Truffle munching wallabies shed new light on forest conservation

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 1400 AEDT | 1600 NZDT

Ecology and Evolution

Feeding truffles to wallabies may sound like a madcap whim of the jet-setting elite, but it may give researchers clues to preserving remnant forest systems. Edith Cowan University researcher Dr Melissa Danks led an investigation into how swamp Read more about Truffle munching wallabies shed new light on forest conservation

New drug research for prostate cancer could also fight COVID-19

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 1201 AEDT | 1401 NZDT

Endocrine-Related Cancer

Two drugs under development to treat aggressive prostate cancer will now be tested to combat the deadliest response to COVID-19 infection - acute respiratory distress syndrome. Read more about New drug research for prostate cancer could also fight COVID-19

Get fit with HIIT in time for summer

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Short bursts of intense exercise – known as HIIT – could help you get back into shape by summer and stay that way, a UNSW Sydney exercise physiology researcher says. Read more about Get fit with HIIT in time for summer

Orbits of ancient stars prompt rethink on Milky Way evolution

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

Australian telescopes and a European satellite have combined to reveal unexpected motions among the Galaxy’s rarest objects. Read more about Orbits of ancient stars prompt rethink on Milky Way evolution

Almost 1 in 10 university students may be misusing prescription medication as 'study drugs'

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Drug and Alcohol Review

A survey of university students has found that in the last year almost 1 in 10 used misused prescription drugs in an effort to help them study, with most students getting them from friends or from the internet. The survey of around 2,000 university Read more about Almost 1 in 10 university students may be misusing prescription medication as 'study drugs'

Do efforts to get more women in STEM actually work?

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Australian Journal of Social Issues

We know there is a gender gap in science, but do programs designed to close this gap actually work? A review of initiatives offered across Australia focused on women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), has found little Read more about Do efforts to get more women in STEM actually work?

Strict COVID-19 measures in the NT have smashed the curve

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

MJA

The Northern Territory’s strict public health measures in response to COVID-19 have so far proved successful in containing community transmission and preventing any deaths, despite the NT hospital system often operating “beyond capacity”, Read more about Strict COVID-19 measures in the NT have smashed the curve

Lived experience of Indigenous Aussies crucial to eliminating rheumatic heart disease by 2031

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Medical Journal of Australia

Updated guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis and management of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease have been published, and experts say that cultural appropriateness and lived experience are crucial to eliminating the disease from Read more about Lived experience of Indigenous Aussies crucial to eliminating rheumatic heart disease by 2031

How the Royal Melbourne Hospital controlled Australia's biggest outbreak of COVID in health care workers

Publicly released: Mon 16 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Medical Journal of Australia

Royal Melbourne Hospital had the largest institutional outbreak of COVID-19 in health care workers in Australia to date, and used a range of approaches to control the spread of the virus, say Australian experts. The Royal Park Campus had 40 per cent Read more about How the Royal Melbourne Hospital controlled Australia's biggest outbreak of COVID in health care workers

Go (over) easy on the eggs: ‘Egg-cess’ consumption linked to diabetes

Publicly released: Sat 14 Nov 2020 at 1930 AEDT | 2130 NZDT

British Journal of Nutrition

Scrambled, poached or boiled, eggs are a popular breakfast food the world over. Yet the health benefits of the humble egg might not be all they’re cracked up to be as new research from the University of South Australia shows that excess egg Read more about Go (over) easy on the eggs: ‘Egg-cess’ consumption linked to diabetes

NZ scientist helps keep track of half the world’s fishing

Publicly released: Sat 14 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Small-scale fisheries are estimated to land half the world’s fish catch, and a research team including a Kiwi has created a software program to help them keep track of their activities. The team tested the software in Timor-Leste and found it can Read more about NZ scientist helps keep track of half the world’s fishing

Poor diet could be linked to erectile dysfunction

Publicly released: Sat 14 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

A healthy diet could also help maintain erectile function in men, according to US researchers. The study used data from the Health Professionals Follow-Up study, which included information about the diet and health of 21,469 male health professionals Read more about Poor diet could be linked to erectile dysfunction

EXPERT REACTION: Preliminary results from University of Queensland's phase I COVID-19 vaccine trial

