Energy guzzling pool pumps can be tamed

Publicly released: Thu 20 Jun 2019 at 1500 AEST | 1700 NZST

Pool pump energy consumption can be reduced by 71%, save an average $486 annually on electricity bills, and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 1.67 tonnes of CO2 each year, new research reveals. Pool pumps are the second biggest user of Read more about Energy guzzling pool pumps can be tamed - Scimex

Counting birds with computers

Publicly released: Thu 20 Jun 2019 at 1400 AEST | 1600 NZST

Methods in Ecology and Evolution

Counting birds has always been a little problematic: many species are heard long before they're seen, and probably won't be seen at all if you're crashing around in the bush. One way researchers have found to get around this is by setting up Read more about Counting birds with computers - Scimex

Next-gen solar cells spin in new direction

Publicly released: Thu 20 Jun 2019 at 1231 AEST | 1431 NZST

Small Methods

A nanomaterial made from phosphorus, known as phosphorene, is shaping up as a key ingredient for more sustainable and efficient next-generation perovskite solar cells (PSCs). For the first time, an international team of clean chemistry researchers Read more about Next-gen solar cells spin in new direction - Scimex

New research backs TGA decision on poppers

Publicly released: Thu 20 Jun 2019 at 1204 AEST | 1404 NZST

Drug and Alcohol Review

Young gay and bisexual men are frequent users of alkyl nitrites, or poppers, but few show signs of addiction, risky consumption habits or other psychosocial problems, a study shows. Funder: N/A. Media Release. From:University of Technology Sydney Read more about New research backs TGA decision on poppers - Scimex

Researchers develop ‘vaccine’ against attacks on machine learning

Publicly released: Thu 20 Jun 2019 at 0751 AEST | 0951 NZST

International Conference on Machine Learning 2019

Researchers from CSIRO’s Data61, the data and digital specialist arm of Australia’s national science agency, have developed a world-first set of techniques to effectively ‘vaccinate’ algorithms against adversarial attacks, a significant Read more about Researchers develop ‘vaccine’ against attacks on machine learning - Scimex

Vaccine development stagnating

Publicly released: Thu 20 Jun 2019 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

Science Translational Medicine

Thanks to vaccines, diseases like tetanus and measles no longer kill the millions of people they used to. But the development of new vaccines is stagnating just at the time that drug-resistant infections and diseases such as Ebola threaten global Read more about Vaccine development stagnating - Scimex

Mulberry helps trace Oceania settlement

Publicly released: Thu 20 Jun 2019 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

PLOS One

Paper mulberry is culturally-important across Oceania for its use in textiles, which means prehistoric settlers carried the plant with them as they travelled the Pacific. Researchers examining the plant's genetics have been able to paint a picture Read more about Mulberry helps trace Oceania settlement - Scimex

Spendthrift? Getting married won't help you save

Publicly released: Thu 20 Jun 2019 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

PLOS ONE

A study of 134 Vietnamese married couples found that spouses who love to splurge their cash don't get better at saving money once they're married. Some people overvalue immediate rewards, which makes it a struggle to save, and getting hitched won't Read more about Spendthrift? Getting married won't help you save - Scimex

Cold War spy satellites show rate of Himalayan ice loss

Publicly released: Thu 20 Jun 2019 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

Science Advances

Himalayan glaciers are retreating twice as fast as they were at the end of last century, according to information from declassified Cold War-era spy satellite film. By analysing 650 glaciers, researchers estimate that of the total ice mass present Read more about Cold War spy satellites show rate of Himalayan ice loss - Scimex

Robot fish with battery-powered 'blood'

Publicly released: Thu 20 Jun 2019 at 0300 AEST | 0500 NZST

Nature

US engineers have created a soft and squidgy robotic lionfish that has synthetic liquid 'blood' made of battery fluid coursing through it, and say it is capable of swimming upstream and fanning its fins. As robots tend to have both a battery and Read more about Robot fish with battery-powered 'blood' - Scimex

