An insight into asthma attacks points the way to potential treatments

Publicly released: Tue 5 Jan 2021 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

PNAS

Australian researchers have studied the lung immune response during an asthma attack in a mouse model of the disease and found that a protein involved in inflammation called Interleukin-13 (IL-13) may play a key role in asthma attacks. The authors Read more about An insight into asthma attacks points the way to potential treatments

Cities could warm by more than 4°C by the end of the century

Publicly released: Tue 5 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Climate Change

Cities across the globe could warm more than 4°C under a high-emissions climate change scenario, and experience a relative humidity decrease by 2100, according to international research. Cities tend to warm more than other areas because built Read more about Cities could warm by more than 4°C by the end of the century

Fish sex organs boosted under high-CO2

Publicly released: Wed 30 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS Biology

Research from the University of Adelaide has found that some species of fish will have higher reproductive capacity because of larger sex organs, under the more acidic oceans of the future. Published in PLOS Biology, the researchers say that far Read more about Fish sex organs boosted under high-CO2

Weedy Seadragon genomics reveal highly distinct populations

Publicly released: Thu 24 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

To describe weedy seadragons as unique is an understatement. With a fused, elongated jaw, body armour, leafy appendages and no pelvic fins, these fish are like no other. Found only along Australia’s temperate coast, numbers have been declining. Read more about Weedy Seadragon genomics reveal highly distinct populations

Focus on seasonal, not yearly, changes when considering impacts of climate change

Publicly released: Thu 24 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Results from a 40-year study of a Montana prairie say may be better to look at local and seasonal changes -- compared to yearly climate changes -- when forecasting how climate change affects ecosystems. Over the four decades, temperature increased Read more about Focus on seasonal, not yearly, changes when considering impacts of climate change

Youth workers: care for yourself in order to help others

Publicly released: Thu 24 Dec 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Drug and Alcohol Review

Youth workers need to be kind to themselves in order to be better at their jobs, say Aussie researchers who surveyed 258 Aussie youth alcohol and other drug workers. They found that burnout and secondary traumatic stress was associated with less Read more about Youth workers: care for yourself in order to help others

Wear a mask and step back: Masks could block almost all those COVID droplets

Publicly released: Wed 23 Dec 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Royal Society Open Science

Masks can block 99. 9 per cent of COVID-linked droplets, say international researchers who measured droplets spread by coughs and speaking, with and without surgical or handmade cotton face masks. They estimate a person standing 2m from someone Read more about Wear a mask and step back: Masks could block almost all those COVID droplets

Tasmania may help save the rock wallaby

Publicly released: Wed 23 Dec 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Royal Society Open Science

Maria Island, off Tasmania's eastern coast, could be a suitable spot to move an insurance population of endangered brush-tailed rock wallabies to help stop them becoming extinct, according to Australian research. The recent Australian mega-fires Read more about Tasmania may help save the rock wallaby

Aged care residents experience a different kind of reality

Publicly released: Wed 23 Dec 2020 at 1009 AEDT | 1209 NZDT

Journal of Medical Internet Research

Cutting-edge technology is normally associated with youth, but a group of aged care residents in Adelaide are learning how useful (and how much fun) virtual reality can be. Read more about Aged care residents experience a different kind of reality

How COVID-19 polarised politics: #IStandWithDan versus #DictatorDan

Publicly released: Wed 23 Dec 2020 at 0926 AEDT | 1126 NZDT

Media International Australia

A QUT study of two interrelated Twitter hashtag campaigns in relation to the Victorian Premier Dan Andrews’ handling of the COVID-19 second wave found the activity was driven by a “small, hyper-partisan core of highly active participants” and Read more about How COVID-19 polarised politics: #IStandWithDan versus #DictatorDan