Is pollution linked to psychiatric disorders? More research may be needed

Publicly released: Wed 21 Aug 2019 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

PLOS Biology

Pollution and poor air quality appears to be linked to higher rates of bipolar disorder and depression, but experts stress the need for further research, according to international research and an independent companion article. The initial study, Read more about Is pollution linked to psychiatric disorders? More research may be needed - Scimex

Peering into the crystal ball of blood - predicting 5 to 10 year risk of death

Publicly released: Wed 21 Aug 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Communications

Doctors may be able to predict death 5 to 10 years in advance by using a blood test, according to research from The Netherlands and Australia. The researchers studied the metabolism of 44, 168 individuals between 18-109 years of age for up to 17 Read more about Peering into the crystal ball of blood - predicting 5 to 10 year risk of death - Scimex

Heavy smokers' heart disease risk takes 10-15 years to return to normal after quitting

Publicly released: Wed 21 Aug 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA

A study of 8, 800 people, including 2, 371 people who had smoked a pack of cigarettes every day for at least 20 years, found it takes around 10-15 years for a heavy smoker's heart disease risk to return to levels seen in non-smokers, according to US Read more about Heavy smokers' heart disease risk takes 10-15 years to return to normal after quitting - Scimex

New advice from the Heart Foundation on meat, dairy and eggs

Publicly released: Wed 21 Aug 2019 at 0005 AEST | 0205 NZST

Unflavoured full-fat milk, yogurt and cheese are now an option for healthy Australians, while the limit has lifted on the number of eggs that can be eaten per week in a heart-healthy diet. But the Heart Foundation says many Australians need to Read more about New advice from the Heart Foundation on meat, dairy and eggs - Scimex

Leading scientists say fears about GM products are unjustified

Publicly released: Tue 20 Aug 2019 at 2049 AEST | 2249 NZST

To help more people understand the evidence, the Australian Academy of Science is today releasing a Q&A on genetic modification (GM) that tackles some of the big questions. Media Release. From:Australian Academy of Science. It was a stunning Read more about Leading scientists say fears about GM products are unjustified - Scimex

Coconut oil an immune boost for preterm newborns

Publicly released: Tue 20 Aug 2019 at 1601 AEST | 1801 NZST

Neonatology

Coconut oil has been transforming the health and skin condition of preterm babies in Western Australia recently, and new research has revealed why. Dr Andrew Currie from Murdoch University and Clinical Professor Tobias Strunk from King Edward Read more about Coconut oil an immune boost for preterm newborns - Scimex

EXPERT REACTION: SA to lift ban on GM crops

Publicly released: Tue 20 Aug 2019 at 1235 AEST | 1435 NZST

The South Australian government has announced it will lift the moratorium on growing GM Food Crops in all parts of mainland South Australia. However, the moratorium will remain on Kangaroo Island. There will now be a six-week consultation period on Read more about EXPERT REACTION: SA to lift ban on GM crops - Scimex

Sustained drug delivery to treat hearing loss

Publicly released: Tue 20 Aug 2019 at 1230 AEST | 1430 NZST

Biomacromolecules

Drugs delivered directly into the inner ear could be a new way to treat hearing loss. The issue scientists face is developing a drug delivery system that can deliver therapeutically effective doses of a drug over extended durations needed to treat Read more about Sustained drug delivery to treat hearing loss - Scimex

Longline fishing hampering shark migration

Publicly released: Tue 20 Aug 2019 at 1100 AEST | 1300 NZST

Nature

Longline fisheries around the world are significantly affecting migrating shark populations, according to an international study featuring a University of Queensland researcher. The study found that approximately a quarter of the studied sharks’ Read more about Longline fishing hampering shark migration - Scimex

Positive results from first-in-class, first-in-human trial of blood cancer drug

Publicly released: Tue 20 Aug 2019 at 0957 AEST | 1157 NZST

Cancer Discovery

Peter Mac scientists working with the drug company Senhwa Biosciences have developed a new way to target cancer, and have demonstrated it can stall disease progression in patients who are no longer responding to conventional treatments. The Read more about Positive results from first-in-class, first-in-human trial of blood cancer drug - Scimex

