Threatened Species Index of Australia: 2020 results show staggering loss of threatened native plants over 20 years

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 1500 AEDT | 1700 NZDT

Ecological Society of Australia Conference 2020

In just over two decades (1995-2017) numbers of Australian threatened plants have decreased by more than 70% on average. The findings come from Australia’s Threatened Species Index which combines data from hundreds of monitoring programs across Read more about Threatened Species Index of Australia: 2020 results show staggering loss of threatened native plants over 20 years

Pilot whale study reveals copycat calls to outsmart predators

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 1415 AEDT | 1615 NZDT

Scientific Reports

New Curtin University research has found southern Australian long-finned pilot whales are able to mimic the calls of its natural predator and food rival – the killer whale, as a possible ploy to outsmart it. Read more about Pilot whale study reveals copycat calls to outsmart predators

Getting the handle on hangovers

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 1400 AEDT | 1600 NZDT

Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental.

How hangovers affect different people is not easy to predict according to a new Griffith University study. The study involved 21 participants (aged between 20 and 32), who completed two identical trials involving the consumption of 8-10 standard Read more about Getting the handle on hangovers

What is the effect of droughts on economic outcomes of livestock farms?

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 1338 AEDT | 1538 NZDT

In one of the first studies of its kind, a new paper by Motu Research investigates the impact of droughts on livestock farm enterprises by linking financial, agricultural and productivity data with historical weather data. Read more about What is the effect of droughts on economic outcomes of livestock farms?

EXPERT REACTION: Aussies likely to start COVID-19 vaccinations in March after UK approves Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 1229 AEDT | 1429 NZDT

Health Minister Greg Hunt has today confirmed Australia is expecting to begin vaccinations in March 2021. This follows the news from the UK overnight that they have approved the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID vaccine for emergency use. Below, Australian Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Aussies likely to start COVID-19 vaccinations in March after UK approves Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine

Money won't save countries from climate change health harms

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The Lancet

Every country, no matter how wealthy, will suffer health impacts from worsening climate change, according to the 2020 report of The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change. Heat-related deaths among the elderly, more burns and lung damage from Read more about Money won't save countries from climate change health harms

Lancet Countdown on health & climate change - Bushfires, local launch, policy brief

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The 2020 MJA-Lancet Countdown on health and climate change focuses on our 'Black summer', complementing the global mega-report, publishes this morning (to be followed by a briefing), while a coalition of medical experts warn the failure to tackle Read more about Lancet Countdown on health & climate change - Bushfires, local launch, policy brief

More frequently sheared sheep are happier mothers

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 0930 AEDT | 1130 NZDT

Sheep shearing and epigenetic change

More frequently sheared pregnant sheep are more active, have lower stress levels and produce lambs with finer wool, according to University of Queensland research. Dr Edward Narayan from UQ’s School of Agriculture and Food Science and the Read more about More frequently sheared sheep are happier mothers

Incredible vision in ancient marine creatures drove an evolutionary arms race

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 0800 AEDT | 1000 NZDT

Science Advances

Ancient deep sea creatures called radiodonts had incredible vision that likely drove an evolutionary arms race according to new research published today. Read more about Incredible vision in ancient marine creatures drove an evolutionary arms race

GPS trackers keep tabs on plastic pollution

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS One

Researchers have developed a low cost, open-source method to track common rubbish like plastic bottles via GPS in order to understand how plastic pollution spreads through the waterways. These “bottle tags” were released at 25 sites along the Read more about GPS trackers keep tabs on plastic pollution

Orca stranding linked to human activity

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS One

New research into trends behind orca stranding has revealed human activity as a cause of death across every age group of the orcas studied. A North American research team reviewed the pathology reports of almost 90 whales that stranded in Hawai’i Read more about Orca stranding linked to human activity

Continents were weak and prone to destruction in their infancy

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature

Monash University geologists have shed new light on the early history of the Earth through their discovery that continents were weak and prone to destruction in their infancy. Read more about Continents were weak and prone to destruction in their infancy

Why do so few native plants and animals have Māori names?

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

New Zealand Journal of Ecology

Only four per cent of New Zealand species have scientific names based on te reo Māori or ta re Moriori. An independent scientist and historian reviews the history, noting there are still no restrictions or recommendations on the source or language Read more about Why do so few native plants and animals have Māori names?

