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Can environmental carers agree on the best way to look after nature?
PLOS One
A review of 77 studies found there are a wide variety of environmental "stewards" taking action to protect nature in Aotearoa. These groups include farmers, white-water rafters, Māori youth, and many others. However, the research authors found the Read more about Can environmental carers agree on the best way to look after nature?
New ZealandUniversity of Canterbury|University of Waikato|Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research -
Getting dirty to clean up the chemical industry’s environmental impact
Journal of the American Chemical Society
The global chemical industry is a major fossil fuel consumer and climate change contributor; however, new Curtin University research has identified how the sector could clean up its green credentials by getting dirty. The global chemical industry is Read more about Getting dirty to clean up the chemical industry’s environmental impact
Australia; WACurtin University|The University of Western Australia -
Rapid oyster reef restoration gives hope for repairing the sea
Restoration Ecology
After a century of functional extinction on the Australian mainland, a Flat oyster reef has been successfully restored along a metropolitan Adelaide coastline. After a century of functional extinction on the Australian mainland, a Flat oyster reef Read more about Rapid oyster reef restoration gives hope for repairing the sea
Australia; SAThe University of Adelaide|Government of South Australia -
New drug for sepsis shows promise in mouse and blood tests
Science Translational Medicine.
A new drug could prevent sepsis-related organ failure and death by restoring the health of a patient’s blood vessels, tests in mice and blood samples suggest. A new drug could prevent sepsis-related organ failure and death by restoring the Read more about New drug for sepsis shows promise in mouse and blood tests
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
Processed meats most strongly linked to a higher risk of death among ultra-processed foods
The BMJ
Ultra-processed foods or 'junk foods' are associated with a slightly higher risk of dying prematurely from any cause, according to international researchers who say the highest risks are associated with eating processed meats and seafood. The team Read more about Processed meats most strongly linked to a higher risk of death among ultra-processed foods
Australia; New Zealand; InternationalUniversity of Auckland|Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, USA -
The spread of misinformation varies by topic and by country
PLOS ONE
When it comes to combatting misinformation, it’s important to change your strategy depending on the country, according to international researchers. The team looked at news activity on Twitter (now X) in France, Germany, Italy, and the UK between Read more about The spread of misinformation varies by topic and by country
InternationalUniversity of Venice, Italy -
Ancient, endangered lamprey fish found in Queensland, 1400km north of its previous known range
Endangered Species Research
Scientists from Griffith University and the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) have confirmed the identity of an unusual, ancient and Endangered species of fish that is living in the coastal rivers of Queensland, Read more about Ancient, endangered lamprey fish found in Queensland, 1400km north of its previous known range
Australia; QLDThe National Environmental Science Program's Resilient Landscapes Hub... -
Are wild pigs spreading kauri dieback disease?
New Zealand Journal of Zoology
New research finds we're "flying blind" on whether feral pigs are responsible for the spread of kauri dieback. It has been theorised that pigs could directly spread the fungus by moving infected soil around, or they could make healthy kauri more Read more about Are wild pigs spreading kauri dieback disease?
New ZealandManaaki Whenua - Landcare Research -
Is toad toxin the next antidepressant?
Nature
Modifying the psychedelic compounds found in the toxin of a poisonous toad could be an effective treatment for depression and anxiety, say US researchers who trialled the toxic toad drug on mice. Recent research has found that certain psychedelics Read more about Is toad toxin the next antidepressant?
InternationalIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA -
Pollution and climate change are just some of the ways humans are increasing infectious disease risks
Nature
Humans are contributing to the rise in emerging infectious diseases, and biodiversity loss, chemical pollution, climate change and introduced species are some of the key factors that may be driving this increase, according to international research. Read more about Pollution and climate change are just some of the ways humans are increasing infectious disease risks
InternationalUniversity of Notre Dame, USA -
What health messaging can help us make better choices at the vending machine?
JAMA Network Open
Labels reminding us of the healthiness (or lack thereof) and the calorie count of items at the vending machine may help us make healthier choices with our drinks but not our snacks, according to an international study. The researchers tested four Read more about What health messaging can help us make better choices at the vending machine?
InternationalUniversity of Pennsylvania, USA -
Childhood maltreatment responsible for up to 40% of mental health conditions
JAMA Psychiatry
This media release contains information some readers may find distressing as it refers to data about mental health, suicide and self-harm. If you or anyone you know needs help, support is available now. Call Lifeline (Aus) on 131 114 or Beyond Blue Read more about Childhood maltreatment responsible for up to 40% of mental health conditions
Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney -
Should Medicare support genetic screening for Asian Australians at risk of reacting to epilepsy medication?
