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Aussie kids who see online gambling ads are more likely to gamble
Addictive Behaviors Reports
Most Aussie high school kids have seen gambling advertising in the last month, and those who have seen gambling ads are more likely to have gambled in the last month, or be classified as at-risk or problem gamblers, according to new research. Read more about Aussie kids who see online gambling ads are more likely to gamble
Australia; NSW; VICThe University of Newcastle|The University of Melbourne... -
COVID-19 vaccine may work even if it doesn't reach the muscle
Vaccine
New research shows standard Covid-19 vaccination needles are too short to reach the muscle tissue in some people with larger arms. However the study also found those people had similar antibody levels to those who had been injected with an Read more about COVID-19 vaccine may work even if it doesn't reach the muscle
New ZealandUniversity of Auckland|University of Otago|Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, Auckland District Health Board, Counties Manukau District Health Board, Capital and Coast District Health Board -
Whales learn songs from each other in a cultural ‘deep dive’
Scientific Reports
A University of Queensland-led study has found humpback whales can learn incredibly complex songs from whales from other regions. A University of Queensland-led study has found humpback whales can learn incredibly complex songs from whales from Read more about Whales learn songs from each other in a cultural ‘deep dive’
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
No matter your weight, COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of severe illness
The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology
Two or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine significantly reduce the risk of hospitalisation or death due to the virus no matter your weight, according to international researchers. The team used health records from more than 9 million people in England Read more about No matter your weight, COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of severe illness
InternationalUniversity of Oxford, UK -
Forget dropping the kids off at the pool - should we be taking our poo to the bank instead?
Trends in Molecular Medicine
While you might be thinking about banking your savings now for later in life, two experts from the US say we should also all be thinking about banking our poo. They propose that people could bank samples of their own poo when they are young and Read more about Forget dropping the kids off at the pool - should we be taking our poo to the bank instead?
InternationalBrigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA -
Could hungry bacteria make sustainable jet fuel?
Joule
An explosive molecule created by a specific bacteria munching on sugar could one day be used to create a fossil fuel-free jet fuel, according to international researchers who have harvested a small amount of the substance. 'Jawsamycin' is made by a Read more about Could hungry bacteria make sustainable jet fuel?
InternationalBerkeley National Laboratory, USA -
Thumbs-up for bamboo: Pandas have been eating it for 6 million years
Scientific Reports
Pandas have been snacking on bamboo for at least six million years, according to international researchers who say they've found the oldest fossil of a panda with a thumb-like bone on its paw. It's believed like us, pandas developed their version of Read more about Thumbs-up for bamboo: Pandas have been eating it for 6 million years
InternationalNatural History Museum of Los Angeles County, USA -
'Extraordinary' drop in emissions during COVID-19 is what we need each year to limit warming to 1.5°C
Nature Geoscience
Carbon dioxide emissions fell 6. 3% during the first year of the COVID pandemic and experts say this extraordinary drop is the same size as what we need to see each year if we are going to limit warming to 1. 5 °C. The drop in daily emissions Read more about 'Extraordinary' drop in emissions during COVID-19 is what we need each year to limit warming to 1.5°C
Australia; ACTCSIRO|Tsinghua University, China -
Astronauts on long missions can experience the equivalent of 10 years of age-related bone density loss
Scientific Reports
Astronauts on long missions experience the equivalent of 10 years of age-related bone density loss, even after 12 months of recovery, according to a small international study. The research investigated the shinbones of 17 astronauts after being in Read more about Astronauts on long missions can experience the equivalent of 10 years of age-related bone density loss
InternationalUniversity of Calgary, Canada -
Australia's fire season is drastically expanding
Reviews of Geophysics
Extreme fire weather has increased significantly around the world since the 1980s, according to Aussie and international researchers who say days with fire weather in Australia’s southeast forest regions in particular have been increasing even Read more about Australia's fire season is drastically expanding
Australia; ACTCSIRO -
Are drug regulators too cosy with the companies they regulate?
The BMJ
We all rely on drug regulators to provide an unbiased, rigorous assessment of new medicines before they hit the market, but an Aussie investigation has found that industry money permeates the globe’s leading regulators, raising questions about Read more about Are drug regulators too cosy with the companies they regulate?
