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Smartphones cheer teens up, which might be why they're potentially addictive
PLOS ONE
US scientists asked teens to fill in short surveys on their smartphones at random points throughout the day assessing their smartphone use, current mood, and mood before smartphone use. They found using their smartphone tended to cheer teens up, and Read more about Smartphones cheer teens up, which might be why they're potentially addictive
InternationalUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison, USA -
Can you find valuable conversations in the YouTube comments section?
PLOS ONE
The comments section on politically neutral news media YouTube channels may be a place for people to have discussions outside their political bubble, according to international researchers who analysed the comments sections of various US news media Read more about Can you find valuable conversations in the YouTube comments section?
InternationalIndiana University, USA -
Baby babble might seem random, but it may be vital for speech development
PLOS ONE
The squeals and growls of young bubs occur in recognisable clusters, according to US researchers, which they say suggests they're not just random babble, but an important part of speech development. The authors analysed a year's worth of recordings Read more about Baby babble might seem random, but it may be vital for speech development
InternationalUniversity of Alabama, USA -
EXPERT REACTION: Girls are getting their periods earlier, scientists still don't know why
JAMA Network Open
A new study of over 70,000 American women born between 1950 and 2005 has shown that girls are getting their periods earlier and they're taking longer to become regular. While the average age reduced by a relatively small amount, the percentage of Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Girls are getting their periods earlier, scientists still don't know why
InternationalHarvard University -
Finding the goldilocks of cameras for self-driving cars
Nature
International researchers have published two papers in which they believe they could have overcome a big hurdle in camera tech for self-driving vehicles. They say their new sensor chip can combine both the need for fast but imprecise perception with Read more about Finding the goldilocks of cameras for self-driving cars
InternationalTsinghua University, Beijing, China and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland -
Sugary drink tax linked to lower BMI in Seattle children
JAMA Open Network
A modest tax on sweetened beverages led to a small but significant decrease in the body mass index (BMI) of children in Seattle. Researchers analysed 5 years of BMI data following the implementation of the tax in 2018, and compared it with the BMI Read more about Sugary drink tax linked to lower BMI in Seattle children
InternationalUniversity of Washington, Seattle -
Children are likely being recommended inappropriate videos on YouTube
JAMA Network Open
A large amount of the video recommendations on YouTube videos popular with children contain inappropriate content, according to international researchers. Using new computers, the researchers started watching YouTube videos by using the 12 Read more about Children are likely being recommended inappropriate videos on YouTube
InternationalUniversity of Michigan Medical School, USA -
Less snow in catchment areas can impact spring floods in complex ways
Nature
A warmer climate means a decrease in snow falling in catchment areas, and that can have complex impacts on rivers and streams when the snow melts, according to Australian and international research. The researchers studied over 3,000 snow-affected Read more about Less snow in catchment areas can impact spring floods in complex ways
Australia; International; NSWCSIRO|ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes (CLEx)... -
Gas-guzzling bacteria could reduce farming emissions
Nature
Adding gas-guzzling bacteria to fertiliser could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions on-farm, according to European researchers. Nitrogen fertilisers are essential for many crops, the researchers say, but they come with plenty of nitrous oxide Read more about Gas-guzzling bacteria could reduce farming emissions
InternationalNorwegian University of Life Sciences, Norway -
Keeping topsoil is key to trapping carbon on Aussie farms
Crop & Pasture Science
An 18-year-long experiment on a NSW farm has shown that the top 30cm of soil stores the bulk of carbon, making it vulnerable to erosion. The researchers wanted to work out if perennial or annual crops, with and without lime treatment, could store Read more about Keeping topsoil is key to trapping carbon on Aussie farms
Australia; NSWNSW Government