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Scientists make mosquitos less contagious in Pacific islands
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Some mosquitos in Fiji, Vanuatu, and Kiribati are now less likely to spread dengue fever, after a project led by Australian and Pacific island scientists. The mozzies were infected with a bacteria which makes them less likely to pass on dengue to Read more about Scientists make mosquitos less contagious in Pacific islands
Australia; PacificMonash University -
Australia on track for unprecedented, decades-long megadroughts
Hydrology and Earth System Sciences
Australia could soon see megadroughts that last for more than 20 years, according to new modelling from The Australian National University (ANU) and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes. The researchers’ bleak findings are before Read more about Australia on track for unprecedented, decades-long megadroughts
Australia; NSW; VIC; ACTThe Australian National University|The University of Sydney... -
Sediment discovery unlocks Australia’s hidden net-zero resource potential
Geophysical Journal International
A new method of measuring sediment thickness across Australia’s interior offers a cost-effective and straightforward solution for estimating seismic hazard and resource potential while reducing carbon footprint. A new method of measuring sediment Read more about Sediment discovery unlocks Australia’s hidden net-zero resource potential
Australia; ACTThe Australian National University|Geoscience Australia -
Pregnant runners' pains differ by childbirth history
Sports Medicine
Exercise during pregnancy is a healthy habit, and running is one of the most common ways to stay active. Despite this, many runners cease during pregnancy due to associated pains - even amongst competitive runners, only a third continue training Read more about Pregnant runners' pains differ by childbirth history
New Zealand; InternationalAuckland University of Technology, University of Canterbury, University of Western Australia, University of Waikato -
Tree of life for modern birds revealed: The largest and most complete study pinpoints timing of evolution
Nature
In a world first, a team of international scientists including three Australians, Al-Aabid Chowdhury and Professor Simon Ho from University of Sydney, and Dr Jacqueline Nguyen from Australian Museum and Flinders University, have determined the Read more about Tree of life for modern birds revealed: The largest and most complete study pinpoints timing of evolution
Australia; InternationalAustralian Museum|Flinders University|The University of Sydney -
More Aussies are likely to die from bowel cancer as a result of COVID-era disruptions
PLOS ONE
COVID-related disruptions to bowel cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment in Australia are likely to lead to an additional 234 cancer cases and 1,186 deaths in Australia over 2020–2030, according to Aussie-led research. The researchers Read more about More Aussies are likely to die from bowel cancer as a result of COVID-era disruptions
Australia; NSWCancer Council NSW|The University of Sydney|The Daffodil Centre -
Blueprint for mandating indoor air quality for public buildings in form of standards
Science
A group of international experts led by QUT Professor Lidia Morawska has presented a blueprint for national indoor quality standards for public buildings, in an article in the prestigious journal Science. The experts addressed setting standards for Read more about Blueprint for mandating indoor air quality for public buildings in form of standards
Australia; InternationalQueensland University of Technology (QUT) -
MRNA could be used to target Alzheimer’s disease
Brain Communications
Scientists at The Florey have developed an mRNA technology approach to target the toxic protein tau, which builds up in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Scientists at The Florey have developed an mRNA technology approach to Read more about MRNA could be used to target Alzheimer’s disease
Australia; International; VICFlorey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health... -
How older culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women handled COVID-19 in SA
PLOS ONE
Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women over 60 in South Australia were highly concerned about COVID-19 and becoming sick from its effects, according to Aussie researchers who conducted a survey and interviews of over 100 women over 60 Read more about How older culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women handled COVID-19 in SA
Australia; NSW; SAFlinders University|The University of Sydney -
Women with bad PMS may be at higher risk of perinatal depression, and vice versa
PLOS Medicine
Women who develop perinatal depression may be more likely to have a premenstrual disorder at some point in their life, and women with a premenstrual disorder may be more likely to develop perinatal depression, according to international research. Read more about Women with bad PMS may be at higher risk of perinatal depression, and vice versa
InternationalKarolinska Institutet, Sweden -
Around the world, Around the world, Around the world: Songs are getting more basic and repetitive
Scientific Reports
If Daft Punk's lyrics weren't enough of a clue, Austrian and German researchers have found the lyrics of English-language songs have become more repetitive and simpler over the last 40 years. They analysed the lyrics of 12,000 songs, across genres Read more about Around the world, Around the world, Around the world: Songs are getting more basic and repetitive
InternationalUniversity of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria -
Cutting back on the booze could help heavy drinkers avoid major cardiac issues
JAMA Network Open
Men who drink more than four drinks a day or more than 14 drinks per week, and women who drink more than three drinks per day or more than seven drinks per week could help lower their risk of major heart issues and strokes by cutting back on the Read more about Cutting back on the booze could help heavy drinkers avoid major cardiac issues
