Australia’s flagship STEM youth experience reinvented for 2021

Publicly released: Tue 5 Jan 2021 at 1630 AEDT | 1830 NZDT

A new-look National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) Year 12 Program kicks off today with a stellar line-up of speakers and an expanded program unlike ever before. The 2021 NYSF Year 12 Program features two Nobel Prize winners, over 20 top experts in Read more about Australia’s flagship STEM youth experience reinvented for 2021

Single dose of the vaccine may be better than nothing at all

Publicly released: Tue 5 Jan 2021 at 1046 AEDT | 1246 NZDT

Annals of Internal Medicine

International researchers suggest, in three different papers, that the speed-versus-efficacy trade-off of administering a single dose of the COVID-19 vaccine may overrule the need for a double dose in the short-term. While the double-dose is more Read more about Single dose of the vaccine may be better than nothing at all

An insight into asthma attacks points the way to potential treatments

Publicly released: Tue 5 Jan 2021 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

PNAS

Australian researchers have studied the lung immune response during an asthma attack in a mouse model of the disease and found that a protein involved in inflammation called Interleukin-13 (IL-13) may play a key role in asthma attacks. The authors Read more about An insight into asthma attacks points the way to potential treatments

Cities could warm by more than 4°C by the end of the century

Publicly released: Tue 5 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Climate Change

Cities across the globe could warm more than 4°C under a high-emissions climate change scenario, and experience a relative humidity decrease by 2100, according to international research. Cities tend to warm more than other areas because built Read more about Cities could warm by more than 4°C by the end of the century

Fish sex organs boosted under high-CO2

Publicly released: Wed 30 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS Biology

Research from the University of Adelaide has found that some species of fish will have higher reproductive capacity because of larger sex organs, under the more acidic oceans of the future. Published in PLOS Biology, the researchers say that far Read more about Fish sex organs boosted under high-CO2

Weedy Seadragon genomics reveal highly distinct populations

Publicly released: Thu 24 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

To describe weedy seadragons as unique is an understatement. With a fused, elongated jaw, body armour, leafy appendages and no pelvic fins, these fish are like no other. Found only along Australia’s temperate coast, numbers have been declining. Read more about Weedy Seadragon genomics reveal highly distinct populations

Focus on seasonal, not yearly, changes when considering impacts of climate change

Publicly released: Thu 24 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Results from a 40-year study of a Montana prairie say may be better to look at local and seasonal changes -- compared to yearly climate changes -- when forecasting how climate change affects ecosystems. Over the four decades, temperature increased Read more about Focus on seasonal, not yearly, changes when considering impacts of climate change

Youth workers: care for yourself in order to help others

Publicly released: Thu 24 Dec 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Drug and Alcohol Review

Youth workers need to be kind to themselves in order to be better at their jobs, say Aussie researchers who surveyed 258 Aussie youth alcohol and other drug workers. They found that burnout and secondary traumatic stress was associated with less Read more about Youth workers: care for yourself in order to help others

Wear a mask and step back: Masks could block almost all those COVID droplets

Publicly released: Wed 23 Dec 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Royal Society Open Science

Masks can block 99. 9 per cent of COVID-linked droplets, say international researchers who measured droplets spread by coughs and speaking, with and without surgical or handmade cotton face masks. They estimate a person standing 2m from someone Read more about Wear a mask and step back: Masks could block almost all those COVID droplets

Tasmania may help save the rock wallaby

Publicly released: Wed 23 Dec 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Royal Society Open Science

Maria Island, off Tasmania's eastern coast, could be a suitable spot to move an insurance population of endangered brush-tailed rock wallabies to help stop them becoming extinct, according to Australian research. The recent Australian mega-fires Read more about Tasmania may help save the rock wallaby

Aged care residents experience a different kind of reality

Publicly released: Wed 23 Dec 2020 at 1009 AEDT | 1209 NZDT

Journal of Medical Internet Research

Cutting-edge technology is normally associated with youth, but a group of aged care residents in Adelaide are learning how useful (and how much fun) virtual reality can be. Read more about Aged care residents experience a different kind of reality

How COVID-19 polarised politics: #IStandWithDan versus #DictatorDan

Publicly released: Wed 23 Dec 2020 at 0926 AEDT | 1126 NZDT

Media International Australia

A QUT study of two interrelated Twitter hashtag campaigns in relation to the Victorian Premier Dan Andrews’ handling of the COVID-19 second wave found the activity was driven by a “small, hyper-partisan core of highly active participants” and Read more about How COVID-19 polarised politics: #IStandWithDan versus #DictatorDan

