Is there a trace of bug in your cup of tea?

Publicly released: Wed 15 Jun 2022 at 0901 AEST | 1101 NZST

Biology Letters

German researchers have identified over a thousand species of insects, spiders, mites and other bugs, from the DNA they leave behind in your cup of tea. Using a new DNA analysis method they looked at dried teas and dried herbs found in supermarkets - Read more about Is there a trace of bug in your cup of tea?

Native bee unlocks key to social evolution

Publicly released: Wed 15 Jun 2022 at 0901 AEST | 1101 NZST

Proceedings B

Studying the unusual social behaviour of an Australian native bee has enabled Flinders University researchers to obtain a clear understanding about the earliest stages of social evolution. Evidence of how individuals that live a solitary lifestyle Read more about Native bee unlocks key to social evolution

Drugs linked to blokes brawling in bars, but booze still the main culprit

Publicly released: Wed 15 Jun 2022 at 0300 AEST | 0500 NZST

Drug and Alcohol Review

Heavy drinking is the key driver of acts of male aggression in and around bars, but use of amphetamine-like drugs and aggressive personality traits also increase the risk, according to Australian research. The team surveyed just under 500 male Read more about Drugs linked to blokes brawling in bars, but booze still the main culprit

Kitties flying high on catnip also keep away the flies

Publicly released: Wed 15 Jun 2022 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

iScience

Japanese researchers suggest that other than getting the zoomies or spacing out, your cat's love of catnip or the Asian counterpart, silvervine, could be because they are getting the added benefit of an insect repellent. The team found that the more Read more about Kitties flying high on catnip also keep away the flies

Taking an origami 'millirobot' for a spin

Publicly released: Wed 15 Jun 2022 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Communications

US scientists have developed a 7. 8mm diameter origami 'millirobot', which uses magnets and origami folding to roll, flip, spin, and even swim. The robot has a cross-sectional diameter of 7. 8 mm and consists of Kresling origami (a triangulated Read more about Taking an origami 'millirobot' for a spin

EXPERT REACTION: AEMO warns of power shortfalls across five states

Publicly released: Tue 14 Jun 2022 at 1645 AEST | 1845 NZST

Five states have been warned of potential power interruptions this evening and tomorrow as the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) anticipates shortages in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: AEMO warns of power shortfalls across five states

Vitamin D deficiency linked to dementia

Publicly released: Tue 14 Jun 2022 at 1329 AEST | 1529 NZST

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Dementia is one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people worldwide, affecting thinking and behaviours as you age. Now, a study from the University of South Australia shows a link between vitamin D deficiency and dementia, Read more about Vitamin D deficiency linked to dementia

Whale-sized detective job seeks to uncover potential calving ground in WA’s South West

Publicly released: Tue 14 Jun 2022 at 1045 AEST | 1245 NZST

Researchers are embarking on an immense detective effort to identify individual whales from thousands of historical photos, to help revive a calving ground which was severely impacted by the whaling industry. An immense detective effort is being Read more about Whale-sized detective job seeks to uncover potential calving ground in WA’s South West

Research too weak to recommend cannabis for palliative care

Publicly released: Tue 14 Jun 2022 at 1041 AEST | 1241 NZST

Journal of Pain and Symptom Management

Scientists have pulled together 52 studies on the use of medicinal cannabis in end-of-life care, finding the quality of evidence was 'very low' or 'low' for all studies. Some positive effects were seen for things like pain, nausea, and fatigue in Read more about Research too weak to recommend cannabis for palliative care

Serious injuries more likely at trampoline centres than at home

Publicly released: Tue 14 Jun 2022 at 0830 AEST | 1030 NZST

Injury Prevention

Kids who use trampoline centres are more likely to be seriously injured than those who use home trampolines, according to an analysis of 11 studies including data from Australia and New Zealand. Kids using trampolining centres were more than twice Read more about Serious injuries more likely at trampoline centres than at home

Blood pressure problems during pregnancy linked to similar issues in the following years

Publicly released: Tue 14 Jun 2022 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

