Do antidepressants help chronic back pain and osteoarthritis?

Publicly released: Thu 21 Jan 2021 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The BMJ

Antidepressants are commonly used worldwide to treat pain, however new research from the University of Sydney shows they offer little to no help for people suffering chronic back pain and osteoarthritis and may even cause harm. Antidepressants are Read more about Do antidepressants help chronic back pain and osteoarthritis?

Indigenous lands: a haven for wildlife

Publicly released: Thu 21 Jan 2021 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

Conservation Biology

Indigenous peoples’ lands may harbour a significant proportion of threatened and endangered species globally, according to University of Queensland-led research. Indigenous peoples’ lands may harbour a significant proportion of threatened and Read more about Indigenous lands: a haven for wildlife

How Silicon Valley elites see the world

Publicly released: Thu 21 Jan 2021 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLoS ONE

The 100 richest information technology entrepreneurs see the world in similar meritocratic, self-affirming and self-serving terms, according to an analysis of their own official and unofficial statements. However, their belief that there is little Read more about How Silicon Valley elites see the world

The origins of money: Ancient European hoards may contain early currency

Publicly released: Thu 21 Jan 2021 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

When did money start making the world go round? International researchers say ancient Bronze Age people may have used rings and axe blades as an early form of money, even going so far as to standardise the shape and weight of their currency. The Read more about The origins of money: Ancient European hoards may contain early currency

Fish out of water: The genetics of evolving onto land

Publicly released: Thu 21 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

The transition of creatures from sea to land life is still poorly understood, so European researchers sequenced the genome of a "living fossil", the Australian lungfish. to learn more about this important evolutionary step. They found genetic Read more about Fish out of water: The genetics of evolving onto land

Online cognitive behavioural therapy could help people with depression, even without a therapist

Publicly released: Thu 21 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Psychiatry

Online cognitive behavioural therapy can help people with depression, and for those with mild depression, they may not even need to be guided by a therapist, according to Australian and international research. The analysis of previous research found Read more about Online cognitive behavioural therapy could help people with depression, even without a therapist

In hotter water: Climate change prolongs lake heatwaves

Publicly released: Thu 21 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature

Climate change may have more prolonged effects on heat waves in lakes than on dry land. A research team led by the European Space Agency used satellite observations and modelling to investigate changes in lake heatwaves for hundreds of lakes Read more about In hotter water: Climate change prolongs lake heatwaves

How dolphin airways could help save endangered whales

Publicly released: Wed 20 Jan 2021 at 1200 AEDT | 1400 NZDT

BMC Microbiology

A UNSW study shows airway bacteria can indicate the health of dolphins and whales ­– a finding that could benefit endangered species like the northern right and blue whales. A UNSW researcher has found promising evidence that airway samples Read more about How dolphin airways could help save endangered whales

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