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Astronomers detect seismic ripples in ancient galactic disk
Monthly Notice of the Royal Astronomical Society
A new snapshot of an ancient, far-off galaxy could help scientists understand how it formed and the origins of our own Milky Way. Aussie researchers were able to not only capture the motion of the gas around the 12 billion year old galaxy BRI Read more about Astronomers detect seismic ripples in ancient galactic disk
Australia; International; ACTThe Australian National University -
Organic compounds in asteroids formed in colder regions of space
Science
Analysis of organic compounds – called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) – extracted from the Ryugu asteroid and Murchison meteorite has found that certain PAHs likely formed in the cold areas of space between stars rather than in hot Read more about Organic compounds in asteroids formed in colder regions of space
Australia; InternationalCurtin University -
Octopus DNA contains grave warning for sea level rise
Science
Aussie and NZ scientists have used octopus DNA to discover that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) likely collapsed during the Last Interglacial period around 120,000 years ago – when global temperatures were similar to today. The team compared Read more about Octopus DNA contains grave warning for sea level rise
Australia; New Zealand; Pacific; QLD; WAJames Cook University|Western Australian Museum|Victoria University of Wellington -
Sniffing a women's tears may help reduce aggressive behaviour in men
PLOS Biology
Sniffing women’s tears may reduce aggressive behaviour in men, according to international research. The researchers had a group of men sniff either women’s emotional tears or saline while they played a two-person game designed to elicit Read more about Sniffing a women's tears may help reduce aggressive behaviour in men
InternationalWeizmann Institute of Science, Israel -
What makes your cheddar cheesy?
Nature Communications
European researchers say a combination of teeny-tiny bugs are responsible for the lovely flavours of the cheddar cheese on your toastie. The team spent a year doing what most of us dream about - making and eating specially made cheese. They added Read more about What makes your cheddar cheesy?
InternationalChr. Hansen A/S, Denmark -
Use of 'hype words" in medical research papers is increasing
JAMA Network Open
An analysis of medical journal paper abstracts from research found that the use of hype words such as "novel", "important", and "key" increased between 1985 and 2020. The researchers looked specifically at studies funded by the US National Read more about Use of 'hype words" in medical research papers is increasing
InternationalUniversity of Tsukuba, Japan -
Uncovering the hidden wonder of cells
Nature Cell Biology
Mesmerising voyage into the heart of cells tells a tale of intricate and surprising connections: Researchers have developed a new technique to see inside cells with unprecedented detail, revealing a complicated web of interactions that provide new Read more about Uncovering the hidden wonder of cells
Australia; International; WATelethon Kids Institute|The University of Western Australia... -
Why do dogs chew so much – and should we let them?
'Chew HQ' at the University of Sydney wants to hear from you about the private lives of your best friends. While this drives some owners mad, veterinary scientists suspect there must be functional reasons why your best friend chews bones, sticks, Read more about Why do dogs chew so much – and should we let them?
Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney -
City living can pose developmental risks
Public Health Research and Practice
A new study highlights the wide range of urban exposures during early childhood that can influence growth and development. It is expected that by 2030, more than 60% of the world’s population will live in urban areas. New research highlights the Read more about City living can pose developmental risks
Australia; NSW; QLDUniversity of Technology Sydney (UTS)|The University of Queensland... -
Chatbot tech has potential to transform brain injury rehab
Clinical Rehabilitation
Using chatbot technology on the recovery journey after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) offers huge potential to keep at-home rehabilitation on track, especially between clinical therapy visits. A small-scale Flinders University study has identified Read more about Chatbot tech has potential to transform brain injury rehab
Australia; SAFlinders University -
WHO declares a new COVID19 variant of interest
The World Health Organization has declared a new COVID-19 variant of interest, known as JN. 1, due to its rapidly increasing spread. The variant JN. 1 was previously grouped under its 'parent' variant , known as BA. 2. 86, but has now been listed Read more about WHO declares a new COVID19 variant of interest
InternationalWorld Health Organization (WHO) -
Citizen scientists can help nature survive in the summer holidays
Citizen scientists are invited to South Australia’s Kangaroo Island this summer to help monitor its recovery from the devastating Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20. The Flinders University citizen science ‘Passport 2 Recovery’ (P2R) phone app Read more about Citizen scientists can help nature survive in the summer holidays
Australia; SAFlinders University -
Blind drunk: A champagne cork to the eye is no reason to celebrate
The BMJ
Eye specialists warn the pressure in a champagne bottle is three times as high as a standard car tyre, and can launch a cork at speeds of up to 80km/h. This can take the cork from bottle to eye in less than 0. 05 seconds, faster than we can blink. Read more about Blind drunk: A champagne cork to the eye is no reason to celebrate
InternationalUniversity of Cambridge, UK -
Great British Bake Off recipes are actually very good for you (or at least some ingredients are)
The BMJ
If you're looking for a convoluted way to feel good about the nutritional value of your Christmas pud, international researchers say you should steal recipes off the Great British Bake Off. As part of The BMJ’s Christmas issue, the researchers Read more about Great British Bake Off recipes are actually very good for you (or at least some ingredients are)
InternationalEmory University, USA -
New Years contraception: Morning after pill sales spike from... the morning after
The BMJ
While old acquaintances may be forgot, the after-effect of the night's activities may not always be so forgettable, as US researchers say the sale of morning after pills is estimated to rise by 10% in the week after the New Year holiday. The team Read more about New Years contraception: Morning after pill sales spike from... the morning after
InternationalTexas Tech University, USA -
World record broken: new ultra-high speed processor to advance AI, driverless vehicles and more
Communications Engineering
