Revealing the hidden diversity of Australian microbes in the environment

Publicly released: Tue 2 Apr 2019 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

A new Australia-wide research framework initiative, the ‘Australian Microbiome’, brings together researchers from more than 40 institutions and government organisations across Australia to advance the understanding of the function of Read more about Revealing the hidden diversity of Australian microbes in the environment - Scimex

Sea snakes make record-setting deep dives

Publicly released: Tue 2 Apr 2019 at 0936 AEDT | 1136 NZDT

Austral Ecology

Sea snakes, best known from shallow tropical waters, have been recorded swimming at 250 metres in the deep-sea ‘twilight zone’, smashing the previous diving record of 133 metres held by sea snakes. Footage of a sea snake swimming at 245 metres Read more about Sea snakes make record-setting deep dives - Scimex

Sex hormones might explain why girls develop asthma after puberty

Publicly released: Tue 2 Apr 2019 at 0930 AEDT | 1130 NZDT

Thorax

A sex hormone, known as SHBG, might have a role in helping to explain why boys get more asthma in childhood but girls have higher rates after puberty, say UK researchers. The study, which looked at genetic variation between people as a kind of Read more about Sex hormones might explain why girls develop asthma after puberty - Scimex

Idea that e-cigs are 'renormalising' teen smoking not backed by evidence

Publicly released: Tue 2 Apr 2019 at 0930 AEDT | 1130 NZDT

Tobacco Control

Some public health experts believe the rise of e-cigarettes has made smoking traditional cigs more acceptable among teens, but there's no evidence to back up that assertion, according to UK researchers. In fact, UK teens aged between 13 and 15 Read more about Idea that e-cigs are 'renormalising' teen smoking not backed by evidence - Scimex

Booze slows brain growth in adolescent monkeys

Publicly released: Tue 2 Apr 2019 at 0400 AEDT | 0600 NZDT

eNeuro

By letting rhesus monkeys get tanked, researchers from the US have found that alcohol has an effect on the growth of primate brains, which are relatively similar to our own noodles. Previously, researchers had established that alcohol was Read more about Booze slows brain growth in adolescent monkeys - Scimex

Scientists prove that binary stars reflect light from one another

Publicly released: Tue 2 Apr 2019 at 0301 AEDT | 0501 NZDT

Nature Astronomy

UNSW astronomers have shown that binary stars – two stars locked in orbit around each other – reflect light as well as radiating it, revealing new ways for their detection. Media Release. From:The University of New South Wales. One of the first Read more about Scientists prove that binary stars reflect light from one another - Scimex

Yep, Curiosity definitely found methane on Mars

Publicly released: Tue 2 Apr 2019 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

Nature Geoscience

Last year it was reported that NASA's Curiosity rover had detected methane near Mars' Gale Crater, and now this finding has been confirmed by the Mars Express spacecraft. Methane detected in Mars' atmosphere has stirred hot debate about whether it Read more about Yep, Curiosity definitely found methane on Mars - Scimex

Liver cancer rates higher in IVF kids

Publicly released: Tue 2 Apr 2019 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

JAMA Pediatrics

Kids born through IVF have a higher chance of developing liver cancers, than children conceived naturally, but the risks of other childhood cancers were similar, according to US research. The study, which linked childhood cancer rates to IVF data Read more about Liver cancer rates higher in IVF kids - Scimex

Slowing evolution to curb antibiotic resistance

Publicly released: Tue 2 Apr 2019 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

Molecular Cell

In the arms race between bacteria and human-developed antibiotics, there could be another way to fight, say researchers. Bacterial ability to quickly evolve resistance to antibiotics is a global concern, but stemming this ability could help keep Read more about Slowing evolution to curb antibiotic resistance - Scimex

Ocean heatwave leads to long term decline in WA's Shark Bay dolphins

Publicly released: Tue 2 Apr 2019 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

Current Biology

Dolphin survival rates in the iconic population in Shark Bay, WA, have dropped by 12 per cent and the number of calves per female has also reduced following the ocean heatwave in 2011, according to Australian and international research. The study Read more about Ocean heatwave leads to long term decline in WA's Shark Bay dolphins - Scimex

