Keep your nose out of it: Saliva tests may be just as good as nose swabs for COVID-19

Publicly released: Sat 16 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Internal Medicine

A review of studies has found that saliva sample-based tests are just as good as nose swab based tests when it comes to detecting the virus that causes COVID-19, raising all our hopes that we could one day say goodbye to that uncomfortable nose poke. Read more about Keep your nose out of it: Saliva tests may be just as good as nose swabs for COVID-19

Aspirin may help breast and bladder cancer patients live longer

Publicly released: Sat 16 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

A US study of nearly 140,000 people looked at the effects of aspirin use on developing and surviving bladder, breast, esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, and uterine cancers, and found that while aspirin use was not associated with preventing cancers, Read more about Aspirin may help breast and bladder cancer patients live longer

That ‘instinctive gut feeling’ comes from your brain

Publicly released: Fri 15 Jan 2021 at 1730 AEDT | 1930 NZDT

Nature Scientific Reports.

New research from The University of Queensland (UQ) illustrates, to a certain extent, why we can take someone at 'face value' and why we develop ‘gut feelings’ about a person within a split-second. New research from The University of Read more about That ‘instinctive gut feeling’ comes from your brain

Are partially protected areas the ‘red herrings’ of marine conservation?

Publicly released: Fri 15 Jan 2021 at 1617 AEDT | 1817 NZDT

Conservation Biology

Partially protected marine areas create confusion and don’t meet their broad conservation objectives, UNSW researchers have found. Partially protected areas – marine reserves that allow some forms of fishing – are no more effective socially or Read more about Are partially protected areas the ‘red herrings’ of marine conservation?

WMO confirms 2020 was one of the warmest years on record as La Niña failed to tame the global heat

Publicly released: Fri 15 Jan 2021 at 1200 AEDT | 1400 NZDT

The year 2020 was one of the three warmest on record, and rivalled 2016 for the top spot, according to a consolidation of five leading international datasets by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The warmest six years have all been since Read more about WMO confirms 2020 was one of the warmest years on record as La Niña failed to tame the global heat

Watch out they Bight! Three new Carnivorous sponges found in Great Australian Bight

Publicly released: Fri 15 Jan 2021 at 1034 AEDT | 1234 NZDT

Zootaxa

What’s found three kilometres below the surface of the water, have evolved into meat eaters and can only be found in the Great Australian Bight? Three new species of carnivorous sponges. The new species recently described by Queensland Museum Read more about Watch out they Bight! Three new Carnivorous sponges found in Great Australian Bight

Australian Academy of Science statement on the pandemic, vaccines and misinformation

Publicly released: Fri 15 Jan 2021 at 0830 AEDT | 1030 NZDT

Australia's top scientists urge Australians to continue to consult reputable sources of evidence-based information about COVID-19 vaccines. This week we’ve seen significant misunderstandings and differing views regarding the effectiveness of Read more about Australian Academy of Science statement on the pandemic, vaccines and misinformation

Sunlight damages white skin more than black skin, and shielding doesn't prevent damage

Publicly released: Fri 15 Jan 2021 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS Genetics

DNA damage from sunlight is less common in black people than white people, according to US research, which also found that DNA damage still occurs even if skin is shielded from the sun. The team collected skin cells from 21 black and white people Read more about Sunlight damages white skin more than black skin, and shielding doesn't prevent damage

COVID-19 antibody test helps select donor blood samples for therapeutic use

Publicly released: Fri 15 Jan 2021 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS Pathogens

Argentinian and US researchers have developed and applied an antibody test to assist health authorities in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detects immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) Read more about COVID-19 antibody test helps select donor blood samples for therapeutic use

Screening people for genetic risk could help prevent heart attacks and strokes

Publicly released: Fri 15 Jan 2021 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS Medicine

Screening people for their genetic heart disease risk could help detect those likely to suffer a heart attack or stoke, allowing doctors to begin preventative treatment, say Australian and UK researchers. They found that, for those already with Read more about Screening people for genetic risk could help prevent heart attacks and strokes

Retinal cell transplants in monkeys show promise for treating blindness

Publicly released: Fri 15 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Stem Cell Reports

Retinal cells derived from adult human eye stem cells survived when transplanted into the eyes of monkeys, an important early step in the validation of this approach for treating blindness, according to international scientists. They extracted Read more about Retinal cell transplants in monkeys show promise for treating blindness

Seagrass meadows could be sweeping the ocean of plastic waste

Publicly released: Fri 15 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Scientific Reports

Seagrass meadows along coastal waters may trap, extract and carry plastics in our waters up to the shore, helping clear our seas of microplastics and other plastic pollution, say Spanish researchers. The team found plastic debris among half of their Read more about Seagrass meadows could be sweeping the ocean of plastic waste

Project maps 'astronomical' number of celestial objects

Publicly released: Fri 15 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nearly 700 million astronomical objects have been carefully catalogued and made public as part of a major international collaboration involving researchers from The Australian National University. Nearly 700 million astronomical objects have been Read more about Project maps 'astronomical' number of celestial objects

COVID-19 lockdowns may be making more kids near-sighted

Publicly released: Fri 15 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

JAMA Ophthalmology

US and Chinese scientists say being stuck indoors during the pandemic may be affecting some kids' eyesight, making them more near-sighted. They looked at eye tests of more than 120,000 children aged 6 to 13 years from 10 Chinese elementary schools, Read more about COVID-19 lockdowns may be making more kids near-sighted

Notifications to child protection services fell under COVID-19 lockdowns

Publicly released: Fri 15 Jan 2021 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Notifications to authorities of suspected child abuse fell in Australia during COVID-19 ‘lockdowns’ in 2020 and increased again as restrictions were eased, according to a new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). The Read more about Notifications to child protection services fell under COVID-19 lockdowns

Funding and access to contraception in NZ still 'variable'

Publicly released: Fri 15 Jan 2021 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

New Zealand Medical Journal

Funding and access to contraception is still "variable and inconsistent" across New Zealand despite a $6 million government initiative to increase its access, according to a new Viewpoint article. New Zealand researchers looked at how DHBs and Read more about Funding and access to contraception in NZ still 'variable'

The high cost of major infections and sepsis in NZ

Publicly released: Fri 15 Jan 2021 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

New Zealand Medical Journal

Sepsis is life-threatening organ failure that happens as a complication of infection, and is a leading cause of healthcare spending. Researchers analysed New Zealand data from 2016 and found that almost a quarter of all hospital discharges that Read more about The high cost of major infections and sepsis in NZ

Perth has distinct dolphin communities and they each need different protections

Publicly released: Thu 14 Jan 2021 at 1731 AEDT | 1931 NZDT

Frontiers in Marine Science

There are distinct ecological communities of dolphins living in Perth waters requiring separate protection measures from anthropogenic threats, and climate change. Research out of Murdoch University has identified distinct ecological communities of Read more about Perth has distinct dolphin communities and they each need different protections

New insights into pancreatitis

Publicly released: Thu 14 Jan 2021 at 1630 AEDT | 1830 NZDT

Gut

Acute Pancreatitis (AP) is one of the most common diseases in the world. Associated with a considerable risk of morbidity and even death in patients who suffer a severe form of the disease, to date there is no specific treatment for it. Now, Read more about New insights into pancreatitis

Fast decisions of flying insects

Publicly released: Thu 14 Jan 2021 at 1600 AEDT | 1800 NZDT

Australian scientists are homing in on the amazing flying skills of insects. How flying insects are able to respond rapidly and appropriately in fast-changing surroundings is a serious ambition of new Australian Research Council study. Led by Read more about Fast decisions of flying insects