Omicron may be less likely to cause long Covid than Delta

Publicly released: Fri 17 Jun 2022 at 1053 AEST | 1253 NZST

The Lancet

In a world-first study, British researchers looked at self-reported data from a symptom tracking app to reveal the risk of Omicron-sparked long COVID. The team found the odds of long COVID were lower - by a quarter to a half - with Omicron versus Read more about Omicron may be less likely to cause long Covid than Delta

WHO urges mental health action

Publicly released: Fri 17 Jun 2022 at 1039 AEST | 1239 NZST

Even before the pandemic struck more than 1 billion people were living with a mental disorder, according to a new report by the World Health Organisation, which says there is an urgent need to transform mental health and mental health care. The Read more about WHO urges mental health action

‘Bad guy’ blood cells vital to gut health found

Publicly released: Fri 17 Jun 2022 at 0949 AEST | 1149 NZST

Immunity

A Monash University collaboration has found that eosinophils, a type of white blood cell commonly associated with asthma and allergy, play an important role in maintaining a healthy gut. A Monash University collaboration has found that eosinophils, Read more about ‘Bad guy’ blood cells vital to gut health found

Tokyo Olympics cut carbon emissions from flying by 130,000 tonnes

Publicly released: Fri 17 Jun 2022 at 0640 AEST | 0840 NZST

Annals of Tourism Research Empirical Insights

Japanese and NZ researchers estimate that the CO2 emissions from Olympic staff flying to Tokyo were slashed by about 130,000 tonnes, since fewer personnel travelled there due to the pandemic. These emissions - from air travel of Olympic staff - Read more about Tokyo Olympics cut carbon emissions from flying by 130,000 tonnes

Genes linked to disease are more common in pedigree cats than we thought

Publicly released: Fri 17 Jun 2022 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

PLOS Genetics

Genetic variants associated with disease in cats can be found in more pedigree pets than previously thought, according to international researchers who studied the DNA of over 11,000 domestic cats. They identified 13 new variants associated with Read more about Genes linked to disease are more common in pedigree cats than we thought

If you can't keep the beat you can partly blame your genes

Publicly released: Fri 17 Jun 2022 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Human Behaviour

Having good rhythm and being able to move in time to the beat is at least in part explained by our genes, according to Australian and international researchers who have identified 69 different genetic variants linked with the ability to keep in time Read more about If you can't keep the beat you can partly blame your genes

The Kangaroo Island dunnart is under an extinction-level threat from feral cats

Publicly released: Fri 17 Jun 2022 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Scientific Reports

The bushfire that tore across Kangaroo Island during the Black Summer damaged the population of the already-endangered Kangaroo Island dunnart and the risk of feral cats may be pushing them closer to extinction, according to Australian research. It Read more about The Kangaroo Island dunnart is under an extinction-level threat from feral cats

New fertility hope for the sons of IVF

Publicly released: Fri 17 Jun 2022 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

Fertility and sterility

IVF has allowed thousands of men with fertility issues to become fathers, and until now it was thought those same fertility concerns had been passed down to their sons. Now, thanks to the world's largest study of men conceived using the most common Read more about New fertility hope for the sons of IVF

Brain ‘fingerprinting’ provides insights into mental health of young adolescents

Publicly released: Thu 16 Jun 2022 at 1559 AEST | 1759 NZST

NeuroImage

Medical imaging of a person’s unique brain signature – much like a fingerprint – has the potential to predict mental health problems in young adolescents, according to a world-first study by University of the Sunshine Coast researchers. Read more about Brain ‘fingerprinting’ provides insights into mental health of young adolescents

One in five mums of young kids experience domestic violence and most don't speak up

Publicly released: Thu 16 Jun 2022 at 1500 AEST | 1700 NZST

PLOS ONE

One in five mothers have experienced intimate partner violence but two-thirds haven't disclosed it to a GP or mental health professional, according to a Victorian study. The researchers followed up with 1500 mums 10 years after birth to survey them Read more about One in five mums of young kids experience domestic violence and most don't speak up

