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Nanotech opens door to future of insulin medication
Nature Nanotechnology
Research led by the University of Sydney and Sydney Local Health District has developed a new type of oral insulin based on nanotechnology. In the future, it could offer the 75 million people worldwide who use insulin for diabetes a more effective Read more about Nanotech opens door to future of insulin medication
Australia; NSW; VICThe University of Sydney|CSIRO -
CORRECTION: What can current research tell us about psilocybin as an antidepressant?
The BMJ
CORRECTION: The journal has placed and expression of concern on this paper due to an error, details below. Psilocybin - the active ingredient in magic mushrooms - can be an effective treatment for depression, however many questions remain unanswered Read more about CORRECTION: What can current research tell us about psilocybin as an antidepressant?
InternationalUniversity of Oxford, UK -
Long lives and sudden deaths: The stark differences between the health of men and women globally
The Lancet Public Health
Globally, there are substantial differences between males and females when it comes to health, according to international researchers who say these disparities emerge in adolescence and continue to grow with age. The team used data from the Global Read more about Long lives and sudden deaths: The stark differences between the health of men and women globally
InternationalUniversity of Washington, USA -
Time-restricted eating or hard exercise for your health? Why not both?
PLOS ONE
Getting some vigorous exercise in while you're on a time-restricted diet may together improve your health better than either one by themselves, say Tunisian, French and German researchers. In their study, 64 women with obesity were assigned to one Read more about Time-restricted eating or hard exercise for your health? Why not both?
InternationalUniversity of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia -
Less than half of Victorian pharmacies stock naloxone, and even fewer have supplied it
Drug and Alcohol Review
Less than half of Victorian community pharmacies stock naloxone, with even fewer actually supplying it in the year prior to the survey, according to Australian research. The researchers surveyed 265 pharmacies, mostly based in Melbourne, and found Read more about Less than half of Victorian pharmacies stock naloxone, and even fewer have supplied it
Australia; VICMonash University -
Historical data suggests hard knocks build long-term resilience
Nature
It seems what doesn’t kill you does seem to make you stronger, according to international researchers who say disturbances to human societies boost the ability of populations to resist and recover from subsequent downturns. The team analysed Read more about Historical data suggests hard knocks build long-term resilience
InternationalBournemouth University, UK -
There could be a chemical reason why we like our beer cold
Matter
Most of us like our beer cold and our sake warm, and international researchers say there could be a chemical reason why. Two Chinese researchers were having a beer together when they decided to investigate why specific alcohol concentrations were Read more about There could be a chemical reason why we like our beer cold
InternationalChinese Academy of Sciences, China -
Nutrient research reveals pathway for treating brain disorders
Nature
Researchers have found how dietary choline travels through the blood-brain barrier - a discovery that could be used to help deliver drugs into the brain to treat neurological disorders. A University of Queensland researcher has found molecular Read more about Nutrient research reveals pathway for treating brain disorders
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland|Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology -
Hormone therapy can help with menopause symptoms, but likely won't prevent health issues down the track
JAMA
Menopausal hormone therapy is a useful treatment for women with uncomfortable symptoms during menopause but is unlikely to help prevent other health problems down the track, according to international research. The researchers were involved in a Read more about Hormone therapy can help with menopause symptoms, but likely won't prevent health issues down the track
InternationalHarvard Medical School, USA -
Going veggo linked to slower prostate cancer progression
JAMA Network Open
In a study on over 2000 men with prostate cancer, those who ate loads of plant foods or went vegetarian had a lower risk of their cancer progressing, compared with those in the study eating the fewest plant foods. While this kind of study cannot Read more about Going veggo linked to slower prostate cancer progression
InternationalUniversity of California, San Francisco, USA -
A new method to clean up PFAS 'forever chemicals' from firefighting foams
Nature
Firefighting foams are a major source of environmental contamination with PFAS, a group of chemicals known as 'forever chemicals' because they are so hard to remove from the environment once they are there. Now US scientists have developed a way to Read more about A new method to clean up PFAS 'forever chemicals' from firefighting foams
InternationalClarkson University, USA -
Volcanoes and music feature in 2023 Prime Minister's Science Prizes
An innovative partnership that led to discovery of the gene causing inherited stomach cancer, a scientist uncovering the psychological underpinnings of music, and a volcanologist communicating both the wonder and risks of volcanoes have been Read more about Volcanoes and music feature in 2023 Prime Minister's Science Prizes
New Zealand -
Severe mental illness linked to alarmingly high rates of physical ailments
