Mayans were at war earlier than thought

Publicly released: Tue 6 Aug 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Human Behaviour

In the year 697, Mayans were already involved in violent warfare that destroyed much of a city, according to new findings. It had been thought that violence in the Maya civilisation didn't really kick off until more than 100 years later - in an era Read more about Mayans were at war earlier than thought - Scimex

Genetics aid kiwifruit gender reveal parties

Publicly released: Tue 6 Aug 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Plants

Since only female kiwifruit produce fruit, horticulturists have been looking for ways to find out whether their plant babies are boys or girls - but usually this relies on waiting for them to grow up. Now researchers from Plant &Food Research have Read more about Genetics aid kiwifruit gender reveal parties - Scimex

Combo treatment could help prevent the dreaded hospital diarrhoea

Publicly released: Tue 6 Aug 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Microbiology

Aussie researchers may have found a way to better treat Clostridioides difficile bacteria, one of the leading causes of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea in hospitals, using the antibiotic cephamycin. C. difficile is a particularly nasty bacteria Read more about Combo treatment could help prevent the dreaded hospital diarrhoea - Scimex

The Amazon may not be as much of a carbon sink as we thought

Publicly released: Tue 6 Aug 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Geoscience

We may be over estimating the ability of the Amazon rainforest to lock away carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and act as a carbon sink, according to International and Australian researchers, who have found this ability is limited by the Read more about The Amazon may not be as much of a carbon sink as we thought - Scimex

It would take NZ birds 50 million years to recover from colonisation

Publicly released: Tue 6 Aug 2019 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Current Biology

It would take millions of years for New Zealand birds to evolve to fill the gaps left by those who have gone extinct, according to European and New Zealand researchers. The biodiversity we see today is the result of millions of years of evolutionary Read more about It would take NZ birds 50 million years to recover from colonisation - Scimex

Study reveals the impact of mining on coral reefs

Publicly released: Mon 5 Aug 2019 at 1540 AEST | 1740 NZST

Assessing the impacts of phosphate mining on coral reef communities and reef development

A new study from The Australian National University (ANU) has shown the impact phosphate mining is having on our coral reefs. Funder: This research was supported by an Australian Research Council (ARC) DECRA grant, DE120101998, awarded to JM and an Read more about Study reveals the impact of mining on coral reefs - Scimex

How to improve career counselling sessions for job seekers

Publicly released: Mon 5 Aug 2019 at 1311 AEST | 1511 NZST

Journal of Career Assessment

Career counsellors who are empathetic, supportive and humorous towards their clients are more likely to see positive outcomes in their sessions, new research led by Curtin University has found. Media Release. From:Curtin University. Career Read more about How to improve career counselling sessions for job seekers - Scimex

New app tests how mood affects cognitive performance

Publicly released: Mon 5 Aug 2019 at 1200 AEST | 1400 NZST

Researchers from UNSW and UCL are hoping that a newly launched app that tracks an individual’s moods and emotions could lead to better management of mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. Funder: Wellcome Trust. Media Release. From Read more about New app tests how mood affects cognitive performance - Scimex

Potential new treatments for pancreatic cancer

Publicly released: Mon 5 Aug 2019 at 1200 AEST | 1400 NZST

Journal of Experimental and Clinical Cancer Research

Curtin University researchers have discovered a potential new treatment for an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer, which may have the potential to increase the survival of patients resistant to currently available cancer chemotherapeutic drugs. Read more about Potential new treatments for pancreatic cancer - Scimex

Help for small agribusinesses to turn food waste into commercial products

Publicly released: Mon 5 Aug 2019 at 1130 AEST | 1330 NZST

Small agricultural businesses who want to reduce food waste could get help with a new initiative, the Fight Food Waste SME Solutions Centre. Each year, Aussies throw out around 300kg of food per person, and this is costing Australia an estimated $20 Read more about Help for small agribusinesses to turn food waste into commercial products - Scimex

