COVID-19 detector dog research and trials underway

Publicly released: Mon 7 Dec 2020 at 1201 AEDT | 1401 NZDT

Fourteen dogs have begun their training at the University of Adelaide, and at the Australian Border Force’s (ABF) National Detector Dog Program Facility in Victoria, as part of a joint venture into determining the feasibility of training COVID-19 Read more about COVID-19 detector dog research and trials underway

Wind energy’s impact on electricity prices: the good and the bad

Publicly released: Mon 7 Dec 2020 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

SSRN

Energy from wind farms is lowering electricity prices, but increasing price volatility in Australia's national energy market. Read more about Wind energy’s impact on electricity prices: the good and the bad

Aged care medication going unchecked

Publicly released: Mon 7 Dec 2020 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

Journal of the American Medical Directors Association

New research from the Registry of Senior Australians at SAHMRI has shown that just one in five older Australians receives a government-funded medication review after entering an aged care facility. Read more about Aged care medication going unchecked

Chatbot may detect early dementia in time for intervention

Publicly released: Mon 7 Dec 2020 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

IEEE Access

If Alzheimer’s dementia is identified early, at the stage of Mild Cognitive Impairment for instance, the decline in neural functioning can be stabilised or even curtailed in some cases, research has found. Read more about Chatbot may detect early dementia in time for intervention

Shining a light on the weird world of dihydrogen phosphate anions

Publicly released: Mon 7 Dec 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

Journal of the American Chemical Society

UNSW scientists show that dihydrogen phosphate anions - vital inorganic ions for cellular activity - actually bind to one another when their negative charges suggest they shouldn’t. Read more about Shining a light on the weird world of dihydrogen phosphate anions

62,000 lost lambs and cysts in meat: Cats have $12m impact on Australian agriculture

Publicly released: Mon 7 Dec 2020 at 0830 AEDT | 1030 NZDT

Wildlife Research

A national study has found that diseases carried by cats are having a $12 million impact on Australian agriculture each year with the sheep industry the worst impacted. The study was undertaken by the Threatened Species Recovery Hub of the Read more about 62,000 lost lambs and cysts in meat: Cats have $12m impact on Australian agriculture

National Bowel Cancer Screening program improves post-op outcomes

Publicly released: Mon 7 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

MJA

The Australian National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) not only reduces the risk of death from colorectal cancer for those who get tested, but also provides short term post-operative benefits for those patients who are treated with surgery, Read more about National Bowel Cancer Screening program improves post-op outcomes

Researchers should live and work with their participants, says National Rural Health Commissioner

Publicly released: Mon 7 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

MJA

Rural health researchers should live with, work with and report back to the participants in their studies, according to the National Rural Health Commissioner in an MJA editorial. The author describes those who fly in, collect data and fly out as Read more about Researchers should live and work with their participants, says National Rural Health Commissioner

EXPERT REACTION: Hayabusa2 capsule full of space-rocks successfully lands in the outback

Publicly released: Sun 6 Dec 2020 at 1122 AEDT | 1322 NZDT

The Japanese spacecraft Hayabusa2 has successfully returned a sample of space rocks from the asteroid Ryugu to the South Australian desert, after a 5. 2 billion kilometre journey over the past 6 years. While Hayabusa2 whizzes off to visit some more Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Hayabusa2 capsule full of space-rocks successfully lands in the outback

Patients cured of 2 nasty inherited blood diseases using gene editing and gene therapy

Publicly released: Sun 6 Dec 2020 at 0430 AEDT | 0630 NZDT

NEJM

US and German scientists say they've cured a pair of nasty inherited blood diseases - beta thalassemia and sickle cell disease - using the gene editing technique CRISPR-Cas9. The researchers treated two patients, one with each disease, using Read more about Patients cured of 2 nasty inherited blood diseases using gene editing and gene therapy

IVF Boost: Using acoustic waves to select high quality sperm

Publicly released: Sat 5 Dec 2020 at 1156 AEDT | 1356 NZDT

Lab on a Chip

Monash University researchers have used sound waves to develop a new approach to separate high-quality sperm for assisted reproduction. These findings can open windows for infertile couples to have a family of their own using IVF. The procedure can Read more about IVF Boost: Using acoustic waves to select high quality sperm

Iron deficiency can be managed better

Publicly released: Sat 5 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The Lancet

