Long-term study reveals harm in regular cannabis use

Publicly released: Wed 27 Jan 2021 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Drug and Alcohol Review

Regular cannabis use has harmful effects regardless of the age a person starts using, a University of Queensland-led study has found. The study examined people who began regular cannabis use in high school or in their early 20s, and compared both Read more about Long-term study reveals harm in regular cannabis use

Why does Flu get worse as we age - and is it the same for COVID?

Publicly released: Wed 27 Jan 2021 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Clinical & Translational Immunology

Elderly people who contract the Flu seem to produce fewer immune 'emergency' signals from infected cells, and therefore a slower immune response to infection than younger people, according to Aussie researchers. The team also found that regardless Read more about Why does Flu get worse as we age - and is it the same for COVID?

Skink social network may help save species

Publicly released: Wed 27 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

New Zealand Journal of Ecology

Reptiles, apart from dinosaurs, aren’t usually thought of as particularly sociable. However, researchers from the University of Otago found that social groups of between two and eight endangered Otago skinks in Ōrokonui Ecosanctuary persisted Read more about Skink social network may help save species

Early antibiotic use could have an effect on growth

Publicly released: Wed 27 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Communications

Exposure to antibiotics in the first few weeks of life is associated with reduced weight and height in boys up to the age of six, but not girls, according to international researchers who suggest this effect may be due to changes in the development Read more about Early antibiotic use could have an effect on growth

Three-day old blind mice, see how they 'run' to their mums

Publicly released: Wed 27 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Cell Reports

Three day old mice, still blind, can recognise their mum, and they retain this memory later in life. Experiments showed that the babies preferentially orientate to their caregiver (biological or foster mother) if given a choice between her and an Read more about Three-day old blind mice, see how they 'run' to their mums

Putting bugs on the menu, safely

Publicly released: Wed 27 Jan 2021 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Food Chemistry

The thought of eating insects is stomach turning for many, but new Edith Cowan University (ECU) research is shedding light on allergy causing proteins which could pose serious health risks for those suffering from shellfish allergy. The research, Read more about Putting bugs on the menu, safely

No fans, no fights - did sporting matches get less heated during COVID?

Publicly released: Tue 26 Jan 2021 at 1200 AEDT | 1400 NZDT

Humanities & Social Sciences Communications

Sporting matches may have been less emotional in 2020, according to international research, which suggests that the absence of supporters at Austrian Bundesliga soccer games during the COVID pandemic resulted in fewer arguments or emotional Read more about No fans, no fights - did sporting matches get less heated during COVID?

Air pollution linked to increased risk of progressive and irreversible blindness

Publicly released: Tue 26 Jan 2021 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

British Journal of Ophthalmology

Air pollution has been linked to an increased risk of progressive and irreversible sight loss, known as age-related macular degeneration, according to UK research. The study of over 100,000 people found that people who were exposed to higher fine Read more about Air pollution linked to increased risk of progressive and irreversible blindness

Afternoon naps may boost your brain

Publicly released: Tue 26 Jan 2021 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

General Psychiatry

If you were looking for an excuse to sneak in a quick siesta, Chinese scientists say taking a regular afternoon nap may be linked to improved mental agility. They studied 2,214 people, 1,534 of whom enjoyed a regular afternoon snooze, and say a Read more about Afternoon naps may boost your brain

Music can soothe following major heart surgery

Publicly released: Tue 26 Jan 2021 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Open Heart

Listening to music is linked to a significant reduction in anxiety and pain after major heart surgery, according to Dutch scientists who brought together previous research on the subject and re-analysed the pooled results. As music has neither risks Read more about Music can soothe following major heart surgery

Musicians have more connected brains than non-musicians, even without perfect pitch

Publicly released: Tue 26 Jan 2021 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

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

Discovery makes the invisible visible

Publicly released: Tue 26 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

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

Seaweed's spread around the world reflected in its genomes

Publicly released: Tue 26 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

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

Smoking increases your risk of severe COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 26 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

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

Social immunity in a social insect

Publicly released: Tue 26 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

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

Kakadu food scraps provide ancient rainfall clues

Publicly released: Tue 26 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

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

Veterans exposed to Agent Orange have almost double the dementia risk

Publicly released: Tue 26 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

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

Pre-Incan gold – guano created agricultural oases in the Atacama desert

Publicly released: Tue 26 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

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

EXPERT REACTION: TGA approves Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

Publicly released: Mon 25 Jan 2021 at 1232 AEDT | 1432 NZDT

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

Providing insight into how the brain may have evolved

Publicly released: Mon 25 Jan 2021 at 1204 AEDT | 1404 NZDT

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