Neuroscientists balance the conference gender agenda

Publicly released: Mon 5 Aug 2019 at 1100 AEST | 1300 NZST

PLOS ONE

Murdoch University neuroscientists are leading the charge to create high-quality, gender balanced speaker line-ups at scientific conferences. It’s a new way to put aa stop to manels – the all-too-common all male speaker line ups at scientific Read more about Neuroscientists balance the conference gender agenda - Scimex

Celebrating chemistry at the RACI International Year of the Periodic Table Expo

Publicly released: Mon 5 Aug 2019 at 1100 AEST | 1300 NZST

The Royal Australian Chemical Institute invites you to rediscover the world through a lens of atoms and molecules on 11 August at 2/125 Flinders Lane, Melbourne. This International Year of the Periodic Table Expo features the whole periodic table, Read more about Celebrating chemistry at the RACI International Year of the Periodic Table Expo - Scimex

Girls and Pasifika kids born with better chromosome shields

Publicly released: Mon 5 Aug 2019 at 0300 AEST | 0500 NZST

Scientific Reports

Girls, Pacific children and kids with older mums have a unique genetic advantage - longer telomeres - that could potentially help them live longer, according to a study on the Growing Up in New Zealand cohort. The researchers examined the DNA of Read more about Girls and Pasifika kids born with better chromosome shields - Scimex

Bacteria or virus? You’ll fight it either way

Publicly released: Mon 5 Aug 2019 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

Medical Journal of Australia

Asking the age-old question ‘is it a bacteria or is it a virus? ’is what doctors often consider when treating patients with an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). Funder: Competing interests: No relevant disclosures. Media Release. Read more about Bacteria or virus? You’ll fight it either way - Scimex

Mapping new agricultural export market opportunities for far north Queensland

Publicly released: Mon 5 Aug 2019 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

Far North Queensland producers and exporters will reap the benefits of a significant new project to identify export opportunities for existing and potential high value agricultural products. Funder: CRCNA. Media Release. From:CRCNA. Far North Read more about Mapping new agricultural export market opportunities for far north Queensland - Scimex

Lowering leprosy in Papua New Guinea can help to save Australia

Publicly released: Mon 5 Aug 2019 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

Medical Journal of Australia

Helping to reduce leprosy in Papua New Guinea will not only help our closest neighbour, but also stop the spread of the infectious disease through Far North Queensland, according to research from James Cook University in Queensland. Around 400 Read more about Lowering leprosy in Papua New Guinea can help to save Australia - Scimex

New transgender and gender-diverse guidelines to help doctors provide better care

Publicly released: Mon 5 Aug 2019 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

MJA

Increasing numbers of transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) people are seeking healthcare in Australia, and new guidelines can help clinicians provide appropriate, gender-affirming care, according to Aussie researchers. The guidelines aim to help Read more about New transgender and gender-diverse guidelines to help doctors provide better care - Scimex

Australia is at risk from a 'black hole in surveillance' of superbugs

Publicly released: Mon 5 Aug 2019 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

MJA

Aussie scientists warn that there is a 'black hole in surveillance' of antimicrobial resistance in Australia and highlight the need to 'implement nimble, cross-sectoral and collaborative systems that are fit for purpose in the 21st century' in order Read more about Australia is at risk from a 'black hole in surveillance' of superbugs - Scimex

Long-term declines in heart disease and stroke deaths are stalling

Publicly released: Mon 5 Aug 2019 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

International Journal of Epidemiology

Heart disease and stroke mortality rates have almost stopped declining in many high-income countries, including Australia, and are even increasing in some countries, according to new research. Media Release. From:The University of Melbourne. Heart Read more about Long-term declines in heart disease and stroke deaths are stalling - Scimex

Calls for national action plan to help stop 5000 Aussies dying from sepsis each year

Publicly released: Mon 5 Aug 2019 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

MJA

Australian experts say a national action plan is needed to reduce preventable death and disability from sepsis, a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by infection. Each year at least 5000 Australians die and around 18, 000 end up in intensive Read more about Calls for national action plan to help stop 5000 Aussies dying from sepsis each year - Scimex