Toddlers' screen time has more than doubled since the 90s

Publicly released: Tue 19 Feb 2019 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Pediatrics

The amount of time US kids under two spend staring at screens every day has more than doubled between 1997 and 2014, but it is TV and not mobile devices that make up the bulk of the screen time, according to US researchers. The study, which used Read more about Toddlers' screen time has more than doubled since the 90s - Scimex

Falsification of studies proves disheartening for heart muscle regeneration

Publicly released: Tue 19 Feb 2019 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Biotechnology

The retraction of over 30 falsified studies on regenerating heart muscle using stem cells has prompted experts to ask how they can move forward on this medical issue without repeating studies based on false scientific grounding. International Read more about Falsification of studies proves disheartening for heart muscle regeneration - Scimex

People with dementia lose their ability to daydream

Publicly released: Mon 18 Feb 2019 at 1604 AEDT | 1804 NZDT

PNAS

Associate Professor Muireann Irish at the University of Sydney finds people living with frontotemporal dementia - an early onset form of dementia - lose their capacity for daydreaming and have no inner monologue. They are not “lost in their Read more about People with dementia lose their ability to daydream - Scimex

Research gives clarity to GPs in referring headaches for scans

Publicly released: Mon 18 Feb 2019 at 1414 AEDT | 1614 NZDT

Family Practice

Many GPs face uncertainties when it comes to patients presenting with headaches and when they should be referred for scans. That’s the claim by a Griffith University academic and general practitioner, but his research suggests other factors such Read more about Research gives clarity to GPs in referring headaches for scans - Scimex

Australian-first research investigates perpetration of image-based sexual abuse

Publicly released: Mon 18 Feb 2019 at 1327 AEDT | 1527 NZDT

Computers in Human Behavior

One in 10 people have committed image-based sexual abuse, according to the first comprehensive research into the issue in Australia. Funder: The research upon which this article draws has been supported by funding from an Australian Criminology Read more about Australian-first research investigates perpetration of image-based sexual abuse - Scimex

‘Seeing’ tails help sea snakes avoid predators

Publicly released: Mon 18 Feb 2019 at 1224 AEDT | 1424 NZDT

Molecular Ecology

New research has revealed the fascinating adaptation of some Australian sea snakes that helps protect their vulnerable paddle-shaped tails from predators. An international study led by the University of Adelaide shows that several species of Read more about ‘Seeing’ tails help sea snakes avoid predators - Scimex

NEWS BRIEFING: Report into the cause of the Murray-Darling Basin fish kills

Publicly released: Mon 18 Feb 2019 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

They were the grim scenes that shocked Australia and made headlines around the world. Three separate fish kills taking place in rapid succession in western New South Wales resulting in the deaths of millions of fish. The Australian Academy of Read more about NEWS BRIEFING: Report into the cause of the Murray-Darling Basin fish kills - Scimex

Eating your way to longer life

Publicly released: Mon 18 Feb 2019 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

Current Biology

The latest research from SAHMRI’s Nutrition and Metabolism Theme has, for the first time, revealed why high-protein diets are unhealthy. The findings also support research which suggests carbohydrates aren’t necessarily the dieting demons Read more about Eating your way to longer life - Scimex

How obesity in mums-to-be could impact child development

Publicly released: Mon 18 Feb 2019 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Mums who are obese during pregnancy may be more likely to have kids with a higher risk of neurodevelopment disorders like autism spectrum disorders and ADHD, say University of Otago researchers. The underlying mechanisms of the risk remain unclear, Read more about How obesity in mums-to-be could impact child development - Scimex

Age should not be a barrier to knee replacement surgery in Australia

Publicly released: Mon 18 Feb 2019 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

MJA

Access to total knee replacement surgery should not be restricted based on age, according to Australian researchers who reviewed the available evidence. They also tried to determine now best to prepare patients for knee surgery, and say reducing Read more about Age should not be a barrier to knee replacement surgery in Australia - Scimex

Intervention needed to reduce Type 2 Diabetes in young Indigenous Australians

Publicly released: Mon 18 Feb 2019 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

