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EXPERT REACTION: Little bush moa genome shines a light on NZ's extinct native birds
Science Advances
Using ancient DNA recovered from a fossil bone, scientists have reconstructed the genome of the turkey-sized little bush moa, which went extinct 500-600 years ago. This work allows the scientists to estimate a likely long-term population size of Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Little bush moa genome shines a light on NZ's extinct native birds
New Zealand; InternationalHarvard University, USA -
Distrust in climate scientists comes from a minority, but their skepticism is powerful
PLOS Climate
The majority of the public trust climate scientists nowadays, according to a narrative review by international researchers who say the minority who distrust climate scientists are a driving force in inaction on climate change. The team reviewed Read more about Distrust in climate scientists comes from a minority, but their skepticism is powerful
InternationalHarvard University, USA -
Around 1.24% of pregnant Aussies may be using e-cigs, mainly to quit smoking
Drug & Alcohol Review
A survey of 4024 pregnant Aussies in one district of NSW found 1. 24% were using e-cigarettes, and more than half of them (52%) were using e-cigs to quit smoking regular cigarettes. Current or ex-smokers were the most likely to use e-cigs, the study Read more about Around 1.24% of pregnant Aussies may be using e-cigs, mainly to quit smoking
Australia; NSWThe University of Newcastle|NSW Government -
Exposure to 'chemical soup' in the womb linked to health problems in kids
JAMA Network Open
Exposure to widespread mixtures of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the womb is linked with an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome - early warning signs of serious conditions including heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes - Read more about Exposure to 'chemical soup' in the womb linked to health problems in kids
Australia; InternationalUniversity of Granada, Spain -
Ants like energy-drink levels of caffeine and it could help control pest species
iScience
Ants who find an energy-drink-like dose of caffeine and sugar become more efficient at navigating back to it after fetching the rest of their nest, according to international researchers. Seeking to find better ways to control ecologically harmful Read more about Ants like energy-drink levels of caffeine and it could help control pest species
InternationalUniversity of Regensburg, Germany -
If your partner's snoring drives you mad, get them MAD (mandibular advancement devices)
JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery
Mandibular advancement devices (MAD), which look a lot like sports mouthguards, are more effective at preventing snoring than the old 'tennis balls in a bra worn backwards' approach, or 'positional therapy' as it's known in science-speak, even when Read more about If your partner's snoring drives you mad, get them MAD (mandibular advancement devices)
InternationalWashington University, USA -
Donating a kidney probably won't affect your health in the long term
JAMA
Canadian and Australian scientists say kidney donors' health returns to normal following donation and there appear to be no major negative health effects of living with just a single kidney for more than seven years following donation. They followed Read more about Donating a kidney probably won't affect your health in the long term
Australia; International; WAThe University of Western Australia|Victoria Hospital, Canada -
Alzheimer's - a new perspective on an old disease
Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association
In a review article, an international team of scientists argues the case for a new mechanism to explain Alzheimer's disease involving a group of neurons called the isodendritic core (responsible for arousal and sleep/wake cycles). Unlike other Read more about Alzheimer's - a new perspective on an old disease
InternationalNeuro-Bio Ltd, King's College London, Oxford University, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Miguel Hernández University, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona -
Bigger is better: male proboscis monkeys’ enhanced noses evolved to attract mates
Scientific Reports
When it comes to the animal kingdom, bigger is better. Well, at least for proboscis monkeys, famously known for their long, large and droopy noses. Researchers from The Australian National University (ANU) have provided a potential explanation for Read more about Bigger is better: male proboscis monkeys’ enhanced noses evolved to attract mates
Australia; ACTThe Australian National University -
Wild chickpea genes could help us develop a better chickpea
Nature Genetics
Australian and international researchers have sequenced the DNA of eight wild chickpea relatives and identified genes which could help us develop an 'elite' chickpea. The researchers pulled the genomes of the eight wild relatives and two cultivated Read more about Wild chickpea genes could help us develop a better chickpea
Australia; WAThe University of Western Australia|Murdoch University... -
The world probably has less clean water than we thought
Nature Climate Change
Current estimates of the amount of water available to people around the world are based solely on the amount of water there is, and not whether that water is of a high enough quality to use, according to Dutch researchers. That means we've Read more about The world probably has less clean water than we thought
InternationalUtrecht University, the Netherlands -
Aussie school-based 'Health4Life' program sees only short term improvements in mental health symptoms
Nature Mental Health
An Australian school-based health program, which targets six lifestyle risk factors: diet, sleep, physical activity, screentime, alcohol use and smoking, has shown no improvement over usual health education in reducing depressive, anxiety or Read more about Aussie school-based 'Health4Life' program sees only short term improvements in mental health symptoms
Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney -
One in 10 children in the US has a current ADHD diagnosis
Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology
About 6. 5 million children in the US had ADHD in 2022, a million more than five years ago, according to international research. The team used US data to measure the prevalence of diagnosed ADHD in the country, as well as how many were taking Read more about One in 10 children in the US has a current ADHD diagnosis
InternationalCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, USA -
I’ll have what she’s having!
Appetite
New research from Flinders University has revealed that feeling a sense of belonging to a social group can have a significant impact on our food choices, potentially nudging us towards healthier options. New research from Flinders University has Read more about I’ll have what she’s having!
Australia; SAFlinders University -
Nutbush fever: How the Ike and Tina Turner hit became Australia's dance sensation
Journal of Media & Cultural Studies
Researchers at the University of South Australia and Edith Cowan University in WA have explored the origins of the iconic Nutbush dance and how it became an Australian cultural phenomenon. If there’s one thing that Aussies just can’t resist Read more about Nutbush fever: How the Ike and Tina Turner hit became Australia's dance sensation
Australia; SA; WAUniversity of South Australia|Edith Cowan University -
Australian TV drama on the ropes
QUT ePrints
Australian television drama production is not what it once was. A QUT report finds successive government policies have prioritised corporate interests over Australian culture and identity, lending more support to multi-territory streamers for global Read more about Australian TV drama on the ropes
Australia; QLDQueensland University of Technology (QUT) -
Quantum photonic technologies set to be more reliable with new interferometer
Optica
An increasing number of emerging quantum applications operate using optical technologies. Currently, quantum photon sources are regularly taken offline to be tested and adjusted using an interferometer. This requires comparing photons multiple times Read more about Quantum photonic technologies set to be more reliable with new interferometer
Australia; International; ACTARC Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems (TMOS)... -
Gene could unlock big wheat yields for a growing population
Current Biology
A study from the University of Adelaide has discovered molecular pathways regulated by a gene traditionally used to control wheat-flowering behaviour could be altered to achieve greater yields. A study from the University of Adelaide has discovered Read more about Gene could unlock big wheat yields for a growing population
Australia; SAThe University of Adelaide -
Next-gen training for improved knee surgery
Orthopaedic Research
Successful co-design and testing of new synthetic knee models by Flinders University’s Medical Device Research Institute is producing vital tools to help surgeons continue to practice and advance knee surgery methods. The new synthetic knee models Read more about Next-gen training for improved knee surgery
Australia; SAFlinders University -
Blueprint to 'Be Ahead of Ready' in face of future disasters
The future thinking that Australia needs to meet the increasing severity, length and frequency of natural hazards is outlined in a new report by Natural Hazards Research Australia. Be Ahead of Ready draws on the best thinking from across Australia Read more about Blueprint to 'Be Ahead of Ready' in face of future disasters
Australia; VICNatural Hazards Research Australia