JAMA Dermatology
A specific gene is associated with an increased risk of a life threatening reaction to an epilepsy medication in many Asian populations, and an Australian study has found genetic screening for new Asian-Australian epilepsy patients is a Read more about Should Medicare support genetic screening for Asian Australians at risk of reacting to epilepsy medication?
Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales|The University of Sydney -
Could bad sleep during your childhood spell a risk of early adulthood psychosis?
JAMA Psychiatry
In a study involving over 12,000 kids and close to 4000 young adults, UK and Aussie researchers say they found a link between persistent shorter sleep in childhood and psychosis in young adulthood. Sleep duration was collected at multiple intervals Read more about Could bad sleep during your childhood spell a risk of early adulthood psychosis?
Australia; International; VICThe University of Melbourne|University of Birmingham, UK -
Google AI Alphafold 3 could supercharge biological research and drug discovery
Nature
AlphaFold 3, an AI model for looking at protein and molecular structures, could open up exciting possibilities for drug discovery, agricultural research, biological research, genetics, and more, according to researchers at Google DeepMind and Read more about Google AI Alphafold 3 could supercharge biological research and drug discovery
InternationalGoogle DeepMind, UK -
Potential link between PTSD and autism found in mice
iScience
People on the autism spectrum may be predisposed to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a study of a mouse model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from The Australian National University (ANU) and the University of Queensland suggests. The Read more about Potential link between PTSD and autism found in mice
Australia; QLD; ACTThe Australian National University|The University of Queensland -
Grandmothers could be the answer to adolescent angst
Scientific Reports
New research has found that investment by maternal grandmothers into grandchildren who have suffered multiple adverse early life experiences (AELE’s) could significantly reduce emotional and behavioural problems in these children. Grandmothers Read more about Grandmothers could be the answer to adolescent angst
Australia; WAEdith Cowan University -
Sleep apnea patients can breathe easy about CPAP therapy, computer simulations suggest
Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology
A new comprehensive evaluation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for obstructive sleep apnea, based on computer simulations of the respiratory tract, has found no adverse impact from its use in any part of the respiratory system. Read more about Sleep apnea patients can breathe easy about CPAP therapy, computer simulations suggest
Australia; NSWUniversity of Technology Sydney (UTS) -
These dramatic snakes fake their own deaths, complete with oozing blood effects
Biology Letters
Dice snakes, which are found across Europe and into Asia, fake their own deaths to avoid predators, and now researchers have found that by including some convincing dramatic effects such as smearing themselves with poo and oozing blood from their Read more about These dramatic snakes fake their own deaths, complete with oozing blood effects
InternationalUniversity of Belgrade, Serbia -
Chimps learn and improve tool use as they age
PLOS Biology
Chimps are champs at tool use, learning and honing their skills throughout their lives, according to international researchers who watched recordings of 70 wild chimps of various ages using sticks to retrieve food at Taï National Park in West Africa Read more about Chimps learn and improve tool use as they age
InternationalUMR5229 CNRS, France -
VIDEO EXPERT REACTION: Auckland schools are surrounded by junk food and fizzy drink ads
Kōtuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences Online
The majority of Auckland's schools have junk food ads within half a kilometre of their school gates, according to a new study. Researchers pored over Google Street View images to find out what students see on their way to and from school, finding Read more about VIDEO EXPERT REACTION: Auckland schools are surrounded by junk food and fizzy drink ads
New ZealandUniversity of Waikato|University of Auckland -
You know, I speak whale: Researchers develop a Sperm whale alphabet
Nature Communications
Sperm whale communication may be more complex than previously thought, according to international researchers who developed a ‘Sperm Whale Phonetic Alphabet’ after analysing recordings of about 60 different whales. The team say the communication Read more about You know, I speak whale: Researchers develop a Sperm whale alphabet
InternationalMassachusetts Institute of Technology, USA -
Exposure to both cannabis and nicotine in the womb is worse than either substance alone
JAMA Network Open
Babies exposed to both cannabis and nicotine in the womb are more likely to be born preterm or small for gestational age and are more likely to die soon after birth compared to those exposed to just one of the drugs, according to international Read more about Exposure to both cannabis and nicotine in the womb is worse than either substance alone
InternationalOregon Health & Science University, USA -
Why getting in touch with our ‘gerbil brain’ could help machines listen better
Current Biology
Macquarie University researchers have debunked a 75-year-old theory about how humans determine where sounds are coming from, and it could unlock the secret to creating a next generation of more adaptable and efficient hearing devices ranging from Read more about Why getting in touch with our ‘gerbil brain’ could help machines listen better
Australia; NSWMacquarie University -
How did the early COVID-19 pandemic impact birth outcomes in Australia?
Aussie mums who had babies during the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic saw some surprising positive birth outcomes, according to a report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The report compiles birth outcome statistics from Read more about How did the early COVID-19 pandemic impact birth outcomes in Australia?
AustraliaAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) -
New super-pure silicon chip opens path to powerful quantum computers
Communication Materials
Researchers at the Universities of Melbourne and Manchester have invented a technique for manufacturing highly purified silicon that brings powerful quantum computers a big step closer. Researchers at the Universities of Melbourne and Manchester Read more about New super-pure silicon chip opens path to powerful quantum computers
Australia; VICThe University of Melbourne|University of Manchester -
New rock art discoveries in Eastern Sudan reaffirm catastrophic climate change
The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology
New archaeological findings from the hyper-arid Atbai Desert, in Eastern Sudan, indicate the Sahara Desert was once a lush and green environment. New archaeological findings from the hyper-arid Atbai Desert, in Eastern Sudan, indicate the Sahara Read more about New rock art discoveries in Eastern Sudan reaffirm catastrophic climate change
Australia; International; NSWMacquarie University -
Naltrexone offers hope for Long COVID patients
Frontiers in Immunology
Researchers from Griffith University’s National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases (NCNED) have made a discovery that could bring relief to those struggling with Long COVID. They've identified a way to restore the faulty function of Read more about Naltrexone offers hope for Long COVID patients
Australia; QLDGriffith University|Mater Research -
Meth houses: More should be done to test for and tackle contamination
the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
A new Flinders University study has found less than 10% of suspected methamphetamine contamination in residences are reported to council environmental health officers (EHOs), raising further concerns more regulations are needed to manage safety and Read more about Meth houses: More should be done to test for and tackle contamination
Australia; NSW; SAFlinders University -
Testing high risk babies at 3 months of age could help identify cerebral palsy
JAMA Network Open
Early testing of three- or four-month-old babies who are at high risk of cerebral palsy was able to reliably predict the condition and its severity at two and three years old, according to Australian research. The study looked at 116 babies who were Read more about Testing high risk babies at 3 months of age could help identify cerebral palsy
Australia; VICMonash University|Hudson Institute of Medical Research... -
Over 30% of Aussies with difficult-to-treat asthma may be current smokers
Respirology
36. 2% of Aussies with difficult-to-treat asthma may also be current smokers, according to an Aussie survey of 6,048 people with asthma, which found that 21. 7% met the international criteria for difficult-to-treat asthma. The study also found that Read more about Over 30% of Aussies with difficult-to-treat asthma may be current smokers
Australia; NSWMacquarie University|The University of New South Wales... -
Nicotine-free substance could help people quit vaping
JAMA Internal Medicine
Cytisinicline, a compound found naturally in plants, could help people quit nicotine vaping, according to international research. Cytisinicline is used as a quit-smoking product in Central and Eastern Europe because it can help reduce nicotine Read more about Nicotine-free substance could help people quit vaping
InternationalHarvard Medical School, USA -
7g of olive oil a day could reduce your risk of death from dementia
JAMA Network Open
Olive oil could be linked with a lower risk of dementia-related death, particularly in women, according to international researchers who looked at data from 92,383 adults observed over 28 years. They found the consumption of more than 7g per day of Read more about 7g of olive oil a day could reduce your risk of death from dementia
InternationalHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, USA -
Relaxation therapy might help mums produce more milk
JAMA Pediatrics
British and Malaysian researchers reviewing 16 previous studies say that relaxation interventions were associated with an increase in milk production in mums, and subsequent additional weight to their bubs. The researchers say listening to music, Read more about Relaxation therapy might help mums produce more milk
InternationalUniversity of Oxford, UK -
How Venus dried up
Nature
US researchers have proposed a new possible reason as to why our spicy celestial neighbour Venus lost most of its water. They say a chemical reaction called HCO+ dissociative recombination - a process that would double the loss of water into space Read more about How Venus dried up
InternationalUniversity of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA -
Carrying 2 copies of a particular form of this gene may cause a distinct type of Alzheimer's
Nature Medicine
Spanish and US scientists say almost everyone they investigated who had two copies of a particular form of a gene called APOE, a form called APOE4, went on to develop signs of Alzheimer's disease, which may mean it's a distinct genetic form of the Read more about Carrying 2 copies of a particular form of this gene may cause a distinct type of Alzheimer's
InternationalHospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau - Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Spain -
AI technology is showing cultural biases, here's why and what can be done
AI is the fastest growing technology in the world, but there is growing concern about its ability to consider and represent diverse communities. Prominent AI applications are showing racial biases and a lack of diversity and cultural sensitivity. AI Read more about AI technology is showing cultural biases, here's why and what can be done
Australia; WAMurdoch University -
Lifestyle advice from your GP can be helpful, but only if it's offered
Medical Journal of Australia
