Can physical activity offset the health risks of too much sitting?

Publicly released: Tue 23 Apr 2019 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

American College of Cardiology

In findings that could relieve desk-bound office workers, a weekly dose of at least 150 minutes of physical activity could substantially reduce or offset the mortality risks in ‘high sitters’, University of Sydney research finds. As an adult, Read more about Can physical activity offset the health risks of too much sitting? - Scimex

A finely tuned brain gives blind people super hearing

Publicly released: Tue 23 Apr 2019 at 0300 AEST | 0500 NZST

JNeurosci

People who were born blind or lost their vision at an early age have keener hearing than people with normal vision because the area of their brains that deals with sound - the auditory cortex - is more refined, although it's no larger than the Read more about A finely tuned brain gives blind people super hearing - Scimex

Pregnant? Don't forget to get a flu vax

Publicly released: Mon 22 Apr 2019 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

MJA

Women born overseas, those who smoked during pregnancy and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are less likely to be vaccinated against the flu during their pregnancies, according to an analysis of data from 153, 980 pregnancies between 2015 Read more about Pregnant? Don't forget to get a flu vax - Scimex

Statins still best to lower heart disease risk

Publicly released: Mon 22 Apr 2019 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

MJA Narrative Review

Statins and similar drugs are still the best way to reduce the risk of heart disease in at-risk people, according to a review of recent literature by Australian researchers. The review of original studies and review articles from between 2005 and Read more about Statins still best to lower heart disease risk - Scimex

It's time to review 'qualified privilege' legislation

Publicly released: Mon 22 Apr 2019 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

MJA

A review of qualified privilege legislation may be needed to maintain the balance between doctors’ professional interests and the public interest, according to an MJA editorial. According to the Aussie authors, since 1992 qualified privilege Read more about It's time to review 'qualified privilege' legislation - Scimex

Quitting smoking earlier in pregnancy lowers risk of premmie baby

Publicly released: Sat 20 Apr 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

Quit smoking as soon as possible in pregnancy to avoid early labour, international researchers say. A study of 25 million pregnant women in 2016 in the US found that, while the number of cigarette-toting expectant mums was decreasing, 7.2 per cent Read more about Quitting smoking earlier in pregnancy lowers risk of premmie baby - Scimex

Most depression and quit smoking apps send your data to Google or Facebook, but don't tell you

Publicly released: Sat 20 Apr 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

Australian and US researchers looked at 36 top-ranked apps for depression and smoking cessation and found 29 of them were transmitting data to Facebook or Google, but only 12 made that clear in a privacy policy. Behavioural-change apps are now being Read more about Most depression and quit smoking apps send your data to Google or Facebook, but don't tell you - Scimex

Exercise effectiveness depends on your body clock

Publicly released: Fri 19 Apr 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Cell Metabolism

Our body clocks affect how we respond to exercise, according to two studies by international researchers who made cute little mice run on tiny treadmills at different times of day. The first study found the mice performed substantially better at the Read more about Exercise effectiveness depends on your body clock - Scimex

Swimming goggles could soon double as space goggles

Publicly released: Fri 19 Apr 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Ophthalmology

Astronauts on long space missions can experience changes to their eyes and vision that can last for years, but researchers from the US believe they might have found a way to help them, using swimming goggles. The researchers studied 20 men who Read more about Swimming goggles could soon double as space goggles - Scimex

Genetic scoring system accurately predicts obesity risk at birth

Publicly released: Fri 19 Apr 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Cell

We're a step closer to predicting obesity risk at birth after US researchers worked out a genetic scorecard that accurately did just that in more than 300, 000 people. The researchers used data from the largest existing genome-wide study of obesity Read more about Genetic scoring system accurately predicts obesity risk at birth - Scimex

