Elephant trunks work like cute squeezy hands

Publicly released: Wed 24 Oct 2018 at 1001 AEDT | 1201 NZDT

Journal of the Royal Society Interface

International researchers have made a series of films showing elephant methods for reaching for and picking up different types of food. The films show African elephants picking up tiny food items using their trunks to form a joint, like a mittened Read more about Elephant trunks work like cute squeezy hands - Scimex

The bones that bring a kangaroo its bounce

Publicly released: Wed 24 Oct 2018 at 1001 AEDT | 1201 NZDT

Royal Society Open Science

Comparing the limb bones of kangaroos with those of similarly-sized goats and deer, international scientists say roo bones are similar to goats and deer in girth, but the roo humerus (upper arm bone) and tibia (larger of the two lower leg bones) are Read more about The bones that bring a kangaroo its bounce - Scimex

Are tall people more likely to get cancer simply because they have more cells?

Publicly released: Wed 24 Oct 2018 at 1001 AEDT | 1201 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society B

We knew that taller people are more likely than those of average or shorter height to get cancer, but why that should be the case has remained unclear. Now, a US researcher is suggesting it may simply be down to having more cells that could Read more about Are tall people more likely to get cancer simply because they have more cells? - Scimex

Sepsis death rates dropping in men

Publicly released: Wed 24 Oct 2018 at 0901 AEDT | 1101 NZDT

ESICM LIVES meeting in Paris

A study of sepsis death rates in 34 countries has found the death rates are falling in rich countries, but mortality is still higher in men than women in all countries except Australia, Austria and New Zealand. Sepsis is the body's overwhelming and Read more about Sepsis death rates dropping in men - Scimex

Infant study shines new light on eczema prevention

Publicly released: Wed 24 Oct 2018 at 0401 AEDT | 0601 NZDT

Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

A study led by the Telethon Kids Institute in Perth has suggested vitamin D supplementation in babies is no match for sunlight when it comes to preventing eczema. Funder: This study was supported by grants from Telethon-New Children's Hospital Read more about Infant study shines new light on eczema prevention - Scimex

Nicotine and cold temperatures reduced obesity in mice

Publicly released: Wed 24 Oct 2018 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

Nature Communications

Researchers at Monash University have reduced the weight and improved the metabolic health of mice by targeting their nicotine and temperature receptors. Smoking and cold exposure are known to affect the human metabolism, as smoking suppresses Read more about Nicotine and cold temperatures reduced obesity in mice - Scimex

A longer pregnancy may reduce risk of breast cancer

Publicly released: Wed 24 Oct 2018 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

Nature Communications

A reduced risk of breast cancer is associated with pregnancies lasting 34 weeks or longer, according to a study of 2.3 million women by international scientists. They found that a lower risk of breast cancer was associated with pregnancies that Read more about A longer pregnancy may reduce risk of breast cancer - Scimex

Millions raised by crowdfunding for dodgy medical treatments

Publicly released: Wed 24 Oct 2018 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

JAMA

Raising money for medical treatments using crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter can help those without access to insurance, but it can also help people raise money for ineffective or potentially dangerous treatments. US researchers investigated over Read more about Millions raised by crowdfunding for dodgy medical treatments - Scimex

Shining a light on the health and wellbeing of young children with heart disease

Publicly released: Tue 23 Oct 2018 at 1501 AEDT | 1701 NZDT

The Journal of Pediatrics

A UNSW led study has shone a light on the health and wellbeing of young children with heart disease, finding kids with heart disease and their families may have poorer quality of life than the general population, leading to calls for routine Read more about Shining a light on the health and wellbeing of young children with heart disease - Scimex

The sickening truth about virtual reality

Publicly released: Tue 23 Oct 2018 at 1500 AEDT | 1700 NZDT

Journal of Applied Physiology

A new study has proven that cybersickness, which is caused by exposure to virtual reality (VR), may be the same clinical condition as ‘classic’motion sickness caused by travelling. Media Release. From:The University of Newcastle. A new study has Read more about The sickening truth about virtual reality - Scimex