Kānuka could halt kauri dieback

Publicly released: Tue 20 Aug 2019 at 0900 AEST | 1100 NZST

Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand

The ways of matauranga Māori have helped scientists discover a possible way to stop kauri dieback from further degrading native forests. Kānuka, a small evergreen native, has long been considered by Ngāpuhi to be a cleansing plant that's crucial Read more about Kānuka could halt kauri dieback - Scimex

New guidelines to improve assessments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people presenting to hospital with self-harm and suicidal thought

Publicly released: Tue 20 Aug 2019 at 0800 AEST | 1000 NZST

Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies), commissioned by the Centre for Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention (CBPATSISP) have developed evidenced-based the Guidelines for best practice psychosocial assessment Read more about New guidelines to improve assessments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people presenting to hospital with self-harm and suicidal thought - Scimex

Dietary supplements are the toughest pills to swallow for senior citizens

Publicly released: Tue 20 Aug 2019 at 0700 AEST | 0900 NZST

Annals of Internal Medicine

More than 75 per cent of reported pill swallowing problems are from senior citizens (aged 65 years or older) trying to take vitamins that are too big, according to US researchers. The team gathered data on swallowing problems over a 10 year period Read more about Dietary supplements are the toughest pills to swallow for senior citizens - Scimex

Cutting off blood supply to limbs could improve stroke recovery

Publicly released: Tue 20 Aug 2019 at 0300 AEST | 0500 NZST

JNeurosci

Cutting off and then restoring the blood supply to a limb following a stroke reduces tissue damage and swelling and improves recovery, according to a study in mice. International researchers used blood pressure cuffs to limit blood flow to mouse Read more about Cutting off blood supply to limbs could improve stroke recovery - Scimex

Raging storms may favour raging spiders

Publicly released: Tue 20 Aug 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Ecology & Evolution

Spider colonies that are more aggressive than shy have higher rates of survival and reproduction following tropical cyclones, according to research from the US. To see the colonies response to the cyclones, the researchers recorded the number of Read more about Raging storms may favour raging spiders - Scimex

EXPERT REACTION: Mum's fluoride exposure might affect bub's IQ

Publicly released: Tue 20 Aug 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Pediatrics

An observational study of 512 mother-child pairs across six Canadian cities has hinted at an apparent association between fluoride exposure during pregnancy and lower IQ scores in children aged three to four. The researchers used two measurements: Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Mum's fluoride exposure might affect bub's IQ - Scimex

Private hospital rooms reduce spread of superbugs

Publicly released: Tue 20 Aug 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Internal Medicine

Canadian doctors used the opportunity of a move to a new hospital building to test whether moving from shared rooms to single-patient rooms reduced the spread of superbugs. They found the new hospital had significantly fewer superbugs three years Read more about Private hospital rooms reduce spread of superbugs - Scimex

Kids with gut problems need mental health support

Publicly released: Tue 20 Aug 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Pediatrics

Kids diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease should get accompanying psychological support say Swedish researchers. Using data from a Swedish cohort study, the researchers found that childhood diagnosis of inflammatory bowel makes kids under 18 Read more about Kids with gut problems need mental health support - Scimex

Wave climate projections predict risks to Aussie coastlines

Publicly released: Tue 20 Aug 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Climate Change

A team of researchers led by Griffith University has mapped out how much waves are likely to change around the globe under climate change and found that if we can limit warming to 2 degrees, signals of wave climate change are likely to stay within Read more about Wave climate projections predict risks to Aussie coastlines - Scimex

Wired for sound: a third wave emerges in integrated circuits

Publicly released: Tue 20 Aug 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Photonics

A research renaissance into chip-based control of light-sound interactions could transform our 5G networks, satellite communications and defence industries. These interactions, known as Brillouin scattering, are set to underpin new designs in Read more about Wired for sound: a third wave emerges in integrated circuits - Scimex