Most microplastics in the Arctic are polyester fibres from textiles

Publicly released: Wed 13 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Communications

Synthetic fibres make up around 92 per cent of microplastic pollution in near-surface seawater across the Arctic, and around 73 per cent of this is polyester, resembling fibres used in textiles, according to Canadian scientists. The team looked at Read more about Most microplastics in the Arctic are polyester fibres from textiles

New study of Earth’s crust shows global growth spurt three billion years ago

Publicly released: Tue 12 Jan 2021 at 2100 AEDT | 2300 NZDT

Nature Communications

Curtin University researchers have used ancient crystals from eroded rocks found in stream sediments in Greenland to successfully test the theory that portions of Earth’s ancient crust acted as ‘seeds’ from which later generations of crust grew Read more about New study of Earth’s crust shows global growth spurt three billion years ago

EXPERT REACTION: Has there been a global insect apocalypse?

Publicly released: Tue 12 Jan 2021 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

PNAS

Many insect populations around the world are decreasing by 1-2 per cent every year, but this may not be as simple as an insect 'apocalypse' across the board, according to a series of 12 research papers being published in PNAS. For example, in the Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Has there been a global insect apocalypse?

Slave labour is being used to meet our demand for PPE in the pandemic

Publicly released: Tue 12 Jan 2021 at 1045 AEDT | 1245 NZDT

Annals of Internal Medicine

COVID-19-related increases in supply and demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) are likely to have exacerbated the prevalence of forced labour in global PPE supply chains, according to international scientists. They cite the example of a New Read more about Slave labour is being used to meet our demand for PPE in the pandemic

That extra cup of coffee might cut prostate cancer risk

Publicly released: Tue 12 Jan 2021 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

BMJ Open

Drinking several cups of coffee every day may be linked to a lower risk of developing prostate cancer, suggests a pooled data analysis of the available evidence. Each additional daily cup of the brew was associated with a reduction in risk of nearly Read more about That extra cup of coffee might cut prostate cancer risk

Gut bugs could influence COVID-19 severity

Publicly released: Tue 12 Jan 2021 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Gut

The variety and volume of bacteria in the gut, known as the microbiome, may influence the severity of COVID-19, as well as the magnitude of the immune system response to the infection, suggests Chinese research. The researchers analysed poo samples Read more about Gut bugs could influence COVID-19 severity

Saliva-based COVID-19 testing is as effective and cheaper than uncomfortable nasal swabs

Publicly released: Tue 12 Jan 2021 at 1029 AEDT | 1229 NZDT

Annals of Internal Medicine

Saliva-based sampling for detecting COVID-19 is similarly sensitive and less costly than nasal swabs, according to a review of the available evidence by Canadian and Brazilian researchers. As well as being uncomfortable for the recipient, nasal Read more about Saliva-based COVID-19 testing is as effective and cheaper than uncomfortable nasal swabs

Stick to supportive shoes if you have knee pain

Publicly released: Tue 12 Jan 2021 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

Annals of Internal Medicine

Though they may look daggier than flat-bottomed hipster shoes, a supportive shoe might help alleviate that niggling knee pain, say Aussie scientists. Recently, it has been argued that a flat and flexible shoe might allow more of a 'barefoot' Read more about Stick to supportive shoes if you have knee pain

COVID-19 pandemic disrupted heart disease diagnosis and treatment

Publicly released: Tue 12 Jan 2021 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

Journal of the American College of Cardiology

The COVID-19 pandemic delayed and disrupted heart disease diagnosis and timely treatment across the world, according to Australian and international researchers. They found that cardiac diagnostic procedure volumes decreased 42 per cent from March Read more about COVID-19 pandemic disrupted heart disease diagnosis and treatment

Working against antibiotic-resistance

Publicly released: Tue 12 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Microbiology

New research published today in the prestigious journal Nature Microbiology has discovered how to revert antibiotic-resistance in one of the most dangerous superbugs. A major risk of being hospitalised is catching a bacterial infection. Hospitals, Read more about Working against antibiotic-resistance

