Netball teams should go for long shots when the two-point rule is in play

Publicly released: Tue 24 Nov 2020 at 1053 AEDT | 1253 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Teams competing in Australia’s national netball league should favour long- over mid-range shots when the two-point shot is available, according to Australian research. Australia's national netball league, Suncorp Super Netball, introduced a Read more about Netball teams should go for long shots when the two-point rule is in play

UK SMC BRIEFING + EXPERT REACTION: Phase 3 Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID vaccine trial results

Publicly released: Tue 24 Nov 2020 at 1042 AEDT | 1242 NZDT

Our colleagues at the UK SMC have hosted a media briefing to present the results of the Phase 3 trial into the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID vaccine. Phase 3 interim analysis including 131 Covid-19 cases indicates that the vaccine is 70. 4 per cent Read more about UK SMC BRIEFING + EXPERT REACTION: Phase 3 Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID vaccine trial results

Areas where the next pandemic could emerge are revealed

Publicly released: Tue 24 Nov 2020 at 1039 AEDT | 1239 NZDT

One Health

An international team of human- and animal health experts has incorporated environmental, social and economic considerations – including air transit centrality, to identify key areas at risk of leading to the next pandemic. The paper led by the Read more about Areas where the next pandemic could emerge are revealed

Taking the pill could be linked to reduced asthma severity

Publicly released: Tue 24 Nov 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Thorax

Taking the Pill may cut the risk of severe bouts of asthma, according to international researchers, however this effect is relatively small and doesn’t include the progesterone-only pill. The team looked at a database of six million patients, and Read more about Taking the pill could be linked to reduced asthma severity

Common form of food poisoning still comes mainly from chicken

Publicly released: Tue 24 Nov 2020 at 0921 AEDT | 1121 NZDT

International Journal of Infectious Diseases

Kiwi scientists looked at recent data to re-visit which food sources are responsible for Campylobacter infections, a common form of food poisoning caused by bacteria. Poultry still remains the lead culprit, with 84% of Campylobacter infections in Read more about Common form of food poisoning still comes mainly from chicken

Mother’s touch lingers in her child’s genes

Publicly released: Tue 24 Nov 2020 at 0910 AEDT | 1110 NZDT

eLife

Mothers leave their mark on their children in many ways – and Melbourne researchers have discovered a protein called SMCHD1 is involved in this ‘imprinting’ process. SMCHD1 switches certain genes off, altering how a cell behaves. The new Read more about Mother’s touch lingers in her child’s genes

Sound waves power new advances in drug delivery and smart materials

Publicly released: Tue 24 Nov 2020 at 0845 AEDT | 1045 NZDT

Advanced Science

Researchers have revealed how high-frequency sound waves can be used to build new materials, make smart nanoparticles and even deliver drugs to the lungs for painless, needle-free vaccinations. Read more about Sound waves power new advances in drug delivery and smart materials

Next generation drones could learn from bumblebees’ amazing flight

Publicly released: Tue 24 Nov 2020 at 0700 AEDT | 0900 NZDT

PNAS

An international study, led by researchers from UNSW Canberra, has discovered the secret of bumblebees’ self-aware dexterous flight, that could have applications for the next generation of drones and autonomous vehicles. Read more about Next generation drones could learn from bumblebees’ amazing flight

Isolation makes us literally hungry for company

Publicly released: Tue 24 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Neuroscience

Social isolation can evoke a craving response in the human brain, US research finds. Scientists restricted the in-person and online social interactions of 40 people for ten hours and measured their brain response. Showing the participants pictures Read more about Isolation makes us literally hungry for company

Candy with a chance of meatballs: Movie food and drinks fail the health test

Publicly released: Tue 24 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Internal Medicine

Popular US movies depict an unhealthy diet, with the majority showing unhealthy foods and drinks, according to US research. The study looked at the 250 top-grossing US films between 1994 and 2018 and found that 73 per cent would be unhealthy enough Read more about Candy with a chance of meatballs: Movie food and drinks fail the health test