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Musicians have more connected brains than non-musicians, even without perfect pitch
JNeurosci
The brains of musicians have stronger structural and functional connections compared to those of non-musicians, according to international research. Musicians that began their training at a younger age also had stronger structural connections than Read more about Musicians have more connected brains than non-musicians, even without perfect pitch
InternationalUniversity of Zurich, Switzerland, Stanford University, USA -
Discovery makes the invisible visible
Nature Photonics
Australian scientists have discovered a new way to analyse microscopic cells, tissues and other transparent specimens, through the improvement of an almost 100-year-old imaging technique. Australian scientists have discovered a new way to analyse Read more about Discovery makes the invisible visible
Australia; VIC; ACTLa Trobe University|The University of Melbourne|The Australian National University... -
Seaweed's spread around the world reflected in its genomes
Nature Ecology & Evolution
The intentional and unintentional spread of the seaweed Undaria pinnatifida to other parts of the world has left genetic traces on its genomes, an international study involving New Zealand researchers has found. While native to Northeast Asia, the Read more about Seaweed's spread around the world reflected in its genomes
New Zealand; InternationalNational Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)... -
Smoking increases your risk of severe COVID-19
JAMA Internal Medicine
The more packets of cigarettes you smoke over your lifetime, the higher your risk may be of being hospitalised or dying from COVID-19, according to US research. Previously evidence to link smoking to COVID-19 risk had been limited and often Read more about Smoking increases your risk of severe COVID-19
InternationalCleveland Clinic, USA -
Social immunity in a social insect
Honey bees are able to combat the parasitic Varroa mite through social immunity. This is a collective behavioural defence strategy that involves Varroa-infected brood releasing chemicals than stimulate worker bees to remove the parasitised larvae. Read more about Social immunity in a social insect
New Zealand; InternationalUniversity of Otago|National Research Institute for Agriculture Food and Environment, France -
Kakadu food scraps provide ancient rainfall clues
Nature Ecology and Evolution
Archaeologists are generating a 65,000-year-old rainfall record from ancient food scraps found at Australia’s earliest-known site of human occupation. University of Queensland researcher Dr Anna Florin said the research was giving a glimpse into Read more about Kakadu food scraps provide ancient rainfall clues
Australia; New Zealand; NSW; QLDThe University of Queensland|ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage... -
Veterans exposed to Agent Orange have almost double the dementia risk
JAMA Neurology
Veterans exposed to Agent Orange are nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with dementia, according to a US study. Additional studies are needed to examine potential mechanisms underlying the association between Agent Orange exposure and dementia. Read more about Veterans exposed to Agent Orange have almost double the dementia risk
InternationalVeterans Affairs Health Care System, USA -
Pre-Incan gold – guano created agricultural oases in the Atacama desert
Nature Plants
Parts of Chile’s Atacama desert became an unlikely food bowl thanks to bird poo. Analysis of plant and food remains found that around 1,100 years ago their nitrogen isotope content rose substantially, particularly for maize. Similar patterns of Read more about Pre-Incan gold – guano created agricultural oases in the Atacama desert
InternationalPontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile -
EXPERT REACTION: TGA approves Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) today announced that it has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use in Australia. It is the first COVID-19 vaccine to be approved in Australia. Australian experts comment below. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: TGA approves Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine
Australia -
Providing insight into how the brain may have evolved
Nature Ecology & Evolution
Researchers from The University of Western Australia have uncovered evidence of an important genetic step in the evolution of the brain. The finding highlights how genetic events that took place in our fish-like ancestors play crucial roles in human Read more about Providing insight into how the brain may have evolved
Australia; International; WAARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology|The University of Western Australia -
Global demand for cancer surgery set to surge
The Lancet Oncology
A new modelling study led by UNSW predicts demand for cancer surgery will rise by 52 per cent within two decades, with low-income countries bearing the greatest burden. Public health researchers, led by UNSW Sydney, have estimated the number of Read more about Global demand for cancer surgery set to surge
Australia; International; NSWThe University of New South Wales -
What you need to know about hydrogen energy
N/A
Several announcements were made last week regarding hydrogen research and development in Australia, including the development of an Australian hydrogen battery. Andrew Forrest of Fortescue Metals last week said “green” hydrogen will give Read more about What you need to know about hydrogen energy
Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney -
Need for school children to return to sport
As the school year begins, the call for more children to participate in organised sport has never been louder - but problems that sports organisers face are compounded by indifference from parents, in addition to worries about COVID-19 restrictions. Read more about Need for school children to return to sport
Australia; SAFlinders University -
Scientists use a novel ink to 3D print ‘bone’ with living cells
Advanced Functional Materials
3D printers may one day become a permanent fixture of the operating theatre after UNSW scientists showed they could print bone-like structures containing living cells. Using a 3D-printer that deploys a special ink made up of calcium phosphate, the Read more about Scientists use a novel ink to 3D print ‘bone’ with living cells
Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales -
CSIRO's circular economy roadmap charts path to triple job creation
A new roadmap released today by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has developed key strategies for creating jobs and reclaiming billions in economic value from plastic, glass, paper and tyres currently going into landfill. The National Read more about CSIRO's circular economy roadmap charts path to triple job creation
Australia; NSWCSIRO -
Do you actually know how drunk you are?
Drug and Alcohol Review
Aussie researchers have found that if you've only had one or two drinks you are probably reasonably accurate at guessing if you'd be over the limit, but once your blood alcohol levels get to around 2-3 times the legal drinking limit, you and your Read more about Do you actually know how drunk you are?
Australia; New Zealand; NSW; VICThe University of Sydney|La Trobe University|University of Otago -
Sport may fast-track numeracy skills for Indigenous children
Australian Journal of Education
Greater sports participation among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children is linked with better academic performance, according to new research from the University of South Australia. Greater sports participation among Aboriginal and Torres Read more about Sport may fast-track numeracy skills for Indigenous children
Australia; NSW; SAUniversity of South Australia|The University of Sydney... -
Aussie GPs need to better screen for harmful alcohol use
MJA
Aussies don’t see a need for major changes in regard to alcohol use, and support for policies which reduce alcohol-related harms that are based on the strongest evidence is declining, according to an Aussie expert. In a Perspective article, he Read more about Aussie GPs need to better screen for harmful alcohol use
Australia; SAGovernment of South Australia -
Heart disease risk is higher in cancer survivors
MJA
Death among people with cancer who survive at least 5 years after diagnosis is higher than for the general population, particularly in terms of heart disease, according to Aussie researchers. They analysed SA Cancer Registry data for all people Read more about Heart disease risk is higher in cancer survivors
Australia; SAFlinders University -
Continuous monitoring of proteins a game-changer for patients with rapidly deteriorating conditions
ACS Sensors
A world-first discovery by Australian researchers could become a game-changer for patients at risk of rapid health deterioration, such as heart complications, stroke, sepsis and cancer. Traditional diagnostic tests involve sampling tissue, blood or Read more about Continuous monitoring of proteins a game-changer for patients with rapidly deteriorating conditions
Australia; VICMonash University
EXPERT REACTION: AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in older adults
Uncertainty about the efficacy of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine in people over 65 years has caused s...
Oceanic sharks and rays have declined by over 70 per cent
The number of oceanic sharks and rays worldwide has fallen by 71 per cent since 1970 according to Austral...
EXPERT Q&A: Answering your questions about COVID-19 variants
With reports of new COVID-19 strains emerging in the UK, South Africa, and Brazil, an Australian expert a...
Resources for journalists
Links to expert comments, media briefings and the latest COVID-19 news and research here
