Isolation among the elderly linked to increase risk of falling

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Scientific Reports

Loneliness and social isolation may be an important predictor of falls among the elderly, according to new research. A study that analysed the health data of over 13,000 British people over the age of 60 found that people who lived alone had an 18% Read more about Isolation among the elderly linked to increase risk of falling

Seaweed-munching crabs could help save coral reefs

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Current Biology

Coral reefs in the Caribbean may be getting a boost from king crabs, which appear to keep excessive seaweed growth under control in the reefs. Experiments on the Florida Keys demonstrated that the king crabs are much better than other species at Read more about Seaweed-munching crabs could help save coral reefs

Human eggs often contains serious errors in their chromosomes

Publicly released: Fri 11 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

The American Journal of Human Genetics

Around 1 in 15 human eggs have a pair of chromosomes that failed to exchange genetic material properly, which researcher say suggests that right from the get-go a large proportion of human eggs are predestined to be chromosomally abnormal. The Read more about Human eggs often contains serious errors in their chromosomes

Tiny bubbles on electrodes key to speeding up chemical processes

Publicly released: Thu 10 Dec 2020 at 2100 AEDT | 2300 NZDT

Nature Communications

New Curtin University-led research has shown the formation of bubbles on electrodes, usually thought to be a hindrance, can be beneficial, with deliberately added bubbles, or oil droplets, able to accelerate processes such as the removal of Read more about Tiny bubbles on electrodes key to speeding up chemical processes

CSIRO maps Darwin’s ‘hot spots’ and heat-health vulnerability

Publicly released: Thu 10 Dec 2020 at 1707 AEDT | 1907 NZDT

On the back of Darwin’s record-breaking November heat, scientists from Australia’s national science agency CSIRO have released two reports, one mapping the city’s surface temperatures and one providing strategies to deal with urban heat. Read more about CSIRO maps Darwin’s ‘hot spots’ and heat-health vulnerability

New resource to help clinicians implement best-practice guideline for the diagnosis of autism

Publicly released: Thu 10 Dec 2020 at 1245 AEDT | 1445 NZDT

Autism CRC has today launched a National Guideline Implementation Toolkit to help clinicians to upskill and deliver the recommendations of the recently published National Guideline for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism. The Toolkit makes an Read more about New resource to help clinicians implement best-practice guideline for the diagnosis of autism

Wastewater flushes out COVID-19 cases weeks before people show symptoms

Publicly released: Thu 10 Dec 2020 at 1130 AEDT | 1330 NZDT

Environmental Research

An Aussie study has provided further evidence that wastewater (untreated sewage) testing can detect COVID-19 in communities weeks before people display symptoms, suggesting this testing could provide a targeted early detection system as economies Read more about Wastewater flushes out COVID-19 cases weeks before people show symptoms

Cannabis genomics has potential to transform production of high-quality plant-derived therapeutics

Publicly released: Thu 10 Dec 2020 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

New Phytologist

Cannabis research and genetic improvements are gathering pace thanks to new genomic technologies, combined with less restrictive laws governing cultivation, research and use of the plant, according to a La Trobe University study. Read more about Cannabis genomics has potential to transform production of high-quality plant-derived therapeutics

The AusSMC's Top 10 Science Stories 2020

Publicly released: Thu 10 Dec 2020 at 0906 AEDT | 1106 NZDT

There's no getting away from the fact that 2020 was an 'annus horribilis' for us all, as COVID-19 infected millions around the world, killing more than a million, and leading to drastic curbs on normal life. The virus hit while Australia was still Read more about The AusSMC's Top 10 Science Stories 2020

Men with Covid-19 nearly three times as likely to require intensive care as women

Publicly released: Thu 10 Dec 2020 at 0902 AEDT | 1102 NZDT

Nature Communications

Small studies that indicated men are more likely to develop severe Covid-19 have been confirmed by a larger global analysis of three million patients. Analysis of information from 46 countries found that while males and females appear equally likely Read more about Men with Covid-19 nearly three times as likely to require intensive care as women