Mind-reading device can translate brain patterns to text

Publicly released: Wed 31 Jul 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Communications

International researchers have used a mind-reading device to translate brain activity during conversation to text transcripts, and this could eventually help those who are unable to speak due to injury or illness. The researchers recorded the brain Read more about Mind-reading device can translate brain patterns to text - Scimex

EXPERT REACTION: Prescription antacids associated with increased risk of allergies

Publicly released: Wed 31 Jul 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Communications

Medicines prescribed to reduce your stomach acid - commonly used to treat gastric ulcers and reflux - have been associated with an increased risk of developing allergies, say Austrian researchers. The team studied prescription medication records for Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Prescription antacids associated with increased risk of allergies - Scimex

Lung cancer screening an opportunity to save thousands of lives in Australia

Publicly released: Wed 31 Jul 2019 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

Public Health Research & Practice

A new themed issue of the peer-reviewed journal Public Health Research &Practice looks at cancer screening in Australia, with one paper arguing the case for a national lung cancer screening program. Funder: N/A. Media Release. From:Sax Institute. Read more about Lung cancer screening an opportunity to save thousands of lives in Australia - Scimex

PhD student builds automated system to detect fast radio bursts

Publicly released: Tue 30 Jul 2019 at 1100 AEST | 1300 NZST

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

Thousands of Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) go off every day, but most radio telescopes have small fields of view and are not equipped to capture them. Swinburne PhD student, Wael Farah, has built an automated system at the Molonglo Radio Observatory Read more about PhD student builds automated system to detect fast radio bursts - Scimex

Soil pathogens lurking in farms and forests

Publicly released: Tue 30 Jul 2019 at 1000 AEST | 1200 NZST

Molecular Ecology

There are many more soil pathogens living in New Zealand's pastures and plantations compared to natural forests, researchers from the Bio-Protection Research Centre have found. By looking at the DNA within soil samples, they were able to identify Read more about Soil pathogens lurking in farms and forests - Scimex

Online resource to help sufferers ease back pain

Publicly released: Tue 30 Jul 2019 at 0900 AEST | 1100 NZST

A comprehensive tool to help people manage back pain has been developed by a team of international health experts led by University of Queensland researchers. Following extensive consultation with people living with lower back pain (LBP), Read more about Online resource to help sufferers ease back pain - Scimex

The non-lethal impacts of seabirds’ plastic ingestion

Publicly released: Tue 30 Jul 2019 at 0900 AEST | 1100 NZST

Environmental Science & Technology

An IMAS-led study of seabirds that had ingested plastic debris has revealed a range of non-lethal impacts on their health and physiology. While seabird deaths due to swallowing plastic debris or becoming entangled in it have received global attention Read more about The non-lethal impacts of seabirds’ plastic ingestion - Scimex

Revealing how TB bacteria may survive in human tissues

Publicly released: Tue 30 Jul 2019 at 0900 AEST | 1100 NZST

ISME Journal

Associate Professor Chris Greening and his team of microbiologists from the School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, have discovered that some pathogens depend on carbon monoxide to survive when other nutrients are not available. Media Read more about Revealing how TB bacteria may survive in human tissues - Scimex

Cancers costs kids 11 million years worth of healthy life worldwide every year

Publicly released: Tue 30 Jul 2019 at 0830 AEST | 1030 NZST

Lancet Oncology

Disability and death from cancer, as well as cancer treatment-related ill health, are estimated to cause kids around the world to collectively lose 11.5 million years of healthy life every year, say international researchers. The study reveals Read more about Cancers costs kids 11 million years worth of healthy life worldwide every year - Scimex

Cardiac device complications vary widely among hospitals

Publicly released: Tue 30 Jul 2019 at 0700 AEST | 0900 NZST

Annals of Internal Medicine

The chances of patients experiencing complications after having a cardiac device implanted vary according to where they have the procedure. A study of 174 hospitals in Australia and New Zealand published today in the Annals of Internal Medicine Read more about Cardiac device complications vary widely among hospitals - Scimex