Lancet Psychiatry
A large-scale, international study conducted by University of Queensland researchers has found people with severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, are up to four times more likely to have two or more chronic physical health Read more about Severe mental illness linked to alarmingly high rates of physical ailments
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland|Griffith University -
The popular kids in school may be sleeping less
Frontiers in Sleep
Popular teens sleep 27 minutes less than their less popular peers, according to international research, which also found that popular girls experience more insomnia symptoms than boys. The researchers asked a sample of over 1,300 Swedish teenagers Read more about The popular kids in school may be sleeping less
InternationalÖrebro University, Sweden -
Revised dating of the Liujiang skeleton renews understanding of human occupation of China
Nature Communications
In a new international study, researchers have provided new age estimates and revised provenance information for the Liujiang human fossils, shedding light on the presence of Homo sapiens in the region. Using advanced dating techniques including Read more about Revised dating of the Liujiang skeleton renews understanding of human occupation of China
Australia; QLDGriffith University|The Australian National University -
Keeping the noise down for critical patients
HERD: Health Environments Research & Digital Design Journal
New research by Edith Cowan University (ECU) and Fiona Stanley Hospital is aiming to decrease noise levels in intensive care units (ICUs) by implementing improvements in acoustic design. Keeping the noise down for critical patientsNew research by Read more about Keeping the noise down for critical patients
Australia; QLD; WAEdith Cowan University|The University of Queensland... -
New global care standards to help those living with advanced cancer
JCO Oncology Practice
University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Associate Professor Nicolas Hart has led the development of new global care standards to help those living with advanced cancer. In the past, advanced or metastatic cancers were rapidly fatal, however with new Read more about New global care standards to help those living with advanced cancer
Australia; NSW; SAUniversity of Technology Sydney (UTS)|Flinders University -
Innovation promises to prevent power pole-top fires
Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials
Engineers in Australia have found a new way to make power-pole insulators resistant to fire and electrical sparking, promising to prevent dangerous pole-top fires and reduce blackouts. Pole-top fires pose significant challenges to power providers Read more about Innovation promises to prevent power pole-top fires
Australia; NSW; VIC; WARMIT University|The University of New South Wales -
Mapping 50 million human cells and uncovering the genetic fingerprints of disease
The Garvan Institute plans to map 50 million human cells from 10,000 people to identify unique genomic fingerprints of autoimmune diseases, heart diseases and cancer, building on the early success of a clinical trial for Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s Read more about Mapping 50 million human cells and uncovering the genetic fingerprints of disease
Australia; NSWGarvan Institute of Medical Research|Illumina -
Carbon-capturing chemistry could be used to produce 'carbon negative concrete'
Royal Society Open Science
Harnessing chemical processes that capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere could allow for carbon-negative production of concrete, according to international researchers. The team experimented with olivine - a mineral commonly found in the Read more about Carbon-capturing chemistry could be used to produce 'carbon negative concrete'
InternationalImperial College London, UK -
Bumblebees can partner up to get the job done
Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Far from going it alone, bumblebees may look to cooperate to solve tasks, according to international researchers. Pairs of buff-tailed bumblebees were trained, in pairs or individually, to push a lego brick or open a door to access a nectar reward. Read more about Bumblebees can partner up to get the job done
InternationalUniversity of Oulu, Finland -
Wall of death workout uses 'the force' to keep astronauts fit on the moon
Royal Society Open Science
An out-of-this-world workout could keep astronauts fit in space and you can practice here on Earth (as long as you have access to a ‘Wall of Death’ and some bungee cord). Researchers ran horizontally around a cylinder - the motorcyclist's Read more about Wall of death workout uses 'the force' to keep astronauts fit on the moon
InternationalUniversity of Milan, Italy -
One-two punch treatment delivers blood cancer knockout
Cancer Cell
A new combination of two cancer drugs has shown great potential as a future treatment for patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), one of the most common types of blood cancers. A new study by WEHI researchers has revealed the combination of two Read more about One-two punch treatment delivers blood cancer knockout
Australia; VICWEHI|The University of Melbourne|Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre... -
What happens to your brain chip if its billionaire funder gets bored of the idea?
JAMA Network Open
Researchers studying neural implants have come to an agreement on what it means to "abandon" the device – ie, for the manufacturer to stop supporting it while it's still implanted in someone's brain. Neural implants will be increasingly abandoned Read more about What happens to your brain chip if its billionaire funder gets bored of the idea?
