Parents want to know if their kids are likely to become obese

Publicly released: Tue 3 Dec 2019 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

A survey of almost 2, 000 New Zealand caregivers of kids aged 5-and-under has found 62 per cent want to know if their child is at risk of obesity. The study, led by the A Better Start National Science Challenge, also found that 77 per cent of Read more about Parents want to know if their kids are likely to become obese - Scimex

EXPERT REACTION: Can being transgender be explained by differences in brain function?

Publicly released: Tue 3 Dec 2019 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

eNeuro

Gender dysphoria - a state of extreme distress caused by feelings that a person's true gender does not match up with the one assigned at birth - could be caused by changes in the network activity of a person's brain, rather than incorrect brain sex, Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Can being transgender be explained by differences in brain function? - Scimex

Polycystic ovaries run in the family

Publicly released: Tue 3 Dec 2019 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Medicine

Daughters of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are five times more likely to develop the condition - pointing to a strong genetic link, international researchers say. PCOS impacts more than 1 in 6 women and is linked to fertility problems Read more about Polycystic ovaries run in the family - Scimex

Cultural values may create – or destroy – democracies

Publicly released: Tue 3 Dec 2019 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Human Behaviour

Do certain cultural values, such as openness to diversity, lead to democracies, or does the rise of democratic institutions change cultural values? New research from New Zealand and US researchers has tackled this chicken-and-egg question by Read more about Cultural values may create – or destroy – democracies - Scimex

Babies born up to two weeks earlier in warming climate

Publicly released: Tue 3 Dec 2019 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Climate Change

The precious time we spend in the womb sets us up for life, but hot temperatures can bring on early delivery, which can damage infant health. Researchers looked at a sample of 56 million live births in the US to see just how much womb time is lost Read more about Babies born up to two weeks earlier in warming climate - Scimex

Grey's Anatomy episode may have increased awareness of sexual assault hotline

Publicly released: Tue 3 Dec 2019 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Internal Medicine

Tweets and Google searches on 'rape', 'sexual assault' and for a rape and sexual abuse hotline jumped considerably following a Grey's Anatomy episode about sexual assault, according to US research. The episode, which ended with actress Ellen Pompeo Read more about Grey's Anatomy episode may have increased awareness of sexual assault hotline - Scimex

When reefs decline, parrotfish thrive

Publicly released: Mon 2 Dec 2019 at 2000 AEDT | 2200 NZDT

Global Change Biology

Researchers find familiar species pave the way for coral regrowth In contrast to most other species, reef-dwelling parrotfish populations boom in the wake of severe coral bleaching. The surprise finding came when researchers led by Perth-based Dr Read more about When reefs decline, parrotfish thrive - Scimex

The rule to lift with a straight back might need a re-think

Publicly released: Mon 2 Dec 2019 at 1901 AEDT | 2101 NZDT

Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy

New Curtin University research has found no evidence to suggest that lifting with a rounded, flexed back caused an increased risk of low back pain. Media Release. From:Curtin University. New Curtin University research has found no evidence to Read more about The rule to lift with a straight back might need a re-think - Scimex

Zebra finches survive Australian heatwaves by predicting high temperatures

Publicly released: Mon 2 Dec 2019 at 1856 AEDT | 2056 NZDT

Frontiers in Physiology

The survival habits of a native Australian bird have given Curtin University researchers vital clues that may help understand how wildlife can withstand harsh heatwaves that may prove fatal. Media Release. From:Curtin University. The survival habits Read more about Zebra finches survive Australian heatwaves by predicting high temperatures - Scimex

Rezone marine parks to help conserve sharks

Publicly released: Mon 2 Dec 2019 at 1855 AEDT | 2055 NZDT

Global Ecology and Conservation

A lack of habitat protection is hindering our ability to manage the conservation of endangered open-ocean sharks in Australian waters, according to new research by The University of Western Australia. The research, published in Global Ecology and Read more about Rezone marine parks to help conserve sharks - Scimex