Australia; NSWThe BMJ -
Mapping the ‘energy fingerprints’ of lung cancer leads to fundamental treatment rethink
Cell Matabolism
Researchers from Melbourne medical research institute, WEHI, have discovered cancer and immune cells rely on the same energy sources from our body to thrive, which could trigger a fundamental rethink of treatment options for some lung cancer patients Read more about Mapping the ‘energy fingerprints’ of lung cancer leads to fundamental treatment rethink
Australia; VICWEHI|The University of Melbourne|The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity... -
Stopping family violence starts with protecting our children
Breaking the intergenerational cycle of abuse is paramount, but unless substantial funding and resources are redirected to preventing child abuse and neglect and providing skilful social and therapeutic services to those with histories of abuse, Read more about Stopping family violence starts with protecting our children
Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia -
What makes an excellent schoolteacher? Troubled teens tell us
Frontiers in Education
New QUT research that asked high school students with learning and behavioural difficulties what makes an excellent teacher revealed they value instruction over a bubbly or fun disposition. What makes an excellent schoolteacher? Troubled teens tell Read more about What makes an excellent schoolteacher? Troubled teens tell us
Australia; QLDQueensland University of Technology (QUT) -
EXPERT REACTION: Pfizer cleared to apply for vaccine approval for under 5s
The TGA has granted a provisional determination to Pfizer for its COVID-19 vaccine in kids aged six months to five years. Provisional determination is the first step in the registration process and it means that Pfizer is now eligible to apply Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Pfizer cleared to apply for vaccine approval for under 5s
Australia; NSW; VICAustralian Government - Dept of Health -
Australians open to using genetic technology to manage feral cats
Researchers from CSIRO surveyed more than 3,800 people across Australia to understand public perceptions of using genetic technologies, such as gene drives, on feral cats. Gene drives can determine the sex of offspring, reducing the number of Read more about Australians open to using genetic technology to manage feral cats
AustraliaCSIRO -
Ventilation key to managing risk of 'long-distance' indoor COVID-19 transmission
The BMJ
It's likely that COVID-19 can be transmitted further than two metres in some poorly ventilated indoor settings, according to international researchers who reviewed studies of potential 'long-distance' COVID-19 transmission. They say of the 18 Read more about Ventilation key to managing risk of 'long-distance' indoor COVID-19 transmission
InternationalUK Health Security Agency -
Road injuries are killing young people, and it’s hardly slowing down
The Lancet Public Health
New research led by UNSW Sydney reveals traffic-related fatalities and injuries are the biggest killers of young people worldwide – causing more deaths than communicable and non-communicable diseases or self-harm. The findings are published Read more about Road injuries are killing young people, and it’s hardly slowing down
Australia; International; NSWThe University of New South Wales -
Two Pfizer doses offer 'moderate' protection against symptomatic Omicron in kids
New England Journal of Medicine
Protection against Omicron infection and symptomatic Omicron for children aged five to 11 soon after their second dose is about 50 per cent, according to a study in Israel. The researchers matched 130,000 recently vaccinated children with 95,000 Read more about Two Pfizer doses offer 'moderate' protection against symptomatic Omicron in kids
InternationalClalit Research Institute, Israel -
Happy music and sad music may not be universal
PLOS ONE
Major chords in music are typically seen as ‘happy’, while minor chords are seen as ‘sad’, but Aussie researchers have suggested this is not universal and might be due to the domination of Western culture. The team played major and minor Read more about Happy music and sad music may not be universal
Australia; Pacific; NSW; ACTWestern Sydney University|The Australian National University -
Pollution exposure associated with risk of multiple chronic diseases
PLOS Global Public Health
Exposure to the air pollution known as fine particulate matter is associated with an increased risk of having a cluster of multiple chronic diseases, according to international researchers. The team used data on almost 20,000 respondents of the Read more about Pollution exposure associated with risk of multiple chronic diseases
InternationalUniversity of St Andrews, UK -
How Facebook clickbaits you into engaging will shock you!
PLOS ONE
German researchers investigated 4,000 Facebook posts by both 'reputable' and 'tabloid' news organisations and say that headlines really do 'bait' users into interacting with the post, though some tricks work better than others. They found unusual Read more about How Facebook clickbaits you into engaging will shock you!
