-
Body lice might be better at spreading the plague than previously thought
PLOS Biology
Human body lice might be better at spreading the plague than previously thought, according to international researchers, who tested the ability of lice to transmit Yersinia pestis, the bacterium that causes plague. Previously it was thought that Read more about Body lice might be better at spreading the plague than previously thought
InternationalNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, USA -
The scaly skin of early feathered dinosaurs looked a lot like the skin of modern reptiles
Nature Communications
Early feathered dinosaurs may have had two different kinds of skin, according to international researchers, who found that the dinosaur Psittacosaurus had reptile-like scales on most of its body, with feather-specific skin only on the feathered Read more about The scaly skin of early feathered dinosaurs looked a lot like the skin of modern reptiles
InternationalUniversity College Cork, Ireland -
LSD and magic mushroom deaths in Australia are rare but significant
Addiction
A study led by researchers at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) outlines the profiles and circumstances of 43 deaths related to LSD or psilocybin (commonly known as magic mushrooms) in Australia between 2000 and 2023. The study Read more about LSD and magic mushroom deaths in Australia are rare but significant
Australia; NSWNational Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) -
Climate forecasts that span decades may help farmers prepare for the future
Nature Climate Change
Australian scientists introduced 24 Aussie farmers to My Climate View, an Australian online climate service that predicts conditions decades out, and asked them to identify, assess and discuss management of long-term risks in light of its Read more about Climate forecasts that span decades may help farmers prepare for the future
Australia; QLD; TAS; ACTCSIRO -
Designing a tiny new tool to map and treat children’s brain cancer
Advanced Science
Medulloblastoma is the most common cancerous brain tumour in children, and fighting it requires an approach that is delicate, durable, and direct. Now a group of researchers at UQ's Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) Read more about Designing a tiny new tool to map and treat children’s brain cancer
Australia; NSW; QLDAustralian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN)... -
Screens may not be the problem holding parents back from bonding with their child
Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Screens may not be the problem when it comes to parent-child interaction and bonding, according to international researchers who say being distracted is likely an issue whether it's screen-related or not. The team studied 50 pairs of parent and Read more about Screens may not be the problem holding parents back from bonding with their child
InternationalUniversity of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland -
New directions in urban and regional housing planning and development
Applied Geography
Machine learning models for more sustainable and affordable housing in regional areas, assessing bushfire risk as well as consideration for disability, biodiversity and also a place for animals in urban residential settings present new perspectives Read more about New directions in urban and regional housing planning and development
Australia; International; NSW; SAFlinders University -
Unlocking key answers on cell functioning
Nature Genetics
Peter Mac researchers have found the answer to a decades-long question on cell functioning that could lead to improved cancer treatments in the future. Peter Mac researchers have found the answer to a decades-long question on cell functioning that Read more about Unlocking key answers on cell functioning
Australia; VIC; QLDPeter MacCallum Cancer Centre|The University of Queensland... -
How do we manage the 'extreme risks' posed by advanced AIs?
Science
We've heard warnings that the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generalist AI systems that match or exceed human abilities, poses extreme risks to humanity, but how do we manage those risks? International researchers Read more about How do we manage the 'extreme risks' posed by advanced AIs?
InternationalUniversity of Oxford, UK, Quebec AI Institute, Canada, Université de Montréal, Canada -
EXPERT REACTION: Will greenhouse gases be ruled 'pollution' when it comes to the Law of the Sea?
On Tuesday 21 May, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) is expected to deliver an advisory opinion on what the 'United Nations Convention Law of the Sea' says about the obligations of countries to combat climate change. The Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Will greenhouse gases be ruled 'pollution' when it comes to the Law of the Sea?
Australia; New Zealand; Pacific; NSWAustralian Science Media Centre -
Annoying interruptions reduce productivity in the workplace
European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology
A team of researchers from The University of Queensland has found employees experience more stress at work when interrupted with requests for unnecessary or unreasonable tasks. A team of researchers from The University of Queensland has found Read more about Annoying interruptions reduce productivity in the workplace
Australia; International; QLDThe University of Queensland -
More research needed on airborne ultrasound health effects
Health Physics
Airborne ultrasound exposure guidelines from 1984 are being revisited by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection due to their use in emerging technology. Airborne ultrasound exposure guidelines from 1984 are being revisited Read more about More research needed on airborne ultrasound health effects
Australia; InternationalAustralian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) -
How this common cockroach took over the world
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)
Australian and international research has reconstructed the spread of the common German cockroach from an ancestor in Asia to every inhabited continent in the world. The researchers compared the DNA of 281 cockroaches collected from 17 countries Read more about How this common cockroach took over the world
Australia; International; WAThe University of Western Australia|National University of Singapore -
You may be able to improve your memory by simply trying harder
JNeurosci
If we try harder, we may be able to improve our memory, according to international research. To investigate how putting in effort impacts our memory, the researchers gave memory tasks of varying difficulty to a group of participants. The Read more about You may be able to improve your memory by simply trying harder
InternationalNew York University, USA -
Non-invasive spinal-cord stimulation improves arm and hand function
Nature Medicine
A non-invasive device for spinal-cord stimulation improved arm and hand function in 43 participants with tetraplegia (paralysis of the upper and lower body), according to international researchers who conducted a clinical trial on 60 participants, Read more about Non-invasive spinal-cord stimulation improves arm and hand function
InternationalUniversity of Washington, USA -
EXPERT REACTION: Fluoride exposure during pregnancy may be linked to neurobehavioural problems in kids
JAMA Network Open
An observational study in the US has found a link between fluoride intake during pregnancy and an increased risk of neurobehavioural problems among children living in an area with fluoridated water. The study included 229 pairs of predominately Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Fluoride exposure during pregnancy may be linked to neurobehavioural problems in kids
InternationalUniversity of Florida, USA -
Step count or total exercise time - which is best to keep older women healthy?
JAMA Internal Medicine
Older women could focus on their total step count or the amount of time they spend exercising and have similar results for their health, according to international research. The team collected step count and moderate to vigorous exercise data for Read more about Step count or total exercise time - which is best to keep older women healthy?
InternationalHarvard Medical School, USA -
2023's record low Antarctic sea ice ‘extremely unlikely’ without climate change
Geophysical Research Letters
UK scientists say record-low levels of sea ice around Antarctica in 2023 were extremely unlikely to happen without the influence of climate change. This low was a one-in-a-2000-year event without climate change and four times more likely under its Read more about 2023's record low Antarctic sea ice ‘extremely unlikely’ without climate change
InternationalBritish Antarctic Survey, UK -
Intriguing connections between Alzheimer’s disease and other common conditions
Alzheimer's & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring
A Florey study has found that while some medical conditions appear to increase our likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease, others appear to decrease the odds. People with anxiety and neurological disorders are 1. 5 and 2. 5 times more likely Read more about Intriguing connections between Alzheimer’s disease and other common conditions
Australia; International; VICFlorey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health -
Marine parks and fishery managment are both needed to save sharks and rays from extinction
Nature Ecology & Evolution
Marine parks, or marine protected areas, around the world have nearly twice as many sharks as areas open to fishing, according to Australian research, but it is only sharks living on coral reefs who benefit from this type of conservation effort. The Read more about Marine parks and fishery managment are both needed to save sharks and rays from extinction
Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; WA; TASCurtin University|James Cook University|Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS)...