InternationalKorea University College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine -
PTSD assistance dogs could be trained to smell stress on people's breath
Frontiers in Allergy
Dogs can be trained to detect the scent of trauma reactions and stress in people's breath, according to international researchers, who say this could make PTSD assistance dogs more effective. The researchers were able to train two dogs to recognise Read more about PTSD assistance dogs could be trained to smell stress on people's breath
InternationalDalhousie University, CA -
Mobilising the private sector to help fund the restoration of Aotearoa’s coastal and marine environments
A changing climate and biodiversity loss has led to a financing gap in funding the conservation and restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems. New research has created an impact investment framework to support and scale business and restorative Read more about Mobilising the private sector to help fund the restoration of Aotearoa’s coastal and marine environments
New ZealandSustainable Seas National Science Challenge -
Coastal dunes on the march in South Australia – and around the world
Geomorphology
Coastal transgressive dunefields are on the march in South Australia – retreating inland from an angry ocean at an alarming rate. Yet while this occurs in plain sight, communities are largely oblivious to long-term coastal changes, and Flinders Read more about Coastal dunes on the march in South Australia – and around the world
Australia; International; SAFlinders University -
Miscarriages linked to health risks in later pregnancies
eClinicalMedicine
New Curtin University research has revealed a link between miscarriage and the increased risk of developing complications of gestational diabetes and high blood pressure-related disorders in later pregnancies. New Curtin University research has Read more about Miscarriages linked to health risks in later pregnancies
Australia; WACurtin University -
Unlocking supernova stardust secrets
The Astrophysical Journal
Curtin University-led research has discovered a rare dust particle trapped in an ancient extra-terrestrial meteorite that was formed by a star other than our sun. The discovery was made using a technique called atom probe tomography which revealed Read more about Unlocking supernova stardust secrets
Australia; International; WACurtin University -
Mapping sovereign capability to build ‘foundational’ AI tech
Foundation models currently power multiple AI products, including ChatGPT, and represent a huge opportunity for Australia. This technology underpins the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI), and could boost Australia’s productivity, Read more about Mapping sovereign capability to build ‘foundational’ AI tech
AustraliaCSIRO -
Highlighting global strategies for accelerating AI in science
A report from international and Australian researchers offers a comprehensive analysis of the integration of artificial intelligence in science and research across various countries including Australia. It addresses both the advancements made and Read more about Highlighting global strategies for accelerating AI in science
Australia; InternationalAustralian Academy of Science|CSIRO|International Science Council -
EXPERT REACTION: Common contraceptive hormone linked to increased brain tumour risk
The BMJ
A French study has found that prolonged use of progesterone-like hormones which are found in some contraceptive injections and hormone treatments, are linked to an increased risk of developing a type of brain tumour called a meningioma. The study Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Common contraceptive hormone linked to increased brain tumour risk
International; VIC; QLD; SAFrench National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety -
Quantum computing processors working at 20X warmer temperatures
Nature
Advanced quantum computer cooling techniques could lead to more powerful, cost-effective and energy-efficient systems sooner. The achievement demonstrates that ‘hot qubits’ are now a reality after the same engineers showed in an innovative paper Read more about Quantum computing processors working at 20X warmer temperatures
Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales|The University of Sydney -
Delirium a ‘strong risk factor’ for dementia among older people
The BMJ
Delirium is a strong risk factor for dementia and death among older people, according to Australian research. Delirium is a sudden change in a person’s usual mental state. Symptoms include agitation, confusion or being unable to stay focused when Read more about Delirium a ‘strong risk factor’ for dementia among older people
Australia; NSW; QLDThe University of Queensland|Macquarie University -
Spearheading changes to global anaemia guidelines
The Lancet Haematology
The way anaemia is diagnosed worldwide could change for the first time in 50 years, following a landmark study led by WEHI researchers. The findings have been used by the World Health Organization (WHO) to revamp their global guidelines for the Read more about Spearheading changes to global anaemia guidelines
Australia; VICWEHI|The University of Melbourne -
Hope, fear, and guilt: Your climate feelings may impact the solutions you support
PLOS Climate
The type of emotional reaction someone has to climate change is associated with the types of climate policies they're likely to support, a new survey shows. While hopeful people put faith in proactive policies like investing in infrastructure, Read more about Hope, fear, and guilt: Your climate feelings may impact the solutions you support
InternationalGeorge Mason University, USA -
Does a low heart rate mean a high life of crime?
PLOS ONE
Women with a low resting heart rate had a slightly higher chance of a criminal lifestyle, say US and Swedish researchers who investigated the criminal offence records of 12,500 women for up to 40 years. Additionally, the team say unintentional Read more about Does a low heart rate mean a high life of crime?
