International science engagement pays dividends for Australia

Publicly released: Wed 17 Apr 2019 at 0730 AEST | 0930 NZST

The economic and scientific benefits to Australia’s membership of major global science organisations have been outlined in a report released today by the Australian Academy of Science. Media Release. From:Australian Academy of Science. The Read more about International science engagement pays dividends for Australia - Scimex

Could the 'cuddle chemical' oxytocin help treat alcoholism?

Publicly released: Wed 17 Apr 2019 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

PLOS Biology

The hormone oxytocin - sometimes known as the 'cuddle chemical' or the 'love drug' because it makes us affectionate and helps us form social bonds - may be useful in treating alcoholics, according to a US study of alcohol-dependent rats. The Read more about Could the 'cuddle chemical' oxytocin help treat alcoholism? - Scimex

Plastic pollution in the ocean ramped up in the '90s

Publicly released: Wed 17 Apr 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Communications

Since the world went plastic crazy in the 1950s, a lot of plastic has ended its life in the sea. Now researchers in the UK have shown the rise of plastic pollution in the North Atlantic Ocean, based on records spanning almost 60 years from a marine Read more about Plastic pollution in the ocean ramped up in the '90s - Scimex

How well do workplace wellness programs work in warehouse workers?

Publicly released: Wed 17 Apr 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA

A US study of workplace wellness programs compared 4, 000 warehouse workers with access to a program covering nutrition, physical activity and stress reduction with 29, 000 workers without access to the program, and found those on the program Read more about How well do workplace wellness programs work in warehouse workers? - Scimex

Surgery may lead to opioid dependency for more than 13,000 Australians each year

Publicly released: Wed 17 Apr 2019 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

The BMJ

New research from the University of South Australia has found more than 13, 000 Australians each year may be at risk of developing a persistent opioid habit following elective surgery. Media Release. From:University of South Australia. Worldwide, Read more about Surgery may lead to opioid dependency for more than 13,000 Australians each year - Scimex

HPV-DNA testing for cervical cancer could lead to an increase in Trichomonas vaginalis

Publicly released: Wed 17 Apr 2019 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

Sexually Transmitted Infections

A new study from the Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney has found that, with the move from pap smear to DNA testing for human papillomavirus (HPV) to prevent cervical cancer, there is risk that a now rare sexually transmissible infection, Trichomonas Read more about HPV-DNA testing for cervical cancer could lead to an increase in Trichomonas vaginalis - Scimex

UWA researchers reveal an ancient family of tiny protein passengers

Publicly released: Tue 16 Apr 2019 at 1200 AEST | 1400 NZST

ACS Chemical Biology

UWA researchers have discovered a new family of tiny proteins in plants hiding inside other, much larger and unrelated proteins. Media Release. From:The University of Western Australia. Vicilin is one of several very abundant seed proteins. The Read more about UWA researchers reveal an ancient family of tiny protein passengers - Scimex

QUT researchers joining the dots from space

Publicly released: Tue 16 Apr 2019 at 1100 AEST | 1300 NZST

QUT researchers will be joining the biggest investment in space industry research development in Australia’s history, with the announcement of the SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre (CRC). Media Release. From:Queensland University of Technology Read more about QUT researchers joining the dots from space - Scimex

Statins fail to bring down cholesterol in half of patients

Publicly released: Tue 16 Apr 2019 at 0830 AEST | 1030 NZST

Heart

In more than 165, 000 patients in the UK who were prescribed statins for heart disease or stroke, 51 per cent failed to reach the target cholesterol reduction of 40 per cent after two years on the drugs. This suggests the need for more tailored Read more about Statins fail to bring down cholesterol in half of patients - Scimex

Pre-treatment mental health check 'dehumanising' for trans people

Publicly released: Tue 16 Apr 2019 at 0830 AEST | 1030 NZST

Journal of Medical Ethics

A bioethicist's lived experience accessing hormone therapy has prompted a call to ditch mental health assessments and instead allow hormone treatment to be prescribed with informed consent. The Canada-based author was lucky enough to access therapy Read more about Pre-treatment mental health check 'dehumanising' for trans people - Scimex

