COVID-19 lockdowns may be making more kids near-sighted

Publicly released: Fri 15 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Ophthalmology

US and Chinese scientists say being stuck indoors during the pandemic may be affecting some kids' eyesight, making them more near-sighted. They looked at eye tests of more than 120,000 children aged 6 to 13 years from 10 Chinese elementary schools, Read more about COVID-19 lockdowns may be making more kids near-sighted

Notifications to child protection services fell under COVID-19 lockdowns

Publicly released: Fri 15 Jan 2021 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Notifications to authorities of suspected child abuse fell in Australia during COVID-19 ‘lockdowns’ in 2020 and increased again as restrictions were eased, according to a new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). The Read more about Notifications to child protection services fell under COVID-19 lockdowns

Funding and access to contraception in NZ still 'variable'

Publicly released: Fri 15 Jan 2021 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

New Zealand Medical Journal

Funding and access to contraception is still "variable and inconsistent" across New Zealand despite a $6 million government initiative to increase its access, according to a new Viewpoint article. New Zealand researchers looked at how DHBs and Read more about Funding and access to contraception in NZ still 'variable'

The high cost of major infections and sepsis in NZ

Publicly released: Fri 15 Jan 2021 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

New Zealand Medical Journal

Sepsis is life-threatening organ failure that happens as a complication of infection, and is a leading cause of healthcare spending. Researchers analysed New Zealand data from 2016 and found that almost a quarter of all hospital discharges that Read more about The high cost of major infections and sepsis in NZ

Perth has distinct dolphin communities and they each need different protections

Publicly released: Thu 14 Jan 2021 at 1731 AEDT | 1931 NZDT

Frontiers in Marine Science

There are distinct ecological communities of dolphins living in Perth waters requiring separate protection measures from anthropogenic threats, and climate change. Research out of Murdoch University has identified distinct ecological communities of Read more about Perth has distinct dolphin communities and they each need different protections

New insights into pancreatitis

Publicly released: Thu 14 Jan 2021 at 1630 AEDT | 1830 NZDT

Gut

Acute Pancreatitis (AP) is one of the most common diseases in the world. Associated with a considerable risk of morbidity and even death in patients who suffer a severe form of the disease, to date there is no specific treatment for it. Now, Read more about New insights into pancreatitis

Fast decisions of flying insects

Publicly released: Thu 14 Jan 2021 at 1600 AEDT | 1800 NZDT

Australian scientists are homing in on the amazing flying skills of insects. How flying insects are able to respond rapidly and appropriately in fast-changing surroundings is a serious ambition of new Australian Research Council study. Led by Read more about Fast decisions of flying insects

Men more susceptible to COVID-19 than women

Publicly released: Thu 14 Jan 2021 at 1530 AEDT | 1730 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Men are more likely to test positive for COVID-19, more likely to have complications and more likely to die from the virus than women, independent of age, according to US scientists. They looked at the health records of almost 100,000 US adults and Read more about Men more susceptible to COVID-19 than women

COVID-19 virus can infect brain cells and cause brain damage

Publicly released: Thu 14 Jan 2021 at 1400 AEDT | 1600 NZDT

Journal of Experimental Medicine

Using both mouse and human brain tissue, US researchers found SARS-CoV-2 can directly infect the central nervous system. The team says the virus was able to infect neurons in human brain organoids - miniature 3D organs grown in the lab from human Read more about COVID-19 virus can infect brain cells and cause brain damage

Flight or fright: what is the future of the emus of east coast Australia?

Publicly released: Thu 14 Jan 2021 at 1348 AEDT | 1548 NZDT

Scientific Reports

Emu populations are projected to remain stable overall into the future under climate change scenarios, but east of the ranges, populations are likely to be further threatened by increasing urbanisation, and increasing losses from feral predators. Read more about Flight or fright: what is the future of the emus of east coast Australia?