Cycling fatalities almost halved since introduction of mandatory helmet laws

Publicly released: Fri 8 Feb 2019 at 0912 AEDT | 1112 NZDT

International Journal of Epidemiology

A UNSW Sydney study has shown a clear link between mandatory helmet laws and a drastic reduction in cycling fatalities. Media Release. From:The University of New South Wales. The evidence is in: Australian mandatory helmet laws brought in to reduce Read more about Cycling fatalities almost halved since introduction of mandatory helmet laws - Scimex

New guide to address over-prescription of opioids

Publicly released: Fri 8 Feb 2019 at 0901 AEDT | 1101 NZDT

National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction

In Australia, more than twice as many people die from pharmaceutical opioid overdose than from heroin overdose. Many doctors are becoming increasingly concerned about their patient’s pharmaceutical opioid use and are seeking ways to reduce it. Read more about New guide to address over-prescription of opioids - Scimex

Improved treatment of the most common form of stroke worldwide

Publicly released: Fri 8 Feb 2019 at 0800 AEDT | 1000 NZDT

The Lancet

Rapidly lowering blood pressure is safe and reduces bleeds in the brain for stroke patients undergoing clot-busting treatments, finds a study of 2, 000 patients. Funder: NHMRC and Stroke Association UK. Media Release. From:George Institute for Read more about Improved treatment of the most common form of stroke worldwide - Scimex

The pill that could replace insulin injections

Publicly released: Fri 8 Feb 2019 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

Science

US researchers have developed a swallowable capsule that can attach itself to the inside of a stomach and inject drugs straight through the stomach wall to the gut. The shape of the capsule was inspired by the leopard tortoise’s ability to get Read more about The pill that could replace insulin injections - Scimex

Fish spied checking itself out in a mirror

Publicly released: Fri 8 Feb 2019 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS Biology

If a fish can recognise itself in a mirror, does that mean it is self-aware? International researchers have observed a species of fish passing the mark test - attempting to remove artificial marks on their body while looking in a mirror - a method Read more about Fish spied checking itself out in a mirror - Scimex

Developing diet drugs for female mozzies

Publicly released: Fri 8 Feb 2019 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Cell

Mozzie diet drugs might be a way to quench their thirst for blood and slow disease spread, according to international researchers. Yellow fever, dengue, zika and chikungunya are all diseases spread by female mosquitos who bite humans, but after Read more about Developing diet drugs for female mozzies - Scimex

Crows can plan three steps ahead like humans playing chess

Publicly released: Fri 8 Feb 2019 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Current Biology

New research shows that crows are able to plan three behaviours in advance when working towards a goal, similar to the way humans plan future moves in chess. The study by New Zealand and international scientists set up problems for New Caledonia Read more about Crows can plan three steps ahead like humans playing chess - Scimex

Burn, baby burn: Getting controlled fires to burn better

Publicly released: Fri 8 Feb 2019 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

International Journal of Wildland Fire

Aussie researchers have identified a way to help predict fire spread in Eucalyptus forests, which could help fire managers more effectively carry out controlled burns to reduce bushfire risk. The researchers looked at the successes and failures at Read more about Burn, baby burn: Getting controlled fires to burn better - Scimex

Vitamin D with antibiotics could help fight a TB infection

Publicly released: Thu 7 Feb 2019 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

European Respiratory Journal

Good ol’vitamin D could help patients fight drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB), according to international and Australian researchers. The researchers pooled data from 1, 850 TB patients who took part in clinical trials of Vitamin D in eight Read more about Vitamin D with antibiotics could help fight a TB infection - Scimex

Global suicide deaths over 800,000

Publicly released: Thu 7 Feb 2019 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The BMJ

Worldwide, the total number of deaths from suicide increased 6.7 per cent between 1990 and 2016, to 817, 000 deaths. However, when adjusted for age the global mortality rate decreased by 33 per cent. Using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study Read more about Global suicide deaths over 800,000 - Scimex

