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