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Underworld marketplace exposed: Fake Australian IDs for sale on the dark web
International Association of Forensic Sciences (IAFS) conference
Fake Australian driver’s licences are some of the most sold documents on the dark web, new research shows. Counterfeit Australian identity documents, especially driver’s licences, rank among some of the most frequently listed and sold identity Read more about Underworld marketplace exposed: Fake Australian IDs for sale on the dark web
Australia; NSWUniversity of Technology Sydney (UTS) -
Feeling like 'Hulking out'? Strongest ever gamma ray burst hits Earth
Nature Communications
A gamma-ray burst (GRB) that hit Earth last year was likely the strongest ever, according to international researchers. The team studied data collected by satellites and ground-based observation stations during a GRB in October 2022, which they say Read more about Feeling like 'Hulking out'? Strongest ever gamma ray burst hits Earth
InternationalUniversity of L’Aquila, Italy -
Industry funding common in recent influential clinical trials
JAMA Network Open
A study of 600 of the most-cited clinical trials published after 2018 found that industry involvement was very common with 68% receiving industry funding, 59% having industry authors, and 47% involving industry analysts. The researchers Read more about Industry funding common in recent influential clinical trials
InternationalSapienza University of Rome, Italy, Stanford University, USA -
Move over MC Hammer, this robotic hand CAN touch this
Nature Communications
International researchers have developed an artificial sensor that can recognise fine fabric textures such as corduroy and wool with high resolution, similar to a human fingerprint. The findings may help improve the abilities of robots to feel Read more about Move over MC Hammer, this robotic hand CAN touch this
InternationalSouthern University of Science and Technology, China -
More than half the Aussie prison population report a mental health diagnosis
More than half of prison entrants surveyed for the sixth survey on the health of people in Australian prisons said they had been previously diagnosed with a mental health condition and many reported a family history of incarceration. The Australian Read more about More than half the Aussie prison population report a mental health diagnosis
AustraliaAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) -
Aussie kids exposed to aggressive food marketing that would be banned in Mexico
Public Health Nutrition
A comprehensive analysis of on-pack marketing of foods sold in Australian supermarkets has revealed widespread, unregulated use of promotional techniques directly appealing to children - such as cartoon characters - most commonly on unhealthy and Read more about Aussie kids exposed to aggressive food marketing that would be banned in Mexico
Australia; InternationalGeorge Institute for Global Health -
National climate plans won't limit warming to 1.5°C, so COP28 is critical, UN warns
A new report from the UN's climate change unit has found national climate action plans won't limit global temperature rises to 1. 5°C and meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Many countries have boosted their efforts recently, but the report Read more about National climate plans won't limit warming to 1.5°C, so COP28 is critical, UN warns
InternationalUnited Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) -
Will net zero stop global warming completely?
Frontiers in Science
We need to plan for the possibility that achieving net zero emissions won't stop global warming entirely, according to international researchers. The team says the best estimate from current climate models suggests warming will stop once the amount Read more about Will net zero stop global warming completely?
Australia; International; VICThe University of Melbourne|Imperial College London, UK -
High lung cancer rates in naval veterans linked to asbestos
Scientific Reports
A University of Adelaide and Oxford University study has discovered asbestos exposure led to a higher incidence of asbestos-related lung cancers in British and Australian naval personnel than in other armed forces. A University of Adelaide and Read more about High lung cancer rates in naval veterans linked to asbestos
Australia; International; SAThe University of Adelaide -
The new frontier in online security: quantum-safe cryptography
Crypto 2023
A team of experts led by Monash University researchers, in collaboration with Australia’s national science agency CSIRO, have created an algorithm that can help strengthen online transactions that use end-to-end encryption against powerful attacks Read more about The new frontier in online security: quantum-safe cryptography
Australia; International; VICMonash University|Data61 -
Ammonia for fertilisers without the giant carbon footprint
Applied Catalysis B: Environmental
Green ammonia has the potential to drastically reduce the carbon footprint needed to produce fertiliser vital for crop-growing. The production of ammonia for fertilisers – which has one of the largest carbon footprints among industrial processes Read more about Ammonia for fertilisers without the giant carbon footprint
Australia; NSW; QLDThe University of New South Wales|The University of Sydney... -
Pacific rainbow+ communities face discrimination, conversion therapy
A three-year research project finds discrimination is a common experience for Pacific Rainbow+ communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. Of the 750 Pacific Rainbow+ people surveyed, 60% encountered racism, homophobia, and transphobia; a third had yet to Read more about Pacific rainbow+ communities face discrimination, conversion therapy
New Zealand; PacificUniversity of Auckland|Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) -
Using dust to bust crime scene DNA forensics
Forensic Science International Genetics
An airborne fraction of soil, or dust, contains biological and chemical ‘signatures’ which act as a fingerprint to a specific location. Australian forensic science experts, led by Flinders University, have highlighted the usefulness of the Read more about Using dust to bust crime scene DNA forensics
