What’s up Skip? Kangaroos really can ‘talk’ to us

Publicly released: Wed 16 Dec 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Biology Letters

New study shows kangaroos stare at humans to ‘ask’ for help. Animals that have never been domesticated, such as kangaroos, can intentionally communicate with humans, challenging the notion that this behaviour is usually restricted to Read more about What’s up Skip? Kangaroos really can ‘talk’ to us

Are we a vaccine hog? Nearly 1/4 of the world may miss out on COVID-19 vaccines until 2022

Publicly released: Wed 16 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The BMJ

Nearly a quarter of the world’s population may not have access to a COVID-19 vaccine until at least 2022, warns an international study. The research highlights that Japan, Australia, and Canada have collectively reserved more than 1 billion Read more about Are we a vaccine hog? Nearly 1/4 of the world may miss out on COVID-19 vaccines until 2022

Testosterone can help prevent type 2 diabetes in men

Publicly released: Wed 16 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology

The largest investigation of testosterone treatment ever undertaken has shown that, over and above the effect of a lifestyle program, treatment with testosterone prevents or reverses newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes in men. The study, known as T4DM Read more about Testosterone can help prevent type 2 diabetes in men

Researchers expose power of enzyme on key immune cells

Publicly released: Wed 16 Dec 2020 at 1018 AEDT | 1218 NZDT

Cell Reports

Communication, serendipity and an enzyme called DOT1L have all combined to produce some exciting findings into the immune system’s B cells and T cells by two groups of Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI) scientists. These could result in Read more about Researchers expose power of enzyme on key immune cells

Covid 'traffic light' for NZ’s maritime borders might mean smoother sailing ahead

Publicly released: Wed 16 Dec 2020 at 0800 AEDT | 1000 NZDT

Research has set sail to predict what kind of COVID-19 risk each international vessel might pose when it nears New Zealand’s borders. Currently, all ships arriving at our maritime border and their crew are treated as high risk, regardless of the Read more about Covid 'traffic light' for NZ’s maritime borders might mean smoother sailing ahead

Christmas and holiday entertaining – how to be food-safe and COVID-smart

Publicly released: Wed 16 Dec 2020 at 0615 AEDT | 0815 NZDT

The Food Safety Information Council today launched their Christmas and Summer entertaining food safety advice. This Summer and Christmas time is going to be a particular challenge as we also have to be aware of COVID-19 safety requirements as well Read more about Christmas and holiday entertaining – how to be food-safe and COVID-smart

Look after your heart in midlife and your brain will thank you later

Publicly released: Wed 16 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS Medicine

Good cardiovascular health when you’re middle aged may lower the risk of dementia later on, a Finnish study has shown. Heart health was assessed among 1,449 middle-aged people enrolled in a study in the 1970’s, who were then followed for about Read more about Look after your heart in midlife and your brain will thank you later

Even mild depression may be bad for your heart

Publicly released: Wed 16 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA

International scientists, including Australians, brought together the data from 563,255 people and say they found depression may be linked to poorer heart health. Even at levels lower than are typically seen in clinical depression, depressive Read more about Even mild depression may be bad for your heart

Should meat be 2.5 times as pricey to reflect costs to the climate?

Publicly released: Wed 16 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Communications

German scientists say the prices we pay for meat and dairy products are too low as they fail to account for costs to society and the climate in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. The biggest polluter is conventionally-produced meat, they say, which Read more about Should meat be 2.5 times as pricey to reflect costs to the climate?

Nature’s 10 people who helped shape the science stories of 2020

Publicly released: Wed 16 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature

Nature has released its annual list of 10 people who played a big part in the science stories of the year. The list focuses on COVID-19, highlighting the roles of: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization; Read more about Nature’s 10 people who helped shape the science stories of 2020