A team of Aussie and international scientists have developed an ultra-high-speed signal processor that can analyse 400,000 real-time video images concurrently. The technology has profound implications for the safety and efficiency of driverless cars, Read more about World record broken: new ultra-high speed processor to advance AI, driverless vehicles and more
Australia; VIC; SASwinburne University of Technology|RMIT University... -
Your Facebook posts don't portray what you think they do
PLOS ONE
Posting to social media is supposed to be a means to tell our friends what is going on in our lives, but US researchers say that those friends don't always get what you're putting out. The researchers found Facebook posts were often isolated and Read more about Your Facebook posts don't portray what you think they do
InternationalCornell University, USA -
High cholesterol and high blood pressure early in life influences your heart even after you lower your levels
PLOS ONE
Having high cholesterol or high blood pressure before the age of 55 increases your risk of heart disease in later life - even if you're eventually able to lower your levels - according to Australian and international research. The team used a Read more about High cholesterol and high blood pressure early in life influences your heart even after you lower your levels
Australia; International; NSWGeorge Institute for Global Health|The University of New South Wales... -
Being predisposed to high blood pressure and cholesterol is a heart risk at any age
PLOS ONE
People who are genetically predisposed to having higher blood pressure and cholesterol levels have a higher risk of coronary heart disease, regardless of their age, according to Aussie-led research. The study found that having high blood pressure Read more about Being predisposed to high blood pressure and cholesterol is a heart risk at any age
Australia; NSWGeorge Institute for Global Health|The University of New South Wales... -
People who die suddenly after exercising less likely to have drugs in their system than for other sudden deaths
JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology
People who die from sports-related sudden cardiac death are less likely to have drugs in their system than those who have a sudden cardiac death that isn't sports-related, according to Australian and international researchers. The team says it can Read more about People who die suddenly after exercising less likely to have drugs in their system than for other sudden deaths
Australia; International; NSW; VICThe University of Sydney|Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute... -
Higher waist circumference linked to higher risk of infertility in women
PLOS ONE
Women with higher waist circumference measurements have a higher risk of infertility, according to international researchers. The team compared the waist circumference of 3,239 women aged 18-45, 327 of whom were infertile. The researchers say those Read more about Higher waist circumference linked to higher risk of infertility in women
InternationalHuizhou Central People’s Hospital, China -
Fact checking fake news may make you believe it
Nature
People asked to check the truthfulness of fake news stories online may be more likely to believe the misinformation is true, and that may be because search engines expose them to more fake news as they do so, according to US scientists. They asked Read more about Fact checking fake news may make you believe it
InternationalUniversity of Central Florida, USA -
The global insect decline is most noticeable in species that used to be abundant
Nature
Have you noticed there are fewer insects around than there used to be? The global decline of insects is disproportionately affecting species that used to be abundant, according to international researchers. The meta-analysis of 57 studies found that Read more about The global insect decline is most noticeable in species that used to be abundant
InternationalGerman Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research, Germany -
Not being able to burp means it comes out the other end
Neurogastroenterology & Motility
US scientists conducted interviews with 199 people who lack the ability to burp, a condition called retrograde cricopharyngeus dysfunction (R-CPD), and they reported some pretty unpleasant symptoms, including excessive flatulence, a bloated stomach, Read more about Not being able to burp means it comes out the other end
InternationalTexas Tech University, USA -
Steroid creams may increase the risk of osteoporosis
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
Topical corticosteroids, creams commonly used to treat inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis, could increase your risk of osteoporosis over time, according to international research. The team matched nearly 130,000 osteoporosis Read more about Steroid creams may increase the risk of osteoporosis
InternationalNational Taiwan University College of Medicine -
Weight loss could alter your gut bugs and brain
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
Weight loss seems to synchronise changes in the gut-brain axis – the way the gut and brain talk to each other – according to a small Chinese study. The team monitored 25 obese patients losing weight during and after an intermittent energy Read more about Weight loss could alter your gut bugs and brain
InternationalChinese Academy of Sciences, China -
Ancient Sahul's submerged landscapes reveal a mosaic of human habitation
Quaternary Science Review
New research conducted by a team of archaeologists and earth scientists has shed light on the ancient landscapes of Sahul, the Pleistocene (Ice Age) landmass comprising Australia and New Guinea. For the majority of the last 65,000 years of human Read more about Ancient Sahul's submerged landscapes reveal a mosaic of human habitation
Australia; NSW; QLD; SAGriffith University|University of Wollongong|ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage (CABAH)... -
Aussie whale fossil suggests the worlds's largest animals first became big in southern oceans
Proceedings of the Royal Society B
A 19 million-year-old whale fossil found on the banks of the Murray River in South Australia is forcing scientists to rethink how and when the world's largest animals, the baleen whales, first evolved their huge size. It was previously thought that Read more about Aussie whale fossil suggests the worlds's largest animals first became big in southern oceans
Australia; New Zealand; VIC; SAMonash University|Museums Victoria|Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa... -
Monarch butterflies use landmarks to find their favourite foods
Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Monarch butterflies use landmarks to remember the location of food, according to international researchers, who say that this level of spatial memory has been observed in bees and ants but this is the first time it has been shown in butterflies. The Read more about Monarch butterflies use landmarks to find their favourite foods
InternationalUniversity of Würzburg, Germany -
What makes music 'healing'?
General Psychiatry
There are three main elements of a piece of music that influence whether it makes a person feel relaxed regardless of its genre, according to international researchers. The team collected a list of music across various different genres submitted by Read more about What makes music 'healing'?
InternationalShanghai Jiao Tong University, China -
Diabetes drug could reduce a woman's risk of substantial weight gain when she quits smoking
BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health
Diabetes drug dulaglutide (Trulicity) could reduce the risk of substantial weight gain in women after they quit smoking, according to international researchers who say the fear of weight gain could potentially be influencing the success rate of Read more about Diabetes drug could reduce a woman's risk of substantial weight gain when she quits smoking
InternationalUniversity Hospital Basel, Switzerland -
Reddit posts about 'trip killer' drugs to cut short 'bad trips' rarely mention risks
Emergency Medicine Journal
People on Reddit often recommend 'trip-killers' such as benzodiazepines and antipsychotics, to control a 'bad trip' from psychedelic drugs but only rarely discuss their potential harms, according to UK research. The researchers found 709 posts Read more about Reddit posts about 'trip killer' drugs to cut short 'bad trips' rarely mention risks
InternationalManchester Royal Infirmary, UK -
BMI no higher in test tube babies, unless embryos were frozen
PLOS Medicine
Babies born via in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and other assisted reproduction techniques (ART) do not go on to have a higher BMI at age five to eight than naturally conceived babies, unless the embryo was frozen, according to an international study Read more about BMI no higher in test tube babies, unless embryos were frozen
InternationalAarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Denmark -
7 in 10 smokers would like to quit in the next couple of years
Drug and Alcohol Review
70. 6% of people who smoke at least once a week would like to quit in the next one to two years, according to a survey of international and Australian smokers. Australian researchers surveyed 8642 people who smoked at least weekly about what they Read more about 7 in 10 smokers would like to quit in the next couple of years
Australia; International; VIC; QLDThe University of Melbourne|Monash University|The University of Queensland -
We've probably wiped out 1,500 bird species in the last 100,000 years, most in the last 10,000
Nature Communications
International scientists say we've wiped out roughly 1,500 bird species since the Late Pleistocene (between 126,000–12,000 years ago), and most have disappeared in the past 11,700 years, during the Holocene period. That's around double previous Read more about We've probably wiped out 1,500 bird species in the last 100,000 years, most in the last 10,000
InternationalUK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, UK -
Childhood trauma increases risk of chronic pain in adulthood
European Journal of Psychotraumatology
International scientists, including Australians, reviewed and reanalysed 75 years of previous research, including 57 studies involving a total of 826,452 adults, which looked at links between childhood trauma and chronic pain and related disability Read more about Childhood trauma increases risk of chronic pain in adulthood
Australia; International; NSWMacquarie University|The University of Sydney|McGill University, Canada -
World-first clear solar glass greenhouse reduces energy consumption by 40%
Two years after the world’s first clear solar glass greenhouse opened at Murdoch University, researchers have revealed the building has offset nearly 40 per cent of energy consumption. The results are due to fluorescent particles in the solar Read more about World-first clear solar glass greenhouse reduces energy consumption by 40%
Australia; WAMurdoch University -
Scientists to fight new spread of tropical disease
Scientists will use cutting-edge technology to determine and predict where the threat of the disease melioidosis is greatest, as the incidence of this dangerous condition increases. According to Aussie researchers, the disease is now appearing in Read more about Scientists to fight new spread of tropical disease
Australia; QLDJames Cook University|Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine (AITHM) -
Global heavyweights line up to attend Quantum Australia 2024 conference
Australia's #1 quantum conference is on again in February 2024, with top government officials from Australia, the UK and USA; quantum entrepreneurs from Australia, Canada, Finland, USA and Singapore; and leading researchers from across the country. Read more about Global heavyweights line up to attend Quantum Australia 2024 conference
Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney -
New Zealand is consistently sucking up carbon, Australia less so
Global Biogeochemical Cycles
Researchers have measured the Australasia region's carbon emissions and storage over the last decade, finding that the Tasman Sea neighbours together nearly achieve net zero. New Zealand's forests suck up carbon dioxide, and the country has lower Read more about New Zealand is consistently sucking up carbon, Australia less so