InternationalNorman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, USA -
Some types of exercise may put you at a higher risk of knee osteoarthritis
JAMA Network Open
Weight-bearing recreational exercise could increase the risk of knee osteoarthritis in some people, according to international research. While the team say previous research has shown exercise, in general, doesn't increase your risk of knee Read more about Some types of exercise may put you at a higher risk of knee osteoarthritis
InternationalUniversity Medical Center Rotterdam, Netherlands -
Self-digesting plastic could be better, faster, stonger
Nature Communications
International researchers have developed a self-digesting plastic, which they say could not only help reduce plastic pollution, but also strengthen the plastic itself. The team developed a biodegradable version of the commercial plastic polyurethane, Read more about Self-digesting plastic could be better, faster, stonger
InternationalUniversity of California San Diego, USA -
NZ's media laws are out of date and bad for democracy
Seventeen separate Acts of Parliament need updating to keep pace with modern media landscape, an NZ media researcher argues in a new paper. The author says that successive governments have failed to keep pace with the changing needs of the media and Read more about NZ's media laws are out of date and bad for democracy
New ZealandKoi Tū: the Centre for Informed Futures -
Walking for transport at least once a week may help some older people live longer
BMJ Public Health
Older adults who walked for transport instead of taking a car, at least once a week, lived longer than those who didn’t, Monash University-led research has found. Published in BMJ Public Health, the observational study looked at transport-related Read more about Walking for transport at least once a week may help some older people live longer
Australia; VICMonash University|Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute... -
Tsetse fly protein provides anticoagulant with its own on-off switch
Nature Biotechnology
A completely novel way to develop 'supramolecules' for drug discovery could have application in immunotherapy as well as this design for an anticoagulant with on-demand reversibility. Researchers at the University of Sydney and University of Geneva Read more about Tsetse fly protein provides anticoagulant with its own on-off switch
Australia; International; NSWThe University of Sydney|University of Geneva -
Almost half of people with common heart arrhythmia die within 10 years of hospitalisation
European Heart Journal
Forty-five per cent of patients admitted to hospital for atrial fibrillation (AF) in Australia and New Zealand die within a decade, according to University of Queensland research. Forty-five per cent of patients admitted to hospital for atrial Read more about Almost half of people with common heart arrhythmia die within 10 years of hospitalisation
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
Treatment-related pain may be ‘socially contagious’
Communications Psychology
Understanding the impact of social connections on pain management could improve treatment outcomes. An individual’s experience of pain from medical treatment can be heightened by witnessing other people’s responses to the same treatment, with Read more about Treatment-related pain may be ‘socially contagious’
Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales|The University of Sydney -
EXPERT REACTION: More lead and uranium found in teens who vape often
Tobacco Control
In a new US study, teens who vape frequently had twice as much uranium, and 30% more lead in their urine, than teens who only vape occasionally. The researchers also found higher uranium levels in teens who preferred sweet vape flavours, over Read more about EXPERT REACTION: More lead and uranium found in teens who vape often
InternationalUniversity of Nebraska, USA -
Hospital toilets are hoarding harmful bugs, and men's are worse than women's
ESCMID Global Congress
International researchers say they have found harmful bacteria and fungi, including multi-drug resistant “superbugs” on the floors, ceilings, door handles and other surfaces of hospital toilets in the UK, with patient toilets the worst affected. Read more about Hospital toilets are hoarding harmful bugs, and men's are worse than women's
InternationalNHS Lanarkshire -
'Superagers' have super memory later in life thanks to brain white matter
The Journal of Neuroscience
People who don't experience memory decline in old age - known as 'superagers' - likely get their super memory abilities thanks to better preservation of their brain's white matter, according to international researchers, who say that while a gradual Read more about 'Superagers' have super memory later in life thanks to brain white matter
InternationalUniversidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain -
For women, empathy may be the basis of healthy, stable relationships
JNeurosci
German and Dutch scientists say empathy plays a big role in feeling socially connected with others, and this may be linked to brain regions called the anterior insula and temporo-parietal junction. They asked over 100 female participants to observe Read more about For women, empathy may be the basis of healthy, stable relationships
InternationalUniversity Hospital Würzburg, Germany -
Gut bug enzymes can switch our blood to a universally compatible blood group, potentially boosting transfusion stocks
Nature Microbiology
A cocktail of enzymes from the gut bacteria Akkermansia muciniphila can convert group A and group B human red blood cells into group O blood, which is universally compatible for everyone, according to Danish and Swedish researchers. Matching blood Read more about Gut bug enzymes can switch our blood to a universally compatible blood group, potentially boosting transfusion stocks
InternationalTechnical University of Denmark, Denmark, Lund University, Sweden -
The real 'Paleo diet' was largely plant-based
Nature Ecology & Evolution
Fad diet fans may be disappointed to hear that the real 'Paleo diet' was a far cry from the meat-heavy version touted by celebrities and influencers because it was mainly plant-based, at least in North Africa, according to international researchers. Read more about The real 'Paleo diet' was largely plant-based
InternationalMax Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Germany -
Dogs are better than humans at finding rare fungus and can aid fungal conservation
iScience
Wildlife detection dogs outperform humans when it comes to finding endangered fungi, according to Aussie researchers, who found that specially trained dogs were able to detect a greater number of fungi, had a faster time to find their first fungi, Read more about Dogs are better than humans at finding rare fungus and can aid fungal conservation
Australia; VIC; WAMonash University|The University of Melbourne -
Simulation makes the grade for teacher screening
Journal of Education for Teaching
New research has found that simulations are an effective on-entry screening tool for teaching candidates, exposing university students to authentic classroom dynamics, increasing their confidence, and providing a safe learning environment. New Read more about Simulation makes the grade for teacher screening
Australia; WAMurdoch University|The University of Newcastle -
When does a conductor not conduct?
