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

New findings on wind farms and sleep disruption

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

Journal of Sleep Research

As wind power generation becomes more important, experts at Flinders University are examining whether wind ‘farm’ turbine noise in the environment can affect sleep and wellbeing of nearby residents. Read more about New findings on wind farms and sleep disruption

Aged Care policy reform crucial to attract Aussies into sector

Publicly released: Mon 7 Dec 2020 at 1430 AEDT | 1630 NZDT

International Nursing Review

Work-related stress, lack of career progression and up-skilling opportunities are key deficiencies in Australia’s aged care sector with casual staff working across multiple homes to secure liveable pay, as part of practices attributed to high COVID Read more about Aged Care policy reform crucial to attract Aussies into sector

NZ’s wastewater systems vulnerable to climate change

Publicly released: Mon 7 Dec 2020 at 1233 AEDT | 1433 NZDT

Climate Risk Management

Increased blockages, corrosion, and more stenches: these are some of the ways climate change will disrupt New Zealand’s wastewater infrastructure, according to new research. In New Zealand, there is a clear trend of wet areas getting wetter, and Read more about NZ’s wastewater systems vulnerable to climate change

Covid-19 antibodies provide some immunity in macaques

Publicly released: Mon 7 Dec 2020 at 1208 AEDT | 1408 NZDT

Nature

It is often difficult to tell if specific antibodies and T cells found after infections or vaccinations provide protective immunity. US researchers extracted certain antibodies from macaque monkeys recovering from SARS-CoV-2 and gave measured doses Read more about Covid-19 antibodies provide some immunity in macaques

COVID-19 detector dog research and trials underway

Publicly released: Mon 7 Dec 2020 at 1201 AEDT | 1401 NZDT

Fourteen dogs have begun their training at the University of Adelaide, and at the Australian Border Force’s (ABF) National Detector Dog Program Facility in Victoria, as part of a joint venture into determining the feasibility of training COVID-19 Read more about COVID-19 detector dog research and trials underway