Air pollution linked to increased risk of progressive and irreversible blindness

Publicly released: Tue 26 Jan 2021 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

British Journal of Ophthalmology

Air pollution has been linked to an increased risk of progressive and irreversible sight loss, known as age-related macular degeneration, according to UK research. The study of over 100,000 people found that people who were exposed to higher fine Read more about Air pollution linked to increased risk of progressive and irreversible blindness

Afternoon naps may boost your brain

Publicly released: Tue 26 Jan 2021 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

General Psychiatry

If you were looking for an excuse to sneak in a quick siesta, Chinese scientists say taking a regular afternoon nap may be linked to improved mental agility. They studied 2,214 people, 1,534 of whom enjoyed a regular afternoon snooze, and say a Read more about Afternoon naps may boost your brain

Music can soothe following major heart surgery

Publicly released: Tue 26 Jan 2021 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Open Heart

Listening to music is linked to a significant reduction in anxiety and pain after major heart surgery, according to Dutch scientists who brought together previous research on the subject and re-analysed the pooled results. As music has neither risks Read more about Music can soothe following major heart surgery

Musicians have more connected brains than non-musicians, even without perfect pitch

Publicly released: Tue 26 Jan 2021 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

JNeurosci

The brains of musicians have stronger structural and functional connections compared to those of non-musicians, according to international research. Musicians that began their training at a younger age also had stronger structural connections than Read more about Musicians have more connected brains than non-musicians, even without perfect pitch

Veterans exposed to Agent Orange have almost double the dementia risk

Publicly released: Tue 26 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Neurology

Veterans exposed to Agent Orange are nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with dementia, according to a US study. Additional studies are needed to examine potential mechanisms underlying the association between Agent Orange exposure and dementia. Read more about Veterans exposed to Agent Orange have almost double the dementia risk

Pre-Incan gold – guano created agricultural oases in the Atacama desert

Publicly released: Tue 26 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Plants

Parts of Chile’s Atacama desert became an unlikely food bowl thanks to bird poo. Analysis of plant and food remains found that around 1,100 years ago their nitrogen isotope content rose substantially, particularly for maize. Similar patterns of Read more about Pre-Incan gold – guano created agricultural oases in the Atacama desert

Discovery makes the invisible visible

Publicly released: Tue 26 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Photonics

Australian scientists have discovered a new way to analyse microscopic cells, tissues and other transparent specimens, through the improvement of an almost 100-year-old imaging technique. Australian scientists have discovered a new way to analyse Read more about Discovery makes the invisible visible

Seaweed's spread around the world reflected in its genomes

Publicly released: Tue 26 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Ecology & Evolution

The intentional and unintentional spread of the seaweed Undaria pinnatifida to other parts of the world has left genetic traces on its genomes, an international study involving New Zealand researchers has found. While native to Northeast Asia, the Read more about Seaweed's spread around the world reflected in its genomes

Smoking increases your risk of severe COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 26 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Internal Medicine

The more packets of cigarettes you smoke over your lifetime, the higher your risk may be of being hospitalised or dying from COVID-19, according to US research. Previously evidence to link smoking to COVID-19 risk had been limited and often Read more about Smoking increases your risk of severe COVID-19

Social immunity in a social insect

Publicly released: Tue 26 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Honey bees are able to combat the parasitic Varroa mite through social immunity. This is a collective behavioural defence strategy that involves Varroa-infected brood releasing chemicals than stimulate worker bees to remove the parasitised larvae. Read more about Social immunity in a social insect