Diverse crops provide more stable yields

Publicly released: Thu 20 Jun 2019 at 0300 AEST | 0500 NZST

Nature

Moving away from monocultures may help stabilise food supplies, according to US researchers. Over the past decade, drought and extreme heat have caused declines in grain yield in some of the world's largest agricultural regions, including Australia. Read more about Diverse crops provide more stable yields - Scimex

Bird 'aliens' are better at invading when the climate feels like home

Publicly released: Thu 20 Jun 2019 at 0300 AEST | 0500 NZST

Nature

Invading 'alien' bird species have the best chance of survival if their new habitat has a similar environment to their home, according to Australian and International research. The research used data from over 4000 invasions by 700 species of birds, Read more about Bird 'aliens' are better at invading when the climate feels like home - Scimex

Taking Vitamin D is unlikely to help your heart

Publicly released: Thu 20 Jun 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Cardiology

Taking vitamin D supplements probably won't lower your risk of heart attack or stroke, according to an analysis of 21 clinical trials looking at over 80, 000 patients. The study, which included three Australian trials, found taking vitamin D Read more about Taking Vitamin D is unlikely to help your heart - Scimex

Kindy kids who struggle to pay attention may earn less as adults

Publicly released: Thu 20 Jun 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Psychiatry

Kindergarten kids who struggle to concentrate and are easily distracted are more likely to be on lower incomes as adults, according to Canadian research. The study followed 5- and 6-year-old kids for 30 years to see if there were any links between Read more about Kindy kids who struggle to pay attention may earn less as adults - Scimex

EXPERT REACTION: Labelling autistic kids as 'high functioning' may stop them from getting the help they need

Publicly released: Thu 20 Jun 2019 at 0030 AEST | 0230 NZST

Autism

‘High functioning autism’is a term used for people with autism spectrum disorder without an intellectual disability (as measured through IQ tests), and it has become synonymous with expectations of greater functional skills and better long-term Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Labelling autistic kids as 'high functioning' may stop them from getting the help they need - Scimex

56 new species of arachnids found in WA's North West

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jun 2019 at 1544 AEST | 1744 NZST

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution

Researchers at The University of Western Australia and the Western Australian Museum have discovered 56 new species of arachnids, known as schizomids, in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. The research, published in Molecular Phylogenetics and Read more about 56 new species of arachnids found in WA's North West - Scimex

Wind farm noise ‘possible annoyance’ at 3.5km

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jun 2019 at 1412 AEST | 1612 NZST

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Audible and potentially annoying indoor low-frequency noise from a wind farm is present for about 16 per cent of the time at distances up to 3.5km, field data recorded in South Australia shows. The noise described as ‘thumping’or Read more about Wind farm noise ‘possible annoyance’ at 3.5km - Scimex

EXPERT REACTION: Vaccine mishap in Sydney

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jun 2019 at 1400 AEST | 1600 NZST

It has just been reported that authorities are trying to contact thousands of patients vaccinated by two Sydney GPs after vaccines were found to have expired or not been stored properly. The vaccines administered by the two GPs included measles Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Vaccine mishap in Sydney - Scimex

Using next generation genetic testing to give growers a competitive boost

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jun 2019 at 1328 AEST | 1528 NZST

QUT has partnered with Hort Innovation under the Plant Biosecurity Research Initiative to advance the use of next-generation genetic sequencing technologies to provide growers more rapid, safe access to new genetic plant stocks, helping them to Read more about Using next generation genetic testing to give growers a competitive boost - Scimex

Researchers call for change to river management and modelling

Publicly released: Wed 19 Jun 2019 at 1303 AEST | 1503 NZST

Nature

A team of international experts including La Trobe University ecologist Nick Bond, led by the University of Canterbury, are calling for urgent global change to how we manage and model river ecosystems. Media Release. From:La Trobe University. A team Read more about Researchers call for change to river management and modelling - Scimex