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 1300 AEDT | 1500 NZDT

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has this morning announced that the University of Queensland's COVID-19 vaccine is so far proving "safe and effective", based on phase 1 trials. Various media reports have included that the vaccine is producing virus Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Preliminary results from University of Queensland's phase I COVID-19 vaccine trial

Ahead of World Diabetes Day, experts call for urgent action to address global diabetes epidemic

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Lancet

Ahead of World Diabetes Day on Saturday 14 November, a new report is calling for action to close the gap in diabetes prevention and care. Worldwide, 463 million people have diabetes, with 80 per cent from low-income and middle-income countries. In Read more about Ahead of World Diabetes Day, experts call for urgent action to address global diabetes epidemic

Covid treatment gets hospital patients back on their feet

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

The Lancet Respiratory Medicine

A clinical trial suggests interferon beta-1a is an effective treatment for hospitalised COVID-19 patients. Those who inhaled the immune response protein were more than twice as likely to recover from their infection to a point where everyday Read more about Covid treatment gets hospital patients back on their feet

COVID-19 takes a year off life expectancy in Spain

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 0930 AEDT | 1130 NZDT

PLOS One

Spain’s annual life expectancy at birth dropped by 0. 9 years between 2019 and July 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study. It also shows that in the hard-hit city of Madrid weekly life expectancy dropped by 15 years, during Read more about COVID-19 takes a year off life expectancy in Spain

Rapid COVID-19 test could be misleading

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 0915 AEDT | 1115 NZDT

The BMJ

As many as one in five people who receive a positive result from a finger-prick antibody test might have never had a Covid infection, new research suggests. The study authors say the AbC-19 Rapid Test is accurate enough to give a good estimate of Read more about Rapid COVID-19 test could be misleading

Dust storms make Mars sweat

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 0902 AEDT | 1102 NZDT

Science

Our cold and dry solar system neighbour was once wet and warm, and researchers have posed a new theory for how Mars’ rivers and oceans disappeared. They’ve found evidence that Martian water is transported to the upper atmosphere, where it is Read more about Dust storms make Mars sweat

Significant barriers to COVID-19 antibody treatments

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

JAMA

Antibody treatments for COVID-19 could face major issues with emergency approval and equity of treatment, US medical researchers argue. Monoclonal antibodies garnered attention when they were part of the cocktail of drugs used to treat US President Read more about Significant barriers to COVID-19 antibody treatments

New COVID-19 strategy: vaccinate potential superspreaders first

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

As the world pins its hopes on Pfizer's announcement this week of an effective vaccine, Macquarie University researchers have unveiled a strategy addressing the question of who should be vaccinated first. Read more about New COVID-19 strategy: vaccinate potential superspreaders first

An antidepressant might help stop mild COVID-19 from becoming worse

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA

The antidepressant fluvoxamine, usually sold under the brand name Luvox, may stop mild COVID-19 from becoming more severe, according to a small clinical trial by US researchers. In a randomised trial of people with mild COVID-19, none of the 80 Read more about An antidepressant might help stop mild COVID-19 from becoming worse

EXPERT REACTION: Climate model suggests we may be past the 'point of no return'

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Scientific Reports

New climate modelling suggests that even ceasing all greenhouse gas emissions today might not be enough to stop global warming. The reduced complexity model suggests that even with no further emissions, global temperatures will rise enough for Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Climate model suggests we may be past the 'point of no return'

BRIEFING: State of the Climate BOM/CSIRO report - More big weather is coming

Publicly released: Fri 13 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

The sixth instalment of the joint Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO State of the Climate report will be released on Friday 13 November. The report, released every two years, shows Australia is continuing to warm and experiencing more frequent extreme Read more about BRIEFING: State of the Climate BOM/CSIRO report - More big weather is coming

Tired of COVID? More than half of those who caught it have lasting fatigue

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 1651 AEDT | 1851 NZDT

PLOS ONE

If you think you are tired of COVID, spare a thought for those who actually caught it, with a new Irish study showing that more than half of people with acute COVID-19 infection still feel fatigued 10 weeks after their initial illness. Of the 128 Read more about Tired of COVID? More than half of those who caught it have lasting fatigue

C4 rice’s first wobbly steps towards reality

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 1530 AEDT | 1730 NZDT

Plant Biotechnology Journal

An international long-term research collaboration aimed at creating high yielding and water use efficient rice varieties, has successfully installed part of the photosynthetic machinery from maize into rice. Read more about C4 rice’s first wobbly steps towards reality