AI could keep weather balloons in the sky

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature

Artificial intelligence could help stratospheric balloons stay in place for weeks at a time, according to international research that could have really shortened Carl Fredrickson’s adventure in Up. Helium-filled ‘superpressure’ balloons are Read more about AI could keep weather balloons in the sky

Potential treatment restores vision in mice

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature

Aussie and international researchers have found a way to reprogram the neurons in mouse eyes to return them to a more ‘youthful’ state and restore vision, which could provide a new pathway for treating age-related vision loss. Neurons in the eye Read more about Potential treatment restores vision in mice

EXPERT REACTION: 2020 looks set to be one of the warmest years on record - WMO report

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

As if 2020 wasn't bad enough, now it looks like it is also on track to be one of the three warmest years on record, with the global mean temperature for January to October 2020 measuring around 1. 2°C above pre-industrial levels. With the fifth Read more about EXPERT REACTION: 2020 looks set to be one of the warmest years on record - WMO report

New project to improve health and well-being of young people with cerebral palsy

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

A new research project has been created to better understand and address the health care and service needs of adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy. Read more about New project to improve health and well-being of young people with cerebral palsy

STEM superstars call for more gender and cultural diversity

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

N/A

The University of Melbourne leads this year's STEM superstars cohort with five academics chosen to step into the media spotlight. Read more about STEM superstars call for more gender and cultural diversity

New butterfly-inspired hydrogen sensor is powered by light

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 2215 AEDT | Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 0015 NZDT

ACS Sensors

Inspired by the surface of butterfly wings, researchers have developed a light-activated hydrogen sensor that produces ultra-precise results at room temperature. Read more about New butterfly-inspired hydrogen sensor is powered by light

Only a small fraction of those surfing the dark web are nefarious

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 1502 AEDT | 1702 NZDT

PNAS

Almost seven percent of regular dark web users are likely using the anonymous network for malicious purposes, according to new research. The dark web allows users to protect their anonymity, but it also protects those who use it for illegal or Read more about Only a small fraction of those surfing the dark web are nefarious

Tanning beds may be linked to greater risk of endometriosis

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 1105 AEDT | 1305 NZDT

Human Reproduction

Tanning beds and getting sunburns may be linked to a greater risk of developing endometriosis, according to a new study that analysed survey data of more than 95,000 American women from 1989 to 2015. Researchers found that women who had used tanning Read more about Tanning beds may be linked to greater risk of endometriosis

Kiwi 'sixth sense' evolved in the time of the dinosaurs

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

An organ that gives Kiwi and some other birds a "sixth sense" to find buried prey probably arose before those birds evolved to what they are today. A comparative study of 353 living bird species, such as Kiwi, shorebirds, and ibises, and six fossil Read more about Kiwi 'sixth sense' evolved in the time of the dinosaurs

People interpret screams and gasps based on context

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Royal Society Open Science

People usually interpret harsh 'nonvocal' sounds, like a scream or a gasp, as signifying a negative emotion, but new research has found that people can interpret the same sounds differently if other context is available. European researchers asked Read more about People interpret screams and gasps based on context

More midwives could save millions of lives

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The Lancet Global Health

Increasing the number of midwives and their level of care could reduce birth-related deaths by two thirds in low and middle income countries over the next 15 years. Too few midwives, along with poor training and support, result in inadequate care Read more about More midwives could save millions of lives

Targets for avoidable sight loss ‘not being met’: 30-year study finds

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The Lancet Global Health

A new global study has found no significant reduction in the number of people with treatable sight loss since 2010. Published in The Lancet Global Health, it examined population-based surveys of eye disease worldwide from 1980 and found public Read more about Targets for avoidable sight loss ‘not being met’: 30-year study finds

Don't drink the hand sanitiser - it can kill

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

BMJ Evidence Based Medicine

You might think it goes without saying, but two deaths identified in UK coroners’ reports are a reminder to all of us not to swallow alcohol-based hand sanitiser. The report also refers to an Australian case where a six year old was diagnosed Read more about Don't drink the hand sanitiser - it can kill