Publishing in The Lancet, Australian and European researchers have released updated, evidence-based guidance for managing iron deficiency, a serious worldwide health problem. Iron deficiency is a major cause of anaemia, a lack of oxygen-carrying red Read more about Iron deficiency can be managed better

Half of surveyed renters suffered mental health decline during COVID-19

Publicly released: Fri 4 Dec 2020 at 1400 AEDT | 1600 NZDT

Australian renters have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 facing income loss, the inability to pay rent, tenure insecurity and eviction risk and a new AHURI publication provides a stark analysis of the impacts of these unprecedented Read more about Half of surveyed renters suffered mental health decline during COVID-19

Electrical spin filtering the key to ultra-fast, energy-efficient spintronics

Publicly released: Fri 4 Dec 2020 at 1400 AEDT | 1600 NZDT

Physical Review B

A new UNSW study is a step towards even-faster, more energy-efficient ‘spintronic’ technology – an exciting, beyond-CMOS technology. The new study applies ‘spin-filtering’ to separate spin orientation, allowing generation and detection of Read more about Electrical spin filtering the key to ultra-fast, energy-efficient spintronics

New DNA modification ‘signature’ discovered in zebrafish

Publicly released: Fri 4 Dec 2020 at 1105 AEDT | 1305 NZDT

Nucleic Acids Research

Researchers have revealed a previously unknown DNA modification in zebrafish – one of human’s distant evolutionary cousins. Read more about New DNA modification ‘signature’ discovered in zebrafish

Drinking Linked to a Decline in Brain Health Across Lifespan

Publicly released: Fri 4 Dec 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

The BMJ

The evidence for the harmful effects of alcohol on brain health is compelling, but now experts have pin-pointed three key time periods in life when the effects of alcohol are likely to be at their greatest. Read more about Drinking Linked to a Decline in Brain Health Across Lifespan

Creative workshops can aid mental health recovery

Publicly released: Fri 4 Dec 2020 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Art, music, dance and creative writing workshops that encourage people with mental health issues to share their stories may have long lasting benefits, with Australian research showing these workshops help people understand and talk about their Read more about Creative workshops can aid mental health recovery

Scans for back pain are increasing in Aussie women, and costing us dearly

Publicly released: Fri 4 Dec 2020 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Rates of CT and MRI scans for lower back pain are booming in Aussie women, despite guidelines recommending against their use, according to an Australian study. The study found that over the last 20 years or so, use of CT scans for the lower back Read more about Scans for back pain are increasing in Aussie women, and costing us dearly

Vaginal bacteria can deactivate HIV drugs

Publicly released: Fri 4 Dec 2020 at 0700 AEDT | 0900 NZDT

PLOS Pathogens

US researchers have found that a reason that anti-HIV prophylactic drugs often aren’t as effective in women is due to some vaginal bacteria breaking down the drugs. Testing vaginal fluids from women with or without the common condition bacterial Read more about Vaginal bacteria can deactivate HIV drugs

Even low doses of anti-inflammatory steroids may increase risk of heart disease

Publicly released: Fri 4 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS Medicine

Taking low doses of glucosteroids may double the risk of cardiovascular disease, according to new research. Glucosteroids are widely used as treatments for inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. While it's known that high doses may Read more about Even low doses of anti-inflammatory steroids may increase risk of heart disease

Why does COVID-19 affect some animals, but not others?

Publicly released: Fri 4 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS Computational Biology

Some animals are more susceptible to COVID-19 than others, and new international research suggests this may be due to distinctive structural features of a protein found on the surface of animal cells. Using computer modelling, the researchers Read more about Why does COVID-19 affect some animals, but not others?

Many challenges hinder Māori to realise their aspirations for native forestry on their land

Publicly released: Fri 4 Dec 2020 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

High costs and restrictive governance are just some of the roadblocks that stop Māori landowners from establishing native forestry on their land. A new research paper by Motu Economic and Public Policy Research explores the decision-making Read more about Many challenges hinder Māori to realise their aspirations for native forestry on their land

Getting fired during a pandemic could break your heart

Publicly released: Fri 4 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

New Zealand Medical Journal

New Zealand researchers discuss how the economic downturn of this year’s pandemic may cause an uptick in heart disease. The international research they reviewed suggested a link between unemployment from economic shocks and increased Read more about Getting fired during a pandemic could break your heart

