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Climate forecasts that span decades may help farmers prepare for the future
Nature Climate Change
Australian scientists introduced 24 Aussie farmers to My Climate View, an Australian online climate service that predicts conditions decades out, and asked them to identify, assess and discuss management of long-term risks in light of its Read more about Climate forecasts that span decades may help farmers prepare for the future
Australia; QLD; TAS; ACTCSIRO -
Designing a tiny new tool to map and treat children’s brain cancer
Advanced Science
Medulloblastoma is the most common cancerous brain tumour in children, and fighting it requires an approach that is delicate, durable, and direct. Now a group of researchers at UQ's Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) Read more about Designing a tiny new tool to map and treat children’s brain cancer
Australia; NSW; QLDAustralian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN)... -
Screens may not be the problem holding parents back from bonding with their child
Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Screens may not be the problem when it comes to parent-child interaction and bonding, according to international researchers who say being distracted is likely an issue whether it's screen-related or not. The team studied 50 pairs of parent and Read more about Screens may not be the problem holding parents back from bonding with their child
InternationalUniversity of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland -
New directions in urban and regional housing planning and development
Applied Geography
Machine learning models for more sustainable and affordable housing in regional areas, assessing bushfire risk as well as consideration for disability, biodiversity and also a place for animals in urban residential settings present new perspectives Read more about New directions in urban and regional housing planning and development
Australia; International; NSW; SAFlinders University -
Unlocking key answers on cell functioning
Nature Genetics
Peter Mac researchers have found the answer to a decades-long question on cell functioning that could lead to improved cancer treatments in the future. Peter Mac researchers have found the answer to a decades-long question on cell functioning that Read more about Unlocking key answers on cell functioning
Australia; VIC; QLDPeter MacCallum Cancer Centre|The University of Queensland... -
How do we manage the 'extreme risks' posed by advanced AIs?
Science
We've heard warnings that the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generalist AI systems that match or exceed human abilities, poses extreme risks to humanity, but how do we manage those risks? International researchers Read more about How do we manage the 'extreme risks' posed by advanced AIs?
InternationalUniversity of Oxford, UK, Quebec AI Institute, Canada, Université de Montréal, Canada -
EXPERT REACTION: Will greenhouse gases be ruled 'pollution' when it comes to the Law of the Sea?
On Tuesday 21 May, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) is expected to deliver an advisory opinion on what the 'United Nations Convention Law of the Sea' says about the obligations of countries to combat climate change. The Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Will greenhouse gases be ruled 'pollution' when it comes to the Law of the Sea?
Australia; New Zealand; Pacific; NSWAustralian Science Media Centre -
Annoying interruptions reduce productivity in the workplace
European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology
A team of researchers from The University of Queensland has found employees experience more stress at work when interrupted with requests for unnecessary or unreasonable tasks. A team of researchers from The University of Queensland has found Read more about Annoying interruptions reduce productivity in the workplace
Australia; International; QLDThe University of Queensland -
More research needed on airborne ultrasound health effects
Health Physics
Airborne ultrasound exposure guidelines from 1984 are being revisited by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection due to their use in emerging technology. Airborne ultrasound exposure guidelines from 1984 are being revisited Read more about More research needed on airborne ultrasound health effects
Australia; InternationalAustralian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) -
How this common cockroach took over the world
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)
Australian and international research has reconstructed the spread of the common German cockroach from an ancestor in Asia to every inhabited continent in the world. The researchers compared the DNA of 281 cockroaches collected from 17 countries Read more about How this common cockroach took over the world
Australia; International; WAThe University of Western Australia|National University of Singapore -
You may be able to improve your memory by simply trying harder
JNeurosci
If we try harder, we may be able to improve our memory, according to international research. To investigate how putting in effort impacts our memory, the researchers gave memory tasks of varying difficulty to a group of participants. The Read more about You may be able to improve your memory by simply trying harder
InternationalNew York University, USA -
Non-invasive spinal-cord stimulation improves arm and hand function
Nature Medicine
A non-invasive device for spinal-cord stimulation improved arm and hand function in 43 participants with tetraplegia (paralysis of the upper and lower body), according to international researchers who conducted a clinical trial on 60 participants, Read more about Non-invasive spinal-cord stimulation improves arm and hand function
InternationalUniversity of Washington, USA -
EXPERT REACTION: Fluoride exposure during pregnancy may be linked to neurobehavioural problems in kids
JAMA Network Open
An observational study in the US has found a link between fluoride intake during pregnancy and an increased risk of neurobehavioural problems among children living in an area with fluoridated water. The study included 229 pairs of predominately Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Fluoride exposure during pregnancy may be linked to neurobehavioural problems in kids
InternationalUniversity of Florida, USA -
Step count or total exercise time - which is best to keep older women healthy?
