The world’s fastest optical neuromorphic processor

Publicly released: Thu 7 Jan 2021 at 0800 AEDT | 1000 NZDT

Nature

An international research team led by Swinburne University of Technology has demonstrated the world’s fastest and most powerful optical neuromorphic processor for artificial intelligence (AI), which operates at faster than 10 trillion operations Read more about The world’s fastest optical neuromorphic processor

Not just a guys’ club: resistance training benefits older women just as much as older men

Publicly released: Thu 7 Jan 2021 at 0700 AEDT | 0900 NZDT

Sports Medicine

Sure, everything might come down to sex – but not when strength training is concerned. Men and women aged over 50 can reap similar relative benefits from resistance training, a new study led by UNSW Sydney shows. Men and women aged over 50 can Read more about Not just a guys’ club: resistance training benefits older women just as much as older men

How to talk about death, dying

Publicly released: Thu 7 Jan 2021 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Our reluctance to think, talk or communicate about death is even more pronounced when we deal with others’ loss compared to our own, new research finds, but either way we tend to frame attitudes and emotions in a sad and negative way. Teaching new Read more about How to talk about death, dying

Genomes reveal new insights into iconic Aussie animals

Publicly released: Thu 7 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature

Australian scientists have published the full genetic code of the egg-laying monotreme mammals, platypus and echidna. Monotremes display a unique mix of mammalian and reptilian features and form the most distantly related, and least understood, Read more about Genomes reveal new insights into iconic Aussie animals

Where have all the platypuses gone? Five Brisbane waterways are no longer home to the Aussie icon

Publicly released: Thu 7 Jan 2021 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Australian Mammalogy

Five waterways near Brisbane that were once home to platypuses may no longer have platypuses living there, say Australian researchers, who looked for platypus DNA in 54 waterways around Brisbane. Areas of concern they found were the mid to upper Read more about Where have all the platypuses gone? Five Brisbane waterways are no longer home to the Aussie icon

A tale of two cities: Renters in Melbourne and Sydney flock to CBDs while home owners hit the 'burbs

Publicly released: Wed 6 Jan 2021 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society A

Renters in Melbourne and Sydney tend to cluster nearer commercial centres, whereas mortgagors tend to populate the outer suburbs, Australian researchers have found. The study found that both cities are developing towards having multiple cities Read more about A tale of two cities: Renters in Melbourne and Sydney flock to CBDs while home owners hit the 'burbs

Facebook data could map COVID transmission risk in Aussie outbreaks

Publicly released: Wed 6 Jan 2021 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Journal of the Royal Society Interface

Facebook's mobility data could be used to estimate the spread of COVID-19 transmission risk from locations where active cases have been identified, say Australian researchers. The team used the data, which tells them the number of people moving Read more about Facebook data could map COVID transmission risk in Aussie outbreaks

Cats vs Quolls: Feral cats are a triple threat compared to native predators

Publicly released: Wed 6 Jan 2021 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society B

Compared to native predators like quolls, feral cats pose a triple threat to native wildlife thanks to their sheer numbers, foraging intensity and their ability to live in a range of environments, according to Australian research. The study found Read more about Cats vs Quolls: Feral cats are a triple threat compared to native predators

Looking at nature can lower your brain's load

Publicly released: Wed 6 Jan 2021 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Royal Society Open Science

Compared to looking at urban landscapes, looking at nature scenes, even for a short time, can lower your brain's cognitive load and even help you walk quicker, according to UK research. The study placed people in front of either city or nature Read more about Looking at nature can lower your brain's load

Evidence review confirms COVID-19 is generally ‘mild’ in young children

Publicly released: Wed 6 Jan 2021 at 0922 AEDT | 1122 NZDT

Vaccine

Babies and asymptomatic cases account for up to half of COVID-19 infections in the under-five age group, which has implications for vaccination programs, a new UNSW study has found. A systematic review and meta-analysis of international COVID-19 Read more about Evidence review confirms COVID-19 is generally ‘mild’ in young children