High CEO pay is bad for business

Publicly released: Tue 23 Oct 2018 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

The Leadership Quarterly

Bosses with exorbitant pay packets are seen as less effective leaders than their counterparts on lower incomes, and less able to influence those they seek to lead, according to University of Queensland research. Media Release. From:The University of Read more about High CEO pay is bad for business - Scimex

Flavoured cigarettes threaten smokefree goals

Publicly released: Tue 23 Oct 2018 at 0700 AEDT | 0900 NZDT

Tobacco Control

Cigarettes that produce flavours like fruit or menthol when crushed may be making young people more susceptible to smoking, Otago researchers say. In their study of 425 smokers and 390 susceptible non-smokers, the researchers found the former Read more about Flavoured cigarettes threaten smokefree goals - Scimex

Stem cell therapy shows promise for cerebral palsy in mice

Publicly released: Tue 23 Oct 2018 at 0400 AEDT | 0600 NZDT

eNeuro

Canadian scientists say injecting damaged parts of mouse brains with neural stem cells - the cells that can go on to become other types of cell - repairs the damage and helps curb problems with movement in mice with symptoms of cerebral palsy. Read more about Stem cell therapy shows promise for cerebral palsy in mice - Scimex

Bits of your brain shut down to remember a brilliant book

Publicly released: Tue 23 Oct 2018 at 0400 AEDT | 0600 NZDT

eNeuro

Japanese scientists say parts of our brains shut down while we're reading to allow us to focus on and remember a book without being distracted. They measured electrical activity in the brain and tracked eye movements as participants read 4, 000 - 8, Read more about Bits of your brain shut down to remember a brilliant book - Scimex

The nose knows - breathing through your schnoz may improve recall

Publicly released: Tue 23 Oct 2018 at 0400 AEDT | 0600 NZDT

JNeurosci

Breathing through your nose may help you remember in the long-term, according to Swedish scientists. They got two groups of adults to smell odours; the first group were the nose-breathers, and the second, the mouth-breathers. Both groups were Read more about The nose knows - breathing through your schnoz may improve recall - Scimex

The AI doctor will see you now

Publicly released: Tue 23 Oct 2018 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

Nature Medicine

People with sepsis could benefit from a newly developed "AI clinician" that's able to recommend treatments based on analysis of thousands of real-time treatment decisions made by doctors in the past, UK researchers say. Sepsis is the body's extreme Read more about The AI doctor will see you now - Scimex

New technique promises more accurate genomes

Publicly released: Tue 23 Oct 2018 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

Nature Biotechnology

University of Adelaide researchers have developed a new technique that will aid in a more accurate reconstruction of human genomes by determining the exact sections of the genome that come from each parent. Media Release. From:The University of Read more about New technique promises more accurate genomes - Scimex

EXPERT REACTION: Organic foods linked to lower cancer risk

Publicly released: Tue 23 Oct 2018 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

JAMA Internal Medicine

A population-based study of nearly 69, 000 French adults found a significant reduction in the risk of cancer among people who ate a lot of organic food. If the findings can be confirmed with further research, promoting organic food consumption in Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Organic foods linked to lower cancer risk - Scimex

Oxygen-rich brine on Mars could support life

Publicly released: Tue 23 Oct 2018 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

Nature Geoscience

Basic lifeforms have the potential to survive on Mars thanks to briny waters below the red planet's surface which hold oxygen, US researchers say. Oxygen is scarce on Mars due to the absence of photosynthesis, which has led scientists to assume it Read more about Oxygen-rich brine on Mars could support life - Scimex

Ancient enzymes the catalysts for new discoveries

Publicly released: Tue 23 Oct 2018 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

Nature Catalysis

University of Queensland-led research recreating 450 million-year-old enzymes has resulted in a biochemical engineering ‘ hack’ which could lead to new drugs, flavours, fragrances and biofuels. Professor Elizabeth Gillam from UQ’ s School of Read more about Ancient enzymes the catalysts for new discoveries - Scimex