Women want to hear from other patients before deciding on breast reconstruction

Publicly released: Thu 16 Jun 2022 at 1454 AEST | 1654 NZST

Annals of Surgery Open

Breast cancer patients considering bio-medical reconstruction involving new technologies look to engage with former patients on their lived experience to help them make a decision says new research from QUT. Women making critical decisions on breast Read more about Women want to hear from other patients before deciding on breast reconstruction

New Australian commitment to cutting emissions a welcome step

Publicly released: Thu 16 Jun 2022 at 1451 AEST | 1651 NZST

The Government’s commitment today to an increased emissions reduction target for 2030 is strongly welcomed by the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE). ATSE has, however, advised caution regarding how the new commitment of a 43% Read more about New Australian commitment to cutting emissions a welcome step

Weighing the cost of increasing Saudi heritage tourism

Publicly released: Thu 16 Jun 2022 at 1433 AEST | 1633 NZST

Journal of Heritage Tourism

The impact of tourism development at the Al-Hijr Archaeological Site, decreed Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, has been significant since the Saudi Vision 2030 strategy was launched in 2016, which positioned heritage Read more about Weighing the cost of increasing Saudi heritage tourism

Time to rebuild construction

Publicly released: Thu 16 Jun 2022 at 1340 AEST | 1540 NZST

Sustainability

Leading world markets face similar problems in creating economically and environmentally sustainable construction industries, say Aussie and international researchers. As China, the US, Australia and other countries struggle to maintain construction Read more about Time to rebuild construction

EXPERT REACTION: Early treatment can help prevent anal cancer

Publicly released: Thu 16 Jun 2022 at 1338 AEST | 1538 NZST

New England Journal of Medicine

US research has shown treatment and removal of pre-cancerous cells and tissues can reduce the rates of anal cancer by 57%. Anal cancer is a common cancer among people living with HIV, and like cervical cancer, it is often preceded by the appearance Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Early treatment can help prevent anal cancer

New nano-gel to protect children receiving chemotherapy from hearing loss

Publicly released: Thu 16 Jun 2022 at 1326 AEST | 1526 NZST

Curtin University researchers will test a new nano-gel they have created to protect children receiving chemotherapy treatment from the common side effect of hearing loss, as part of a new project with Ear Science Institute Australia and supported by Read more about New nano-gel to protect children receiving chemotherapy from hearing loss

Menopause doesn't always need to be as rough as it's portrayed

Publicly released: Thu 16 Jun 2022 at 1215 AEST | 1415 NZST

The BMJ

Stigma and ageism around menopause and over-medicalising the process could be making it a more negative experience than it needs to be, according to Australian and international researchers. In an analysis and two opinion pieces, the researchers Read more about Menopause doesn't always need to be as rough as it's portrayed

New solution for stem cell manufacturing

Publicly released: Thu 16 Jun 2022 at 1122 AEST | 1322 NZST

Bioresources and Bioprocessing

Researchers have developed a unique 3D printed system for harvesting stem cells from bioreactors, offering the potential for high quality, wide-scale production of stem cells in Australia at a lower cost. Researchers have developed a unique 3D Read more about New solution for stem cell manufacturing

Soft corals more resilient than reef-building corals during a marine heatwave

Publicly released: Thu 16 Jun 2022 at 1100 AEST | 1300 NZST

Frontiers in Physiology

Soft corals, the penned, fanned and tentacled corals, of Lord Howe Island appear more resilient to coral bleaching than their hard coral cousins, a team of marine biologists led by UNSW Science finds. Hard, reef-building corals appear to be less Read more about Soft corals more resilient than reef-building corals during a marine heatwave

Boosters or previous COVID-19 infection are needed to prevent symptomatic Omicron

Publicly released: Thu 16 Jun 2022 at 0700 AEST | 0900 NZST

New England Journal of Medicine

Two doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine has a negligible effect on the risk of symptomatic Omicron but previous infections and booster doses change this, according to international research. The team looked at infection rates in Qatar to compare rates Read more about Boosters or previous COVID-19 infection are needed to prevent symptomatic Omicron