Extreme drought area expected to double by the end of the century

Publicly released: Tue 12 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Climate Change

By the end of this century, the global land area and population in extreme-to-exceptional drought could more than double, according to international research. The study looked at the water available globally in lakes and reservoirs, rivers, wetlands Read more about Extreme drought area expected to double by the end of the century

Unlocking the secrets of star formation

Publicly released: Tue 12 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Astronomy

A new study by an international team of researchers has used computer power to map the so-called sonic scale, showing the key role turbulence plays in star formation. A new study by an international team of researchers has used computer power to Read more about Unlocking the secrets of star formation

Lots of oral sex could increase your risk of mouth and throat cancer

Publicly released: Mon 11 Jan 2021 at 1601 AEDT | 1801 NZDT

Cancer

Having more than 10 prior oral sex partners has been linked to a 4. 3-times greater likelihood of having human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancer of the mouth and throat, say US researchers. The study also found that having oral sex at a younger Read more about Lots of oral sex could increase your risk of mouth and throat cancer

Sports voucher program found to encourage kids to be more active

Publicly released: Mon 11 Jan 2021 at 1200 AEDT | 1400 NZDT

BMC Public Health

A Sydney-led study has found that an exercise program designed to encourage children and adolescents to be more active was successful in increasing their physical activity, with increases continuing over a 6 month period. The goal of the  study was Read more about Sports voucher program found to encourage kids to be more active

Frozen egg wastage prompts calls for women to donate unused eggs

Publicly released: Mon 11 Jan 2021 at 1106 AEDT | 1306 NZDT

BMJ Ethics

As more women postpone childbearing for social reasons and freeze their eggs, new research reveals that most don’t end up using them, leading to wastage. Current estimates suggest that less than one in five women who freeze their eggs will return Read more about Frozen egg wastage prompts calls for women to donate unused eggs

'The Meg' shark had giant babies that ate their unhatched siblings in the womb

Publicly released: Mon 11 Jan 2021 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Historical Biology

Megalodon or megatooth sharks, which lived nearly worldwide roughly 15-3. 6 million years ago, may have given birth to the largest babies in the shark world making it almost as terrifying IRL as in the sci-fi epic 'The Meg'. Researchers from the US Read more about 'The Meg' shark had giant babies that ate their unhatched siblings in the womb

Meaningful lockdown activity is more satisfying than busyness

Publicly released: Mon 11 Jan 2021 at 1048 AEDT | 1248 NZDT

PLOS ONE

With much of the world practising varying degrees of social distancing and lockdown, researchers have been investigating the key to happiness in isolation. New research shows people who pursue meaningful activities – things they enjoy doing – Read more about Meaningful lockdown activity is more satisfying than busyness

Lingering symptoms and diminishing immunity raise long-term concerns over COVID-19

Publicly released: Sat 9 Jan 2021 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The Lancet

More than three-quarters of COVID-19 patients have at least one ongoing symptom six months after initially becoming unwell, according to international researchers who surveyed over 1,700 patients in Wuhan, China. The most common persistent symptom Read more about Lingering symptoms and diminishing immunity raise long-term concerns over COVID-19

Tasmanian tiger pups found to be extraordinarily similar to wolf pups

Publicly released: Fri 8 Jan 2021 at 2000 AEDT | 2200 NZDT

Communications Biology

Researchers have established that there are more similarities between the thylacine and the wolf than previously thought. Micro-CT scanning and digital reconstructions have been used to compare the skulls of the Tasmanian tiger (thylacine) and wolf Read more about Tasmanian tiger pups found to be extraordinarily similar to wolf pups

Increased trust in government and science amid pandemic

Publicly released: Fri 8 Jan 2021 at 1824 AEDT | 2024 NZDT

Australian Journal of Public Administration

New Curtin University research has found a dramatic increase in people’s trust in government in Australia and New Zealand as a result of the COVID pandemic. New Curtin University research has found a dramatic increase in people’s trust in Read more about Increased trust in government and science amid pandemic