Swift action needed to help critically endangered parrot

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

Animal Conversation

There could be fewer than 300 swift parrots left in the wild, according to new research from The Australian National University (ANU). Read more about Swift action needed to help critically endangered parrot

Using forests to limit global warming to 1.5°C may cost more than $500bn

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Communications

US scientists have estimated the cost of using forestry to reduce greenhouse gas emissions enough to limit global warming to 1. 5°C, and say it's likely to be around US$393bn (roughly AU$535bn). For this cost, forest management activities could Read more about Using forests to limit global warming to 1.5°C may cost more than $500bn

EXPERT REACTION: Māori and Pacific academics paid and promoted less

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

MAI Journal

New research finds a substantial pay gap and significantly lower chance of promotion for Māori and Pacific academics in New Zealand universities compared to their other colleagues. Māori and Pacific women are the most impacted, with a $7,700 pay Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Māori and Pacific academics paid and promoted less

Cannabidiol (CBD) in cannabis does not impair driving, landmark study shows

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)

New research shows from the Lambert Initiative at the University of Sydney shows that cannabidiol is safe for driving and the intoxicating effects of THC in cannabis fade in hours. The results have big implications for regulation of medical cannabis Read more about Cannabidiol (CBD) in cannabis does not impair driving, landmark study shows

Differences in immunity and blood vessels likely protect children from severe COVID-19

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 0005 AEDT | 0205 NZDT

Archives of Disease in Childhood

Differences in the immune systems and better blood vessel health were among the factors protecting children from severe COVID-19, according to a new review. Read more about Differences in immunity and blood vessels likely protect children from severe COVID-19

Pumping a nanoparticle to lase at low power

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 2100 AEDT | 2300 NZDT

Nature Communications

A laser pointer small enough to get inside a cancer cell and stop its "engine"? The stuff of science fiction? Scientists working at the nanoscale are chipping away at how to build miniature laser devices capable of intracellular bio-imaging and Read more about Pumping a nanoparticle to lase at low power

There’s a fungus among us: Deadly fungal disease could threaten Australia’s iconic lizards

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 2100 AEDT | 2300 NZDT

Scientific Reports

A team of scientists have today announced the discovery of a deadly fungal disease affecting wild lizards across Australia. The condition, referred to as ‘Yellow Fungus Disease’, is dreaded by captive reptile keepers across the globe, who know Read more about There’s a fungus among us: Deadly fungal disease could threaten Australia’s iconic lizards

Curtin collision models impact the future of energy

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 1915 AEDT | 2115 NZDT

Atomic Data and Nuclear Data Tables

A new Curtin University-created database of electron-molecule reactions is a major step forward in making nuclear fusion power a reality, by allowing researchers to accurately model plasmas containing molecular hydrogen. Read more about Curtin collision models impact the future of energy

Hatch to commercialise Grade Engineering

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 1620 AEDT | 1820 NZDT

Developed by the Brisbane-based Cooperative Research Centre for Optimising Resource Extraction (CRC ORE), Grade Engineering is an innovative suite of Australian-developed mining technologies that is set to be taken worldwide. Grade Engineering makes Read more about Hatch to commercialise Grade Engineering

80 year old WA snapper is the world's oldest tropical reef fish

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 1222 AEDT | 1422 NZDT

Coral Reefs

An 81-year-old midnight snapper caught off the coast of Western Australia has taken the title of the oldest tropical reef fish recorded anywhere in the world. The octogenarian fish was found at the Rowley Shoals—about 300km west of Broome—and Read more about 80 year old WA snapper is the world's oldest tropical reef fish

SARS-CoV-2 might enter the brain through your nose

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 1201 AEDT | 1401 NZDT

Nature Neuroscience

SARS-CoV-2 might enter the brain of people through the nose, according to an autopsy study which may help explain the neurological symptoms such as loss of smell, taste, headache, fatigue and nausea. Previous research had described the presence of Read more about SARS-CoV-2 might enter the brain through your nose

EXPERT REACTION: Moderna vaccine reports 100% efficacy against severe COVID

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

Overnight, Moderna has reported further results of their Phase 3 COVID vaccine study. The results, based on 30,000 participants, included 196 cases of COVID-19, of which 30 cases were severe. According to the company, the vaccine's efficacy was 94. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Moderna vaccine reports 100% efficacy against severe COVID