InternationalO¨ rebro University,O¨ rebro, Sweden -
Poverty is the main reason people are selling their kidneys
PLOS Global Public Health
Poverty is the main motivator prompting people to sell a kidney, according to Australian and international researchers who say many people who choose to sell a kidney are unaware of the potential health risks. The team reviewed previous research Read more about Poverty is the main reason people are selling their kidneys
Australia; International; VICThe University of Melbourne|Center for Research on Education, Nepal -
Telescope becomes stellar ‘speed camera’ in world-first measurement
Nature
For the first time, the super-fast speeds of a neutron star’s powerful jets have been recorded by CSIRO’s Australia Telescope Compact Array and the ESA’s Integral observatory. The research has been published in Nature. In a world first, Read more about Telescope becomes stellar ‘speed camera’ in world-first measurement
Australia; International; WACSIRO|International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR)... -
Complete sugarcane genome sequence opens up new era in breeding
Nature
A major step forward has been taken in sugarcane research with the mapping of a complex genome, three times the size of humans. Sugarcane contributes $2. 2 billion to the Australian economy and accounts for 80 per cent of global sugar supply. The Read more about Complete sugarcane genome sequence opens up new era in breeding
InternationalCSIRO|The University of Queensland -
17 mountains at high risk of losing biodiversity under climate change
Nature
Species living in 17 mountains around the world are facing the risk of extinction due to the rapid rate of warming attributed to climate change. However, the establishment of additional meteorological monitoring stations in mountainous areas Read more about 17 mountains at high risk of losing biodiversity under climate change
InternationalAcademia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan -
Climate change may be messing with timekeeping
Nature
Melting polar caps are slowing the Earth's rotation by enough that we might have to make changes to the global clock later than expected. A US geophysicist used mathematical modelling to figure out that a negative "leap second" to be added to Read more about Climate change may be messing with timekeeping
InternationalUniversity of California - San Diego, USA -
New oxygen-powered battery raises hopes of permanent pacemakers
Chem
Implantable medical devices rely on batteries, which eventually run low and require invasive surgeries to replace. To solve this, Chinese researchers have just successfully tested a new battery on rats, which uses the body's oxygen to deliver a Read more about New oxygen-powered battery raises hopes of permanent pacemakers
InternationalTianjin University of Technology, China -
EXPERT REACTION: Less sitting could lower your blood pressure
JAMA Network Open
Spending less time sitting could help reduce blood pressure in people over 60, according to an Australian and international study. The study split around 280 people with high blood pressure into 2 groups, one group was given interventions to help Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Less sitting could lower your blood pressure
Australia; InternationalBaker Heart and Diabetes Institute|Deakin University... -
Number of Aussie teens involved with the justice system continues to drop
Fewer and fewer Aussie teens are under supervision by the justice system on any given day, according to a report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The 2022-2023 instalment of the annual report shows an average of 4542 young people Read more about Number of Aussie teens involved with the justice system continues to drop
AustraliaAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) -
Young Aussies leaving the justice system are at high risk of psychiatric hospitalisation
BMJ Mental Health
Teenagers and young adults who have been involved with the criminal justice system are at high risk of a psychiatric hospitalisation once they leave supervision, according to Australian research. This group is known to be at risk of mental health Read more about Young Aussies leaving the justice system are at high risk of psychiatric hospitalisation
Australia; NSW; WAKirby Institute, UNSW Sydney|The University of New South Wales... -
Science protected in Defence exports law passed by parliament
Australia’s scientists say the passage of the Defence Trade Control Amendment Bill 2023 today improves the balance between protecting Australia’s national security and enabling the benefits that open scientific collaboration offer Australia and Read more about Science protected in Defence exports law passed by parliament
Australia; InternationalAustralian Academy of Science -
How do caterpillars stop bleeding from their tiny wounds?
Frontiers in Soft Matter
Tobacco hornworm caterpillars can seal their wounds and stop bleeding within a minute, according to international researchers investigating the mystery of how the blood-like substance in many of the world's smallest critters works. Most animals that Read more about How do caterpillars stop bleeding from their tiny wounds?