New mammogram measures of breast cancer risk could revolutionise screening

Publicly released: Wed 23 Dec 2020 at 0826 AEDT | 1026 NZDT

International Journal of Cancer

New techniques for predicting breast cancer risk from mammograms that were developed in Melbourne could revolutionise breast screening by allowing it to be tailored to women at minimal extra cost. World-first techniques for predicting breast cancer Read more about New mammogram measures of breast cancer risk could revolutionise screening

Keeping up appearances: male fairy-wrens show looks can be deceiving

Publicly released: Wed 23 Dec 2020 at 0700 AEDT | 0900 NZDT

Behavioural Ecology

By choosing these high-quality males, females may ensure a good father or good genes for their offspring. But do high quality males that are preferred by females invest more in their appearance? Read more about Keeping up appearances: male fairy-wrens show looks can be deceiving

Carbon-neutral jet fuels?

Publicly released: Wed 23 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Communications

Flying produces large amounts of carbon emissions, but a more sustainable fuel option could eventually make flying carbon neutral. Researchers at Oxford and Cambridge created a cheap method that uses iron, manganese and potassium to convert carbon Read more about Carbon-neutral jet fuels?

Investing in a frontline response to elder abuse

Publicly released: Wed 23 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

University of Queensland researchers are working with a team of 50 social workers across south east Queensland to create a uniform, national approach to identifying abuse in elderly people who present to hospitals. Read more about Investing in a frontline response to elder abuse

New definition of sustainability reflects the interdependence of all life

Publicly released: Tue 22 Dec 2020 at 1200 AEDT | 1400 NZDT

Global Sustainability

An international collaboration reveals a new definition of sustainability that expands the concept to non-human species and their needs. Published in Global Sustainability, the research led by Dr Christoph Rupprecht, a Griffith University alumnus Read more about New definition of sustainability reflects the interdependence of all life

Substances found in cooked meat linked to kid's wheeze

Publicly released: Tue 22 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Thorax

Inflammatory compounds found in cooked meat have been linked to a heightened risk of childhood wheeze by US researchers. The compounds, known as advanced glycation end products, or AGEs for short, are by-products of high-temperature cooking, such as Read more about Substances found in cooked meat linked to kid's wheeze

Looking to get more active? Fitbits may help a little bit

Publicly released: Tue 22 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

British Journal of Sports Medicine

Smartphone fitness apps and wearable activity trackers do help boost physical activity levels, according to an Australian-led review and pooled data analysis of the available evidence. The researchers looked at 35 previous studies, involving a total Read more about Looking to get more active? Fitbits may help a little bit

Perfectly preserved 57,000-year-old wolf pup found in Canada

Publicly released: Tue 22 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Current Biology

While water-blasting at a wall of frozen mud in Canada, a gold miner made an extraordinary discovery: a perfectly preserved wolf pup that had been locked in permafrost for 57,000 years. Named Zhùr by the locals, the pup is the most complete wolf Read more about Perfectly preserved 57,000-year-old wolf pup found in Canada

Junk food linked to sleep problems in teens

Publicly released: Tue 22 Dec 2020 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

EClinicalMedicine

Eating too much junk food has been linked with poor sleep quality in teens, a University of Queensland-led study has found. UQ School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences researcher Associate Professor Asad Khan said frequent consumption of Read more about Junk food linked to sleep problems in teens

From terror to termination – the dynamics of London’s smallpox epidemics

Publicly released: Tue 22 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS Biology

Smallpox, which for centuries was one of the most devastating infectious diseases, was eradicated in 1980. Analysis of 300 years of weekly smallpox records from London (1664 to 1930) have shown changes in the timing, size and seasonality between Read more about From terror to termination – the dynamics of London’s smallpox epidemics

Future farming may affect 90% of Earth's wildlife by 2050

Publicly released: Tue 22 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Sustainability

Almost 90 per cent of land animals around the world may lose some of their habitat by 2050 as land is cleared to meet the future demand for food, according to an international study based on computer modelling. However, the authors say proactive Read more about Future farming may affect 90% of Earth's wildlife by 2050

Scientists shine light on ‘bright spots’ to restore coastal ecosystems

Publicly released: Tue 22 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Current Biology

CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has identified coastal ‘bright spots’ to repair marine ecosystems globally, paving the way to boost biodiversity, local economies and human wellbeing. Read more about Scientists shine light on ‘bright spots’ to restore coastal ecosystems

Crikey! Massive prehistoric croc emerges from South East Queensland

Publicly released: Mon 21 Dec 2020 at 2000 AEDT | 2200 NZDT

PeerJ

A prehistoric croc measuring more than five metres long – dubbed the ‘swamp king’ – ruled south eastern Queensland waterways only a few million years ago. University of Queensland researchers identified the new species of prehistoric croc Read more about Crikey! Massive prehistoric croc emerges from South East Queensland

