Hallucinations induced in lab could be key to better understanding and treatment

Publicly released: Tue 15 Dec 2020 at 0717 AEDT | 0917 NZDT

Philosophical Transactions B

Neuroscientists say the best way to study hallucinations is via lab models where they can be induced in anyone, anytime. Inducing hallucinations in the general population using visual stimulation procedures works similarly to illusions, and enables Read more about Hallucinations induced in lab could be key to better understanding and treatment

Climate change threatens sustainability of Tītī

Publicly released: Tue 15 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLoS ONE

New NZ research has aimed to identify why Tītī populations (also known as the Sooty shearwater or mutton bird) have been in decline since the 1960s. Researchers looked at data from 1976 until 2005, finding that no single factor appeared to Read more about Climate change threatens sustainability of Tītī

Young Right-Wingers don't like to play by the COVID rules

Publicly released: Tue 15 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Internal Medicine

Republican-oriented young adults in the US have a tendency to not obey social-distancing rules, and were more likely to participate in social recreational activities than their Centre- or Left-leaning peers, say US researchers. The team surveyed Read more about Young Right-Wingers don't like to play by the COVID rules

Isolating at home risks spreading COVID-19 to your family

Publicly released: Tue 15 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

US scientists say there's a high risk of spreading COVID-19 to others in your household while isolating at home following a diagnosis, especially if you're showing symptoms of the disease. They brought together the data from 54 previous studies, Read more about Isolating at home risks spreading COVID-19 to your family

Digital solutions may aid athletes’ mental health

Publicly released: Tue 15 Dec 2020 at 0245 AEDT | 0445 NZDT

JMIR Formative Research

Elite athletes are an at-risk population for mental health problems but Griffith University researchers found they display a resilience which helps them to positively adjust after a period of overwhelming stress. After analysing available literature Read more about Digital solutions may aid athletes’ mental health

Vaccines alone won’t keep Australia COVID-safe

Publicly released: Tue 15 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences urges multi-pronged response for 2021. High levels of testing, efficient vaccine distribution and addressing pandemic mental health impacts are critical if Australia is to maintain control over Read more about Vaccines alone won’t keep Australia COVID-safe

NEWS BRIEFING: Is the Murray-Darling Basin Plan working? 2020 Evaluation Report 

Publicly released: Tue 15 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

BRIEFING RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE The Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) Plan was designed to rebalance the scales and bring water use back to more sustainable levels in the Murray-Darling Basin. Eight years on, after droughts, fish deaths and disputes, is Read more about NEWS BRIEFING: Is the Murray-Darling Basin Plan working? 2020 Evaluation Report 

E-liquid flavour names cloud toxicity levels

Publicly released: Tue 15 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

American Journal of Physiology - Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology.

The flavour on the bottle of E-liquids is no indication of the potentially harmful effects of one compared with another. Dr Miranda Ween from the University of Adelaide and South Australia’s Royal Adelaide Hospital led a study, in collaboration Read more about E-liquid flavour names cloud toxicity levels

Slathering on the latest sunscreen science

Publicly released: Mon 14 Dec 2020 at 1601 AEDT | 1801 NZDT

CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal)

Canadian dermatologists have reviewed the latest evidence and guidelines on use of sunscreen. In addition to the known benefits of reducing the risk of skin cancer and preventing the aging effects of the sun, the study authors also point out what Read more about Slathering on the latest sunscreen science

Way forward in protecting health care workers from COVID-19

Publicly released: Mon 14 Dec 2020 at 1458 AEDT | 1658 NZDT

The European Respiratory Journal

A new study by Monash University provides evidence that a simple ventilated headboard hood can stop the spread of SARS-CoV2 between patients and health care workers in hospital wards. A new study by Monash University provides evidence that a simple Read more about Way forward in protecting health care workers from COVID-19

‘Boss’ genes could save human hearts – and the reef

Publicly released: Mon 14 Dec 2020 at 1430 AEDT | 1630 NZDT

Cell Systems

UQ researchers have revealed rare decision-making genes in cells, which control how cells develop and respond to stress caused by disease or their environment. Researchers hope that in the future, they may be able to block a cell’s bad decisions Read more about ‘Boss’ genes could save human hearts – and the reef

Finding the best crop traits just got easier

Publicly released: Mon 14 Dec 2020 at 1422 AEDT | 1622 NZDT

Journal of Experimental Botany

Crop breeders are always looking for faster and non-invasive methods to find traits that make crops more productive or resistant to drought or pests. This process just got easier, according to recent research, which found that measuring the colour Read more about Finding the best crop traits just got easier

Forgetfulness may be a sign of brain efficiency

Publicly released: Mon 14 Dec 2020 at 1225 AEDT | 1425 NZDT

Frontiers in Psychology

Forgetfulness, often viewed negatively as an indication of brain dysfunction, can be a normal part of life and a sign of an efficient brain. Researchers looked specifically at how the brain reacts when people encounter a person or object out of Read more about Forgetfulness may be a sign of brain efficiency

When chemistry with green light mimics what happens in life

Publicly released: Mon 14 Dec 2020 at 1102 AEDT | 1302 NZDT

Chemical Science

QUT and Ghent University researchers took inspiration from nature to create a green light-stabilised 3D polymer structure that unfolds itself when left in darkness - the first reported example of a reversible, light-triggered process to fold Read more about When chemistry with green light mimics what happens in life

Rewiring stroke survivors brains could alleviate depression

Publicly released: Mon 14 Dec 2020 at 1046 AEDT | 1246 NZDT

Journal of Neurology

University of South Australia researchers have made major developments in the treatment of depression after stroke, using a high-frequency brain stimulation device to improve low moods. Read more about Rewiring stroke survivors brains could alleviate depression

New studies put health equity at centre of COVID-19 pandemic response

Publicly released: Mon 14 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

The Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) has today announced more than $6. 3 million in funding for 11 new research studies that put health equity at the centre of New Zealand's COVID-19 pandemic response. The new funding will help ensure Read more about New studies put health equity at centre of COVID-19 pandemic response

‘I’m their kaumātua and I couldn’t even be there’ - Kaumātua responses to COVID-19

Publicly released: Mon 14 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand

As community leaders, kaumātua have been influential in curbing the spread of COVID-19, but they are also among the most vulnerable to the disease. University of Auckland researchers interviewed 23 kaumātua over the course of six weeks about their Read more about ‘I’m their kaumātua and I couldn’t even be there’ - Kaumātua responses to COVID-19

Almost 300 people have died playing football in Australia over the past 150 years

Publicly released: Mon 14 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Medical Journal of Australia

There have been at least 295 deaths due to football-related injuries in the past 146 years, according to an analysis of media reports. The majority of deaths resulted from head, neck or abdominal injuries at the community level of the collision codes Read more about Almost 300 people have died playing football in Australia over the past 150 years

Kids who've experienced bushfires at long term mental health risk

Publicly released: Mon 14 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Medical Journal of Australia

Children exposed to bushfires appear to be at a higher risk of mental health symptoms in the short, medium and long term, according to an Australian review of research. The study found that the risk of kids developing mental health symptoms later in Read more about Kids who've experienced bushfires at long term mental health risk

Med school entrance test still favours men despite recent changes

Publicly released: Mon 14 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Medical Journal of Australia

A change in one of the ways to assess undergraduate students for acceptance into medical school appears to have increased the gender gap between men and women, according to new Australian and NZ research. The Undergraduate Medical and Health Read more about Med school entrance test still favours men despite recent changes