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EXPERT REACTION: Big data detects COVID-19 vaccine safety signals
Vaccine
International researchers have linked very rare neurological, blood and heart related medical conditions to COVID-19 vaccines by using big data to better understand and monitor vaccine safety. However, the findings translated to an extremely small Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Big data detects COVID-19 vaccine safety signals
Australia; NSW; VICMurdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI)|The University of Sydney... -
Experts warn of 'short term gain and long term pain' in public-private partnership hospitals
New Zealand Medical Journal
Experts have warned that public-private partnerships for hospitals could result in unacceptable disparities in standards of care. In a NZMJ editorial, they write that while private, user-pays hospital systems can 'exist happily and productively' Read more about Experts warn of 'short term gain and long term pain' in public-private partnership hospitals
New ZealandUniversity of Otago -
Mice surprise: researchers discover new native species
Molecular Ecology
Australia can lay claim to two new species of native rodent thanks to a study from The Australian National University (ANU). The aptly named delicate mouse was previously thought to be a single species spanning a massive stretch of the country from Read more about Mice surprise: researchers discover new native species
Australia; NSW; QLD; SA; WA; NT; ACTThe Australian National University|CSIRO|Macquarie University... -
Long Covid brain fog may be due to a failure of your brain's defences against your blood
Nature Neuroscience
Irish scientists say the brain fog some people experience as part of Long Covid is linked to disruptions in the blood-brain barrier, which usually protects your brain from anything potentially damaging in your blood. They used brain imaging Read more about Long Covid brain fog may be due to a failure of your brain's defences against your blood
InternationalSt James’s Hospital, Ireland, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland -
First reports of severe coral bleaching this summer as the Great Barrier Reef warms up
As ocean temperatures continue to warm over the Great Barrier Reef this summer, James Cook University scientists have reported areas of moderate to severe coral bleaching around the Keppel Islands, offshore from Rockhampton. As ocean temperatures Read more about First reports of severe coral bleaching this summer as the Great Barrier Reef warms up
Australia; QLDJames Cook University|Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER) -
Eavesdropping on endangered pink cockatoos with AI and bioacoustics
AI and bioacoustics are helping QUT researchers understand and protect endangered species like Qld’s Eastern Pink Cockatoo – they’ve identified hotspots of calling activity and a breeding hollow on an Australian Wildlife Conservancy sanctuary Read more about Eavesdropping on endangered pink cockatoos with AI and bioacoustics
Australia; QLDQueensland University of Technology (QUT)|Australian Wildlife Conservancy -
Men with fertility problems and their families at increased risk of several cancers
Human Reproduction
US scientists say men with fertility problems and their families are more likely than those without such issues to develop a range of different cancers. The study of 786 US men with fertility problems and 5,764 fertile men found the increased risk Read more about Men with fertility problems and their families at increased risk of several cancers
InternationalUniversity of Utah, USA -
There may be no safe level of air pollution for our heart and lungs
The BMJ
Two papers from the US and China suggest that there is no safe threshold for our air quality in respect to our heart and lung health. The team say both short and long term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2. 5) in our air is linked to an Read more about There may be no safe level of air pollution for our heart and lungs
InternationalHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA -
Immunotherapy could offer remission from autoimmune disease
New England Journal of Medicine
A small trial of immunotherapy for the treatment of autoimmune diseases including lupus, sclerosis and myositis, has found that treatment with CAR T-cells led to significant improvement and in some cases complete remission of the diseases. CAR Read more about Immunotherapy could offer remission from autoimmune disease
InternationalFriedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Germany -
Climate change increases the risk of preterm births by 60% and will devastate children’s health without fast global action
Science of the Total Environment
Increased numbers of preterm births, higher incidence of respiratory disease and death, and more children in hospitals are some of the stark health outcomes the world is facing from the impacts of extreme climate change. This morbid reality will Read more about Climate change increases the risk of preterm births by 60% and will devastate children’s health without fast global action
Australia; International; SA; WAFlinders University|ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage (CABAH)... -
Rhythm of your heart holds the key to treating trauma
Frontiers in Psychiatry
Knowing how your heart beats can help identify the best way to treat post-traumatic stress, according to Australian researchers. A team from Murdoch University have discovered that a simple measure of heart rate variability, taken at rest or during Read more about Rhythm of your heart holds the key to treating trauma
Australia; International; WAMurdoch University -
New insight into gene uncovers its link to incurable birth defect
eLife
Researchers have unravelled how mutations in a gene can lead to an incurable neurodevelopmental disorder that causes abnormal brain development in newborns and infants. Researchers have unravelled how mutations in a gene can lead to an incurable Read more about New insight into gene uncovers its link to incurable birth defect
Australia; VICWEHI|La Trobe University -
Blood test could determine diabetes risks
Journal of Translational Medicine
A blood test could potentially be used to assess a patient’s risk of type 2 diabetes, a new study from Edith Cowan University (ECU) has found. Blood test could determine diabetes risks A blood test could potentially be used to assess a Read more about Blood test could determine diabetes risks
Australia; WAEdith Cowan University -
High blood pressure still biggest killer of Australians
PLOS ONE
New research led by The George Institute for Global Health and UNSW Sydney confirms that high blood pressure (hypertension) persists as the leading cause of death in Australia, reinforcing the need for a concerted national effort to shift the dial Read more about High blood pressure still biggest killer of Australians
Australia; NSW; VIC; WAGeorge Institute for Global Health|The University of New South Wales... -
Which of the world's favourite meals have the biggest impact on biodiversity?
PLOS ONE
A range of steak dishes popular in Brazil are some of the meals with the highest impact on local biodiversity, while several vegetarian dishes from India also have a large impact, according to international research. The team used online lists of Read more about Which of the world's favourite meals have the biggest impact on biodiversity?
InternationalNational University of Singapore -
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