Goldilocks and the three quantum dots: This one’s just right for peak solar panel performance

Publicly released: Mon 21 Dec 2020 at 0930 AEDT | 1130 NZDT

Nanoscale

Maximising the efficiency of renewable energy technology is dependent on creating nanoparticles with ideal dimensions and density, new simulations have shown. Scientists in Australia have developed a process for calculating the perfect size and Read more about Goldilocks and the three quantum dots: This one’s just right for peak solar panel performance

Tube fishway technology will get fish up and over those dam walls

Publicly released: Mon 21 Dec 2020 at 0800 AEDT | 1000 NZDT

New technology that allows fish to glide past dam walls, weirs and other river barriers has the potential to revitalise Australia’s ailing freshwater fish stocks. Read more about Tube fishway technology will get fish up and over those dam walls

Seeking answers in ferroelectric patterning

Publicly released: Sat 19 Dec 2020 at 1122 AEDT | 1322 NZDT

Why do some ferroelectric materials display ‘bubble’-shaped patterning, while others display complex, labyrinthine patterns? A FLEET/UNSW study finds the changing patterns in ferroelectric films are driven by non-equilibrium dynamics, with Read more about Seeking answers in ferroelectric patterning

Does low self-esteem in teens predict depression?

Publicly released: Sat 19 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Australian researchers looked at the link between low self-esteem and self-criticism in 243 Aussie teens and the development of depression. They found no effect of self-criticism, but having low self-esteem meant teens were more likely to suffer Read more about Does low self-esteem in teens predict depression?

How modelling helped our COVID response

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 1220 AEDT | 1420 NZDT

Multiple models helped achieve the successful pandemic management strategies implemented in Australia at both state and national level, yesterday’s first Cosmos Briefing was told. Professor Jodie McVernon, form Doherty Epidemiology, and Read more about How modelling helped our COVID response

Cocktail of antibodies can cut COVID-19 viral load

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 1200 AEDT | 1400 NZDT

NEJM

A study carried out and funded by pharmaceutical company Regeneron tested the firm's cocktail of antibodies known as REGN-COV2 on 275 COVID-19 patients with mild disease, and found administering the cocktail reduced the amount of virus circulating Read more about Cocktail of antibodies can cut COVID-19 viral load

Trial data confirms two doses of Oxford/ AstraZeneca COVID vaccine are better than one

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 1144 AEDT | 1344 NZDT

Nature Medicine

Having two doses of the Oxford/ AstraZeneca COVID vaccine known as, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, produces a better immune response than a single dose, according to two new research papers. The studies looked at a full dose followed by either a full dose or half Read more about Trial data confirms two doses of Oxford/ AstraZeneca COVID vaccine are better than one

COVID-19 is now the USA's biggest killer

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 1130 AEDT | 1330 NZDT

JAMA

The uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 in the USA means it is currently the leading cause of death in the country, overtaking heart disease and cancer, according to a 'Viewpoint' article by US scientists. Between November 1st 2020, and December 13th, Read more about COVID-19 is now the USA's biggest killer

Released captive quolls able to hunt in the wild, even munching on a penguin

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 1111 AEDT | 1311 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Captive bread eastern quolls that were released into Booderee National Park can hunt small mammals, invertebrates, birds, reptiles, frogs and fish, but also make use of supplementary feed stations, say Australian researchers. The study analysed Read more about Released captive quolls able to hunt in the wild, even munching on a penguin

Dad’s health can affect pregnancy too

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 1105 AEDT | 1305 NZDT

Human Reproduction

Poor health in men is linked to higher risk of pregnancy loss in their partners. A review of nearly one million US medical insurance records found that if the father-to-be has three or more medical conditions such as obesity, diabetes, high blood Read more about Dad’s health can affect pregnancy too