The pen is mightier for barking geckos

Publicly released: Wed 13 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

New Zealand Journal of Ecology

Establishing new populations of geckos could be more successful if the geckos are initially forced to stay in a confined space, according to new research from the University of Otago and the Department of Conservation. Nineteen barking geckos spent Read more about The pen is mightier for barking geckos

Bias in genetic studies may explain beneficial effects of alcohol on health

Publicly released: Wed 13 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Communications

Genetic studies that rely on self-reported drinking may be biased by misreporting and changes in behaviour, according to Australian research, which may explain conflicting reports about links between alcohol and health. Drinking too much has long Read more about Bias in genetic studies may explain beneficial effects of alcohol on health

People with autism are more than 3 times as likely to attempt suicide

Publicly released: Wed 13 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

Australian-led research looked at rates of suicide attempts and suicide among autistic and non-autistic individuals in more than 6 million Danish people over the age of 10, and say those with a diagnosed autism spectrum disorder had more than Read more about People with autism are more than 3 times as likely to attempt suicide

Most microplastics in the Arctic are polyester fibres from textiles

Publicly released: Wed 13 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Communications

Synthetic fibres make up around 92 per cent of microplastic pollution in near-surface seawater across the Arctic, and around 73 per cent of this is polyester, resembling fibres used in textiles, according to Canadian scientists. The team looked at Read more about Most microplastics in the Arctic are polyester fibres from textiles

New study of Earth’s crust shows global growth spurt three billion years ago

Publicly released: Tue 12 Jan 2021 at 2100 AEDT | 2300 NZDT

Nature Communications

Curtin University researchers have used ancient crystals from eroded rocks found in stream sediments in Greenland to successfully test the theory that portions of Earth’s ancient crust acted as ‘seeds’ from which later generations of crust grew Read more about New study of Earth’s crust shows global growth spurt three billion years ago

EXPERT REACTION: Has there been a global insect apocalypse?

Publicly released: Tue 12 Jan 2021 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

PNAS

Many insect populations around the world are decreasing by 1-2 per cent every year, but this may not be as simple as an insect 'apocalypse' across the board, according to a series of 12 research papers being published in PNAS. For example, in the Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Has there been a global insect apocalypse?

Slave labour is being used to meet our demand for PPE in the pandemic

Publicly released: Tue 12 Jan 2021 at 1045 AEDT | 1245 NZDT

Annals of Internal Medicine

COVID-19-related increases in supply and demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) are likely to have exacerbated the prevalence of forced labour in global PPE supply chains, according to international scientists. They cite the example of a New Read more about Slave labour is being used to meet our demand for PPE in the pandemic

That extra cup of coffee might cut prostate cancer risk

Publicly released: Tue 12 Jan 2021 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

BMJ Open

Drinking several cups of coffee every day may be linked to a lower risk of developing prostate cancer, suggests a pooled data analysis of the available evidence. Each additional daily cup of the brew was associated with a reduction in risk of nearly Read more about That extra cup of coffee might cut prostate cancer risk

Gut bugs could influence COVID-19 severity

Publicly released: Tue 12 Jan 2021 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Gut

The variety and volume of bacteria in the gut, known as the microbiome, may influence the severity of COVID-19, as well as the magnitude of the immune system response to the infection, suggests Chinese research. The researchers analysed poo samples Read more about Gut bugs could influence COVID-19 severity

Saliva-based COVID-19 testing is as effective and cheaper than uncomfortable nasal swabs

Publicly released: Tue 12 Jan 2021 at 1029 AEDT | 1229 NZDT

Annals of Internal Medicine

Saliva-based sampling for detecting COVID-19 is similarly sensitive and less costly than nasal swabs, according to a review of the available evidence by Canadian and Brazilian researchers. As well as being uncomfortable for the recipient, nasal Read more about Saliva-based COVID-19 testing is as effective and cheaper than uncomfortable nasal swabs