Alcoholic rats have less control over their decisions

Publicly released: Tue 30 Jul 2019 at 0300 AEST | 0500 NZST

eNeuro

Those with a family history of excessive drinking may have impaired brain activity compared to those who do not, according to a study in rats. International researchers looked at the rats’prefrontal cortex – the part of the brain involved in Read more about Alcoholic rats have less control over their decisions - Scimex

DNA reveals a Komodo Dragon's toughest opponent may be a Komodo Dragon

Publicly released: Tue 30 Jul 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Ecology & Evolution

Komodo Dragons are fierce hunters, complete with venomous saliva, but the DNA of the dragon has now revealed they have evolved some cunning tricks to avoid the harmful effects of this saliva when battling it out against their own species. Scientists Read more about DNA reveals a Komodo Dragon's toughest opponent may be a Komodo Dragon - Scimex

Let's talk about sex: Teens have safer sex after having 'the talk' with parents

Publicly released: Tue 30 Jul 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Pediatrics

Having the sex talk with your kids doesn't delay them from having sex, but they will be more likely to engage in safe sex practices like using condoms, according to a US study. The researchers reviewed clinical trials conducted in this area and Read more about Let's talk about sex: Teens have safer sex after having 'the talk' with parents - Scimex

A super-Earth and two mini Neptunes found orbiting a nearby star

Publicly released: Tue 30 Jul 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Astronomy

A rocky planet slightly bigger than Earth and two gaseous sub-Neptune-sized planets, about twice as big as Earth, have been found orbiting a nearby star 73 light years away by Australian and international scientists. The planets are among the Read more about A super-Earth and two mini Neptunes found orbiting a nearby star - Scimex

MEDIA BRIEFING: The AI revolution - Stunning opportunities and global risks

Publicly released: Tue 30 Jul 2019 at 0005 AEST | 0205 NZST

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can enhance Australia's wellbeing, lift the economy, improve environmental sustainability and create a more inclusive and fair society, say the authors of a major report on AI. However, AI also comes with important Read more about MEDIA BRIEFING: The AI revolution - Stunning opportunities and global risks - Scimex

DIY balloon pump takes microfluidics to the people

Publicly released: Mon 29 Jul 2019 at 1800 AEST | 2000 NZST

Lab on a Chip

A simple pressure pump, made from balloons and nylon stockings, means more people in more places will be able to test water contaminants and blood samples. Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council, Melbourne Water, the Australian Read more about DIY balloon pump takes microfluidics to the people - Scimex

How quickly are Antarctica's ice sheets moving?

Publicly released: Mon 29 Jul 2019 at 1400 AEST | 1600 NZST

Geophysical Research Letters

A new map of Antarctica's ice sheets has shown how quickly the ice sheets are moving across the enormous continent's surface. Using 25 years worth of satellite data, the researchers say their map of ice movement is ten times more accurate than Read more about How quickly are Antarctica's ice sheets moving? - Scimex

New understanding of autism may help tackle mental health problems

Publicly released: Mon 29 Jul 2019 at 1300 AEST | 1500 NZST

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

A new framework for understanding the diverse features of autism could help University of Queensland researchers develop an intervention for people with the disorder who have mental health problems. Funder: n/a. Media Release. From:The University of Read more about New understanding of autism may help tackle mental health problems - Scimex

Breast cancer treatment could weaken your bones

Publicly released: Mon 29 Jul 2019 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

MJA

Hormone treatment for early breast cancer could also weaken women's bones and increase the chance of fracture, according to Aussie researchers, who recommend regular skeletal assessment, weight-bearing exercise programs, and vitamin supplements to Read more about Breast cancer treatment could weaken your bones - Scimex

Time to change "age-old" gut disorder treatments

Publicly released: Mon 29 Jul 2019 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

MJA

A new review of the diagnosis and management of diverticulitis – one of the most common gut disorders – has recommended changing some “age-old practices”. Aussie researchers looked at current guidelines and practices and found treatments Read more about Time to change "age-old" gut disorder treatments - Scimex