Tertiary funding system disadvantages Māori researchers

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 1506 AEDT | 1706 NZDT

Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics

A new paper argues the system of funding universities and other tertiary institutes based on their performance, is to the disadvantage of Māori academics and worldviews. The authors say the system should be rebuilt, to better recognise not only Read more about Tertiary funding system disadvantages Māori researchers

Cutting-edge computer vision technologies help detect threats

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 1430 AEDT | 1630 NZDT

UTS Intelligent Drone Lab and local industry partner DroneShield combine expertise to develop a world-leading computer vision system to help identify threats from incoming drones. Read more about Cutting-edge computer vision technologies help detect threats

Less screen time and more sleep critical for preventing depression

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 1201 AEDT | 1401 NZDT

BMC Medicine

A cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of data from the UK Biobank, involving almost 85,000 people, has found that lifestyle factors such as less screen time, adequate sleep, a better-quality diet, and physical activity strongly impact Read more about Less screen time and more sleep critical for preventing depression

Is proton therapy the silver bullet for children with brain cancer?

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Cancers

How safe is proton therapy for children with brain cancer compared to the conventional x-ray radiation delivered post-surgery? Read more about Is proton therapy the silver bullet for children with brain cancer?

Light, liposomes, action: researchers show safer, more targeted way to deliver CRISPR gene therapy

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces

Biomedical researchers have come up with a novel way to use a beam of light to deliver CRISPR gene therapy molecules targeting illnesses. Read more about Light, liposomes, action: researchers show safer, more targeted way to deliver CRISPR gene therapy

Australian healthcare workers almost 3 times more likely to get COVID-19 than the general population

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

International Journal of Nursing Studies

A new study has estimated how health workers’ risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection differs from that of the broader community. Read more about Australian healthcare workers almost 3 times more likely to get COVID-19 than the general population

Evidence against paired brain training and stimulation for older adults

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

Nature Human Behaviour

University of Queensland School of Psychology researchers conducted the largest study to date to determine whether combined brain training and electrical stimulation would improve a range of cognitive functions, such as attention, decision making Read more about Evidence against paired brain training and stimulation for older adults

Australian Food Safety Week: Aussies urged to learn about food safety

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 0700 AEDT | 0900 NZDT

Australian Food Safety Week 14 – 21 November 2020 - Food Safety Information Council research has found poorer food safety knowledge among younger Australians for example only 75% between 18 and 34 years said they always washed their hands after Read more about Australian Food Safety Week: Aussies urged to learn about food safety

Putting it between the posts: Researchers offer tips to improve goal kicking accuracy in AFL

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Wanna kick goals like Tory Dickson and get it between the posts every time? Aussie researchers have found a host of factors that effect AFL goal kicking accuracy, including the players’ approach line path, their support-leg mechanics, the Read more about Putting it between the posts: Researchers offer tips to improve goal kicking accuracy in AFL

Rare deep-sea Bigfin Squid filmed in Aussie waters for the first time

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS One

Scientists have announced multiple sightings of the elusive Bigfin Squid in the Great Australian Bight. The squid, which have extremely long arms and tentacles, were filmed at depths of 2 to 3 kilometres during a program of deep-sea survey voyages Read more about Rare deep-sea Bigfin Squid filmed in Aussie waters for the first time

New tractor beam has potential to tame lightning

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

Nature Communications

Lightning never strikes twice, so the saying goes, but new technology may allow us to control where it hits the ground, reducing the risk of catastrophic bushfires. Read more about New tractor beam has potential to tame lightning

Meth use in Victoria shows Melbourne is different from the regions

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Drug and Alcohol Review

People who use methamphetamine in Melbourne differ to those in the regions in terms of the sociodemographic characteristics and in how they use the drug, according to Australian research. The study found higher rates of methamphetamine dependence Read more about Meth use in Victoria shows Melbourne is different from the regions

You could get 'hot tub lung' from a pool, if it's humid enough

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Respirology Case Reports

Ever dreamt of a big house with a fancy indoor pool? This might change your dream home design: Aussie researchers have described the first case of ‘hot tub lung’ originating from a Queensland family’s indoor swimming pool. Hot tub lung is a Read more about You could get 'hot tub lung' from a pool, if it's humid enough