People may be more likely to make healthy changes to their lifestyle if advised by their GP, but most Australians say they've never received such advice, according to a survey of just over 13,000 people. The survey asked participants about their Read more about Lifestyle advice from your GP can be helpful, but only if it's offered
Australia; QLDBond University -
Shaping a science system to support our national ambitions
The Australian Academy of Science is developing a ten-year plan to demonstrate how science needs to evolve to achieve our national ambitions and advance Australian interests locally and globally. ‘Australian Science, Australia’s Future: Science Read more about Shaping a science system to support our national ambitions
AustraliaAustralian Academy of Science -
Surfaces on the move: dynamic liquefaction
Advanced Science
The boundary between solid metal and liquid metal can be much less ‘solid’ than we ever suspected. RMIT researchers have discovered that the liquid-solid boundary can fluctuate back and forth, with metal atoms near the surface breaking free from Read more about Surfaces on the move: dynamic liquefaction
Australia; NSW; VICARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies (FLEET)... -
Income loss for informal caregivers of loved ones with arthritis set to rise
BMJ Open
Australians lose hundreds of millions of dollars in income each year as people become carers for loved ones with arthritis, according to Australian research. The researchers say arthritis can be debilitating and research shows it is a common reason Read more about Income loss for informal caregivers of loved ones with arthritis set to rise
Australia; NSW; QLD; ACTMacquarie University|Griffith University|The University of Queensland... -
Details of dairy farm worker infected with highly pathogenic bird flu in the US
New England Journal of Medicine
In April, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced there had been a case of the highly pathogenic bird flu, H5N1, in a dairy farm worker in the US and now scientists have published details about the case. The researchers found Read more about Details of dairy farm worker infected with highly pathogenic bird flu in the US
InternationalCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, USA -
How common is resident-to-resident aggression in assisted living facilities?
JAMA Network Open
15. 2% of assisted living residents are estimated to have been involved in instances of aggression within a month, according to an international study including six facilities in the US. The team interviewed staff and able residents of the Read more about How common is resident-to-resident aggression in assisted living facilities?
InternationalCornell University, USA -
Genetics, not lack of oxygen, causes cerebral palsy in quarter of cases
Nature Medicine
The world’s largest study of cerebral palsy (CP) genetics, a collaborative effort between the University of Adelaide and Fudan University Shanghai, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou and associates, has discovered genetic defects are most likely Read more about Genetics, not lack of oxygen, causes cerebral palsy in quarter of cases
Australia; International; SAThe University of Adelaide|Fudan University, China -
Examining the Wim Hof Method’s effect on endometriosis pain
The efficacy of the Wim Hof Method (WHM) in relation to endometriosis will be explored in a pilot trial at the University of Adelaide. The efficacy of the Wim Hof Method (WHM) in relation to endometriosis will be explored in a pilot trial at the Read more about Examining the Wim Hof Method’s effect on endometriosis pain
Australia; SAThe University of Adelaide -
Climate change could be overheating bumblebee nests
Frontiers in Bee Science
Climate change might be overheating bumblebee hives, according to international researchers who say research is urgently needed to figure out how we can help bumblebees survive the rising temperatures. The team reviewed 180 years of literature, and Read more about Climate change could be overheating bumblebee nests
InternationalUniversity of Guelph, Canada -
Insomnia medication shows promise in treatment for alcohol use disorder
Clinical Case Reports
Florey researchers are recommending full-scale human trials after an insomnia drug helped a man withdraw from his 16 drinks-a-day addiction. Florey researchers are recommending full-scale human trials after an insomnia drug helped a man withdraw Read more about Insomnia medication shows promise in treatment for alcohol use disorder
Australia; VICFlorey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health... -
Five-day work week builds work-life balance in construction
Construction workers typically work six days a week but research tracking a five-day work week in the industry shows flexibility is key to improving worker well-being, with minimal perceived impact on productivity. Construction workers typically Read more about Five-day work week builds work-life balance in construction
Australia; VICRMIT University|Construction Industry Culture Taskforce -
Quantifying the global impact of life-saving vaccines
The Lancet
Researchers have mapped the global impact of life-saving vaccines to mark the 50-year anniversary of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI). The findings show that since 1974, vaccination has saved approximately 154 million lives – most of Read more about Quantifying the global impact of life-saving vaccines
Australia; International; WATelethon Kids Institute|World Health Organization (WHO)... -
To boost quality of life while aging - stay active or get active by 55
PLOS Medicine
A new study of more than 10,000 Australian women showed a significant link between regular exercise during mid-age and physical health later in life, even when the exercise routine was not started until their mid-50s. New research from Charles Read more about To boost quality of life while aging - stay active or get active by 55
Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney