When a pandemic strikes, we still expect an ambulance

Publicly released: Tue 14 Jul 2020 at 1401 AEST | 1601 NZST

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness

Research published today has found that Australians strongly believe paramedics deserve a work environment free from the threat of physical harm, but when it comes to the risk of infectious disease, it’s complicated. Read more about When a pandemic strikes, we still expect an ambulance

AI can predict patients who are likely to have a cardiac arrest

Publicly released: Tue 14 Jul 2020 at 1030 AEST | 1230 NZST

PLOS ONE

Artificial intelligence can be used to predict which hospital patients are likely to have a cardiac arrest - based solely on their vital signs, according to Australian research. The researchers compared an AI that used data from vital signs, such as Read more about AI can predict patients who are likely to have a cardiac arrest

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) may cause prostate cancer too

Publicly released: Tue 14 Jul 2020 at 1000 AEST | 1200 NZST

Infectious Agents and Cancer

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are known to cause cervical cancer, but now Australian researchers say they may also have a role in prostate cancer development. The researchers looked at the results from 26 previous studies on HPVs and their links to Read more about Human papillomaviruses (HPV) may cause prostate cancer too

Llama antibodies could help us fight COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 14 Jul 2020 at 1000 AEST | 1200 NZST

Nature Structural & Molecular Biology

Could llamas be our new best friend in fighting COVID? UK scientists have shown that two antibody variants derived from llamas can stop the coronavirus from interacting with the receptor that it uses to enter human cells. Human antibodies are made Read more about Llama antibodies could help us fight COVID-19

Immune response to COVID-19’s spike protein – the secret to a successful vaccine?

Publicly released: Tue 14 Jul 2020 at 0900 AEST | 1100 NZST

Nature Medicine

Scientists have uncovered how a crucial component of the immune system responds to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 – important information for future validation of vaccine candidates. Coronavirus particles have a Read more about Immune response to COVID-19’s spike protein – the secret to a successful vaccine?

COVID-19 disruptions could cause surge in HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria deaths

Publicly released: Tue 14 Jul 2020 at 0830 AEST | 1030 NZST

The Lancet Global Health

Disruption to health services due to the COVID-19 response could cause a surge in deaths from other infectious diseases in low- and middle-income countries, finds UK research. The modelling study predicts deaths could rise for HIV (10 per cent), Read more about COVID-19 disruptions could cause surge in HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria deaths

Patients are overly optimistic about CPR success because of television

Publicly released: Tue 14 Jul 2020 at 0830 AEST | 1030 NZST

Emergency Medicine Journal

Patients and the general public overestimate the success of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and underestimate the negative impact it can have on a person’s health because TV shows are their main source of information on the topic, according to Read more about Patients are overly optimistic about CPR success because of television

An abusive childhood may lead to heart problems as an adult

Publicly released: Tue 14 Jul 2020 at 0830 AEST | 1030 NZST

Heart

Adults who experienced various forms of maltreatment in their childhoods appear to have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, according to international scientists, with women at particularly high risk. The researchers analysed responses to an Read more about An abusive childhood may lead to heart problems as an adult

Telesurgery may be a thing thanks to 5G

Publicly released: Tue 14 Jul 2020 at 0700 AEST | 0900 NZST

Annals of Internal Medicine

An Italian surgeon has successfully demonstrated the powers of modern technology by performing surgery from 15 kilometres away on a cadaver using 5G and robotic technology. The surgeon performed robotic telemicrosurgery on the patient's vocal Read more about Telesurgery may be a thing thanks to 5G

Aerosols may cause more heat-reflective clouds

Publicly released: Tue 14 Jul 2020 at 0500 AEST | 0700 NZST

PNAS

A UK study has found evidence for a link between aerosol pollutants in the atmosphere and increased cloud coverage. The researchers found that clouds in more polluted areas were longer-lasting, caused less rain, and could reflect more sunlight away Read more about Aerosols may cause more heat-reflective clouds

Why do we tend to get flu and bacterial pneumonia more in winter?

Publicly released: Tue 14 Jul 2020 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

Canadian researchers have looked at data from Australia, Canada and the US to try and see if there is a link between influenza and invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) that would explain why we tend to get both in winter. They found that in all Read more about Why do we tend to get flu and bacterial pneumonia more in winter?

Protein from plants may be a better source to keep you healthy and alive

Publicly released: Tue 14 Jul 2020 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Internal Medicine

A large US study looking at over 400,000 people over 16 years has found a significant association between a greater intake of protein from plants and a lower chance of dying and developing heart disease. The researchers looked at the results of a Read more about Protein from plants may be a better source to keep you healthy and alive

Social media inspired models show winter warming hits fish stocks

Publicly released: Tue 14 Jul 2020 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Climate Change

Mathematical modelling inspired by social media is identifying the significant impacts of warming seas on the world’s fisheries. Read more about Social media inspired models show winter warming hits fish stocks

Hidden in our genes: discovering the fate of cell development

Publicly released: Tue 14 Jul 2020 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Methods

Scientists at the University of Sydney have developed a powerful new tool to analyse the fate of cell development by examining individual cells and genetic development within them. Dubbed scHOT for single-cell higher-order testing, the scientists Read more about Hidden in our genes: discovering the fate of cell development

Merging solar cell and liquid battery produces long-lasting solar storage

Publicly released: Tue 14 Jul 2020 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Materials

Combining liquid chemical battery technology with perovskite solar cells has led to a new record in solar energy conversion within a single device. Scientists hope this could open a new way to build home solar energy systems. Read more about Merging solar cell and liquid battery produces long-lasting solar storage

Piggy-backing off swine circulation could make transplant rejects good

Publicly released: Tue 14 Jul 2020 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Medicine

Human lungs that are deemed damaged and unsuitable for transplant could be reconditioned by connecting them up to a pig's circulatory system, say US researchers. Previously, scientists have been able to 'revive' a damaged set of porcine lungs by Read more about Piggy-backing off swine circulation could make transplant rejects good

Eyes in the sky: how real-time data will revolutionise rice farming

Publicly released: Mon 13 Jul 2020 at 2300 AEST | Tue 14 Jul 2020 at 0100 NZST

Google Earth, the Group on Earth Observations and the University of Sydney will develop the world’s first real-time monitoring platform for rice fields globally. The ambitious project will help realise the Zero Hunger target of the United Nations Read more about Eyes in the sky: how real-time data will revolutionise rice farming

Who’s your daddy? Male seahorses transport nutrients to embryos

Publicly released: Mon 13 Jul 2020 at 1704 AEST | 1904 NZST

Journal of Comparative Physiology B

New research shows male seahorses transport nutrients, including fats, to developing babies during pregnancy. The babies use these energy-rich fats for growth and development. The new results raise the question of whether seahorse embryos can Read more about Who’s your daddy? Male seahorses transport nutrients to embryos

New biomarker to tackle dementia

Publicly released: Mon 13 Jul 2020 at 1527 AEST | 1727 NZST

International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry

Medical researchers in the UK and Australia have identified a new marker which could support the search for novel preventative and therapeutic treatments for dementia. In an innovative new study, coordinated by Flinders University and the University Read more about New biomarker to tackle dementia

World-first technology breathes new life into cystic fibrosis detection and treatment

Publicly released: Mon 13 Jul 2020 at 1300 AEST | 1500 NZST

Scientific Reports

Research in mice led by Monash University has developed radical non-invasive X-ray technology aimed at helping diagnose, treat and manage people with cystic fibrosis. Researchers can track the movement of air through the lungs, improving their Read more about World-first technology breathes new life into cystic fibrosis detection and treatment