JAMA Internal Medicine
Older women could focus on their total step count or the amount of time they spend exercising and have similar results for their health, according to international research. The team collected step count and moderate to vigorous exercise data for Read more about Step count or total exercise time - which is best to keep older women healthy?
InternationalHarvard Medical School, USA -
2023's record low Antarctic sea ice ‘extremely unlikely’ without climate change
Geophysical Research Letters
UK scientists say record-low levels of sea ice around Antarctica in 2023 were extremely unlikely to happen without the influence of climate change. This low was a one-in-a-2000-year event without climate change and four times more likely under its Read more about 2023's record low Antarctic sea ice ‘extremely unlikely’ without climate change
InternationalBritish Antarctic Survey, UK -
Intriguing connections between Alzheimer’s disease and other common conditions
Alzheimer's & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring
A Florey study has found that while some medical conditions appear to increase our likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease, others appear to decrease the odds. People with anxiety and neurological disorders are 1. 5 and 2. 5 times more likely Read more about Intriguing connections between Alzheimer’s disease and other common conditions
Australia; International; VICFlorey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health -
Marine parks and fishery managment are both needed to save sharks and rays from extinction
Nature Ecology & Evolution
Marine parks, or marine protected areas, around the world have nearly twice as many sharks as areas open to fishing, according to Australian research, but it is only sharks living on coral reefs who benefit from this type of conservation effort. The Read more about Marine parks and fishery managment are both needed to save sharks and rays from extinction
Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; WA; TASCurtin University|James Cook University|Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS)... -
Fewer younger but more older Aussies getting non-melanoma skin cancers
Medical Journal of Australia
Australian researchers looked at data covering Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) claims for procedures related to the diagnosis and treatment of keratinocyte (non-melanoma) skin cancer in Australia between 2012 and 2021, and say rates of treatment Read more about Fewer younger but more older Aussies getting non-melanoma skin cancers
Australia; QLDQIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute|The University of Queensland -
Should voluntary assisted dying in Victoria be extended to people with dementia?
Medical Journal of Australia
In a 'Perspectives' article, Australian experts discuss extending voluntary assisted dying (VAD) in Victoria to include people with dementia, and say it raises serious philosophical, ethical and social questions that challenge the way VAD is Read more about Should voluntary assisted dying in Victoria be extended to people with dementia?
Australia; NSW; VIC; ACTMonash University|The University of Sydney|The University of Melbourne -
Around half of Aussie girls in their late teens have experienced serious period pain
Medical Journal of Australia
A long-term Australian study of period pain and its effects on around 1,600 teen girls' regular activities found about a third of 14-year-olds have experienced serious menstrual pain - defined as 'very painful' or 'quite painful' - while around half Read more about Around half of Aussie girls in their late teens have experienced serious period pain
Australia; VICDeakin University|Monash University|Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI)... -
Social media: the stuff of nightmares?
BMC Psychology
The more time you spend on social media, the greater the likelihood of having unpleasant social-media related dreams that cause distress, sleep disruption and impact our peace of mind, according to Australian researchers. Flinders University’s Read more about Social media: the stuff of nightmares?
Australia; International; SAFlinders University -
The tentacles of retracted science reach deep into social media. A simple button could change that.
Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction
On social media, health myths based on debunked science abound. A new tool could be social media’s best defence against misinformation. A University of Sydney team is hoping to help social media users identify posts featuring misinformation and Read more about The tentacles of retracted science reach deep into social media. A simple button could change that.
Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney -
Contraception options should be given with oral retinoids to avoid serious harm to unborn babies
Australasian Journal of Dermatology
Prescription oral retinoids to treat acne are increasing in popularity. Concerningly, data reveals not enough precautions are being taken to protect women from the risk of serious congenital abnormalities if they fall pregnant while on this Read more about Contraception options should be given with oral retinoids to avoid serious harm to unborn babies
Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney|The University of New South Wales -
Can we revolutionise the chemical industry and create a circular economy? Yes, with the help of catalysts
One Earth
A new commentary paper puts forth a transformative solution to the unsustainable reliance on fossil resources by the chemical industry: catalysis to leverage sustainable waste resources, ushering the industry from a linear to a circular economy. The Read more about Can we revolutionise the chemical industry and create a circular economy? Yes, with the help of catalysts
Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; SAGriffith University|The University of Sydney|The University of Adelaide... -
Adults who have recently vaped more likely to have asthma start at an earlier age
JAMA Network Open
Adults who have recently vaped or used other electronic nicotine delivery systems are more likely to have asthma symptoms start at an earlier age, according to a US study. The researchers found there was a 252% increased risk of the onset of Read more about Adults who have recently vaped more likely to have asthma start at an earlier age
InternationalUniversity of Texas, USA -
New AI tool to help beat brain tumours
Nature Medicine
A new AI tool to more quickly and accurately classify brain tumours has been developed by researchers at The Australian National University (ANU). According to Dr Danh-Tai Hoang, precision in diagnosing and categorising tumours is crucial for Read more about New AI tool to help beat brain tumours
Australia; ACTThe Australian National University -
Early arrival and expansion of palaeolithic people on Cyprus
PNAS
The patterns of dispersal of early humans across continents and islands are hotly debated, but researchers have found that Pleistocene hunter-gatherers settled in Cyprus thousands of years earlier than previously thought. In examining the timing of Read more about Early arrival and expansion of palaeolithic people on Cyprus
Australia; NSW; QLD; SAFlinders University|ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage (CABAH)... -
Artificial intelligence and the future of surgery
Nature Medicine
Artificial intelligence has the potential to transform surgical medicine for patients, doctors and the health system, according to a review published in Nature Medicine. University of Auckland researchers say that while autonomous robot-surgeons Read more about Artificial intelligence and the future of surgery
New Zealand; InternationalUniversity of Auckland|Scripps Research Translational Institute, University of Edinburgh -
Men at greater risk of major health effects of diabetes than women
the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health
Men are at greater risk than women of the major health effects of diabetes (types 1 and 2), suggests a long-term Australian study. Rates of cardiovascular disease, leg, foot, and kidney complications, and the sight-threatening eye disease diabetic Read more about Men at greater risk of major health effects of diabetes than women
Australia; NSW; WAThe University of Sydney|Curtin University -
Young people spending more than 7 hours on social media may increase their risk of smoking or vaping
Thorax
Children and young people who spend more than seven hours daily on social media have more than double the risk of smoking or vaping, according to international researchers who analysed data from almost 11,000 people in the UK aged between 10 and 25 Read more about Young people spending more than 7 hours on social media may increase their risk of smoking or vaping
InternationalImperial College London, UK -
NSW ocean observing program set for expansion
A pioneering ocean observing program based out of the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) will reinvigorate vital efforts to monitor the movements of threatened marine reptiles and mammals, enhance coastal observing and develop oceanographic Read more about NSW ocean observing program set for expansion
Australia; NSWSydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) -
Mediterranean diet linked to reduced anxiety
Nutrients
Consuming more nuts, fruit and legumes and fewer sugary drinks may help people aged over 60 feel less anxious and stressed, according to research led by the University of the Sunshine Coast. Consuming more nuts, fruit and legumes and fewer sugary Read more about Mediterranean diet linked to reduced anxiety
Australia; QLD; SAUniversity of the Sunshine Coast|University of South Australia -
The true cost of reproduction across the animal kingdom
Science
A new study published in Science and led by Monash University biologists reveals that the energy cost of reproduction is far greater than previously believed. The study found that the energy invested by parents in reproduction includes not only the Read more about The true cost of reproduction across the animal kingdom
Australia; VICMonash University -
When under stress we may be more likely to help a victim than punish a perpetrator
PLOS Biology
When under stress we may be more likely to help a victim than punish the perpetrator, according to Chinese research. The researchers conducted brain scans on around 50 people playing a game in which they had to watch a character split cash between Read more about When under stress we may be more likely to help a victim than punish a perpetrator
InternationalBeijing Normal University, China -
Pyramids along barren desert strip could hint at long-lost branch of the Nile
Communications Earth & Environment
A famous strip of ancient Egyptian pyramids could be a clue pointing to a long-lost branch of the river Nile now buried under farmland and desert, according to Australian and international researchers. 31 pyramids, including the Giza complex, have Read more about Pyramids along barren desert strip could hint at long-lost branch of the Nile
Australia; International; NSWMacquarie University|University of North Carolina, USA -
Fees-free prescriptions save millions in hospital costs, say researchers
New Zealand Medical Journal
New Zealand researchers have found that people who do not collect prescriptions due to cost are 34% more likely to go to hospital within the year than those who were able to afford their medication. The authors say that any revenue to the health Read more about Fees-free prescriptions save millions in hospital costs, say researchers