Australia; SAFlinders University -
Australian grains industry gains new resource to reduce reliance on insecticides
A new resource has been released from the National Pest Information Network to support key principles of integrated pest management Australia-wide. In the form of a step-by-step checklist, growers can access a resource that demystifies integrated Read more about Australian grains industry gains new resource to reduce reliance on insecticides
AustraliaCesar Australia, Grains Research and Development Corporation, Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, South Australian Research and Development Institute and Department of Regional New South Wales. -
Mangroves not to blame for sedimentation build up
Nature Communications
Using computational models based on New Zealand estuaries, researchers looked at what sediment was coming into estuaries, and what effect the mangroves had on sedimentation. They found that reducing the sediment coming from upstream was the only way Read more about Mangroves not to blame for sedimentation build up
New Zealand; InternationalUniversity of Waikato|University of Auckland|Waikato Regional Council, NZ, Utrecht University, the Netherlands -
Where you live affects the prostate cancer treatment you're likely to have
PLOS ONE
The type of prostate cancer treatment you're likely to have is very different depending on where in Australia you live, according to Australian researchers who looked at hospital data for prostate cancer interventions across the country. The team Read more about Where you live affects the prostate cancer treatment you're likely to have
Australia; NSW; VIC; QLDQueensland University of Technology (QUT)|The University of Queensland... -
There's no single clear answer on how screens are impacting our kids
Nature Human Behaviour
Current research into the impact of screens on children and teens show a mix of small risks and benefits, according to Australian researchers. The team selected 32 meta-analyses on screens and young people and conducted their own meta-analysis - Read more about There's no single clear answer on how screens are impacting our kids
Australia; NSW; VIC; QLDAustralian Catholic University|Macquarie University... -
Aussie experts' 100 fake health stories in an hour highlight AI risks
JAMA Internal Medicine
To highlight the risks AI poses in the spread of misinformation and disinformation, Aussie public health experts mass-produced more than 100 blog articles full of disinformation on vaccines and vaping in just over an hour using OpenAI’s GPT Read more about Aussie experts' 100 fake health stories in an hour highlight AI risks
Australia; SAFlinders University -
Could a robot chemist create oxygen from the resources already on Mars?
Nature Synthesis
International researchers have developed an AI robot chemist that can make oxygen from Martian meteorites, and they say similar technology could one day make human missions to Mars easier and more cost-effective. The robot was given five categories Read more about Could a robot chemist create oxygen from the resources already on Mars?
InternationalUniversity of Science and Technology of China -
Aboriginal men's mental health paper among the first translated into an Indigenous language
Early Intervention in Psychiatry
Research on the importance of cultural continuity for Central Australian Aboriginal men's mental health has been translated into Eastern/Central Arrernte, making it one of the first academic papers to be translated in full into an Australian Read more about Aboriginal men's mental health paper among the first translated into an Indigenous language
Australia; VIC; NTThe University of Melbourne|Charles Darwin University -
High-severity wildfires threaten global timber production
Nature Geoscience
Severe wildfires are putting global timber production at risk, new research from The Australian National University (ANU), the University of Sheffield and the University of Cambridge shows. The research team analysed data from 2001 to 2021 and Read more about High-severity wildfires threaten global timber production
Australia; ACTThe Australian National University -
AI faces look more real than actual human faces
Psychological Science
White faces generated by artificial intelligence (AI) now appear more real than human faces, according to new research led by experts at The Australian National University (ANU). In the study, more people thought AI-generated white faces were human Read more about AI faces look more real than actual human faces
Australia; ACTThe Australian National University -
EXPERT REACTION: Cause of Optus outage revealed
Optus has issued a statement on the cause of last week's outage. The telco said: "At around 4. 05am Wednesday morning, the Optus network received changes to routing information from an international peering network following a routine software Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Cause of Optus outage revealed
Australia; VIC; QLD; SA; ACTAustralian Science Media Centre -
4 in 10 Australians grow their own fruit and veg but many aren't protecting gardens from animal poop
Research on food safety and gardening shows 4 in 10 Australians (43% of women vs 36% of men) grow their own vegetables and/or fruit in their backyard or in community gardens. People need to make sure homegrown produce doesn’t get contaminated with Read more about 4 in 10 Australians grow their own fruit and veg but many aren't protecting gardens from animal poop
AustraliaFood Safety Information Council|Macquarie University -
Endangered turtle population under threat as pollution may lead to excess of females being born
Frontiers in Marine Science
Researchers find exposure to heavy metals cadmium and antimony and certain organic contaminants, accumulated by the mother and transferred to her eggs, may cause embryos to be feminised in green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas), a species already at Read more about Endangered turtle population under threat as pollution may lead to excess of females being born