Investigating the causes of stuttering

Publicly released: Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

New Zealand is participating in an international study that is searching for the genes that cause stuttering. Researchers are recruiting 1000 New Zealanders who stutter for the largest study of its kind into stuttering that aims to help develop Read more about Investigating the causes of stuttering

Older adults at greater risk of heart disease, and cholesterol meds might help

Publicly released: Wed 11 Nov 2020 at 2000 AEDT | 2200 NZDT

The Lancet

The risk of heart attack and cardiovascular disease is highest in people aged 70 and over with elevated levels of LDL cholesterol, compared to younger age groups, according to an observational study which estimates the number needed to treat with Read more about Older adults at greater risk of heart disease, and cholesterol meds might help

Legal avenues to Tobacco Endgame goal

Publicly released: Wed 11 Nov 2020 at 1600 AEDT | 1800 NZDT

A multi-stranded strategy is needed to reach the lofty goal of the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence on Achieving the Tobacco Endgame (CREATE), says a chief investigator and co-director of the project’s legal dimension, QUT Professor Matthew Read more about Legal avenues to Tobacco Endgame goal

Cane toads are getting harder, better, faster, stronger

Publicly released: Wed 11 Nov 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society B

Cane toads have become faster and more efficient as they’ve spread across Australia, according to Aussie researchers who looked at how they’ve evolved in leaps and bounds as they’ve spread into new regions. Researchers measured toads in Read more about Cane toads are getting harder, better, faster, stronger

Distancing age groups could reduce COVID-19 deaths

Publicly released: Wed 11 Nov 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Open Biology

COVID-19 deaths could be significantly reduced if people are only allowed to socialise within their own age group in places such as movie theatres or restaurants, according to new modelling. The study authors modelled the pandemic under these rules, Read more about Distancing age groups could reduce COVID-19 deaths

New seal species named after Middle-Earth’s Great Sea

Publicly released: Wed 11 Nov 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Researchers have found a new species of extinct monk seal which lived in the Tasman Sea around New Zealand. The discovery has forced an rethink of the evolutionary history of seals, as it shows ‘true seals’ evolved in the Southern Hemisphere far Read more about New seal species named after Middle-Earth’s Great Sea

Link between sleep apnea and increased risk of dementia found

Publicly released: Wed 11 Nov 2020 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

Journal of Alzheimer's Disease

A new study by Monash University has found that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been linked to an increased risk of dementia. The study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, and led by Dr Melinda Jackson from the Turner Institute for Read more about Link between sleep apnea and increased risk of dementia found

Future doctors need more nutrition education

Publicly released: Wed 11 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health

Medical students need more support to increase their nutrition knowledge and skills before they graduate a Griffith University study has found. The five-year study published in the journal BMJ Nutrition, Prevention and Health, examined over 100 New Read more about Future doctors need more nutrition education

Engineering Australia's Next Industrial Revolution

Publicly released: Wed 11 Nov 2020 at 0700 AEDT | 0900 NZDT

The 2020 recipient of the RSV’s prestigious Medal for Excellence in Scientific Research is Professor Bronwyn Fox, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) at Swinburne University of Technology. “It is because of her sustained Read more about Engineering Australia's Next Industrial Revolution

Around 1 in 6 of us drank more booze during the pandemic, but 1 in 6 drank less

Publicly released: Wed 11 Nov 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Drug and Alcohol Review

Around 1 in 6 Australians drank more alcohol during the COVID19 pandemic  - but around 1 in 6 Aussies also drank less, possibly because the pubs and clubs were shut, according to Australian research. The survey of over 2,000 people found that Read more about Around 1 in 6 of us drank more booze during the pandemic, but 1 in 6 drank less

Looking through the door of meth labs

Publicly released: Wed 11 Nov 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Drug and Alcohol Review

Methamphetamine ‘cooks’ in domestic labs are most likely to be male, Caucasian and about 30 years’ old, according to University of Queensland researchers. Read more about Looking through the door of meth labs

Reopening restaurants and cafes carries high risk of spreading COVID

Publicly released: Wed 11 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature

Reopening places such as restaurants, fitness centres, cafes, and hotels carries the highest risk for transmitting SARS-CoV-2, according to modelling based on US data, but there is hope for our café culture, with the research also suggesting that Read more about Reopening restaurants and cafes carries high risk of spreading COVID