eNose gets the sniff on lung cancer

Publicly released: Wed 18 Sep 2019 at 0905 AEST | 1105 NZST

Annals of Oncology

International researchers have developed an electronic nose that is able to detect chemicals in the breath of lung cancer patients, and identify with 85 per cent accuracy those people who will or will not respond to immunotherapy treatments. The Read more about eNose gets the sniff on lung cancer - Scimex

Cockroach body clocks confused by our electromagnetic noise

Publicly released: Wed 18 Sep 2019 at 0901 AEST | 1101 NZST

Interface

Exposure to low levels of electromagnetic fields - similar to those produced by TV and radio broadcasts and WiFi, may affect the circadian rhythm of the German cockroach, say Czech Republic scientists. The researchers exposed the roaches to magnetic Read more about Cockroach body clocks confused by our electromagnetic noise - Scimex

Is your pooch more of a wolf? Some breeds look at us for help more than others

Publicly released: Wed 18 Sep 2019 at 0901 AEST | 1101 NZST

Royal Society Open Science

Does your pooch look to you to help it out? Italian scientists have shown that different dog breeds look to their owners for help to different degrees, and it may reflect how close to wolves they are. The researchers trained three breeds of dog to Read more about Is your pooch more of a wolf? Some breeds look at us for help more than others - Scimex

Ancient seabird once soared above New Zealand

Publicly released: Wed 18 Sep 2019 at 0800 AEST | 1000 NZST

Papers in Paleaontology

Fossil remains of a bird that lived shortly after the dinosaurs died out have been found in North Canterbury. At 62-million-years-old, the newly-discovered Protodontopteryx ruthae is one of the oldest named bird species in the world. Though it was Read more about Ancient seabird once soared above New Zealand - Scimex

Air pollution may enter the placenta

Publicly released: Wed 18 Sep 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Communications

In a small study of 28 women, researchers have found black carbon particles on the foetal side of the placenta in women exposed to air pollution during pregnancy. These particles are released largely from the combustion of fossil fuels and are Read more about Air pollution may enter the placenta - Scimex

Super corals adapt well to cold but struggle with warming oceans

Publicly released: Wed 18 Sep 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Communications

Super corals from extreme reefs can acclimatise to temperatures much lower than their natural environment but struggle to cope with their home reefs becoming hotter due to climate change, according to a global research team led by the ARC Centre of Read more about Super corals adapt well to cold but struggle with warming oceans - Scimex

Delirium costs Australia almost $9 billion a year

Publicly released: Wed 18 Sep 2019 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

BMJ Open

Delirium, a sudden state of acute confusion, causes around 10 per cent of dementia in Australia and costs the community around $A8.8 billion dollars each year, according to Australian research. From 2016 to 2017, delirium cost the Australian Read more about Delirium costs Australia almost $9 billion a year - Scimex

Eye scan sheds new light on Alzheimer’s disease

Publicly released: Tue 17 Sep 2019 at 1900 AEST | 2100 NZST

Nature Communications

New research by Australian scientists has demonstrated that a quick, non-invasive eye scan can identify changes in the retina that could be used to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. Funder: Yulgilbar Alzheimer's Research Program, Pratt Foundation, Read more about Eye scan sheds new light on Alzheimer’s disease - Scimex

Discovering why chemotherapy only works for some cancer patients

Publicly released: Tue 17 Sep 2019 at 1900 AEST | 2100 NZST

Nature Communications

Researchers at Children’s Medical Research Institute in Sydney have demonstrated why chemotherapy drugs work better with some types of cancers than with others. Media Release. From:Children's Medical Research Institute (CMRI). Researchers at Read more about Discovering why chemotherapy only works for some cancer patients - Scimex

NZ scientists find new class of flavonoid pigments in liverworts

Publicly released: Tue 17 Sep 2019 at 1400 AEST | 1600 NZST

PNAS

Researchers at Plant and Food Research and Lincoln University have discovered a brand new class of flavonoid plant pigments called 'auronidins'. Along with carotenoids, flavonoids are found in almost all fruit and vegetables and are responsible for Read more about NZ scientists find new class of flavonoid pigments in liverworts - Scimex