InternationalClemson University, USA -
No evidence probiotics offer benefit during pregnancy
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
A systematic review of the use of probiotics during pregnancy on pregnancy-related conditions found no evidence that probiotics had any effect on the conditions. Published today in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology Maternal-Fetal Read more about No evidence probiotics offer benefit during pregnancy
Australia; VICBurnet Institute|Monash University -
Australia’s potential as a global leader for surgical AI
Medical Journal of Australia
Australia and New Zealand could become international leaders in the safe use of artificial intelligence (AI) in surgery, but first there needs to be guidelines in place to safeguard patients, according to University of Adelaide experts. Australia Read more about Australia’s potential as a global leader for surgical AI
Australia; SAThe University of Adelaide|Flinders University -
When the ‘dwarf’ in rock-wallaby doesn’t match the size of its bite
Biology Letters
Australian rock-wallabies are ‘little Napoleons’ when it comes to compensating for small size, packing much more punch into their bite than larger relatives. Researchers from Flinders University made the discovery while investigating how two Read more about When the ‘dwarf’ in rock-wallaby doesn’t match the size of its bite
Australia; SAFlinders University -
Getting regular exercise may help with a good night sleep
BMJ Open
People who regularly exercise 2 - 3 times a week are less likely to have insomnia, and more likely to get the recommended 6-9 hours of sleep, according to Aussie and international researchers. The team analysed survey data from over 4,000 people Read more about Getting regular exercise may help with a good night sleep
Australia; VICThe University of Melbourne -
Wine growing regions at risk with climate change
Nature Reviews Earth & Environment
Up to 70% of the world's wine growing regions, including those in Australia, could be at risk if the global temperatures increase beyond 2°C, say international researchers. The researchers say climate change in Australia will lead to overall Read more about Wine growing regions at risk with climate change
Australia; New Zealand; International; NSW; TASBordeaux Sciences Agro, Villenave d’Ornon, France -
Computers might be able to improve the flavour of beer
Nature Communications
Our favourite sweet golden nectar might have a even tastier future say Belgian researchers, who used a machine learning method to make better tasting beers. The researchers characterised over 200 chemical properties from 250 Belgian beers across 22 Read more about Computers might be able to improve the flavour of beer
InternationalKU Leuven, Belgium -
Breastfeeding your bub for 3 months could help reduce their cancer risk
JAMA Network Open
Babies who are exclusively breastfed for 3 months or longer may have a lower risk of childhood cancer, according to a Danish study. The study included all Danish kids born between 2005 and 2018 and found that there was a lower rate of blood cancers Read more about Breastfeeding your bub for 3 months could help reduce their cancer risk
Australia; International; WACurtin University|Danish Cancer Institute -
Tackling sex and gender inequities in health and medicine
Australia can start to challenge the ‘one-size-fits-all’ male-centric approach to medical care that results in significant disadvantage for women and girls, people with variations of sex characteristics (intersex people), trans and Read more about Tackling sex and gender inequities in health and medicine
Australia; NSW; VICGeorge Institute for Global Health|The University of New South Wales... -
Silicon spikes take out 96% of virus particles
ACS Nano
An international research team led by RMIT University has designed and manufactured a virus-killing surface that could help control disease spread in hospitals, labs and other high-risk environments. The surface made of silicon is covered in tiny Read more about Silicon spikes take out 96% of virus particles
Australia; VICRMIT University -
Plan encourages habitat protection to prevent pandemics
Nature Communications
A new plan published in Nature Communications advocates for using ecological perspectives to thwart disease outbreaks before they begin. Authored by an international team of 25 scientists, including Australian scientists, the paper suggested a Read more about Plan encourages habitat protection to prevent pandemics
Australia; QLDGriffith University -
Climate change will see Australia’s soil emit CO2 and add to global warming
NPJ Climate and Atmospheric Science
New Curtin University research has shown the warming climate will turn Australia’s soil into a net emitter of carbon dioxide (CO2), unless action is taken. Soil helps to keep the planet cool by absorbing carbon, however as the climate gets warmer Read more about Climate change will see Australia’s soil emit CO2 and add to global warming
Australia; WACurtin University -
Astronomers discover 49 new galaxies in under three hours
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
An international team of astronomers has discovered 49 new gas-rich galaxies using the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa. Dr Marcin Glowacki, from the Curtin University node of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) in Read more about Astronomers discover 49 new galaxies in under three hours
Australia; New Zealand; International; WAInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR)... -
‘Urgent and sustainable’ action needed to safeguard health: MJA-Lancet Countdown
MJA
A focus on heat and health, and decarbonisation of the health sector, are among the key implications of the latest report of the MJA-Lancet Countdown on health and climate change. In the report, the authors are calling on Australian health Read more about ‘Urgent and sustainable’ action needed to safeguard health: MJA-Lancet Countdown
Australia; New Zealand; NSW; VIC; QLDThe University of Sydney|Macquarie University|University of Technology Sydney (UTS)... -
How lizards avoid being killed by venomous snakes
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
A University of Queensland-led study has shed light on how some lizards have evolved to resist deadly neurotoxins from Australia’s most venomous snakes. The research, led by UQ’s Professor Bryan Fry, focused on the interactions between venomous Read more about How lizards avoid being killed by venomous snakes
Australia; NSW; VIC; QLDThe University of Queensland|Australian Museum