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