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Epidurals linked to reduced risk of serious complications after childbirth
The BMJ
Having an epidural during labour is linked to a marked reduction in serious complications in the first few weeks after giving birth, according to UK scientists who looked at data for more than half a million Scottish mums whose babies were born Read more about Epidurals linked to reduced risk of serious complications after childbirth
InternationalUniversity of Glasgow, UK, University of Bristol, UK, KU Leuven, Belgium -
US abortion rights withdrawal has created complex ethical and legal challenges for patients and providers
The Lancet and The Lancet Psychiatry
It's almost two years since the US Supreme Court withdrew women's constitutional right to abortion there, and experts writing in three 'viewpoint' articles say the effects of the ban are not yet fully clear. In two articles published in The Lancet, Read more about US abortion rights withdrawal has created complex ethical and legal challenges for patients and providers
Australia; InternationalThe National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, USA, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, USA -
Academy announces 2024 Fellows for outstanding contributions to science
An expert in spider venoms, a leader in plant science, an authority on star formation and an oncologist who has changed the way melanoma is treated are among 24 researchers elected as Fellows of the Australian Academy of Science. An expert in spider Read more about Academy announces 2024 Fellows for outstanding contributions to science
AustraliaAustralian Academy of Science -
Breastfeeding infants may be cheaper for the healthcare system
PLOS ONE
Infants exclusively breastfed during their first 6-8 weeks are less likely to use healthcare services and incur lower costs to the healthcare system, according to international researchers. The team used data from 502,948 babies born in Scotland Read more about Breastfeeding infants may be cheaper for the healthcare system
InternationalPublic Health Scotland, UK -
Marines test Bronze Age Greek armour and find it's battleworthy
PLOS ONE
A famous Mycenaean suit of armour that dates back 3,500 years was not just ceremonial, but suitable for extended combat, say international scientists who asked 13 Greek marines to test replicas of the suit against weaponry used at the time during 11 Read more about Marines test Bronze Age Greek armour and find it's battleworthy
InternationalUniversity of Thessaly, Greece -
Twitter may have been overlooking misinformation superspreaders, and X probably isn't much better
PLOS ONE
Twitter could be overlooking misinformation ‘superspreaders’, according to international researchers who analysed over two million tweets over a ten-month period in 2020, before the platform was bought by Elon Musk and transformed into ‘X’. Read more about Twitter may have been overlooking misinformation superspreaders, and X probably isn't much better
InternationalIndiana University, USA -
Problematic smartphone use in common among young people with mental health issues
PLOS ONE
Researchers in the UK have found high levels of social media and smartphone use among a group of teens and young adults accessing mental health support. The study of social media and smartphone use in young people accessing mental health Read more about Problematic smartphone use in common among young people with mental health issues
InternationalKing’s College London, UK -
Can teens transmit mental disorders to their schoolmates?
JAMA Psychiatry
Finnish and UK scientists say it may be possible for adolescents to transmit mental disorders to their schoolmates, although it's not clear how or why it might happen. They looked at data on more than 700,000 Finnish people and found those who had Read more about Can teens transmit mental disorders to their schoolmates?
