Zebra stripes, leopard spots and other patterns on the skin of frozen metal alloys defying conventional metallurgy

Publicly released: Tue 19 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Nanotechnology

“Stripy zebra, spotty leopard…” Pattern formation and pattern recognition entertains children and scientists alike. Alan Turing’s 1950s model explaining patterns in two-substance systems is used by metallurgists to explain microscopic Read more about Zebra stripes, leopard spots and other patterns on the skin of frozen metal alloys defying conventional metallurgy

Electrical stimulation may help lessen obsessive-compulsive disorders

Publicly released: Tue 19 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Medicine

Low-frequency electrical stimulation to the brain may be a potential non-invasive and personalised treatment for people with obsessive-compulsive disorders. The U. S. research team stimulated specific networks in the brain that deal with learning Read more about Electrical stimulation may help lessen obsessive-compulsive disorders

Bio-inspired: How lobsters can help make stronger 3D printed concrete

Publicly released: Mon 18 Jan 2021 at 2201 AEDT | Tue 19 Jan 2021 at 0001 NZDT

3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing

New research shows that patterns inspired by lobster shells can make 3D printed concrete stronger, to support more complex and creative architectural structures. New research shows that patterns inspired by lobster shells can make 3D printed Read more about Bio-inspired: How lobsters can help make stronger 3D printed concrete

Why you should desex your cat before four months old

Publicly released: Mon 18 Jan 2021 at 2100 AEDT | 2300 NZDT

Scientific Reports

Australians are being urged to get their cat desexed before the age of four months, instead of the standard six months, to close the “pregnancy gap” between puberty and surgery. Routine early-age desexing of cats could lessen the impact of Read more about Why you should desex your cat before four months old

Incentivising physicians to improve after-hours access may reduce ED visits

Publicly released: Mon 18 Jan 2021 at 1601 AEDT | 1801 NZDT

CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal)

Hospital emergency departments can be overwhelmed by people visiting them for non-urgent health issues. A Canadian study found that in Ontario, incentive payments to encourage primary care practices to see patients after hours helped reduced Read more about Incentivising physicians to improve after-hours access may reduce ED visits

Flaxroots rethinking - non-Western approaches to digital research

Publicly released: Mon 18 Jan 2021 at 1452 AEDT | 1652 NZDT

Journal of Data Mining & Digital Humanities

Iwi and hapu from around Aotearoa face land issues, when they are unable to reach missing shareholders, or are presented with fragmented and conflicting data sources. A collaboration between Victoria University of Wellington, Parininihi ki Read more about Flaxroots rethinking - non-Western approaches to digital research

Hook, line and sinker: Is your fishing trip injuring coastal raptors?

Publicly released: Mon 18 Jan 2021 at 1400 AEDT | 1600 NZDT

Journal of Raptor Research

Fishing equipment is the deadliest threat faced by coastal birds of prey a new study published in the Journal of Raptor Research has found. Fishing equipment is the deadliest threat faced by coastal birds of prey a new study published in the Journal Read more about Hook, line and sinker: Is your fishing trip injuring coastal raptors?

EXPERT REACTION: Deaths in elderly Norwegians after Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

Publicly released: Mon 18 Jan 2021 at 1246 AEDT | 1446 NZDT

Norway has reported a number of deaths and side effects in elderly people after being given the Pfizer vaccine. According to the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), of 40,000 people vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine in Norway, there Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Deaths in elderly Norwegians after Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

One-dimensional quantum nanowires fertile ground for Majorana zero modes

Publicly released: Mon 18 Jan 2021 at 1201 AEDT | 1401 NZDT

Nature Communications

One-dimensional quantum ‘nanowires’ – which have length, but no width or height – provide a unique environment for the formation and detection of a quasiparticle known as a Majorana zero mode, which are their own antimatter particle. A new Read more about One-dimensional quantum nanowires fertile ground for Majorana zero modes

Kidney disease drug shows potential as an MS therapy

Publicly released: Mon 18 Jan 2021 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Clinical and Translational Immunology

A drug that’s used in Japan to treat chronic kidney disease may also have a therapeutic potential for multiple sclerosis - an autoimmune disease that attacks the sheath that insulates nerve cells in the brain. In studies using mice New Zealand Read more about Kidney disease drug shows potential as an MS therapy