Research busts mental health coping myth

Publicly released: Mon 21 Dec 2020 at 1500 AEDT | 1700 NZDT

Journal of Affective Disorders Reports

People with extreme psychological distress have exceeded the limits of their own resources, and need support from others to cope, according to new research led by USC Australia. Read more about Research busts mental health coping myth

Climate change demands same leadership as COVID-19, and Australia is failing

Publicly released: Mon 21 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Medical Journal of Australia

Leading Australian medical clinicians and researchers have called on the Federal Government and the health sector to commit to showing the same leadership on climate change as was shown during the COVID-19 public health crisis. The authors say our Read more about Climate change demands same leadership as COVID-19, and Australia is failing

Goldilocks and the three quantum dots: This one’s just right for peak solar panel performance

Publicly released: Mon 21 Dec 2020 at 0930 AEDT | 1130 NZDT

Nanoscale

Maximising the efficiency of renewable energy technology is dependent on creating nanoparticles with ideal dimensions and density, new simulations have shown. Scientists in Australia have developed a process for calculating the perfect size and Read more about Goldilocks and the three quantum dots: This one’s just right for peak solar panel performance

Tube fishway technology will get fish up and over those dam walls

Publicly released: Mon 21 Dec 2020 at 0800 AEDT | 1000 NZDT

New technology that allows fish to glide past dam walls, weirs and other river barriers has the potential to revitalise Australia’s ailing freshwater fish stocks. Read more about Tube fishway technology will get fish up and over those dam walls

Seeking answers in ferroelectric patterning

Publicly released: Sat 19 Dec 2020 at 1122 AEDT | 1322 NZDT

Why do some ferroelectric materials display ‘bubble’-shaped patterning, while others display complex, labyrinthine patterns? A FLEET/UNSW study finds the changing patterns in ferroelectric films are driven by non-equilibrium dynamics, with Read more about Seeking answers in ferroelectric patterning

Does low self-esteem in teens predict depression?

Publicly released: Sat 19 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Australian researchers looked at the link between low self-esteem and self-criticism in 243 Aussie teens and the development of depression. They found no effect of self-criticism, but having low self-esteem meant teens were more likely to suffer Read more about Does low self-esteem in teens predict depression?

How modelling helped our COVID response

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 1220 AEDT | 1420 NZDT

Multiple models helped achieve the successful pandemic management strategies implemented in Australia at both state and national level, yesterday’s first Cosmos Briefing was told. Professor Jodie McVernon, form Doherty Epidemiology, and Read more about How modelling helped our COVID response

Cocktail of antibodies can cut COVID-19 viral load

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 1200 AEDT | 1400 NZDT

NEJM

A study carried out and funded by pharmaceutical company Regeneron tested the firm's cocktail of antibodies known as REGN-COV2 on 275 COVID-19 patients with mild disease, and found administering the cocktail reduced the amount of virus circulating Read more about Cocktail of antibodies can cut COVID-19 viral load

Trial data confirms two doses of Oxford/ AstraZeneca COVID vaccine are better than one

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 1144 AEDT | 1344 NZDT

Nature Medicine

Having two doses of the Oxford/ AstraZeneca COVID vaccine known as, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, produces a better immune response than a single dose, according to two new research papers. The studies looked at a full dose followed by either a full dose or half Read more about Trial data confirms two doses of Oxford/ AstraZeneca COVID vaccine are better than one

COVID-19 is now the USA's biggest killer

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 1130 AEDT | 1330 NZDT

JAMA

The uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 in the USA means it is currently the leading cause of death in the country, overtaking heart disease and cancer, according to a 'Viewpoint' article by US scientists. Between November 1st 2020, and December 13th, Read more about COVID-19 is now the USA's biggest killer

Released captive quolls able to hunt in the wild, even munching on a penguin

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 1111 AEDT | 1311 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Captive bread eastern quolls that were released into Booderee National Park can hunt small mammals, invertebrates, birds, reptiles, frogs and fish, but also make use of supplementary feed stations, say Australian researchers. The study analysed Read more about Released captive quolls able to hunt in the wild, even munching on a penguin

Dad’s health can affect pregnancy too

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 1105 AEDT | 1305 NZDT

Human Reproduction

Poor health in men is linked to higher risk of pregnancy loss in their partners. A review of nearly one million US medical insurance records found that if the father-to-be has three or more medical conditions such as obesity, diabetes, high blood Read more about Dad’s health can affect pregnancy too

COVID-19 is more severe than flu

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The Lancet Respiratory Medicine

A comparison of data from over 130,000 hospitalised patients in France confirms that COVID-19 is more severe than flu. The French researchers say nearly twice as many people were admitted to hospital for COVID-19 at the height of the pandemic than Read more about COVID-19 is more severe than flu

Mozzie recognition – AI used to identify mosquito species

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases

Researchers in the US have used neural networks, a form of artificial intelligence, to classify mosquitoes. Mosquito species can be hard to distinguish, even by specialists, and this makes it hard to identify those that transmit diseases. Using Read more about Mozzie recognition – AI used to identify mosquito species

EXPERT REACTION: Could wildfire smoke spread infectious diseases?

