Embryo screening does not improve the chances of having a baby with IVF

Publicly released: Mon 6 Aug 2018 at 0901 AEST | 1101 NZST

Human Reproduction

Screening embryos for chromosome abnormalities before they are implanted during IVF does not improve a couples chances of having a baby, according to international research. The study of mothers aged 36-40, who are more at risk of chromosomal Read more about Embryo screening does not improve the chances of having a baby with IVF - Scimex

Lower blood pressure targets could impact millions of Aussies

Publicly released: Mon 6 Aug 2018 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

MJA

If Australian blood pressure guidelines lowered the cut off for what is considered 'high blood pressure' to match the new American guidelines, it would double the proportion of Australian adults labelled with this condition, according to Australian Read more about Lower blood pressure targets could impact millions of Aussies - Scimex

Epilepsy cure from a tarantula? A creepy but brilliant solution

Publicly released: Sat 4 Aug 2018 at 0700 AEST | 0900 NZST

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)

For the first time, tarantula venom has been used to uncover a potential treatment for a devastating form of genetic epilepsy. Funder: This work was supported by Citizen’ s United for Research in Epilepsy Pediatrics Award 353711, Australian Read more about Epilepsy cure from a tarantula? A creepy but brilliant solution - Scimex

Virus offers clues to how treatable oesophageal cancer may be

Publicly released: Sat 4 Aug 2018 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

Cancers of the oesophagus, the tube that connects your throat to your stomach, that are positive for the human papillomavirus (HPV) are more treatable that other types of oesophageal cancers, according to Australian research. HPV has been linked to Read more about Virus offers clues to how treatable oesophageal cancer may be - Scimex

Monash scientists show that highly lethal viruses hijack cellular defences against cancer

Publicly released: Fri 3 Aug 2018 at 2100 AEST | 2300 NZST

Nature Communications

Henipaviruses are among the deadliest known viruses and have no effective treatments. They include Hendra, lethal to humans and horses, and the Nipah virus, a serious threat in parts of Asia. Researchers have now discovered that Henipaviruses hijack Read more about Monash scientists show that highly lethal viruses hijack cellular defences against cancer - Scimex

Tumour radioresistance study paves way for novel diagnostic testing

Publicly released: Fri 3 Aug 2018 at 0930 AEST | 1130 NZST

Metallomics

More than half of all cancer patients receive some form of radiotherapy, and radiation treatment accounts for approximately 40% of all cancer cures. Despite this high success rate, and the fact that some cancers simply melt away after radiation, Read more about Tumour radioresistance study paves way for novel diagnostic testing - Scimex

Report recommends mandatory folate fortification in bread

Publicly released: Fri 3 Aug 2018 at 0900 AEST | 1100 NZST

A joint report commissioned by the Ministry of Health has found compelling evidence that the benefits of adding folic acid to packaged bread outweigh the risks. The report, co-authored by former chief science advisor Sir Peter Gluckman and the Royal Read more about Report recommends mandatory folate fortification in bread - Scimex

City-slicker kiwis: bringing natives back to the big smoke

Publicly released: Fri 3 Aug 2018 at 0900 AEST | 1100 NZST

Pacific Conservation Biology

Restoring New Zealand’s native species should not be limited to national parks or isolated islands of protection – creatures like kiwi, bats, and tuatara could also be reintroduced into suitably prepared urban areas, University of Otago Read more about City-slicker kiwis: bringing natives back to the big smoke - Scimex

Better mental health support through shared experiences

Publicly released: Fri 3 Aug 2018 at 0830 AEST | 1030 NZST

The Lancet

Mental health support might be more effective from someone who has been through it too, according to a UK study with an Australian author. People discharged from community crisis services are often readmitted to acute care. However, the researchers Read more about Better mental health support through shared experiences - Scimex

Eighth wonder of the world remains buried and gone

Publicly released: Fri 3 Aug 2018 at 0630 AEST | 0830 NZST

The fate of the spectacular Pink and White Terraces of Lake Rotomahana has been contentious since they disappeared following the 1886 eruption of Mt Tarawera. Research last year, based on reverse engineering of an 1859 compass survey done by Read more about Eighth wonder of the world remains buried and gone - Scimex