Ethanol fuels large-scale expansion of Brazil’s farming land

Publicly released: Tue 17 Sep 2019 at 1400 AEST | 1600 NZST

Energy Policy

A University of Queensland-led study has revealed that future demand for ethanol biofuel could potentially expand sugarcane farming land in Brazil by five million hectares by 2030. Funder: The study was a collaboration between UQ, the International Read more about Ethanol fuels large-scale expansion of Brazil’s farming land - Scimex

No link between mobile phones and brain cancer in the over 60s

Publicly released: Tue 17 Sep 2019 at 1130 AEST | 1330 NZST

BMJ Open

A follow-up analysis of a previous study has shown that there has been no increase in the rate of brain cancer in Australians aged over 60 that can be linked to mobile phone use, say Australian researchers. The original study, published in 2018, Read more about No link between mobile phones and brain cancer in the over 60s - Scimex

Victorian hog deer genetics revealed

Publicly released: Tue 17 Sep 2019 at 1000 AEST | 1200 NZST

Ecology and Evolution

Australian researchers looking for a genetic lifeline to endangered hog deer species endemic to Pakistan, northern India and mainland southeast Asia have found widespread hybridisation of the species in Victoria. Funder: This project was jointly Read more about Victorian hog deer genetics revealed - Scimex

Your gut bugs might like you going vegan

Publicly released: Tue 17 Sep 2019 at 0801 AEST | 1001 NZST

European Association for the Study of Diabetes Annual Meeting

Maybe Beyoncé is onto something with her sporadic vegan diets: New research presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting suggests a 16-week vegan diet could boost the gut microbes related to improving body Read more about Your gut bugs might like you going vegan - Scimex

Play equipment that gets kids moving

Publicly released: Tue 17 Sep 2019 at 0800 AEST | 1000 NZST

Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Parents will be pleased to know that more is not always better when it comes to play equipment for their children. Media Release. From:The University of Queensland. Parents will be pleased to know that more is not always better when it comes to play Read more about Play equipment that gets kids moving - Scimex

$241 million invested in New Zealand's Endeavour Fund

Publicly released: Tue 17 Sep 2019 at 0800 AEST | 1000 NZST

The New Zealand Government has funded 71 new projects through the Endeavour Fund - the country's largest contestable research fund. Projects include $10 million to Victoria University of Wellington researchers studying extreme events and their links Read more about $241 million invested in New Zealand's Endeavour Fund - Scimex

Can a daily dose of aspirin's benefits outweigh the risks?

Publicly released: Tue 17 Sep 2019 at 0700 AEST | 0900 NZST

Annals of Internal Medicine

For people without heart disease, the subject of taking aspirin daily is a hotly debated subject. Researchers from New Zealand say that for a percentage of people, the increased risks of bleeding might be outweighed by the benefits for our hearts. Read more about Can a daily dose of aspirin's benefits outweigh the risks? - Scimex

How gut bacteria negatively influences blood sugar levels

Publicly released: Tue 17 Sep 2019 at 0500 AEST | 0700 NZST

PNAS

Millions of people around the world experience serious blood sugar problems which can cause diabetes, but a new study is revealing how gut bacteria impact the normally feel good hormone serotonin to negatively influence blood sugar levels. Read more about How gut bacteria negatively influences blood sugar levels - Scimex

Identifying new important players in insulin homeostasis

Publicly released: Tue 17 Sep 2019 at 0500 AEST | 0700 NZST

PNAS

A protein has been found to be essential to the correct functioning of pancreatic beta cells. When this protein - Atp6ap2 - is switched off in animal models their blood glucose levels dramatically increase. The researchers conclude that without this Read more about Identifying new important players in insulin homeostasis - Scimex

Socially isolated adolescent mice have brain development issues, behavioural problems as adults

Publicly released: Tue 17 Sep 2019 at 0300 AEST | 0500 NZST

eNeuro

Female mice that were socially isolated during adolescence had impaired brain development, and behavioural problems as adults, resorting to habitual behaviours when reintroduced to other mice, according to US scientists. Adolescence is a Read more about Socially isolated adolescent mice have brain development issues, behavioural problems as adults - Scimex