Sleeping on either side reduces stillbirth risk

Publicly released: Mon 1 Apr 2019 at 1900 AEDT | 2100 NZDT

EClinicalMedicine

Going to sleep on either side in the last three months of pregnancy more than halves the risk of stillbirth, according to a New Zealand-led study. Previous research had highlighted the risk of women sleeping on their backs in late pregnancy. In this Read more about Sleeping on either side reduces stillbirth risk - Scimex

Under-representation of women in STEM is holding back national prosperity

Publicly released: Mon 1 Apr 2019 at 1730 AEDT | 1930 NZDT

Australia has not yet made the systemic changes required to achieve diversity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), with the current under-representation and under-utilisation of women in the STEM workforce posing a threat to Read more about Under-representation of women in STEM is holding back national prosperity - Scimex

Tracking sludge flow for better wastewater treatment and more biogas

Publicly released: Mon 1 Apr 2019 at 1449 AEDT | 1649 NZDT

Water Research

A new way of tracking how sewage sludge flows during thermal treatment could help engineers design better wastewater treatment plants and boost production of biogas. Media Release. From:RMIT University. A new way of tracking how sewage sludge flows Read more about Tracking sludge flow for better wastewater treatment and more biogas - Scimex

EXPERT REACTION: Labor's 2019 climate policy

Publicly released: Mon 1 Apr 2019 at 1326 AEDT | 1526 NZDT

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has today unveiled Labor's climate change policy — the plan it will use to reach its target of cutting emissions by 45 per cent by 2030, and ensure half of Australia's energy comes from renewable sources by 2050. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Labor's 2019 climate policy - Scimex

'Red Frogs' alcohol program may help 'Schoolies' party well

Publicly released: Mon 1 Apr 2019 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Drug and Alcohol Review

A short drug and alcohol education program, such as the 'Red Frogs' program, offered in advance of 'Schoolies' and 'O-week' parties, may improve kids well-being, and help stop them from problem drinking in these high-risk environments, say Read more about 'Red Frogs' alcohol program may help 'Schoolies' party well - Scimex

Vaccination still the best way to fight the flu

Publicly released: Mon 1 Apr 2019 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Australian Prescriber

Vaccination is still the best method for preventing the flu, with antiviral drugs only necessary for those who might be at high risk of complications, and who cannot be or have not been vaccinated, according to a review of influenza prevention and Read more about Vaccination still the best way to fight the flu - Scimex

RU486: Time to make medical abortion drug available to all

Publicly released: Mon 1 Apr 2019 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

MJA

The time has come to make the medical abortion drug mifepristone (popularly known as RU486), accessible to all Australian women, say Australian experts. After being banned in Australia from 1996 to 2006, its use was finally approved in 2012, but its Read more about RU486: Time to make medical abortion drug available to all - Scimex

Aussie regional and remote sexual health services need urgent attention

Publicly released: Mon 1 Apr 2019 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

MJA

Australia has made many advances in sexual and reproductive health and rights, but significant gaps remain for our most vulnerable populations, according to an Aussie editorial. New HIV diagnoses have reduced by 12 per cent in non-Indigenous Read more about Aussie regional and remote sexual health services need urgent attention - Scimex

Call for unis and others to consider women juggling research and childcare

Publicly released: Sun 31 Mar 2019 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Offering financial aid to cover childcare costs for female academics attending conferences is one of the suggestions offered by QUT researchers who surveyed Australian women on how caring for children has affected their careers. They also recommend Read more about Call for unis and others to consider women juggling research and childcare - Scimex

Many Americans now think e-cigs are just as dangerous as smoking

Publicly released: Sat 30 Mar 2019 at 0200 AEDT | 0400 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

Has Big Tobacco managed to change public perceptions of e-cigarettes? Despite previous studies suggesting e-cigs are likely to be less harmful than smoking, views of the devices as a safer alternative are shifting in the US, according to US Read more about Many Americans now think e-cigs are just as dangerous as smoking - Scimex