Nature Communications
A new, Australian-led study uncovers a switchable, atomically-thin metal-organic material that could be used in future low-energy electronic technologies. The study shows that electron interactions in this material create an unusual electrically Read more about When does a conductor not conduct?
Australia; VICARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies (FLEET)... -
Lake ‘healthcare screening’ needed to safeguard global human health and ecosystems
Earth's Future
A study has underscored the urgent need for coordinated action to address the issues jeopardising lake ecosystems globally. The Earth’s Future study that examined the various ailments impacting nearly 21 million lakes around the world that are Read more about Lake ‘healthcare screening’ needed to safeguard global human health and ecosystems
Australia; QLDGriffith University|The University of Adelaide|The University of Western Australia -
Citizen science project goes offshore to ‘rewind’ ecosystem loss on Kangaroo Island
Native oysters may one day return to the coastline of Kangaroo Island after the installation of new reef structures along the Kingscote foreshore as part of the Flinders University-led Passport to Recovery (‘P2R’) program. The new ‘Reef Read more about Citizen science project goes offshore to ‘rewind’ ecosystem loss on Kangaroo Island
Australia; SAFlinders University -
Ancient landscapes point to Australia’s initial human migration paths
Nature Communications
A fresh examination of landscape evolution casts new light on migration of the first humans to Sahul – the expansive single landmass including Australia, New Guinea and Tasmania that existed up to 75,000 years ago. An interdisciplinary team from Read more about Ancient landscapes point to Australia’s initial human migration paths
Australia; SAFlinders University|The University of Sydney|Southern Cross University -
Say goodbye to garlic breath with odour-free black garlic
Garlic breath could be a thing of the past, thanks to a University of Queensland collaboration helping promote odourless black garlic in mainstream Australia. Garlic breath could be a thing of the past, thanks to a University of Queensland Read more about Say goodbye to garlic breath with odour-free black garlic
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
How did the early Great Barrier Reef manage rapid environmental change?
Quaternary Science Reviews
Study shows that coral reef growth about 7000 years ago wasn’t halted but just went deeper, slower. As the modern Great Barrier Reef emerged after the last ice age, it had to cope with multiple environmental stresses – rising sea levels, Read more about How did the early Great Barrier Reef manage rapid environmental change?
Australia; NSW; QLDThe University of Sydney -
Bacteria ‘nanowires’ could help develop green electronics
Small
Filaments engineered by scientists at UNSW Sydney were shown to produce electricity from moisture in the air. Engineered protein filaments originally produced by bacteria have been modified by scientists to conduct electricity. In a study published Read more about Bacteria ‘nanowires’ could help develop green electronics
Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales -
Negativity about vaccines surged on X (formerly Twitter) after COVID-19 jabs became available
ESCMID Global Congress 2024
The number of negative tweets about vaccines rose by 27% after COVID-19 jabs became available, according to a US scientist presenting his findings at the ESCMID Global Congress 2024. The analysis also found the number of negative tweets spiked when Read more about Negativity about vaccines surged on X (formerly Twitter) after COVID-19 jabs became available
InternationalStanford University School of Medicine, USA -
Cervical cancer vaccine roll out effective but huge variations in global coverage exist
ESCMID Global Congress
The global cervical cancer vaccine roll-out has been very effective in reducing cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases, according to Aussie researchers speaking at the ESCMID Global Congress in Barcelona this week, however, there are huge Read more about Cervical cancer vaccine roll out effective but huge variations in global coverage exist
Australia; VICThe University of Melbourne -
Financial privilege may not protect you against lower back pain and arthritis
PLOS ONE
People living in wealthier neighbourhoods may be no less likely to develop lower back pain or arthritis, according to Australian and international researchers. The team looked at the prevalence of lower back pain and arthritis among identical twins Read more about Financial privilege may not protect you against lower back pain and arthritis
Australia; International; NSWThe University of Sydney -
The pressures of COVID-19 science communication
ESCMID Global Congress
NZ microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles will talk at a global conference about her science communication during the Covid-19 pandemic, the subsequent harassment she faced, and what is now being done to help scientists subjected to threats for speaking Read more about The pressures of COVID-19 science communication
New ZealandUniversity of Auckland