InternationalUniversity of Duisburg-Essen, Germany -
"Housing First" approach shows promise for NZ's homeless youth
Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand
Young people in Aotearoa experience disproportionately high rates of homelessness - at the time of the 2018 Census more than 20,000 people under 25 years old were experiencing homelessness. Researchers followed a cohort of 69 youths for two years Read more about "Housing First" approach shows promise for NZ's homeless youth
New ZealandUniversity of Otago|The People's Project, Hamilton, NZ -
Grey wolf genome hints at dual ancestry of dogs
Nature
Domestic dogs are more closely related to ancient wolves from eastern Eurasia than to those in the west, according to an analysis of ancient wolf genomes spanning the last 100,000 years from Europe, Siberia and North America. The international team Read more about Grey wolf genome hints at dual ancestry of dogs
InternationalThe Francis Crick Institute, UK -
Google searches for abortion medication jumped to record highs after leaked US Supreme Court decision
JAMA Internal Medicine
Google searches for abortion medication in the US jumped to record highs and were as much as 162% higher than expected in the 72 hours after the US Supreme Court decision was leaked in May 2022, according to new data. The study found that Read more about Google searches for abortion medication jumped to record highs after leaked US Supreme Court decision
InternationalQualcomm Institute, USA -
An engaging leadership style invigorates employees
PLOS One
Want to be a better boss? Try being an ‘engaging leader’, say international researchers who have found this style of leadership can boost employee engagement and enhance team effectiveness in the workplace. The team surveyed 1,048 Dutch workers Read more about An engaging leadership style invigorates employees
InternationalUniversity of Bologna, Italy -
Mental health issues for long-COVID patients require deeper study
JAMA Psychiatry
Long-COVID symptoms such as cognitive impairment, sleep difficulties, depression, post-traumatic stress, and substance use disorders are in need of more research, according to a literature review looking at the neuropsychiatric symptoms associated Read more about Mental health issues for long-COVID patients require deeper study
InternationalNew York University, USA -
$79m in funding for NZ health research
Developing non-addictive drug compounds to treat pain, reducing the burden of osteoarthritis, and investigating the impact of COVID-19 on Māori/non-Māori inequities are among the projects to be given funding in the Health Research Council's Read more about $79m in funding for NZ health research
New ZealandHealth Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) -
EXPERT REACTION: Honey bee parasite Varroa mites detected in NSW
Beekeepers in some areas of New South Wales are destroying their hives in an effort to eradicate an invasive and deadly parasite called the Varroa mite, which was detected in biosecurity hives at the Port of Newcastle last week. The mites have Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Honey bee parasite Varroa mites detected in NSW
Australia; NSW; QLD; SA -
Binding methane with metal: a new hope for recycling the potent fossil fuel
Nature Chemistry
To stem the extraordinary amounts of wasted methane (natural gas), a catalyst must be developed for methane's conversion. With a unique metal – osmium – researchers are one step closer to developing that catalyst. By including the rare metal Read more about Binding methane with metal: a new hope for recycling the potent fossil fuel
Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales -
Fossil hunters describe a kangaroo - from PNG
Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia
Australian palaeontologists from Flinders University have described a new genus of giant fossil kangaroo from the mountains of central Papua New Guinea. The new description of the fossil kangaroo has found that, rather than being closely related to Read more about Fossil hunters describe a kangaroo - from PNG
Australia; International; SAFlinders University -
Inbreeding may make it harder for Thoroughbreds to hit the racecourse
Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Higher levels of inbreeding in Thoroughbred racehorses may reduce the chance of a horse ever racing, according to an international study using global data, including from Australia and New Zealand. The team found that a 10% increase in inbreeding is Read more about Inbreeding may make it harder for Thoroughbreds to hit the racecourse
Australia; New Zealand; InternationalPlusvital Ltd., Ireland -
Your peers in adolescence could make or break you
Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Your mother was right: Your peers can either lead you astray or help you thrive, especially in your early teens, according to international researchers. In a series of decision-making experiments with 146 10- to 20-year-olds, the team showed that Read more about Your peers in adolescence could make or break you
InternationalUniversity of Amsterdam, Netherlands -
COVID-19 measures in the US may have avoided around 250 million infections in 2020
Royal Society Open Science
Non-pharmaceutical interventions such as mask-wearing, social distancing and staying home avoided around 248. 3 million COVID-19 infections in the US before vaccines were available, according to a modelling study by international researchers. The Read more about COVID-19 measures in the US may have avoided around 250 million infections in 2020
InternationalColorado School of Mines, USA -
Algorithm almost im-peck-able at picking up chicken distress calls
Journal of the Royal Society Interface
International researchers have developed a deep learning tool to identify the distress calls of farmed chickens. With over 25 billion chickens farmed each year, monitoring chicken noises for distress could be an easy way to ensure there's no fowl Read more about Algorithm almost im-peck-able at picking up chicken distress calls
InternationalCity University of Hong Kong, China -
Smarter scans help blood cancer patients
The Lancet Haematology
A Peter Mac-led clinical trial has found combination PET/CT scans are better at investigating the causes of prolonged fever in blood cancer patients than conventional CT scans. A Peter Mac-led clinical trial has found combination PET/CT scans are Read more about Smarter scans help blood cancer patients
Australia; International; VICPeter MacCallum Cancer Centre -
Genetic mutations never before seen combined for a devastating impact
Blood Advances
Scientists have found the importance of analysing how genetic mutations can combine after studying the impact on a little boy who died of a devastating genetic disease The family of a five-year-old boy, Grayson, who died of a rare genetic disease is Read more about Genetic mutations never before seen combined for a devastating impact
Australia; International; NSWChildren's Medical Research Institute (CMRI)|RMIT University... -
"Just everything costs so much" - lived experiences of food insecurity in NZ
Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand
Researchers interviewed six sole-parent women who had experienced food insecurity, and also looked at national data on the issue. The mothers' lived experience gave insights into the reasons behind the food insecurity, and showed the stress and Read more about "Just everything costs so much" - lived experiences of food insecurity in NZ
New ZealandUniversity of Otago -
Who is most likely to get long COVID?
