Expanding on Golden State: Solving crimes using ancestry databases

Publicly released: Fri 12 Oct 2018 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Cell

Researchers have found a way to link ancestry databases with law-enforcement databases, which may help solve crimes in the future. Using genetic ancestry databases to solve crimes recently became reality when police used an online genealogical Read more about Expanding on Golden State: Solving crimes using ancestry databases - Scimex

Male obsolescence approaches as mice with two mums are created in China

Publicly released: Fri 12 Oct 2018 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

Cell Stem Cell

Researchers from China have bred healthy mice with two mums that went on to have normal pups of their own by altering stem cells from a female mouse and injecting them into the eggs of another. Of 210 embryos, 29 survived. Mice pups from two dads Read more about Male obsolescence approaches as mice with two mums are created in China - Scimex

A new way to measure obesity? The metabolome

Publicly released: Fri 12 Oct 2018 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

Cell Metabolism

An approach based around analysing the 'metabolome' - chemicals in the blood, including fatty acids, amino acids, sugars and vitamins - would be more useful in identifying those at risk of obesity-related disease than the Body Mass Index (BMI) Read more about A new way to measure obesity? The metabolome - Scimex

Obesity a colon cancer risk for young women

Publicly released: Fri 12 Oct 2018 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

JAMA Oncology

Obese young women have nearly double the risk of developing early onset colon cancer compared to those in the normal weight range, according to US research. The study looked at over 80, 000 women aged 25 to 42, and found that overweight women had a Read more about Obesity a colon cancer risk for young women - Scimex

The littlest giants - Brontosaurus bubs were not like their parents

Publicly released: Fri 12 Oct 2018 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Scientific Reports

An examination of the smallest skull yet found of a diplodocid dinosaur - the long-necked vegetarian giants that included Diplodocus and Brontosaurus- has revealed that babies probably ate different foods than their parents, had different physical Read more about The littlest giants - Brontosaurus bubs were not like their parents - Scimex

New model mimics human tumours for accurate testing of cancer drugs

Publicly released: Fri 12 Oct 2018 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Blood

Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researchers have genetically engineered a new laboratory model that enables accurate testing of anti-cancer drugs by mimicking the complexity of human cancers. Using this advanced laboratory model, researchers will be Read more about New model mimics human tumours for accurate testing of cancer drugs - Scimex

Research into why one fifth of deaths following stroke are from infections, and an ‘unconventional’ approach to TB given a boost by CSL

Publicly released: Thu 11 Oct 2018 at 2000 AEDT | 2200 NZDT

Australian researchers looking into why so many people die from infection following stroke and how we might develop better vaccines against diseases such as tuberculosis have both been awarded prestigious CSL Centenary Fellowships. Dr Connie Wong Read more about Research into why one fifth of deaths following stroke are from infections, and an ‘unconventional’ approach to TB given a boost by CSL - Scimex

EXPERT REACTION: Pregnancy warning labels on alcohol

Publicly released: Thu 11 Oct 2018 at 1700 AEDT | 1900 NZDT

Alcohol producers will now be required to label their products with warning labels relating to the risks of drinking while pregnant. The proposal was spearheaded by the Western Australian government and supported by doctors and public health Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Pregnancy warning labels on alcohol - Scimex

With 66 million people displaced what can architects do? A lot, says QUT academic

Publicly released: Thu 11 Oct 2018 at 1700 AEDT | 1900 NZDT

The images are terrifying. Homes have been washed away, flooded, burnt or torn apart. It’ s a scene that’ s played out across Queensland communities and worldwide as people are left dispossessed post disaster or as a result of conflict. A QUT Read more about With 66 million people displaced what can architects do? A lot, says QUT academic - Scimex

Decongestants not effective in young children

Publicly released: Thu 11 Oct 2018 at 1503 AEDT | 1703 NZDT

The BMJ

Children under 12 should not be given decongestants as they don’ t alleviate cold symptoms and their safety is unclear, a study involving a Univerisity of Queensland researcher has found. Media Release. From:The University of Queensland. Children Read more about Decongestants not effective in young children - Scimex