MJA

Researchers are calling for immediate action to reduce the risk of obesity and diabetes in Indigenous children and young people. In an article published in the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) today, researchers have identified childhood obesity Read more about Intervention needed to reduce Type 2 Diabetes in young Indigenous Australians - Scimex

‘Cellular barcoding’ reveals how breast cancer spreads

Publicly released: Fri 15 Feb 2019 at 2100 AEDT | 2300 NZDT

Nature Communications

A cutting-edge technique called cellular barcoding has been used to tag, track and pinpoint cells responsible for the spread of breast cancer from the main tumour into the blood and other organs. Insights from the study, published today in Nature Read more about ‘Cellular barcoding’ reveals how breast cancer spreads - Scimex

Preserved leaves reveal 7000 years of rainfall and drought

Publicly released: Fri 15 Feb 2019 at 1600 AEDT | 1800 NZDT

Scientific Reports

A study by University of Adelaide researchers and Queensland Government scientists has revealed what south-east Queensland’s rainfall was like over the last 7000 years – including several severe droughts worse and longer lasting than the 12-year Read more about Preserved leaves reveal 7000 years of rainfall and drought - Scimex

Free access to research will help save horses and ponies

Publicly released: Fri 15 Feb 2019 at 1137 AEDT | 1337 NZDT

Equine Veterinary Journal

Laminitis - a complex, common and often devastating disease - is the second biggest killer of domestic horses. Now a body of important research on it, from QUT and elsewhere, has been compiled and shared online for equine vets and others to access. Read more about Free access to research will help save horses and ponies - Scimex

One general anaesthetic is unlikely to harm bubs' brains

Publicly released: Fri 15 Feb 2019 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The Lancet

One brief general anaesthetic in early infancy is unlikely to be harmful to long-term brain development, but the safety of longer and repeated exposures remains unclear, according to an international study of 722 bubs in seven countries. About half Read more about One general anaesthetic is unlikely to harm bubs' brains - Scimex

Fighting that excess Xmas flab? Try interval training rather than a run

Publicly released: Fri 15 Feb 2019 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

British Journal of Sports Medicine

If you overindulged over the holidays (I know I did), then interval training could help you shed that unwanted fat faster than going for a jog, brisk walk or cycle, and sprint interval training may help you lose those extra kilos even faster, Read more about Fighting that excess Xmas flab? Try interval training rather than a run - Scimex

Digital Trakz - A resource to reduce the impact of teasing in the lives of Aboriginal youth

Publicly released: Fri 15 Feb 2019 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies) Centre for Child Development and Education (CCDE) partnered with Northern Territory PHN (NT PHN) to produce the resource kit in collaboration with an advisory group of young Indigenous community-based Read more about Digital Trakz - A resource to reduce the impact of teasing in the lives of Aboriginal youth - Scimex

Aquatic drones capture shark paralysis after catch and release

Publicly released: Fri 15 Feb 2019 at 0930 AEDT | 1130 NZDT

An underwater drone has highlighted that catch and release fishing may have significant damaging effects on sharks, increasing their risk of predation. The study, led by University of Newcastle marine ecologist Dr Vincent Raoult, also showed that a Read more about Aquatic drones capture shark paralysis after catch and release - Scimex

Cholesterol-lowering drugs, statins, might protect against motor neurone disease

Publicly released: Fri 15 Feb 2019 at 0800 AEDT | 1000 NZDT

Annals of Neurology

High levels of cholesterol have been linked with the risk of developing motor neurone disease, say a group of international researchers. The team searched genetic datasets of around 25 million people to find risk factors for motor neurone disease Read more about Cholesterol-lowering drugs, statins, might protect against motor neurone disease - Scimex

Northern Australia set to go wild about rice

Publicly released: Fri 15 Feb 2019 at 0730 AEDT | 0930 NZDT

A new Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA) project will lay the foundation for a northern Australian rice sector with the potential to produce more than one million tonnes of specialty rice annually. Media Release. Read more about Northern Australia set to go wild about rice - Scimex