More evidence for cervical HPV testing

Publicly released: Thu 7 Feb 2019 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The BMJ

A new study strongly supports high-risk HPV testing over traditional smears for cervical cancer screening. Australia has already shifted to the new way of testing and New Zealand is planning to make the shift in a few years' time. A UK pilot study Read more about More evidence for cervical HPV testing - Scimex

Ditch the diabetes with a stomach staple

Publicly released: Thu 7 Feb 2019 at 1001 AEDT | 1201 NZDT

Diabetologia

Danish researchers say that three-quarters of their participants with type 2 diabetes went into remission within a year of having gastric bypass surgery. The authors say that there was a higher likelihood of success if the patient was younger, had Read more about Ditch the diabetes with a stomach staple - Scimex

Booming Port Phillip Bay sea urchins here to stay without drastic action

Publicly released: Thu 7 Feb 2019 at 0923 AEDT | 1123 NZDT

Ecology

Monitoring of sea urchins in Port Phillip Bay over a four year period has revealed that booming urchin populations and the barren grounds they created by overgrazing kelp beds are likely to persist in the long term unless drastic action is taken. Read more about Booming Port Phillip Bay sea urchins here to stay without drastic action - Scimex

Researchers reveal prostate tumours ‘fed’ by fatty acids

Publicly released: Thu 7 Feb 2019 at 0834 AEDT | 1034 NZDT

Science Translational Medicine

An international multidisciplinary study initiated by Melbourne scientists has shown a link between prostate cancer and the uptake of fatty acids by cancer cells. The findings point to a possible therapeutic target for this common cancer. Funder: Read more about Researchers reveal prostate tumours ‘fed’ by fatty acids - Scimex

Transparency reporting by pharmaceutical industry in decline

Publicly released: Thu 7 Feb 2019 at 0731 AEDT | 0931 NZDT

BMJ Open

Researchers warn Australian pharmaceutical companies are no longer required to publicly disclose many payments to the health sector, and advocate for US-style legislation to ensure full and long-lasting transparency. Media Release. From:The Read more about Transparency reporting by pharmaceutical industry in decline - Scimex

Bees have brains for basic maths

Publicly released: Thu 7 Feb 2019 at 0601 AEDT | 0801 NZDT

Science Advances

Researchers have found bees can do basic mathematics, in a discovery that expands our understanding of the relationship between brain size and brain power. Media Release. From:RMIT University. Researchers have found bees can do basic mathematics, in Read more about Bees have brains for basic maths - Scimex

Link away - coloured hyperlinked words don't slow reading

Publicly released: Thu 7 Feb 2019 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Coloured hyperlinks online do not have a negative impact on reading behaviour, according to UK research which found that multiple coloured words in text had no negative impact on reading behaviour. The study found that if a sentence featured only a Read more about Link away - coloured hyperlinked words don't slow reading - Scimex

LSD Lite? Drug microdosing effects may not measure up to big expectations

Publicly released: Thu 7 Feb 2019 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Taking very small amounts of psychedelic substances such as LSD, on a regular basis – called ‘microdosing’– may improve psychological and cognitive functioning, but the effects do not exactly match users’expectations, a new study from Read more about LSD Lite? Drug microdosing effects may not measure up to big expectations - Scimex

Teenage pregnancy may have effects on your grandchildren's development

Publicly released: Thu 7 Feb 2019 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Being pregnant in your teenage years may have a cascading effect down your bloodline, as North American researchers say that the grandchildren of teenage mums have lower school readiness scores than their peers. The team gathered their data from Read more about Teenage pregnancy may have effects on your grandchildren's development - Scimex

Melting ice sheets at both poles may have major climate impacts

Publicly released: Thu 7 Feb 2019 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Nature

The combined melting of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets may affect the entire global climate system, triggering more variable weather and further melting. Researchers from Victoria University of Wellington have used satellite measurements of Read more about Melting ice sheets at both poles may have major climate impacts - Scimex