Extreme drought area expected to double by the end of the century

Publicly released: Tue 12 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Climate Change

By the end of this century, the global land area and population in extreme-to-exceptional drought could more than double, according to international research. The study looked at the water available globally in lakes and reservoirs, rivers, wetlands Read more about Extreme drought area expected to double by the end of the century

Unlocking the secrets of star formation

Publicly released: Tue 12 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Astronomy

A new study by an international team of researchers has used computer power to map the so-called sonic scale, showing the key role turbulence plays in star formation. A new study by an international team of researchers has used computer power to Read more about Unlocking the secrets of star formation

Lots of oral sex could increase your risk of mouth and throat cancer

Publicly released: Mon 11 Jan 2021 at 1601 AEDT | 1801 NZDT

Cancer

Having more than 10 prior oral sex partners has been linked to a 4. 3-times greater likelihood of having human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancer of the mouth and throat, say US researchers. The study also found that having oral sex at a younger Read more about Lots of oral sex could increase your risk of mouth and throat cancer

Sports voucher program found to encourage kids to be more active

Publicly released: Mon 11 Jan 2021 at 1200 AEDT | 1400 NZDT

BMC Public Health

A Sydney-led study has found that an exercise program designed to encourage children and adolescents to be more active was successful in increasing their physical activity, with increases continuing over a 6 month period. The goal of the  study was Read more about Sports voucher program found to encourage kids to be more active

Frozen egg wastage prompts calls for women to donate unused eggs

Publicly released: Mon 11 Jan 2021 at 1106 AEDT | 1306 NZDT

BMJ Ethics

As more women postpone childbearing for social reasons and freeze their eggs, new research reveals that most don’t end up using them, leading to wastage. Current estimates suggest that less than one in five women who freeze their eggs will return Read more about Frozen egg wastage prompts calls for women to donate unused eggs

'The Meg' shark had giant babies that ate their unhatched siblings in the womb

Publicly released: Mon 11 Jan 2021 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Historical Biology

Megalodon or megatooth sharks, which lived nearly worldwide roughly 15-3. 6 million years ago, may have given birth to the largest babies in the shark world making it almost as terrifying IRL as in the sci-fi epic 'The Meg'. Researchers from the US Read more about 'The Meg' shark had giant babies that ate their unhatched siblings in the womb

Meaningful lockdown activity is more satisfying than busyness

Publicly released: Mon 11 Jan 2021 at 1048 AEDT | 1248 NZDT

PLOS ONE

With much of the world practising varying degrees of social distancing and lockdown, researchers have been investigating the key to happiness in isolation. New research shows people who pursue meaningful activities – things they enjoy doing – Read more about Meaningful lockdown activity is more satisfying than busyness

Lingering symptoms and diminishing immunity raise long-term concerns over COVID-19

Publicly released: Sat 9 Jan 2021 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The Lancet

More than three-quarters of COVID-19 patients have at least one ongoing symptom six months after initially becoming unwell, according to international researchers who surveyed over 1,700 patients in Wuhan, China. The most common persistent symptom Read more about Lingering symptoms and diminishing immunity raise long-term concerns over COVID-19

Tasmanian tiger pups found to be extraordinarily similar to wolf pups

Publicly released: Fri 8 Jan 2021 at 2000 AEDT | 2200 NZDT

Communications Biology

Researchers have established that there are more similarities between the thylacine and the wolf than previously thought. Micro-CT scanning and digital reconstructions have been used to compare the skulls of the Tasmanian tiger (thylacine) and wolf Read more about Tasmanian tiger pups found to be extraordinarily similar to wolf pups

Increased trust in government and science amid pandemic

Publicly released: Fri 8 Jan 2021 at 1824 AEDT | 2024 NZDT

Australian Journal of Public Administration

New Curtin University research has found a dramatic increase in people’s trust in government in Australia and New Zealand as a result of the COVID pandemic. New Curtin University research has found a dramatic increase in people’s trust in Read more about Increased trust in government and science amid pandemic