Journal of the American College of Cardiology

Women who develop blood pressure-related conditions like pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension are more likely to develop high blood pressure in the decade after their pregnancy, according to international research. The team followed up Read more about Blood pressure problems during pregnancy linked to similar issues in the following years

Free vaccines have helped turn around dismal rates of vaccination in pregnancy

Publicly released: Tue 14 Jun 2022 at 0300 AEST | 0500 NZST

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Before a program of free vaccination during pregnancy was introduced in WA in 2015, rates of influenza and whooping cough vaccination among pregnant women were dismally low in the general population, and even lower among First nations Australians, Read more about Free vaccines have helped turn around dismal rates of vaccination in pregnancy

Genes reveal coffee is safe during pregnancy

Publicly released: Mon 13 Jun 2022 at 1631 AEST | 1831 NZST

International Journal of Epidemiology

University of Queensland researchers have found, using genetic analysis that enjoying a daily latte or long black causes no increased risk to pregnancy. The team used a technique called ‘Mendelian Randomisation’ - which uses genetics to allow Read more about Genes reveal coffee is safe during pregnancy

TB treatment during pregnancy is safe for mum and baby

Publicly released: Mon 13 Jun 2022 at 1401 AEST | 1601 NZST

JAMA Network Open

Seven out of 10 pregnant women were cured of their multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and delivered healthy babies after taking a medication that had previously been considered unsafe in pregnancy, a new Curtin and Telethon Kids Institute study has Read more about TB treatment during pregnancy is safe for mum and baby

The eyes could be a window into our heart risk

Publicly released: Mon 13 Jun 2022 at 0801 AEST | 1001 NZST

The European Society of Human Genetics Conference

Combining genetic data with an eye exam could help predict a person's risk of coronary artery disease and heart attacks, according to research presented at the European Society of Human Genetics conference. The pattern of blood vessels in the retina Read more about The eyes could be a window into our heart risk

Single test could rule out heart attack in Indigenous Australians

Publicly released: Mon 13 Jun 2022 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

Medical Journal of Australia

QUT researchers have identified a way of more quickly determining the risk of a heart attack for Indigenous patients, which could fast-track their treatment and ease hospital overcrowding. QUT researchers have identified a way of more quickly Read more about Single test could rule out heart attack in Indigenous Australians

At least one in 500 children estimated to have caught COVID-19 in pandemic's first year

Publicly released: Mon 13 Jun 2022 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

Medical Journal of Australia

By early 2021, at least one in 500 children are estimated to have been infected with COVID-19 in Australia, according to researchers who used blood samples taken for elective surgery between November 2020 and March 2021. The researchers extrapolated Read more about At least one in 500 children estimated to have caught COVID-19 in pandemic's first year

Ultra-rapid DNA sequencing helps diagnose critically ill Aussie kids in just 3 days

Publicly released: Sun 12 Jun 2022 at 0801 AEST | 1001 NZST

European Society of Human Genetics

Ultra rapid DNA sequencing of 290 critically ill Aussie kids has meant that just under half of the kids were able to receive a diagnosis in just under 3 days. Sequencing the whole of a person's DNA once took years, but this study showed that once Read more about Ultra-rapid DNA sequencing helps diagnose critically ill Aussie kids in just 3 days

Girlboss or businessperson? Should we be highlighting or downplaying gender in our language?

Publicly released: Sat 11 Jun 2022 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Trends in Cognitive Sciences

Using gender-neutral words such as “businessperson,” instead of “businessman” or “businesswoman,” may not be gender-neutral after all, according to a US expert who says that even when gender isn’t specified, stereotypes often fill in Read more about Girlboss or businessperson? Should we be highlighting or downplaying gender in our language?

Sorry folks - La Nina is likely to be here till at least August

Publicly released: Fri 10 Jun 2022 at 1700 AEST | 1900 NZST

There is a high probability that the ongoing La Niña event, which has affected temperature and rain patterns will continue until at least August, with some long-lead predictions even suggesting that it might persist into 2023. According to a new Read more about Sorry folks - La Nina is likely to be here till at least August