Island life can shrink humans (and hobbits)

Publicly released: Fri 3 Aug 2018 at 0500 AEST | 0700 NZST

Science

Populations of tiny humans have arisen twice, tens of thousands of years apart, on the Indonesian island of Flores, according to a team of international researchers, including Australians. Flores was once home to a population of the metre-high early Read more about Island life can shrink humans (and hobbits) - Scimex

Mysterious mechanism of plant-rotting bacterium exposed

Publicly released: Fri 3 Aug 2018 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

PLOS Biology

Monash researchers have made important – and fascinating – insights into a survival mechanism found in the bacterium ‘Pectobacterium’, which causes rotting in certain plants, among them a highly invasive noxious weed in Australia. By taking Read more about Mysterious mechanism of plant-rotting bacterium exposed - Scimex

Eavesdropping fairy-wrens learn by listening in

Publicly released: Fri 3 Aug 2018 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Current Biology

New research involving biologists from The Australian National University (ANU) shows that some birds are just as skilled as humans at eavesdropping. Media Release. From:The Australian National University. New research involving biologists from The Read more about Eavesdropping fairy-wrens learn by listening in - Scimex

Ancient Welsh sent their remains to Stonehenge for burial

Publicly released: Thu 2 Aug 2018 at 2300 AEST | Fri 3 Aug 2018 at 0100 NZST

Scientific Reports

Many people buried at the famous Stonehenge were not locals, suggests a new International study. You might recognise the Stonehenge as the mysterious stone structure from British tourist snaps, but this ancient site also functioned as a cemetery Read more about Ancient Welsh sent their remains to Stonehenge for burial - Scimex

Stem cell research for cystic fibrosis leaps forward

Publicly released: Thu 2 Aug 2018 at 1730 AEST | 1930 NZST

Stem Cell Research and Therapy

The fight against cystic fibrosis (CF) has taken a major step forward, with pioneering research by University of Adelaide scientists showing that cells causing the debilitating genetic disorder could be successfully replaced with healthy ones. Media Read more about Stem cell research for cystic fibrosis leaps forward - Scimex

Sticking to the Paris climate targets could save Australia $126 billion a year

Publicly released: Thu 2 Aug 2018 at 1500 AEST | 1700 NZST

Earth's Future

Sticking to the Paris Climate Agreement and limiting warming to two degrees could save the world $23 trillion Australian dollars a year over the long term, according to Australian research. Analysing the global economic gains from complying with the Read more about Sticking to the Paris climate targets could save Australia $126 billion a year - Scimex

Your sunscreen might be bad for baby fish

Publicly released: Thu 2 Aug 2018 at 1345 AEST | 1545 NZST

Environmental Science and Technology

For most people, a trip to the beach involves sun, surf and a lot of sunscreen. But all that slip slop slap may have some downsides for the environment as researchers in China have picked up the UV blocking chemicals in our sunscreens, hanging Read more about Your sunscreen might be bad for baby fish - Scimex

EXPERT REACTION: Dust storm asthma warning for SA

Publicly released: Thu 2 Aug 2018 at 1300 AEST | 1500 NZST

Weather experts are predicting intense dust storms heading for South Australia today, and people with respiratory and cardiac conditions are being urged to take precautions. Awareness of asthma from storms has increased since the storm that caused Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Dust storm asthma warning for SA - Scimex

Drammed if you do, drammed if you don't, when it comes to drinking and dementia

Publicly released: Thu 2 Aug 2018 at 0830 AEST | 1030 NZST

BMJ

It seems like moderation is again the key when it comes to  alcohol, as French and UK researchers have found a link between both abstaining from alcohol, and drinking more than two a day during our midlife, and an increased risk of developing Read more about Drammed if you do, drammed if you don't, when it comes to drinking and dementia - Scimex

You'll need to dig deep for a rare blue diamond

Publicly released: Thu 2 Aug 2018 at 0300 AEST | 0500 NZST

Nature

Rare blue diamonds, such as the famous Hope Diamond, may be among the deepest diamonds ever found, according to US research. Blue diamonds make up l ess than 0.02 per cent of mined diamonds and their blue colour comes from small amounts of boron in Read more about You'll need to dig deep for a rare blue diamond - Scimex