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

Science

In addition to being hazardous to breathe in, wildfire smoke could carry infectious bacteria and fungi with it as well. Two US researchers write in an article for Science that, despite the heat, wildfire conditions can create airborne pockets where Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Could wildfire smoke spread infectious diseases?

Fewer gut worms, more diabetes in NZ-bound refugees

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

NZMJ

Refugees arriving in New Zealand have far fewer infectious diseases, but more chronic conditions like diabetes than they did in the 1980s, research finds. The study authors say it's likely because most NZ-bound refugees now come through private Read more about Fewer gut worms, more diabetes in NZ-bound refugees

Most homeless Kiwis die from preventable causes

Publicly released: Fri 18 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

New Zealand Medical Journal

Most deaths of people with “no fixed abode” in NZ could have been prevented through better access to health care services, according to University of Waikato researchers. They looked at coroners' findings related to 171 homeless people who died Read more about Most homeless Kiwis die from preventable causes

Discovery confirms model of the evolution of our Universe

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 1900 AEDT | 2100 NZDT

Astronomy & Astrophysics

Australian researchers from Western Sydney University, Macquarie University, and Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, have contributed to the first observation of a gas filament with a length of 50 million light years – confirming current Read more about Discovery confirms model of the evolution of our Universe

Satellite tracking supports whale conservation

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 1629 AEDT | 1829 NZDT

Scientific Reports

Extensive satellite tracking has revealed important new knowledge about the little known pygmy blue whale population of Southern Australia. Marine scientists from Flinders University, Australian Marine Mammal Centre, Blue Planet Marine and Macquarie Read more about Satellite tracking supports whale conservation

COVID-19 escalated armed conflicts in several war-torn countries

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 1600 AEDT | 1800 NZDT

World Development

Of the nine countries that were studied, four had reduced armed conflict activities while five had escalations. India, Iraq, Libya, Pakistan and the Philippines all saw an escalation of civil wars because conflict parties exploited either state Read more about COVID-19 escalated armed conflicts in several war-torn countries

Clowns may help kids in hospital cope with pain and anxiety

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 1600 AEDT | 1800 NZDT

The BMJ

Hospital clowns, the stuff of nightmares for some, may help improve physical symptoms and psychological wellbeing in children and adolescents having treatment for acute or chronic conditions, according to Brazilian and Canadian scientists. They Read more about Clowns may help kids in hospital cope with pain and anxiety

Pregnant women excluded from 3 in 4 COVID-19 treatment trials

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 1600 AEDT | 1800 NZDT

The Lancet Global Health

Pregnant women are among those most in need of safe and effective therapies against COVID-19, but they are routinely excluded from the majority of clinical treatment trials, according to the US and Swiss authors of an opinion piece based on a review Read more about Pregnant women excluded from 3 in 4 COVID-19 treatment trials

Incredible footage reveals flatback sea turtle defending itself against shark attack

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 1501 AEDT | 1701 NZDT

Ecology

Researchers from Murdoch University’s Harry Butler Institute and Western Australia’s Department of Biodiversity, Conservation & Attractions (DBCA) have captured fascinating video footage of a shark attacking a sea turtle from the turtle’s Read more about Incredible footage reveals flatback sea turtle defending itself against shark attack

The Sleigh team - leadership lessons from Santa

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 1500 AEDT | 1700 NZDT

The BMJ

As Father Christmas gears up for the busiest 24 hours of his year, two doctors reflect on the skills he uses to get a seemingly impossible job done effectively and safely - and whether they can be applied to medicine. What lessons can medicine learn Read more about The Sleigh team - leadership lessons from Santa

Is Christmas naughty, or nice?

Publicly released: Thu 17 Dec 2020 at 1430 AEDT | 1630 NZDT

The BMJ

With tongues firmly in cheeks, UK experts highlight the dangers of Christmas by looking up cautionary tales from the past, and pose the question 'is Christmas worth it?'. Almost nothing about Christmas is safe, these Grinches conclude. Painting Read more about Is Christmas naughty, or nice?