Threatened Species Index of Australia: 2020 results show staggering loss of threatened native plants over 20 years

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 1500 AEDT | 1700 NZDT

Ecological Society of Australia Conference 2020

In just over two decades (1995-2017) numbers of Australian threatened plants have decreased by more than 70% on average. The findings come from Australia’s Threatened Species Index which combines data from hundreds of monitoring programs across Read more about Threatened Species Index of Australia: 2020 results show staggering loss of threatened native plants over 20 years

Pilot whale study reveals copycat calls to outsmart predators

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 1415 AEDT | 1615 NZDT

Scientific Reports

New Curtin University research has found southern Australian long-finned pilot whales are able to mimic the calls of its natural predator and food rival – the killer whale, as a possible ploy to outsmart it. Read more about Pilot whale study reveals copycat calls to outsmart predators

Getting the handle on hangovers

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 1400 AEDT | 1600 NZDT

Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental.

How hangovers affect different people is not easy to predict according to a new Griffith University study. The study involved 21 participants (aged between 20 and 32), who completed two identical trials involving the consumption of 8-10 standard Read more about Getting the handle on hangovers

What is the effect of droughts on economic outcomes of livestock farms?

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 1338 AEDT | 1538 NZDT

In one of the first studies of its kind, a new paper by Motu Research investigates the impact of droughts on livestock farm enterprises by linking financial, agricultural and productivity data with historical weather data. Read more about What is the effect of droughts on economic outcomes of livestock farms?

EXPERT REACTION: Aussies likely to start COVID-19 vaccinations in March after UK approves Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 1229 AEDT | 1429 NZDT

Health Minister Greg Hunt has today confirmed Australia is expecting to begin vaccinations in March 2021. This follows the news from the UK overnight that they have approved the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID vaccine for emergency use. Below, Australian Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Aussies likely to start COVID-19 vaccinations in March after UK approves Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine

Money won't save countries from climate change health harms

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The Lancet

Every country, no matter how wealthy, will suffer health impacts from worsening climate change, according to the 2020 report of The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change. Heat-related deaths among the elderly, more burns and lung damage from Read more about Money won't save countries from climate change health harms

Lancet Countdown on health & climate change - Bushfires, local launch, policy brief

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The 2020 MJA-Lancet Countdown on health and climate change focuses on our 'Black summer', complementing the global mega-report, publishes this morning (to be followed by a briefing), while a coalition of medical experts warn the failure to tackle Read more about Lancet Countdown on health & climate change - Bushfires, local launch, policy brief

More frequently sheared sheep are happier mothers

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 0930 AEDT | 1130 NZDT

Sheep shearing and epigenetic change

More frequently sheared pregnant sheep are more active, have lower stress levels and produce lambs with finer wool, according to University of Queensland research. Dr Edward Narayan from UQ’s School of Agriculture and Food Science and the Read more about More frequently sheared sheep are happier mothers

Incredible vision in ancient marine creatures drove an evolutionary arms race

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 0800 AEDT | 1000 NZDT

Science Advances

Ancient deep sea creatures called radiodonts had incredible vision that likely drove an evolutionary arms race according to new research published today. Read more about Incredible vision in ancient marine creatures drove an evolutionary arms race

GPS trackers keep tabs on plastic pollution

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS One

Researchers have developed a low cost, open-source method to track common rubbish like plastic bottles via GPS in order to understand how plastic pollution spreads through the waterways. These “bottle tags” were released at 25 sites along the Read more about GPS trackers keep tabs on plastic pollution

Orca stranding linked to human activity

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS One

New research into trends behind orca stranding has revealed human activity as a cause of death across every age group of the orcas studied. A North American research team reviewed the pathology reports of almost 90 whales that stranded in Hawai’i Read more about Orca stranding linked to human activity

Continents were weak and prone to destruction in their infancy

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature

Monash University geologists have shed new light on the early history of the Earth through their discovery that continents were weak and prone to destruction in their infancy. Read more about Continents were weak and prone to destruction in their infancy

Why do so few native plants and animals have Māori names?

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

New Zealand Journal of Ecology

Only four per cent of New Zealand species have scientific names based on te reo Māori or ta re Moriori. An independent scientist and historian reviews the history, noting there are still no restrictions or recommendations on the source or language Read more about Why do so few native plants and animals have Māori names?