Dogs are man's best fitness friend

Publicly released: Thu 18 Apr 2019 at 2300 AEST | Fri 19 Apr 2019 at 0100 NZST

Scientific Reports

Here’s another reason to be a dog person: Dog owners are about four times more likely to meet recommended physical activity guidelines than those without dogs. International and Aussie researchers looked at 385 households in the UK and found dog Read more about Dogs are man's best fitness friend - Scimex

Combine nicotine replacements if you really want to kick the habit

Publicly released: Thu 18 Apr 2019 at 2300 AEST | Fri 19 Apr 2019 at 0100 NZST

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

Nicotines replacement therapies (NRTs), such as patches, gum and nasal sprays, are more effective at helping people quit smoking when they're used in combination, Kiwi and UK researchers have found. Their Cochrane Review examined 63 trials involving Read more about Combine nicotine replacements if you really want to kick the habit - Scimex

Competitive culture is stopping Aussie kids from participating in sport

Publicly released: Thu 18 Apr 2019 at 1624 AEST | 1824 NZST

PLOS One

A study of Aussie sports clubs has found the culture of competitiveness is preventing kids from diverse backgrounds and abilities from participating in junior sport. Results from 450 surveys and 101 interviews over three years found a focus on Read more about Competitive culture is stopping Aussie kids from participating in sport - Scimex

More severe salmonella outbreaks ahead

Publicly released: Thu 18 Apr 2019 at 1000 AEST | 1200 NZST

Scientific Reports

University of Sydney researchers have developed a model that can predict outbreaks several months in advance, and its results come as a warning ahead of the Easter long weekend. Media Release. From:The University of Sydney. Australia has more Read more about More severe salmonella outbreaks ahead - Scimex

Western Sydney University pioneers non-invasive nerve repair technology

Publicly released: Thu 18 Apr 2019 at 0900 AEST | 1100 NZST

Advanced Science

A research team led by Western Sydney University has achieved a scientific first by regenerating injured peripheral nerves with minimal side effects, giving patients with chronic pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and spinal cord injury new hope. Media Read more about Western Sydney University pioneers non-invasive nerve repair technology - Scimex

Anti-convulsants used in epilepsy better together

Publicly released: Thu 18 Apr 2019 at 0830 AEST | 1030 NZST

The Lancet

Second-line drugs used in the management of seizures in children who have epilepsy should be used together, not separately, for the best results, a Kiwi-led study has found. Using emergency department data from Australia and New Zealand, researchers Read more about Anti-convulsants used in epilepsy better together - Scimex

International Neuromodulation Society announces 14th World Congress in Sydney

Publicly released: Thu 18 Apr 2019 at 0700 AEST | 0900 NZST

International Neuromodulation Society 14th World Congress

Researchers from 22 countries will present plenary lectures and nearly 400 abstracts of top international research in neuromodulation therapies. New lines of inquiry will be presented about potentially aiding stroke recovery, heart failure, Read more about International Neuromodulation Society announces 14th World Congress in Sydney - Scimex

Scientists find link between age and different subtypes of bowel cancer

Publicly released: Thu 18 Apr 2019 at 0649 AEST | 0849 NZST

Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology

A QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute study has for the first time identified that bowel cancer has five distinct subtypes that can be classified according to changes in DNA methylation (how the genes turn on or off) and they are closely Read more about Scientists find link between age and different subtypes of bowel cancer - Scimex

I scream for my screen

Publicly released: Thu 18 Apr 2019 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

PLOS One

Preschoolers who spend more than two hours in front of a TV, gaming device or mobile screen each day are more at-risk of behavioural problems and inattention by age five, a Canadian study has found. These children were over seven times more likely Read more about I scream for my screen - Scimex

Mongolian dinosaur skeleton fills evolutionary gap

Publicly released: Thu 18 Apr 2019 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

PLOS One

Meet Gobihadros, a new dinosaur species from Mongolia. The complete skeletal remains of this new hadrosaur species have filled a gap in our knowledge of the evolution of hadrosaurs, which were the dominant herbivores of the Late Cretaceous period, Read more about Mongolian dinosaur skeleton fills evolutionary gap - Scimex