The brain may prioritise 'facts' over uncertainties

Publicly released: Tue 8 Dec 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

eNeuro

If a statement is made as if it is a known fact, rather than uncertain, the brain boost its activity, according to researchers from the US and the UAE. They scanned the brains of people as they were exposed to short narratives, which were either Read more about The brain may prioritise 'facts' over uncertainties

Palm oil may be bad, but other oils could turn out to be worse

Publicly released: Tue 8 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Plants

The expansion of palm oil plantations continues to cause deforestation in some regions, but there is an urgent need to better study the alternatives, as demand for vegetable oils is expected to increase by 46 per cent by 2050, say Australian and Read more about Palm oil may be bad, but other oils could turn out to be worse

Giving US police military weapons doesn't appear to reduce crime

Publicly released: Tue 8 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

New research appears to refute former studies that were used to justify supplying military equipment to local police in the US. Two separate analyses reveal that previous data used to justify supplying law enforcement agencies with surplus Read more about Giving US police military weapons doesn't appear to reduce crime

808s & Heartbreaks: Rapping about the blues is on the rise

Publicly released: Tue 8 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Pediatrics

References to mental health struggles, including suicide and depression, have increased significantly in popular rap music over the last 20 years, according to US research. Researchers analysed lyric sheets from the 25 most popular rap songs in the Read more about 808s & Heartbreaks: Rapping about the blues is on the rise

Rheumatic heart disease patients among those to benefit from new research funding for DHBs

Publicly released: Tue 8 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

An all-new approach for the early detection of rheumatic heart disease will be developed and tested as part of a suite of new research to be carried out by some of New Zealand’s district health boards (DHBs). With its brand new Health Sector Read more about Rheumatic heart disease patients among those to benefit from new research funding for DHBs

Humans aren’t the only species to use medicine, sparrows do too

Publicly released: Tue 8 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Current Biology

An international study has found sparrows, like humans, use medicinal herbs to defend against parasites and improve the condition of their offspring. Researchers from Griffith University, Hainan Normal University and Université Paris-Saclay Read more about Humans aren’t the only species to use medicine, sparrows do too

Discovery provides hope for early detection of serious COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 8 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Clinical and Translational Immunology

QIMR Berghofer researchers have developed a prototype blood test that can detect if a COVID-19 patient's immune system has the capacity to fight the disease. They used the blood of Queenslanders who have recovered from the disease for their research. Read more about Discovery provides hope for early detection of serious COVID-19

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health report shows mixed results

Publicly released: Tue 8 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

A report measuring the health status and outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people has found mixed results, with improvements in some areas but no change or worsening in others. Improvements have included a reduction in avoidable Read more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health report shows mixed results

Can a coral reef fish help unravel how humans domesticated animals?

Publicly released: Mon 7 Dec 2020 at 2100 AEDT | 2300 NZDT

Nature Communications

An international study has found the first evidence of an animal other than humans domesticating another species. The team led by researchers from Griffith and Deakin Universities found coral reef fish in Belize, Central America, domesticated the Read more about Can a coral reef fish help unravel how humans domesticated animals?

Weekly folic acid boost shows potential to halve birth defects

Publicly released: Mon 7 Dec 2020 at 1500 AEDT | 1700 NZDT

BMJ Global Health

SAHMRI researchers have found the risk of birth defects can be greatly reduced if women significantly increase their folic acid intake. Read more about Weekly folic acid boost shows potential to halve birth defects