New ZealandVictoria University of Wellington -
Trans teen attempts mastectomy on self
New Zealand Medical Journal
This media release contains information some readers may find distressing as it refers to mental health and self-harm. If you or anyone you know needs help, support is available now. Call Lifeline (Aus) on 131 114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or Read more about Trans teen attempts mastectomy on self
New ZealandWellington Regional Hospital -
NZ melanoma deaths drop by a third over the past decade
New Zealand Medical Journal
Deaths from melanoma have reduced by one third over the past decade in New Zealand despite no overall decrease in new cases. Authors of an Editorial in the New Zealand Medical Journal say this is most likely due to increased awareness which leads to Read more about NZ melanoma deaths drop by a third over the past decade
New ZealandUniversity of Auckland|University of Waikato|Clinical Trials New Zealand -
Almost one in five ED presentations are by current or former mental health clients
New Zealand Medical Journal
Almost one in five emergency department presentations between 2017 and 2018 were by current (7%) or former (11%) mental health clients, finds a new study in the New Zealand Medical Journal. They were often younger, female and Māori, required more Read more about Almost one in five ED presentations are by current or former mental health clients
New ZealandUniversity of Otago -
Scrapping the Māori Health Authority is a breach of Te Tiriti, say researchers
New Zealand Medical Journal
In a Viewpoint article for the New Zealand Medical Journal, researchers argue that the disestablishment of the Māori Health Authority had very little compliance with Te Tiriti o Waitangi and will halt and reverse momentum towards a more equitable Read more about Scrapping the Māori Health Authority is a breach of Te Tiriti, say researchers
New ZealandVictoria University of Wellington -
Very early blood pressure control confers both benefits and harms in acute stroke
New England Journal of Medicine
Early identification of stroke type could be key to harnessing the benefits of very early in-ambulance blood pressure lowering treatment in patients with suspected acute stroke, according to Aussie researchers. The team says that although more Read more about Very early blood pressure control confers both benefits and harms in acute stroke
InternationalGeorge Institute for Global Health -
IDAHOBIT and intersectionality for Aboriginal LGBTQIA+ peoples
With the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) comes a chance to reflect on empirical research about the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who identify as members of the Read more about IDAHOBIT and intersectionality for Aboriginal LGBTQIA+ peoples
Australia; WAMurdoch University -
EXPERT REACTION: Electronic prescription company MediSecure victim of 'large-scale' data breach
The Australian government is investigating 'large-scale ransomware' data breach of script provider MediSecure. In a statement, MediSecure said they had identified a cyber security incident impacting the personal and health information of individuals Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Electronic prescription company MediSecure victim of 'large-scale' data breach
Australia; VIC; SA; WAAustralian Science Media Centre -
Miniature, lab-created human organs to fast-track new disease treatments
Creating tiny, laboratory grown organs is one of the latest developments in the search for new personalised medical treatments — and a new Curtin University-led project is looking to enhance this breakthrough’s real-world impact. Creating tiny, Read more about Miniature, lab-created human organs to fast-track new disease treatments
AustraliaCurtin University -
Significant progress on cancer therapy
International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics
Research demonstrated that internally generated neutrons could be used to effectively target micro-infiltrates and cancer cells outside of the defined treatment regions. This innovative approach could have a significant impact on the treatment of a Read more about Significant progress on cancer therapy
Australia; NSWAustralian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)... -
Diabetes medication risk in aged care revealed
Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice
An Australian-first study by the Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA) investigating the use of blood sugar-lowering medications among residents with diabetes in aged care homes nationwide, has revealed the rising use of insulin and ongoing high use Read more about Diabetes medication risk in aged care revealed
Australia; SASouth Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)... -
Link between COVID-19 vaccine complication and rare ‘common cold’ blood disease
New England Journal of Medicine
New research led by Flinders University and international experts is expanding understanding of vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (known as VITT). At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, VITT emerged as a new disease Read more about Link between COVID-19 vaccine complication and rare ‘common cold’ blood disease
Australia; SAFlinders University -
Philosophers can bridge the gap between science and policy
Nature Human Behaviour
Public policy should be based on scientific evidence - but scientists often lament the gap between science and policy, while policy-makers feel that scientists don’t deliver the evidence that is needed. Philosophers can close that gap. Public Read more about Philosophers can bridge the gap between science and policy
Australia; New Zealand; International; QLD; WAMurdoch University|Queensland University of Technology (QUT) -
Sorry meat lovers, 20 years of research suggests plant-based is best for your health
PLOS ONE
Vegetarian and vegan diets are very likely to be better than meaty ones for your heart health and chances of avoiding cancer, according to international scientists who looked back at 48 studies conducted since the year 2000. However, the authors Read more about Sorry meat lovers, 20 years of research suggests plant-based is best for your health
InternationalUniversity of Bologna, Italy -
Singing researchers investigate cross-cultural patterns in music and speech
Science Advances
A global study has identified near-universal patterns across most of the world's musical traditions. Seventy-five researchers from 46 countries, including New Zealand and Australia, recorded themselves performing traditional songs and speaking in Read more about Singing researchers investigate cross-cultural patterns in music and speech
Australia; New Zealand; International; NSWUniversity of Auckland|Victoria University of Wellington...