You could be spreading flu before you even realise you have it

Publicly released: Tue 16 Apr 2019 at 0801 AEST | 1001 NZST

European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID)

A Swiss study of almost 700 healthcare workers and patients in a hospital over two consecutive flu seasons found that a high proportion were shedding the flu virus before symptoms of the disease appeared. They found 13 per cent of healthcare workers Read more about You could be spreading flu before you even realise you have it - Scimex

Nan and the Nigerian prince: A tragic tale of love, loss and Alzheimer's

Publicly released: Tue 16 Apr 2019 at 0700 AEST | 0900 NZST

Annals of Internal Medicine

If your dear old granny can’t stop sending cash to amorous Nigerian princes online, international research suggests you might want to keep an eye on her mental health too. Researchers asked 935 older people to complete a 'scam awareness Read more about Nan and the Nigerian prince: A tragic tale of love, loss and Alzheimer's - Scimex

Many heart attack patients may be in the ICU needlessly

Publicly released: Tue 16 Apr 2019 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions

ST-elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMI) are the most severe type of heart attack a person can have, but researchers from North America say that there is a relatively low risk of developing a complication requiring ICU care. The researchers say Read more about Many heart attack patients may be in the ICU needlessly - Scimex

Meteorites make the Moon cry

Publicly released: Tue 16 Apr 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Geoscience

NASA scientists say the Moon releases water when small meteorites crash into it, suggesting there's some water in lunar subsoil. The researchers estimate that meteorite impacts on the Moon cause the loss of as much as 200 tonnes of water per year. Read more about Meteorites make the Moon cry - Scimex

Microplastics drift any way the wind blows

Publicly released: Tue 16 Apr 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Geoscience

Microplastics can travel vast distances through the atmosphere and end up far from their original source. Researchers in France collected samples from a remote area of the French Pyrenees and found large amounts of microplastics, including plastic Read more about Microplastics drift any way the wind blows - Scimex

Our current conservation spend is topsy-turvy

Publicly released: Tue 16 Apr 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Sustainability

The best way to move forward with conservation is to split funding between expansion of protected areas and management of current areas, according to Aussie researchers. Conservation funds are limited and continue to be diluted as the US and Read more about Our current conservation spend is topsy-turvy - Scimex

No methane on Mars, but on Titan it's literally raining the stuff

Publicly released: Tue 16 Apr 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Astronomy

We might not have detected methane on Mars, but Saturn's moon Titan has so much that it comes down as rain and fills lakes up to 100 metres deep, according to US research using data from NASA's Cassini spacecraft. The researchers have observed Read more about No methane on Mars, but on Titan it's literally raining the stuff - Scimex

Why is Tassie the roadkill capital of Australia?

Publicly released: Tue 16 Apr 2019 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

Wildlife Research

Understanding what brings animals on to roads could help explain why Tasmania has been called the roadkill capital of Australia, and recent Aussie research has tried to find out if high numbers of animals are causing the high rates of roadkill. The Read more about Why is Tassie the roadkill capital of Australia? - Scimex

How can we protect our endangered silver perch in the Murray?

Publicly released: Tue 16 Apr 2019 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

Marine and Freshwater Research

Aussie researchers have discovered that how we regulate the water in the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) has a huge part to play on the continued existence of our critically endangered silver perch. The research, which is especially pertinent after the Read more about How can we protect our endangered silver perch in the Murray? - Scimex

Clearing bushland puts native animals at risk after fires, favouring invasive species

Publicly released: Tue 16 Apr 2019 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

Wildlife Research

Just how well Aussie animal populations recover in areas that have been hit by bushfires depends mainly on the surrounding landscape, so areas of bush that are surrounded by man-modified landscapes do worse than those surrounded by natural bushland, Read more about Clearing bushland puts native animals at risk after fires, favouring invasive species - Scimex