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Self-digesting plastic could be better, faster, stonger
Nature Communications
International researchers have developed a self-digesting plastic, which they say could not only help reduce plastic pollution, but also strengthen the plastic itself. The team developed a biodegradable version of the commercial plastic polyurethane, Read more about Self-digesting plastic could be better, faster, stonger
InternationalUniversity of California San Diego, USA -
NZ's media laws are out of date and bad for democracy
Seventeen separate Acts of Parliament need updating to keep pace with modern media landscape, an NZ media researcher argues in a new paper. The author says that successive governments have failed to keep pace with the changing needs of the media and Read more about NZ's media laws are out of date and bad for democracy
New ZealandKoi Tū: the Centre for Informed Futures -
Walking for transport at least once a week may help some older people live longer
BMJ Public Health
Older adults who walked for transport instead of taking a car, at least once a week, lived longer than those who didn’t, Monash University-led research has found. Published in BMJ Public Health, the observational study looked at transport-related Read more about Walking for transport at least once a week may help some older people live longer
Australia; VICMonash University|Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute... -
Tsetse fly protein provides anticoagulant with its own on-off switch
Nature Biotechnology
A completely novel way to develop 'supramolecules' for drug discovery could have application in immunotherapy as well as this design for an anticoagulant with on-demand reversibility. Researchers at the University of Sydney and University of Geneva Read more about Tsetse fly protein provides anticoagulant with its own on-off switch
Australia; International; NSWThe University of Sydney|University of Geneva -
Almost half of people with common heart arrhythmia die within 10 years of hospitalisation
European Heart Journal
Forty-five per cent of patients admitted to hospital for atrial fibrillation (AF) in Australia and New Zealand die within a decade, according to University of Queensland research. Forty-five per cent of patients admitted to hospital for atrial Read more about Almost half of people with common heart arrhythmia die within 10 years of hospitalisation
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
Treatment-related pain may be ‘socially contagious’
Communications Psychology
Understanding the impact of social connections on pain management could improve treatment outcomes. An individual’s experience of pain from medical treatment can be heightened by witnessing other people’s responses to the same treatment, with Read more about Treatment-related pain may be ‘socially contagious’
Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales|The University of Sydney -
EXPERT REACTION: More lead and uranium found in teens who vape often
Tobacco Control
In a new US study, teens who vape frequently had twice as much uranium, and 30% more lead in their urine, than teens who only vape occasionally. The researchers also found higher uranium levels in teens who preferred sweet vape flavours, over Read more about EXPERT REACTION: More lead and uranium found in teens who vape often
InternationalUniversity of Nebraska, USA -
Hospital toilets are hoarding harmful bugs, and men's are worse than women's
ESCMID Global Congress
International researchers say they have found harmful bacteria and fungi, including multi-drug resistant “superbugs” on the floors, ceilings, door handles and other surfaces of hospital toilets in the UK, with patient toilets the worst affected. Read more about Hospital toilets are hoarding harmful bugs, and men's are worse than women's
InternationalNHS Lanarkshire -
'Superagers' have super memory later in life thanks to brain white matter
The Journal of Neuroscience
People who don't experience memory decline in old age - known as 'superagers' - likely get their super memory abilities thanks to better preservation of their brain's white matter, according to international researchers, who say that while a gradual Read more about 'Superagers' have super memory later in life thanks to brain white matter
InternationalUniversidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain -
For women, empathy may be the basis of healthy, stable relationships
JNeurosci
German and Dutch scientists say empathy plays a big role in feeling socially connected with others, and this may be linked to brain regions called the anterior insula and temporo-parietal junction. They asked over 100 female participants to observe Read more about For women, empathy may be the basis of healthy, stable relationships
InternationalUniversity Hospital Würzburg, Germany -
Gut bug enzymes can switch our blood to a universally compatible blood group, potentially boosting transfusion stocks
Nature Microbiology
A cocktail of enzymes from the gut bacteria Akkermansia muciniphila can convert group A and group B human red blood cells into group O blood, which is universally compatible for everyone, according to Danish and Swedish researchers. Matching blood Read more about Gut bug enzymes can switch our blood to a universally compatible blood group, potentially boosting transfusion stocks
InternationalTechnical University of Denmark, Denmark, Lund University, Sweden -
Dogs are better than humans at finding rare fungus and can aid fungal conservation
iScience
Wildlife detection dogs outperform humans when it comes to finding endangered fungi, according to Aussie researchers, who found that specially trained dogs were able to detect a greater number of fungi, had a faster time to find their first fungi, Read more about Dogs are better than humans at finding rare fungus and can aid fungal conservation
Australia; VIC; WAMonash University|The University of Melbourne -
The real 'Paleo diet' was largely plant-based
Nature Ecology & Evolution
Fad diet fans may be disappointed to hear that the real 'Paleo diet' was a far cry from the meat-heavy version touted by celebrities and influencers because it was mainly plant-based, at least in North Africa, according to international researchers. Read more about The real 'Paleo diet' was largely plant-based
InternationalMax Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Germany -
Simulation makes the grade for teacher screening
Journal of Education for Teaching
New research has found that simulations are an effective on-entry screening tool for teaching candidates, exposing university students to authentic classroom dynamics, increasing their confidence, and providing a safe learning environment. New Read more about Simulation makes the grade for teacher screening
Australia; WAMurdoch University|The University of Newcastle -
When does a conductor not conduct?
Nature Communications
A new, Australian-led study uncovers a switchable, atomically-thin metal-organic material that could be used in future low-energy electronic technologies. The study shows that electron interactions in this material create an unusual electrically Read more about When does a conductor not conduct?
Australia; VICARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies (FLEET)... -
Lake ‘healthcare screening’ needed to safeguard global human health and ecosystems
Earth's Future
A study has underscored the urgent need for coordinated action to address the issues jeopardising lake ecosystems globally. The Earth’s Future study that examined the various ailments impacting nearly 21 million lakes around the world that are Read more about Lake ‘healthcare screening’ needed to safeguard global human health and ecosystems
Australia; QLDGriffith University|The University of Adelaide|The University of Western Australia -
Citizen science project goes offshore to ‘rewind’ ecosystem loss on Kangaroo Island
Native oysters may one day return to the coastline of Kangaroo Island after the installation of new reef structures along the Kingscote foreshore as part of the Flinders University-led Passport to Recovery (‘P2R’) program. The new ‘Reef Read more about Citizen science project goes offshore to ‘rewind’ ecosystem loss on Kangaroo Island
Australia; SAFlinders University -
Ancient landscapes point to Australia’s initial human migration paths
Nature Communications
A fresh examination of landscape evolution casts new light on migration of the first humans to Sahul – the expansive single landmass including Australia, New Guinea and Tasmania that existed up to 75,000 years ago. An interdisciplinary team from Read more about Ancient landscapes point to Australia’s initial human migration paths
Australia; SAFlinders University|The University of Sydney|Southern Cross University -
Say goodbye to garlic breath with odour-free black garlic
Garlic breath could be a thing of the past, thanks to a University of Queensland collaboration helping promote odourless black garlic in mainstream Australia. Garlic breath could be a thing of the past, thanks to a University of Queensland Read more about Say goodbye to garlic breath with odour-free black garlic
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
How did the early Great Barrier Reef manage rapid environmental change?
Quaternary Science Reviews
Study shows that coral reef growth about 7000 years ago wasn’t halted but just went deeper, slower. As the modern Great Barrier Reef emerged after the last ice age, it had to cope with multiple environmental stresses – rising sea levels, Read more about How did the early Great Barrier Reef manage rapid environmental change?
Australia; NSW; QLDThe University of Sydney