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Instead of generating extreme heat with fossil fuels, we could one day just use the Sun
Device
About 25% of global energy consumption is used to generate extreme temperatures for producing glass, steel, cement and ceramics, and international researchers say they have developed a strategy that could allow us to forego burning fossil fuels to Read more about Instead of generating extreme heat with fossil fuels, we could one day just use the Sun
InternationalETH Zurich, Switzerland -
Exploring everything we know about consciousness
Neuron
The science of consciousness is explored in a special issue of Neuron, with a series of reviews and perspective pieces by international and Australian authors discussing the big issues in consciousness research. Among the papers, researchers discuss Read more about Exploring everything we know about consciousness
Australia; International; NSWThe University of Sydney -
Lizard-inspired building system may prevent full-scale collapses
Nature
A new system of construction may prevent the collapse of an entire building by ensuring that — in the event of catastrophic damage — structural failure is localized to the damaged region, according to international researchers who were inspired Read more about Lizard-inspired building system may prevent full-scale collapses
InternationalUniversitat Politècnica de València, Spain -
People hospitalised with COVID-19 may have a higher risk of death than those hospitalized with the flu
JAMA
In autumn-winter 2023-2024 in the US, the risk of death in patients hospitalised for COVID-19 was greater than the risk of death in patients hospitalised for seasonal influenza, according to international research based on the US Department of Read more about People hospitalised with COVID-19 may have a higher risk of death than those hospitalized with the flu
International -
More Australians spent time in hospital in 2022-2023 than previous years
Hospitalisations increased by 4. 6% in Australia in 2022-2023, according to a report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The report includes data on public and private hospitalisations for the year. The report says people aged 65 Read more about More Australians spent time in hospital in 2022-2023 than previous years
AustraliaAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) -
Green concrete recycling twice the coal ash is built to last
Cement and Concrete Research
New modelling reveals that low-carbon concrete developed at RMIT University can recycle double the amount of coal ash compared to current standards, halve the amount of cement required and perform exceptionally well over time. New modelling reveals Read more about Green concrete recycling twice the coal ash is built to last
Australia; VICRMIT University -
How does exercise keep mouse brains healthy as they age?
Aging Cell
Exercise may trigger genes in brain cells to behave more like a younger brain in older age, according to an Australian study in mice. The team looked at brain activity in mice given access to a running wheel or deprived of exercise to investigate Read more about How does exercise keep mouse brains healthy as they age?
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
Chemical fingerprints in shells could help trace the source of valuable Aussie seafood
Royal Society Open Science
The chemical fingerprints in abalone shells could help trace the valuable seafood back to its source, and confirm whether the seafood is wild or farmed, according to Australian research. By analysing the chemicals in the shells, researchers were Read more about Chemical fingerprints in shells could help trace the source of valuable Aussie seafood
Australia; SAFlinders University|University of South Australia -
I heard a rumour...that kids are more likely to believe gossip coming from multiple sources
Royal Society Open Science
When it comes to believing playground gossip, it seems kids rely on multiple sources to verify positive gossip, although a single negative rumour can sway them, according to Japanese research. In the study around 100 seven-year-old kids were told Read more about I heard a rumour...that kids are more likely to believe gossip coming from multiple sources
InternationalNTT Communication Science Laboratories, Japan -
A $750 incentive could help obese men shift the kilos
JAMA and European Congress on Obesity
A UK trial, named the 'Game of Stones' has found that a weight loss program that involved sending obese men text messages with a financial incentive to lose weight was more effective than text messages alone, or leaving men to lose weight on their Read more about A $750 incentive could help obese men shift the kilos
Australia; International; WACurtin University|Stirling University, UK -
Genetics provide key to fight crown-of-thorns starfish
PLOS Biology
Scientists are one step closer to combatting coral-destroying crown-of-thorns starfish, following a University of Queensland study into the pest’s genetics. Scientists are one step closer to combatting coral-destroying crown-of-thorns starfish, Read more about Genetics provide key to fight crown-of-thorns starfish
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
Heatwaves lead to more than 150,000 deaths a year
PLOS Medicine
Heatwaves over the four hottest months of the year lead to more than 150,000 deaths around the world each year, according to research led by Monash University which looked at deaths over 30 years going back to 1990. The authors say this equates Read more about Heatwaves lead to more than 150,000 deaths a year
Australia; New Zealand; Pacific; VICMonash University|Queensland University of Technology (QUT) -
New rheumatic fever treatments hurt less and last longer
PLOS ONE
A new penicillin injection for rheumatic fever could help young people stick with the recommended 10-year treatment period. The new treatment uses a smaller needle into the stomach, which patients described as less painful overall. The new injection Read more about New rheumatic fever treatments hurt less and last longer
Australia; New Zealand; WAUniversity of Otago|Telethon Kids Institute|The University of Western Australia... -
Wind farms quickly offset their emissions
Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand
After spinning for 1. 5-1. 7 years, a wind turbine has offset the carbon emissions generated across its entire 30-year lifespan, when compared to thermal power plants. These numbers come from a study which used real construction data from a Hawke's Read more about Wind farms quickly offset their emissions
New ZealandVictoria University of Wellington -
Can eye-tracking tests accurately identify children with autism?
JAMA Network Open
Eye-tracking tests can accurately identify autism in children, according to international researchers, who say that a combination of eye-tracking data and primary-care practitioners' diagnosis can improve accurate diagnosis. The team studied 146 Read more about Can eye-tracking tests accurately identify children with autism?
InternationalPurdue University, USA -
The Northern Hemisphere summer of 2023 was the warmest in 2000 years
Nature
The summer of 2023 was the warmest in the Northern Hemisphere extra-tropical regions in the past 2,000 years, according to international researchers. The team reconstructed the past 2000 years of land temperature data using tree rings, and combined Read more about The Northern Hemisphere summer of 2023 was the warmest in 2000 years
InternationalJohannes Gutenberg University, Germany -
246 million more older adults will be exposed to dangerous heat by 2050
Nature Communications
Up to 246 million more older adults around the world are projected to be exposed to dangerous acute heat by the year 2050 — with those living in Asia and Africa experiencing the most severe effects according to international researchers. According Read more about 246 million more older adults will be exposed to dangerous heat by 2050
InternationalCMCC Foundation, Italy -
What do we know about the risks of forever chemicals PFAS for our reproductive health?
Reproduction, Fertility and Development
The full extent of the threat per-and ployfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose to the reproductive health of humans and animals, including livestock, is not yet known, according to Australian researchers. In a perspective article, the researchers Read more about What do we know about the risks of forever chemicals PFAS for our reproductive health?
Australia; NSW; VIC; SAThe University of Melbourne|The University of Adelaide... -
Aussie science and innovation needs immediate and sustained investment to power a future made in Australia
The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) welcomes commitments in the Budget to review Australia’s languishing investment in Australian science and innovation and back clean energy industries, however investment Read more about Aussie science and innovation needs immediate and sustained investment to power a future made in Australia
AustraliaAustralian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) -
EXPERT REACTION: Federal Budget 2024-2025
The Federal Government has released their budget for 2024-2025. Below, a variety of Australian experts respond and discuss what this year's Budget means. Registered journalists can also find additional expert lists from The University of Sydney, Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Federal Budget 2024-2025
Australia; QLD; SAAustralian Science Media Centre|Australian Government - Dept of the Treasury