AI could keep weather balloons in the sky

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature

Artificial intelligence could help stratospheric balloons stay in place for weeks at a time, according to international research that could have really shortened Carl Fredrickson’s adventure in Up. Helium-filled ‘superpressure’ balloons are Read more about AI could keep weather balloons in the sky

Potential treatment restores vision in mice

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature

Aussie and international researchers have found a way to reprogram the neurons in mouse eyes to return them to a more ‘youthful’ state and restore vision, which could provide a new pathway for treating age-related vision loss. Neurons in the eye Read more about Potential treatment restores vision in mice

EXPERT REACTION: 2020 looks set to be one of the warmest years on record - WMO report

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

As if 2020 wasn't bad enough, now it looks like it is also on track to be one of the three warmest years on record, with the global mean temperature for January to October 2020 measuring around 1. 2°C above pre-industrial levels. With the fifth Read more about EXPERT REACTION: 2020 looks set to be one of the warmest years on record - WMO report

New project to improve health and well-being of young people with cerebral palsy

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

A new research project has been created to better understand and address the health care and service needs of adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy. Read more about New project to improve health and well-being of young people with cerebral palsy

STEM superstars call for more gender and cultural diversity

Publicly released: Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

N/A

The University of Melbourne leads this year's STEM superstars cohort with five academics chosen to step into the media spotlight. Read more about STEM superstars call for more gender and cultural diversity

New butterfly-inspired hydrogen sensor is powered by light

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 2215 AEDT | Thu 3 Dec 2020 at 0015 NZDT

ACS Sensors

Inspired by the surface of butterfly wings, researchers have developed a light-activated hydrogen sensor that produces ultra-precise results at room temperature. Read more about New butterfly-inspired hydrogen sensor is powered by light

Only a small fraction of those surfing the dark web are nefarious

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 1502 AEDT | 1702 NZDT

PNAS

Almost seven percent of regular dark web users are likely using the anonymous network for malicious purposes, according to new research. The dark web allows users to protect their anonymity, but it also protects those who use it for illegal or Read more about Only a small fraction of those surfing the dark web are nefarious

Tanning beds may be linked to greater risk of endometriosis

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 1105 AEDT | 1305 NZDT

Human Reproduction

Tanning beds and getting sunburns may be linked to a greater risk of developing endometriosis, according to a new study that analysed survey data of more than 95,000 American women from 1989 to 2015. Researchers found that women who had used tanning Read more about Tanning beds may be linked to greater risk of endometriosis

Kiwi 'sixth sense' evolved in the time of the dinosaurs

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

An organ that gives Kiwi and some other birds a "sixth sense" to find buried prey probably arose before those birds evolved to what they are today. A comparative study of 353 living bird species, such as Kiwi, shorebirds, and ibises, and six fossil Read more about Kiwi 'sixth sense' evolved in the time of the dinosaurs

People interpret screams and gasps based on context

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Royal Society Open Science

People usually interpret harsh 'nonvocal' sounds, like a scream or a gasp, as signifying a negative emotion, but new research has found that people can interpret the same sounds differently if other context is available. European researchers asked Read more about People interpret screams and gasps based on context

More midwives could save millions of lives

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The Lancet Global Health

Increasing the number of midwives and their level of care could reduce birth-related deaths by two thirds in low and middle income countries over the next 15 years. Too few midwives, along with poor training and support, result in inadequate care Read more about More midwives could save millions of lives

Targets for avoidable sight loss ‘not being met’: 30-year study finds

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The Lancet Global Health

A new global study has found no significant reduction in the number of people with treatable sight loss since 2010. Published in The Lancet Global Health, it examined population-based surveys of eye disease worldwide from 1980 and found public Read more about Targets for avoidable sight loss ‘not being met’: 30-year study finds

Don't drink the hand sanitiser - it can kill

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

BMJ Evidence Based Medicine

You might think it goes without saying, but two deaths identified in UK coroners’ reports are a reminder to all of us not to swallow alcohol-based hand sanitiser. The report also refers to an Australian case where a six year old was diagnosed Read more about Don't drink the hand sanitiser - it can kill

Swift action needed to help critically endangered parrot

Publicly released: Wed 2 Dec 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

Animal Conversation

There could be fewer than 300 swift parrots left in the wild, according to new research from The Australian National University (ANU). Read more about Swift action needed to help critically endangered parrot