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

HIV diagnoses fall as Australians embrace pre-exposure prophylaxis but challenges remain

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

Australian Prescriber

HIV prevention in Australia has been revolutionised in the past few years by pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with antiretroviral medicines. In New South Wales, where PrEP has most widely been taken up, it has been associated with a rapid decline in Read more about HIV diagnoses fall as Australians embrace pre-exposure prophylaxis but challenges remain

Fit gamers challenge ‘fat’ stereotype, new esports research

Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 1739 AEDT | 1939 NZDT

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Esports players are up to 21 per cent healthier weight than the general population, hardly smoke and also drink less, a new QUT study finds. Read more about Fit gamers challenge ‘fat’ stereotype, new esports research

Microplastics almost universally found in marine mammals

Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 1526 AEDT | 1726 NZDT

Environmental Pollution

Researchers are consistently finding microplastics inside marine mammals such as whales, dolphins, and seals, according to a first-of-its-kind review of the scientific literature. Of the 30 studies reviewed, only one did not report finding Read more about Microplastics almost universally found in marine mammals

Head set over head phone: cancelling out unnecessary and unwanted noise

Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 1515 AEDT | 1715 NZDT

Scientific Reports

Researchers from the Centre for Audio, Acoustics and Vibration at the University of Technology Sydney are exploring technology for those wanting a quieter life! By integrating laser-based technology – which can deal with high frequencies – into Read more about Head set over head phone: cancelling out unnecessary and unwanted noise

Divorce conflict linked to lower mental health

Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 1500 AEDT | 1700 NZDT

Frontiers in Psychology

High levels of conflict during a divorce are linked to lower mental health in recent divorcees, according to new research. Scientists in Denmark studied over 1800 people who had been through a rapid divorce process, and found that the mental and Read more about Divorce conflict linked to lower mental health

The challenge of communicating disaster risks examined

Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 1358 AEDT | 1558 NZDT

Progress in Disaster Science

How do we successfully communicate risk before and during a disaster? An international author team, which includes former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, writes in an editorial about the importance of communicating risk early, the constant Read more about The challenge of communicating disaster risks examined

Views on Waitangi Day may not be as divisive as some think

Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 1238 AEDT | 1438 NZDT

Journal of Intercultural Relations

Data pulled from the 2015 New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study show most Māori and Pākehā support (51%) rather than oppose (8%) Waitangi Day as a national celebration of biculturalism. The team found that age, among other factors, was a key Read more about Views on Waitangi Day may not be as divisive as some think

Childhood dementia - insights from the eyes

Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 1230 AEDT | 1430 NZDT

Acta Neuropathologica Communications

Is the eye a window to the brain in Sanfilippo syndrome, an untreatable form of childhood-onset dementia, Australian researchers ask in a new publication. The findings of the NHMRC-funded project, just published in international journal Acta Read more about Childhood dementia - insights from the eyes

Perth’s Aboriginal babies show first signs of ear disease at just eight weeks

Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 1130 AEDT | 1330 NZDT

Deafness and Educational International

Telethon Kids Institute researchers have found close to 40 per cent of Aboriginal babies begin to develop middle ear infections between two and four months of age in a first of its kind study in metropolitan Perth. By six – eight months this Read more about Perth’s Aboriginal babies show first signs of ear disease at just eight weeks

Children's Word of the Year - 'virus'

Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 1130 AEDT | 1330 NZDT

Three million Australian schoolchildren’s most-used words in a writing exercise give valuable insights into the minds of school-aged children during the COVID-19 pandemic. After a disrupted school year of remote learning and virtual classrooms Read more about Children's Word of the Year - 'virus'

Getting a grip on better health

Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

Nature and Science of Sleep

Men with muscles like a young Arnold Schwarzenegger or a top weightlifter look powerful but a handshake will give away whether they’re a healthy specimen – or at risk of a chronic disease or premature ageing, experts say. Medical researchers in Read more about Getting a grip on better health

VR headsets and hypnosis may help distract patients undergoing medical procedures

Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 1001 AEDT | 1201 NZDT

Euroanaesthesia congress

Virtual reality headsets or medical hypnosis may help with pain and anxiety in patients undergoing short but painful medical procedures, according to Belgian scientists. They split 104 patients undergoing procedures into three groups. All received Read more about VR headsets and hypnosis may help distract patients undergoing medical procedures

Men tuning into Insta-spiration

Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 0930 AEDT | 1130 NZDT

Body Image

New research confirms men and teens are affected by Instagram influencers who set global benchmarks for ideal body shape, fashion and even facial trends. While perhaps not as focused on ‘thinness’ as women appear to be from female influencers, Read more about Men tuning into Insta-spiration

Has quality suffered in the rush to publish COVID-19 research?

Publicly released: Mon 30 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

MJA

An Australian analysis of research papers on COVID-19 published in five of the world's leading medical journals has found many differed from papers published in the same journals that were not about COVID-19. The researchers say three times as many Read more about Has quality suffered in the rush to publish COVID-19 research?