Fresh purpose for agricultural waste

Publicly released: Thu 11 Oct 2018 at 1339 AEDT | 1539 NZDT

Agricultural waste can be used to rapidly filter lead from wastewater, new Edith Cowan University (ECU) research has found. An ECU study found that canola stalks and lupin straw, which currently have no commercial use and are generally burnt after Read more about Fresh purpose for agricultural waste - Scimex

Sweet drink labels leave a sour taste

Publicly released: Thu 11 Oct 2018 at 1021 AEDT | 1221 NZDT

Public Health Nutrition

“Health halos”are making it harder for consumers to know which drinks are good for them according to a new study published in the internationally peer-reviewed journal Public Health Nutrition. The study’s lead author, Aimee Brownbill, a PhD Read more about Sweet drink labels leave a sour taste - Scimex

Standing desks cut sitting time by an hour

Publicly released: Thu 11 Oct 2018 at 0930 AEDT | 1130 NZDT

The BMJ

Office workstations that allow employees to mix up sitting and standing during computer work seem to boost job performance, as well as encouraging people to sit less during the work day. In a trial of sit-stand desks over 12 months, researchers Read more about Standing desks cut sitting time by an hour - Scimex

Maybe diet isn't to blame for gout

Publicly released: Thu 11 Oct 2018 at 0930 AEDT | 1130 NZDT

The BMJ

It's widely believed that gout is caused by diet, sometimes called the 'rich man's disease' because it was thought to be linked to a rich diet. But New Zealand researchers suggest that diet is much less important than genes in the development of Read more about Maybe diet isn't to blame for gout - Scimex

Investigation calls vaginal mesh a scandal

Publicly released: Thu 11 Oct 2018 at 0930 AEDT | 1130 NZDT

The BMJ

Regulators approved vaginal mesh on flimsy evidence after manufacturers "aggressively hustled" the products, an investigation by The BMJ claims. The implants were introduced in 1998 as a quick way to treat conditions like pelvic organ prolapse, but Read more about Investigation calls vaginal mesh a scandal - Scimex

Babbling bubs become better bookworms

Publicly released: Thu 11 Oct 2018 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Babies whose babble is more complex may grow into stronger readers, according to a small US study. They tracked nine infants, recording their babble and analysing its complexity via the ratio of consonants to vowels. They revisited the kids at age Read more about Babbling bubs become better bookworms - Scimex

Ancient Cambodian capital Koh Ker lasted much longer than we thought

Publicly released: Thu 11 Oct 2018 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Classical scholars had though the ancient city of Koh Ker in Cambodia - which was royal capital of the Khmer Kingdom during the Angkor period for two decades during the 10th Century - was occupied only briefly, and abandoned abruptly, but Australian Read more about Ancient Cambodian capital Koh Ker lasted much longer than we thought - Scimex

Bites not butchery on bones debunks early human arrival on Madagascar

Publicly released: Thu 11 Oct 2018 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Marks on bones discovered on Madagascar which were thought to be cut marks from humans are actually animal bite marks, according to Australian research. The findings debunk the idea that humans arrived on Madagascar as early as 10, 000 years ago and Read more about Bites not butchery on bones debunks early human arrival on Madagascar - Scimex

The environmental cost of feeding a growing world

Publicly released: Thu 11 Oct 2018 at 0400 AEDT | 0600 NZDT

Nature

By 2050, the environmental pressure of the global food system could have increased by up to 90 per cent, unless we find a way to stem the change in population growth and income, according to a team of international researchers, including a CSIRO Read more about The environmental cost of feeding a growing world - Scimex

NEWS BRIEFING: Aussie telescope finds 20 new mysterious radio signals from deep space

Publicly released: Thu 11 Oct 2018 at 0400 AEDT | 0600 NZDT

Nature

BRIEFING RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE Australian researchers using a CSIRO telescope in Western Australia have detected 20 mysterious radio signals known as 'fast radio bursts' in a year - almost double the number of unique signals detected worldwide Read more about NEWS BRIEFING: Aussie telescope finds 20 new mysterious radio signals from deep space - Scimex