Australia; QLDGriffith University -
New Aussie guidelines for diabetes-related foot disease
Medical Journal of Australia
New guidelines to help doctors manage and prevent diabetes-related foot disease have been released, marking the first update since 2011. The changes include more specific self-monitoring, footwear prescription, surgical treatments and activity Read more about New Aussie guidelines for diabetes-related foot disease
Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; SA; WA; NTQueensland University of Technology (QUT)|La Trobe University... -
No scientific evidence for cognitively advanced behaviours and symbolism by Homo naledi
Journal of Human Evolution
A new study casts doubt on claims that Homo naledi, a small-brained hominin dating to between 335-241,000 years ago, deliberately buried their dead and produced rock art in Rising Star Cave, South Africa. Three pre-print articles published this year Read more about No scientific evidence for cognitively advanced behaviours and symbolism by Homo naledi
Australia; International; VIC; QLDGriffith University|La Trobe University|The University of Queensland -
48 new species of spiders described
Zootaxa
Queensland Museum experts have scientifically described 48 species of ground-hunting spiders from Australia. A paper recently published in Zootaxa documents the 48 species of ground-hunting spiders from the family Miturgidae, which can be found Read more about 48 new species of spiders described
Australia; QLDQueensland Museum -
Voyage to the Southern Ocean to investigate how climate change impacts the planet’s strongest current
CSIRO’s research vessel (RV) Investigator is heading into the heart of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current to investigate why the planet’s strongest current that helps keep the Antarctic frozen is leaking warm water into the polar seas. CSIRO’s Read more about Voyage to the Southern Ocean to investigate how climate change impacts the planet’s strongest current
Australia; TASCSIRO -
EXPERT REACTION: Attitudes towards animal testing and research in Aotearoa
Kiwis care about the use of animals in scientific research, but are ill-informed about how it is regulated, according to a detailed new survey of more than 1300 people. For instance, while the use of animals for cosmetic testing is banned in Aotearoa Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Attitudes towards animal testing and research in Aotearoa
New ZealandNew Zealand Board of the Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART) -
EXPERT REACTION: Semaglutide may reduce the risk of death from heart disease in overweight people
NEJM
Semaglutide - the diabetes drug that has now become best known for its weight loss properties - is able to reduce the number of overweight or obese people dying from heart related issues, say international researchers, in a paper funded by the Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Semaglutide may reduce the risk of death from heart disease in overweight people
Australia; International; NSW; VIC; SACleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, USA - Novo Nordisk, Denmark -
A new approach to understanding Aboriginal foodways
Archaeology of Food and Foodways
A University of Queensland-led research team says the key to a more sustainable food future may be a better understanding of ancient Indigenous food production systems. Their ARC Discovery project ‘Testing the Dark Emu hypothesis’ combines Read more about A new approach to understanding Aboriginal foodways
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland|The University of New England -
Getting a COVID-19 vaccine during but not before pregnancy can help protect the baby from Omicron
JAMA Network Open
Babies born to mothers who received a COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy are less likely to be infected with Omicron COVID-19 variants, according to international researchers who say this reduced risk only occurs if the vaccination happened Read more about Getting a COVID-19 vaccine during but not before pregnancy can help protect the baby from Omicron
InternationalSingapore General Hospital, Singapore -
Bullying hits hardest for those victimised for social characteristics
Journal of School Violence
Students who feel like they have been victimised because of social characteristics such as their ethnicity or sexuality are at a higher risk of trauma, says a US researcher. She looked at responses from over 2,200 bullied kids, and says the kids who Read more about Bullying hits hardest for those victimised for social characteristics
InternationalThe Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA -
People who never have friends or family over could be at a higher risk of dying
BMC Medicine
People who are never visited by friends or family could be at higher risk of dying, according to international researchers investigating the link between loneliness and death risk. The team used data from about 450,000 adults in the UK Biobank study, Read more about People who never have friends or family over could be at a higher risk of dying
InternationalUniversity of Glasgow, UK -
Any activity is better for your heart than sitting – even sleeping
European Heart Journal
Replacing sitting with as little as a few minutes of moderate exercise a day tangibly improves heart health, according to new research from the University of Sydney and UCL. Replacing sitting with as little as a few minutes of moderate exercise a Read more about Any activity is better for your heart than sitting – even sleeping
Australia; NSW; QLDThe University of Sydney|The University of Queensland... -
How can women displaced by war get access to breast cancer treatment?
Advanced Breast Cancer Seventh International Consensus Conference (ABC 7)
Aid agencies in war zones need better plans to help women displaced by war get treatment for breast cancer, according to a presentation at the Advanced Breast Cancer Seventh International Consensus Conference (ABC 7). An international researcher Read more about How can women displaced by war get access to breast cancer treatment?