Australia; New ZealandCSIRO|GNS Science|National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)... -
She might have a Nobel Prize in physics, but Barbie needs to expand her scientific range
The BMJ
Barbie's science and medical career dolls usually aren't wearing appropriate personal protective equipment and could do with some more diversity, argues an international researcher as part of the BMJ's light-hearted Christmas edition. The author Read more about She might have a Nobel Prize in physics, but Barbie needs to expand her scientific range
InternationalMedical researcher, Indianapolis, IN, USA -
Doctor Who Christmas specials linked to fewer deaths because of wibbly wobbly timey wimey... stuff
The BMJ
In this year's BMJ Christmas edition, an English researcher has discovered that episodes of Doctor Who screened over the Christmas period - ideally on Christmas Day - were associated with lower death rates in the subsequent year across the UK. The Read more about Doctor Who Christmas specials linked to fewer deaths because of wibbly wobbly timey wimey... stuff
InternationalUniversity of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK -
Bug in a mug - Are hospital coffee machines transmitting disease?
BMJ Christmas
Hospital coffee machines are not spreading disease, according to international research which will be a relief to healthcare workers worried about their cup of caffeine. The study swabbed 17 coffee machines from break rooms and offices at German Read more about Bug in a mug - Are hospital coffee machines transmitting disease?
InternationalInstitute for Clinical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Germany -
Deep-sea octopus squid give up their secrets to a healthy, varied diet
Frontiers in Marine Science
Flinders University researchers have taken a look at why the large Dana octopus squid, which can weigh up to 160kg and measure 2. 3 metres long, is so popular on sperm whales’ menu. While rarely seen and relatively unknown, the new study of Read more about Deep-sea octopus squid give up their secrets to a healthy, varied diet
Australia; Pacific; SAFlinders University -
Oceanography, seafloor mapping and satellite combine to map world’s strongest current
RV Investigator has been working for the last five weeks to understand how this natural barrier contributes to melting Antarctic ice shelves - and the potential for sea-level rise. From space to the seafloor, an Australian and international research Read more about Oceanography, seafloor mapping and satellite combine to map world’s strongest current
Australia; TASCSIRO -
Hardships during youth may alter brain development
JNeurosci
Facing hardships in childhood could alter brain development, according to international researchers who analysed data from previous studies of 12,000 young teens. The team found that higher levels of family conflict was associated with increased Read more about Hardships during youth may alter brain development
InternationalKing’s College London, UK -
Corporations undermining independent science: The case of spinal cord stimulation
JAMA Internal Medicine
Responses to recent research on spinal cord stimulation show how corporations continue to undermine independent science, according to Australian experts. One of the authors of this opinion piece was part of an independent Cochrane review looking Read more about Corporations undermining independent science: The case of spinal cord stimulation
Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney -
'Horizon scan' highlights 15 most pressing issues for conservation
Trends in Ecology & Evolution
International scientists, including an Australian, have released the 15th annual 'Horizon scan', identifying the 15 most pressing issues for conservation. Potential problems include the impacts on migratory birds of Saudia Arabia’s planned Read more about 'Horizon scan' highlights 15 most pressing issues for conservation
Australia; International; QLDThe University of Queensland|Cambridge University, UK -
Could consulting an algorithm help doctors prescribe fewer unnecessary antibiotics?
Nature Medicine
An algorithm-based digital tool could help doctors treat sick children without prescribing unnecessary antibiotics, according to international researchers who say their tool could help curb the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. The algorithm Read more about Could consulting an algorithm help doctors prescribe fewer unnecessary antibiotics?
InternationalUniversity of Lausanne, Switzerland -
Can AI predict what's going to happen in your life?
Computational Science
Danish researchers say they may have developed a machine learning process that could be able to predict different aspects of our lives, such as if we might die early or nuances about our personality. Whether a human life is predictable is hotly Read more about Can AI predict what's going to happen in your life?
InternationalTechnical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark