Biggest croc ancestor had teeth the size of bananas

Publicly released: Tue 11 Aug 2020 at 1100 AEST | 1300 NZST

Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology

An ancient ancestor of the modern alligator and crocodile had a smile that you definitely would not want to see, as US researchers say the Deinosuchus could grow over 10 metres long, and had teeth as big as bananas. The Deinosuchus, meaning "terror Read more about Biggest croc ancestor had teeth the size of bananas

Pasteurisation inactivates COVID-19 virus in human milk

Publicly released: Tue 11 Aug 2020 at 0900 AEST | 1100 NZST

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health

A new study has confirmed what researchers already suspected to be the case: heat inactivates SARS-CoV-2 in human milk. Read more about Pasteurisation inactivates COVID-19 virus in human milk

Gender and ethnic inequalities in NZ science could be worsened by COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 11 Aug 2020 at 0722 AEST | 0922 NZST

Existing inequalities faced by Māori and Pasifika researchers, as well as women of other ethnic groups, could be exacerbated by COVID-19, according to a report by the Royal Society Te Apārangi’s Early Career Researcher (ECR) Forum. The report Read more about Gender and ethnic inequalities in NZ science could be worsened by COVID-19

Africa and Asia face highest economic risk from COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 11 Aug 2020 at 0500 AEST | 0700 NZST

Global Policy

Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Central Asia are facing the highest economic threat from COVID-19, according to new research. Economists at Victoria University of Wellington have studied local economies around the world and found that countries Read more about Africa and Asia face highest economic risk from COVID-19

Coronavirus transmission risk increases along wildlife supply chains

Publicly released: Tue 11 Aug 2020 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

PLOS One

The risk of transmission of coronaviruses increases along wildlife supply chains, according to international researchers. They say that this risk is highest for end consumers, and that this chain likely explains the spillover of coronaviruses from Read more about Coronavirus transmission risk increases along wildlife supply chains

Prenatal depression may alter child's brain connectivity, affecting behaviour

Publicly released: Tue 11 Aug 2020 at 0300 AEST | 0500 NZST

JNeurosci

Canadian scientists say prenatal depression may be associated with weaker connections between brain regions involved in emotional processing, which could explain why children of depressed mothers have a higher risk of developing depression themselves Read more about Prenatal depression may alter child's brain connectivity, affecting behaviour

Scientists develop first quantum algorithm to characterise noise across large systems

Publicly released: Tue 11 Aug 2020 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Physics

Quantum systems are notoriously prone to errors and noise. In order to overcome this and build a functional quantum computer, physicists should ideally understand the noise across an entire system. That has been out of reach until now, with Dr Robin Read more about Scientists develop first quantum algorithm to characterise noise across large systems

Thunderstorm asthma peaks in the calm before the storm

Publicly released: Tue 11 Aug 2020 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

JAMA Internal Medicine

Pollen particles released during a thunderstorm are thought to impact those with respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, but US doctors have found emergency department visits for respiratory illness peak a day before a thunderstorm, suggesting Read more about Thunderstorm asthma peaks in the calm before the storm

World-first technology purifies water using the power of sunlight

Publicly released: Tue 11 Aug 2020 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Sustainability

An international research team, led by Monash University, has been able to transform brackish water and seawater into safe, clean drinking water in less than 30 minutes using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and sunlight. They were able to generate Read more about World-first technology purifies water using the power of sunlight

Torres Strait Islanders were farming bananas 2,000 years ago

Publicly released: Tue 11 Aug 2020 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Ecology & Evolution

Aussie and German scientists have found evidence that bananas were cultivated by people on Mabuyag Island, Torres Strait, around 2,000 years ago, and farmed intensively from around 1,300 years ago. Terrace construction, banana cultivation and Read more about Torres Strait Islanders were farming bananas 2,000 years ago

Popular insecticide harms birds

Publicly released: Tue 11 Aug 2020 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Sustainability

The increased use of neonicotinoid pesticides in the US may have impacted bird populations and reduced bird diversity, according to new research. The study found annual rates of reductions in bird biodiversity of up to 4 per cent between 2008 and Read more about Popular insecticide harms birds

Revealing the Dawn of the dwarf planet Ceres

Publicly released: Tue 11 Aug 2020 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Astronomy, Nature Geoscience, Nature Communications

International researchers, writing in a suite of seven papers based on findings from the Dawn spacecraft, suggest that the dwarf planet Ceres - the largest known object in our asteroid belt - is an ocean world that might have been geologically Read more about Revealing the Dawn of the dwarf planet Ceres

Malaria deaths could double if prevention is interrupted by COVID-19

Publicly released: Mon 10 Aug 2020 at 1730 AEST | 1930 NZST

Nature Medicine

Malaria-related deaths in sub-Saharan Africa in 2020 could more than double since 2019 if COVID-19 interrupts malaria-prevention activities, according to international researchers. The authors used COVID-19- and malaria-transmission models to Read more about Malaria deaths could double if prevention is interrupted by COVID-19

How maths modelling helps efforts to eradicate banana bunchy top virus

Publicly released: Mon 10 Aug 2020 at 1230 AEST | 1430 NZST

PLOS Computational Biology

Modelling the predicted movements of pervasive sap-sucking tiny insects before they infest banana crops has the potential to become a key tactic in the fight against a devastating plant virus, according to QUT research. Read more about How maths modelling helps efforts to eradicate banana bunchy top virus

1 in 5 medics reported for sexual misconduct have multiple complaints against them

Publicly released: Mon 10 Aug 2020 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

MJA

Around 2 in 1000 registered medical practitioners in Australia have been reported for sexual misconduct, but of those around 1 in 5 have multiple reports against them, according to Australian and NZ research. The study looked at rates of sexual Read more about 1 in 5 medics reported for sexual misconduct have multiple complaints against them

New aged care funding model offers reform

Publicly released: Mon 10 Aug 2020 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

MJA

A new aged care classification system which takes into account residents frailty, mobility, motor function and cognition, is better than the current system and is a good way to determine funding and staffing requirements, according to new research. Read more about New aged care funding model offers reform

Eye catching conservation tool protects livestock, lions and livelihoods

Publicly released: Fri 7 Aug 2020 at 1900 AEST | 2100 NZST

Nature Communications Biology

Painting eyes on the backsides of cattle in Botswana prevents attacks from lions and other predators in landscapes where they coexist, a new study shows. The researchers suggest this method as a more humane alternative to using lethal control, and a Read more about Eye catching conservation tool protects livestock, lions and livelihoods

No long-term climate benefits from COVID-19

Publicly released: Fri 7 Aug 2020 at 1900 AEST | 2100 NZST

Nature Climate Change

Policies to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will have a negligible impact on long-term warming, according to new research. Scientists have calculated that recent reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants may only result in climate Read more about No long-term climate benefits from COVID-19

Heavier smoking linked to skyrocketing health risks

Publicly released: Fri 7 Aug 2020 at 1100 AEST | 1300 NZST

EClinical Medicine

Each cigarette smoked a day by heavier smokers increases the risk of contracting some diseases by more than 30 per cent, according to an Australian-led international study. The study links heavier smoking with 28 separate health conditions, Read more about Heavier smoking linked to skyrocketing health risks

How do you cope with the daily grind?

Publicly released: Fri 7 Aug 2020 at 1018 AEST | 1218 NZST

University of Queensland researchers hope to find out how people deal with stress at work and relax and unwind from the daily grind and whether these coping mechanisms actually improve wellbeing. Read more about How do you cope with the daily grind?