Baby sharks in hot water with climate change

Publicly released: Mon 2 Dec 2019 at 1600 AEDT | 1800 NZDT

Oecologia

Temperature is one of the most influential drivers of physiological performance and behaviour in ectotherms – animals dependent on external sources for regulating body temperature. Ectotherms will experience increasing body temperatures because of Read more about Baby sharks in hot water with climate change - Scimex

Identifying brain networks that play crucial role in suicide risk

Publicly released: Mon 2 Dec 2019 at 1600 AEDT | 1800 NZDT

Molecular Psychiatry

An international team of researchers has identified key networks within the brain they say interact to increase the risk that an individual will think about – or attempt – suicide. In an article published today in Molecular Psychiatry, the Read more about Identifying brain networks that play crucial role in suicide risk - Scimex

‘Clever drugs for slimy bugs’ developed in fight against staph infections

Publicly released: Mon 2 Dec 2019 at 1500 AEDT | 1700 NZDT

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy

Eradicating deadly staph using a new breed of antibiotics has revealed promising results in research released by QUT, to help overcome one of the biggest modern medical challenges. The bacteria attach to medical devices including catheters, Read more about ‘Clever drugs for slimy bugs’ developed in fight against staph infections - Scimex

Five key opportunities identified for hydrogen industry growth

Publicly released: Mon 2 Dec 2019 at 1201 AEDT | 1401 NZDT

A new report from the national science agency, CSIRO, maps the critical research steps Australia must follow to realise a potential 7, 600 jobs and $11 billion per year by 2050 from the burgeoning hydrogen industry. Media Release. From:CSIRO. A new Read more about Five key opportunities identified for hydrogen industry growth - Scimex

Placebo use among Australian GPs surprisingly high

Publicly released: Mon 2 Dec 2019 at 1200 AEDT | 1400 NZDT

Australian Journal of General Practice

Most Australian GPs have used a placebo in practice at least once, with active placebos (active treatments used primarily to generate positive expectations) more commonly used than inert placebos, according to a new study from University of Sydney. Read more about Placebo use among Australian GPs surprisingly high - Scimex

Inbreeding may be to blame for a royal facial deformity

Publicly released: Mon 2 Dec 2019 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Annals of Human Biology

More than 200 years of inbreeding among European royals may be to blame for a facial deformity known as 'Habsburg jaw', which affected Spanish and Austrian royalty between the 1400s and 1700s, according to international research. The researchers Read more about Inbreeding may be to blame for a royal facial deformity - Scimex

Antarctic ice sheets could be at greater risk of melting than previously thought

Publicly released: Mon 2 Dec 2019 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems

Antarctica is the largest reservoir of ice on Earth – but new research by the University of South Australia suggests it could be at greater risk of melting than previously thought. Funder: Auscope, Antarctic Gateway Partnership. Grant Number: Read more about Antarctic ice sheets could be at greater risk of melting than previously thought - Scimex

Parents stand strong as ‘pester-power’ loses its punch this Christmas

Publicly released: Mon 2 Dec 2019 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services

Heading into Christmas, every parent is acutely aware of the ‘power of pester’: the constant asking, niggling and whining that kids typically turn on at the most inconvenient times. Starting with a small ask and occasionally rising to a Read more about Parents stand strong as ‘pester-power’ loses its punch this Christmas - Scimex

We need mātauranga Māori to halt further biodiversity loss

Publicly released: Mon 2 Dec 2019 at 0530 AEDT | 0730 NZDT

New Zealand Journal of Ecology

The knowledge of indigenous people, traditionally passed down through generations, has been acknowledged as being critical to the prevention of mass biodiversity loss. In a mātauranga Māori special issue, the New Zealand Journal of Ecology invites Read more about We need mātauranga Māori to halt further biodiversity loss - Scimex

Street chaplains in night-life hotspots may help create safer spaces

Publicly released: Mon 2 Dec 2019 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Drug and Alcohol Review

Introduction of street chaplains into night-life hot spots around Cairns has been linked to a decline in serious assaults, according to Australian research. The study which looked at police-recorded assaults, emergency department injury Read more about Street chaplains in night-life hotspots may help create safer spaces - Scimex