Sheep and beef farms hold a quarter of NZ’s native vegetation

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 1007 AEDT | 1207 NZDT

New Zealand Journal of Ecology

New Zealand researchers have mapped out an estimate of where native plants and forests are dispersed throughout the country, finding that sheep and beef farms contain 17 per cent of the country’s remaining native forest and a quarter of the Read more about Sheep and beef farms hold a quarter of NZ’s native vegetation

NEWS BRIEFING: Hayabusa2 capsule set to land on Aussie soil with space rocks on board

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

FULL BRIEFING RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE While food delivery services have been getting a good workout over the past year, space nerds around the world have eagerly awaited a different kind of package. Hayabusa2 is set for another milestone in its Read more about NEWS BRIEFING: Hayabusa2 capsule set to land on Aussie soil with space rocks on board

Pets, touch and COVID-19: why our furry friends are lifesavers

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

Journal of Behavioral Economics for Policy

A new study published by University of South Australia researchers points to the lifesaving role that pets have played in 2020 and why governments need to sit up and take notice. Read more about Pets, touch and COVID-19: why our furry friends are lifesavers

Some primary school-aged children self-harm, as experts call for earlier intervention

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

PLOS ONE

New research reveals that some primary school-aged children have self-harmed, prompting calls for intervention efforts to start earlier. Read more about Some primary school-aged children self-harm, as experts call for earlier intervention

Dream a COVID dream: Pandemic stress continues in our sleep

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS One

The mental suffering we experience during the COVID-19 pandemic is chasing us in our dreams, according to Brazilian researchers. The researchers used language processing tools to analyse 239 dream reports by 67 people made before or during the Read more about Dream a COVID dream: Pandemic stress continues in our sleep

The ‘smell’ of coral as an indicator of reef health

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

Global Change Biology

What do corals smell like? How does that smell change during heat stress? And what critical functions do smells perform? With further coral bleaching forecast for 2021, a study conducted in the southern Great Barrier Reef is the first to explore the Read more about The ‘smell’ of coral as an indicator of reef health

Online alcohol delivery linked to heavier drinking during lockdown

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Drug and Alcohol Review

Kiwis who purchased booze online during lockdown were linked to much higher odds of heavier drinking (defined as having six or more drinks during one occasion) compared to those who bought their drinks at the supermarket. The findings come from a Read more about Online alcohol delivery linked to heavier drinking during lockdown

The Google Maps of space? Australian telescope creates a new atlas of the Universe

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 0430 AEDT | 0630 NZDT

Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia

A world-leading CSIRO radio telescope has created a new atlas of the Universe, by surveying the entire southern sky in record speed and detail for the first time, to build the astronomers version of 'Google Maps' in space. The Australian Square Read more about The Google Maps of space? Australian telescope creates a new atlas of the Universe

Scientist’s discovery could target cancer in new way

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Cell Biology

A young PhD student's hunch about one aspect of cancer cell replication has paid off nearly four years later. Dr Noa Lamm, lead scientist on this project, was inspired to become a cancer researcher after losing her mother to the disease. She spent Read more about Scientist’s discovery could target cancer in new way

Two blood molecules could help predict Alzheimer’s

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Aging

Two molecules found in our blood plasma could help predict if someone with mild cognitive impairment will progress to Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers looked at the health data from almost 600 patients with mild cognitive impairment. After Read more about Two blood molecules could help predict Alzheimer’s

Top ten prescription drugs used by Aussies in 2019/2020

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Australian Prescriber

A drug used to treat eye conditions such as macular degeneration has cost the taxpayer almost $400 million in 2019/2020, topping the list of drugs ranked by cost to government. The drug, which was in second place last year, has topped the chart this Read more about Top ten prescription drugs used by Aussies in 2019/2020

HIV in Australia has declined by 12% in the past five years

Publicly released: Tue 1 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

New HIV data, released today by the Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney for World AIDS Day, are a reminder for Australia to sustain its efforts in HIV prevention amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. There were 903 HIV diagnoses in Australia in 2019, Read more about HIV in Australia has declined by 12% in the past five years