New eco-friendly way to make ammonia could be boon for agriculture, hydrogen economy

Publicly released: Wed 20 Jan 2021 at 1130 AEDT | 1330 NZDT

Energy and Environmental Science

Ammonia has sustained humanity since the early 20th century, but its production leaves a huge carbon footprint. Now researchers have found a way to make it 100 per cent renewable. Chemical engineers at UNSW Sydney have found a way to make Read more about New eco-friendly way to make ammonia could be boon for agriculture, hydrogen economy

Did hot girls start as boys? Heat may override genetics when it comes to the sex of our Jacky dragon

Publicly released: Wed 20 Jan 2021 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society B

In many reptiles, sex is determined by incubation temperature, but Australian researchers say for one Aussie lizard, the Jacky dragon, there may be a previously unrecognised role for genes too. The Jacky dragon tends to have female babies when Read more about Did hot girls start as boys? Heat may override genetics when it comes to the sex of our Jacky dragon

Mantis males must wrestle if they don't want to lose their heads

Publicly released: Wed 20 Jan 2021 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Biology Letters

The praying mantis has a reputation for cannibalism because females often eat males before they get a chance to mate, but it turns out that for one species, the Springbok mantis, the boys may have a way to escape this deadly love. Australian Read more about Mantis males must wrestle if they don't want to lose their heads

Is COVID-19 affecting male fertility?

Publicly released: Wed 20 Jan 2021 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Royal Society Open Biology

International scientists warn that COVID-19 may affect fertility in men, and may even be passed on through sex. The researchers reviewed existing studies, and say there is some preliminary evidence that the male reproductive system may be targeted Read more about Is COVID-19 affecting male fertility?

Time to act on autism diagnosis deficiencies

Publicly released: Wed 20 Jan 2021 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

Frontiers in Neurology

Identification of autism, followed by appropriate intervention, has the potential to improve outcomes for autistic individuals – but Flinders University experts say that presently not enough qualified people can diagnose. Professor Robyn Young, a Read more about Time to act on autism diagnosis deficiencies

Schools and parents urged to register for food safety training (plus Summer lunch box food safety tips)

Publicly released: Wed 20 Jan 2021 at 0700 AEDT | 0900 NZDT

With an estimated 4. 1 million cases of food poisoning in Australia each year the Food Safety Information Council is urging parents, school canteen volunteers and high school students to learn more about food safety. Young people in particular have Read more about Schools and parents urged to register for food safety training (plus Summer lunch box food safety tips)

Immunotherapy trial launched to protect children who undergo stem cell transplants

Publicly released: Wed 20 Jan 2021 at 0700 AEDT | 0900 NZDT

Stem cell transplants for blood cancers or inherited immune deficiencies are high-risk procedures that are required to cure otherwise life-threatening diseases, but many patients develop viral complications. Australian researchers have begun a Read more about Immunotherapy trial launched to protect children who undergo stem cell transplants

Higher risk of ADHD in kids if their mother has an autoimmune disease

Publicly released: Wed 20 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Pediatrics

Mothers with autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, psoriasis and rheumatic fever may be more likely to have kids who have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), say Aussie researchers. The study looked at over 60,000 children in Read more about Higher risk of ADHD in kids if their mother has an autoimmune disease

Wearing a mask seems to reduce COVID-19 transmission

Publicly released: Tue 19 Jan 2021 at 2300 AEDT | Wed 20 Jan 2021 at 0100 NZDT

The Lancet Digital Health

Wearing a mask may help control COVID-19 transmission in the community, according to international research, which analysed data from 300,000 people in the US. The study found that when people reported an increase in mask-wearing of 10 per cent, the Read more about Wearing a mask seems to reduce COVID-19 transmission

Nano-thin piezoelectrics advance self-powered electronics

Publicly released: Tue 19 Jan 2021 at 2200 AEDT | Wed 20 Jan 2021 at 0000 NZDT

Materials Today

A new type of ultra-efficient, nano-thin material could advance self-powered electronics, wearable technologies and even deliver pacemakers powered by heart beats. A new type of ultra-efficient, nano-thin material could advance Read more about Nano-thin piezoelectrics advance self-powered electronics