbly steps towards reality

Tertiary funding system disadvantages Māori researchers

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 1506 AEDT | 1706 NZDT

Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics

A new paper argues the system of funding universities and other tertiary institutes based on their performance, is to the disadvantage of Māori academics and worldviews. The authors say the system should be rebuilt, to better recognise not only Read more about Tertiary funding system disadvantages Māori researchers

Cutting-edge computer vision technologies help detect threats

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 1430 AEDT | 1630 NZDT

UTS Intelligent Drone Lab and local industry partner DroneShield combine expertise to develop a world-leading computer vision system to help identify threats from incoming drones. Read more about Cutting-edge computer vision technologies help detect threats

Less screen time and more sleep critical for preventing depression

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 1201 AEDT | 1401 NZDT

BMC Medicine

A cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of data from the UK Biobank, involving almost 85,000 people, has found that lifestyle factors such as less screen time, adequate sleep, a better-quality diet, and physical activity strongly impact Read more about Less screen time and more sleep critical for preventing depression