InternationalUniversity of Helsinki, Finland -
Severe morning sickness is not 'normal' or 'harmless' and now a genetic discovery points to possible treatments
Trends in Molecular Medicine
Severe morning sickness, known as hyperemesis gravidarum, is not 'harmless or normal' and pregnant people with hyperemesis gravidarum are essentially starving, says a geneticist who recently discovered a gene behind the condition. In a comment piece Read more about Severe morning sickness is not 'normal' or 'harmless' and now a genetic discovery points to possible treatments
InternationalUniversity of Southern California, USA -
Exploring gender identity as a young adult is not directly linked to greater mental health risks
JAMA Network Open
Homophobia and transphobia are likely the cause of higher levels of depression in gender-diverse young adults rather than gender diversity itself, according to international research. The team followed a group of 366 gay, lesbian, bisexual and gender Read more about Exploring gender identity as a young adult is not directly linked to greater mental health risks
InternationalUniversity of Texas, USA -
Excavation reveals ‘major’ ancient migration to Timor Island
Nature Communications
The discovery of thousands of stone artefacts and animal bones in a deep cave in Timor Island has led archaeologists to reassess the route that early humans took to reach Australia. Researchers from The Australian National University (ANU), Flinders Read more about Excavation reveals ‘major’ ancient migration to Timor Island
Australia; Pacific; International; NSW; SA; ACTThe Australian National University|Flinders University... -
EXPERT REACTION: Bird flu (H7N3) detected at Victorian poultry farm
Avian influenza, or bird flu, has been detected on an egg farm in Victoria's west, according to Agriculture Victoria. Testing has revealed the strain to be H7N3. Agriculture Victoria says the property has been placed into quarantine and Agriculture Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Bird flu (H7N3) detected at Victorian poultry farm
Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; WA; TAS; ACTAustralian Science Media Centre -
Bilingual babies start to pick up multiple languages in the womb
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
Babies are already learning about speech when in the womb, and international researchers say this extends to learning about multiple languages. The team recruited mothers of 131 newborn babies in Catalonia, where nearly half the population are Read more about Bilingual babies start to pick up multiple languages in the womb
InternationalUniversity of Barcelona, Spain -
STIs surge around the world
New data show sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are increasing in many regions of the world, according to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO). Syphilis cases among adults aged 15-49 years increased by over a million in 2022 Read more about STIs surge around the world
Australia; InternationalWorld Health Organization (WHO) -
Autistic-led study reveals urgent priorities for supporting autistic girls and gender diverse youth
The Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
A new study led by autistic people and researchers from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) sheds light on the challenges faced by autistic girls, women and gender diverse people within healthcare, the education system and society. A new study Read more about Autistic-led study reveals urgent priorities for supporting autistic girls and gender diverse youth
Australia; NSWUniversity of Technology Sydney (UTS) -
Govts should rein in social media companies - not teenagers
Governments across Australia wanting to ban social media for some young people is a worrying response to an apparent inability to appropriately regulate social media platforms, according to a University of the Sunshine Coast journalism academic. Read more about Govts should rein in social media companies - not teenagers
Australia; QLDUniversity of the Sunshine Coast -
How do cancer cells exploit the immune system?
Immunity
New research from Peter Mac has led to an important discovery that may overcome cancer treatment resistance. The immune system has a naturally occurring ‘brake’ that tells the body to silence key killer immune cells called CD8+ T-cells as a Read more about How do cancer cells exploit the immune system?
Australia; International; NSW; VIC; QLD; ACTPeter MacCallum Cancer Centre|Garvan Institute of Medical Research... -
Key to more effective vaccines revealed
Immunology & Cell Biology
Researchers from the Centenary Institute and the University of Sydney have made a major discovery in vaccine science, gaining new insights into delta inulin as a crucial vaccine component. Their findings offer a promising pathway for advancing the Read more about Key to more effective vaccines revealed
Australia; NSW; QLDCentenary Institute|The University of Sydney|Griffith University -
Kanga-boo! Aussie animals fear humans the most
Proceedings of the Royal Society B
Kangaroos, wallabies and other Aussie marsupials are more afraid of humans than other predators, even when we are just 'talking calmly', according to Australian research. The researchers compared the responses of introduced fallow deer and four Read more about Kanga-boo! Aussie animals fear humans the most
Australia; TASUniversity of Tasmania|University of Washington, USA,University of Western Ontario, Canada -
Big personalities make big bucks
Royal Society Open Science
People with higher incomes tend to be more extraverted, more conscientious, more open to experiences and less neurotic, according to four years of data from the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Survey. However, those who received a salary boost one Read more about Big personalities make big bucks
New ZealandUniversity of Canterbury
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