Nature Communications
You're more likely to develop long COVID if you are female, had poor physical and/or mental health before the pandemic, and you're aged 50–60, according to UK and Swedish scientists. They brought together the data from 10 previous studies, Read more about Who is most likely to get long COVID?
InternationalKing’s College London, UK -
Tropics weather the COVID-19 storm but challenges remain
Northern Queensland may be on the road to recovery from the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the impacts of the virus have been put into sharp focus in a new report by James Cook University. Northern Queensland may be on the road to recovery Read more about Tropics weather the COVID-19 storm but challenges remain
Australia; Pacific; QLD; WA; NTJames Cook University -
EXPERT REACTION/BRIEFING: How much of our extreme weather is down to manmade climate change?
Environmental Research: Climate
Kiwi and British researchers extensively reviewed the evidence of how climate change has influenced five kinds of extreme weather events, the impacts of these events in recent years, and just how much these impacts are directly linked to climate Read more about EXPERT REACTION/BRIEFING: How much of our extreme weather is down to manmade climate change?
New Zealand; InternationalVictoria University of Wellington|University of Oxford, UK -
Partially paralysed man uses robotic arms to feed himself with his mind
Frontiers in Neurorobotics
A partially paralysed man has been able to use a pair of prosthetic arms to feed himself using a brain-computer interface. A team of international researchers developed the robotic arms to respond to subtle hand movements from the man, allowing him Read more about Partially paralysed man uses robotic arms to feed himself with his mind
InternationalJohns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, USA -
Cheers! Here’s to the health-conscious youth: an untapped drinks market for restaurants
PLOS ONE
As the restaurant sector shifts back into gear, catering to younger health-conscious consumers could help the industry return to its former glory, as new research shows that more than a quarter of customers would be happy to pay premium prices for Read more about Cheers! Here’s to the health-conscious youth: an untapped drinks market for restaurants
Australia; New Zealand; SAUniversity of South Australia|Flinders University|University of Otago -
COVID-19 vaccine booster dose protects against Omicron severe disease
The Lancet preprints
An Australian-first COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness study, published as a preprint, has shown that receipt of a booster (third) COVID-19 vaccine dose provided 65% greater protection against hospitalisation or death from Omicron than two vaccine doses. Read more about COVID-19 vaccine booster dose protects against Omicron severe disease
Australia; International; NSWNational Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) -
Identifying innovative uses of vaccines for protecting babies worldwide
An innovative study into the impact of two different vaccines used to combat the many different bacteria causing middle ear infections and hearing impairment in First Nations babies has today been published in the prestigious medical journal The Read more about Identifying innovative uses of vaccines for protecting babies worldwide
Australia; International; NTMenzies School of Health Research -
Stressed out ecosystems get help from 3D visualisations
Science of the Total Environment
Estuaries and coastal environments are faced with many stressors such as dredging, sedimentation and pollution, and there is a lot of uncertainty when predicting their impact. Most studies have looked at individual stressors in isolation, but now Read more about Stressed out ecosystems get help from 3D visualisations
New ZealandUniversity of Waikato|National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)... -
Bacteria’s shapeshifting behaviour offers clue to future UTI treatments
Nature Communications
Urinary tract infections are common and potentially dangerous. More than half of all Australian women will have a UTI in their lifetime; nearly one in three will need treatment with antibiotics before the age of 24. Around 80 per cent of UTIs are Read more about Bacteria’s shapeshifting behaviour offers clue to future UTI treatments
Australia; International; NSWUniversity of Technology Sydney (UTS) -
Concerns over third possible La Niña
Four out of seven forecasting models are predicting La Niña will return in late spring. A third consecutive La Niña would be a concerning development for Australians, according to researchers at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes. Read more about Concerns over third possible La Niña
Australia; NSWARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes (CLEx)... -
Backyard beekeepers needed to spy on native stingless bees
Scientists at The University of Queensland are buzzing about a new citizen science project investigating some of Australia’s native bee species in our own backyards. Scientists at The University of Queensland are buzzing about a new citizen Read more about Backyard beekeepers needed to spy on native stingless bees
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
Cannabis use could have you heading to Emergency more often
BMJ Open Respiratory Research
Using cannabis may increase your chances of needing emergency care, according to Canadian research. The study found cannabis users had significantly greater chances of an emergency room visit or hospital admission for any cause. The authors had Read more about Cannabis use could have you heading to Emergency more often
InternationalUniversity of Toronto, Canada
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