InternationalKings College London, UK -
People with narcissistic traits could be at higher risk of body image issues and eating disorders
PLOS ONE
People with narcissistic traits could be more likely to have body image concerns, and by extension be at risk of an eating disorder, according to Australian and international researchers. The team recruited 430 people and asked them to complete Read more about People with narcissistic traits could be at higher risk of body image issues and eating disorders
Australia; International; NSWThe University of Sydney|Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Poland -
Have COVID-19 patients who lost their taste or smell recovered after 3 years?
JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery
COVID-19 affected the sense of taste or smell in many patients early in the pandemic, but most got it back within three years, according to international research. The team recruited 100 people with mild COVID-19 and 100 who hadn't had the virus and Read more about Have COVID-19 patients who lost their taste or smell recovered after 3 years?
InternationalUniversity of Trieste, Italy -
Liquid metals shake up century-old chemical engineering processes
Nature Nanotechnology
Liquid metals could be the long-awaited solution to 'greening' the chemical industry, according to researchers who tested a new technique they hope can replace energy-intensive chemical engineering processes harking back to the early 20th century. Read more about Liquid metals shake up century-old chemical engineering processes
Australia; International; NSW; VICThe University of Sydney|The University of New South Wales... -
A multimum monkey? First live birth of a chimeric primate
Cell
Chinese researchers have reported the live birth of a chimeric monkey – composed of cells taken from two genetically distinct embryos from the same species of monkey. The team carefully grew and selected stem cells, altered them to glow green, and Read more about A multimum monkey? First live birth of a chimeric primate
International -
Four in five breast cancers are caught early in Australia
JAMA Oncology
Of people diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia, 82. 3% are diagnosed at an early stage, according to an international study of previous research on breast cancer diagnoses at different stages of the disease around the world. The team found Read more about Four in five breast cancers are caught early in Australia
Australia; InternationalWorld Health Organization (WHO) -
NZ govt parties' health policies 'not inspirational' - medical expert
NZMJ
The New Zealand Medical Journal editor has canvassed the health policies of National, ACT and NZ First, which are likely to form the next government. Prof. Frank Frizelle finds the parties' main point of agreement appears to be on solving the health Read more about NZ govt parties' health policies 'not inspirational' - medical expert
New Zealand -
Connecting with kids who don’t want to engage
International Journal of Early Childhood
Angry Birds, Mario Kart, or Animal Crossing – they’re popular digital games that have captured the attention of children the world over. But in a pre-school environment, games like these could distract your kids from engaging in the curriculum, Read more about Connecting with kids who don’t want to engage
Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia -
EXPERT REACTION: Diverse forests are far better at carbon storage than single-species plantations
Frontiers in Forests and Global Change
Forests that are a combination of various different species that compliment each other could store over 70% more carbon than a single-species plantation, according to international researchers who say many countries' forest restoration plans could Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Diverse forests are far better at carbon storage than single-species plantations
InternationalUniversity of Oxford, UK -
Visual therapy to reduce harmful sexual fantasies
Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry
A psychology therapy that uses visual imagery to desensitise people from traumatic memories can also reduce the impacts of harmful sexual fantasies, according to new UniSC research. A psychology therapy that uses visual imagery to desensitise people Read more about Visual therapy to reduce harmful sexual fantasies
Australia; QLD; SAUniversity of the Sunshine Coast|Flinders University -
General aviation sector grounded by red tape and sky-high costs
Case Studies on Transport Policy
The general aviation sector in Australia is not in a happy place, plagued by a litany of issues, most of which come down to a lack of Federal Government policy. That's the consensus in a new paper co-authored by the University of South Australia. Read more about General aviation sector grounded by red tape and sky-high costs
Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia -
Reflecting on medicine's role in the Holocaust is crucial to strengthening medical ethics today
The Lancet
Modern medical education and ethics should be informed by an understanding of medicine’s role in the Nazi regime, according to international scholars, physicians and researchers. The Holocaust is not the only horrific historical event that Read more about Reflecting on medicine's role in the Holocaust is crucial to strengthening medical ethics today
InternationalMedical University of Vienna, Austria -
Why we need to rethink ‘bullying’
Children and Youth Services Review Journal
Latest research from Flinders University has identified that the term ‘bullying’ - used to define a range of behaviours - is potentially jeopardising successful and necessary prevention of harmful behaviour at school. Latest research from Read more about Why we need to rethink ‘bullying’
Australia; SAFlinders University -
A fifth of threatened European species are likely to go extinct
PLOS ONE
About 19% of the nearly 15,000 European species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species are under threat of extinction, according to international and Australian researchers. The IUCN Red List Read more about A fifth of threatened European species are likely to go extinct
Australia; International; QLDJames Cook University|Muse´e National d’Histoire Naturelle, Luxembourg
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