New species of trapdoor spider with ‘turrific’ burrows

Publicly released: Fri 5 Apr 2019 at 1200 AEDT | 1400 NZDT

Invertebrate Systematics

Four new species of trapdoor spider, known for their unique burrow entrances, have been discovered by scientists from Queensland Museum and Griffith University. And in a world first, the scientists have been able to positively identify these species Read more about New species of trapdoor spider with ‘turrific’ burrows - Scimex

A little tipple probably wont stave off a stroke

Publicly released: Fri 5 Apr 2019 at 1115 AEDT | 1315 NZDT

The Lancet

Alcohol directly increases blood pressure and the risk of stroke regardless of how much you drink, according to an international study, which found that even one or two drinks increases the risk of stroke. The study investigated the alcohol intake Read more about A little tipple probably wont stave off a stroke - Scimex

Food safety model aims to boost consumer trust

Publicly released: Fri 5 Apr 2019 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

Concerns over food safety after Australia’s September 2018 adulterated strawberries scandal have created a lingering lack of trust between consumers and the food industry – even though a strong model for safety compliance and transparent Read more about Food safety model aims to boost consumer trust - Scimex

SA wreck comes back to life through 3D underwater archaeology discovery

Publicly released: Fri 5 Apr 2019 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

The rapid development of maritime archaeology through the increasing use of 3D modelling techniques and digital approaches is catalogued in a new book that places Flinders University’s Maritime Archaeology program at the centre of this exciting Read more about SA wreck comes back to life through 3D underwater archaeology discovery - Scimex

Trial succeeds at drastically reducing two highly infectious skin diseases

Publicly released: Fri 5 Apr 2019 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The Lancet

Australian, Solomon Islands and British researchers have succeeded in simultaneously treating two debilitating skin diseases – scabies and impetigo – which infect hundreds of millions of people, mostly in tropical countries. The study, published Read more about Trial succeeds at drastically reducing two highly infectious skin diseases - Scimex

Murray River habitat restoration increases native fish populations

Publicly released: Fri 5 Apr 2019 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

Ecological Applications

Dubbed the ‘honeypot effect’ — a team of scientists from around Australia have shown that providing woody habitat, or ‘snags’, for native fish in the Murray River increases their population size. Funder: This work was funded by the Read more about Murray River habitat restoration increases native fish populations - Scimex

Underground minibeast lives without air and breathes through its skin

Publicly released: Fri 5 Apr 2019 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

Journal of Experimental Biology

Aussie beetles that are living in underground rivers, sealed off from surface air, can 'breathe' oxygen in from surrounding water through their skin according to Australian scientists. The beetles, which were collected from Sturt Meadows Station in Read more about Underground minibeast lives without air and breathes through its skin - Scimex

How NZ birds lost the ability to fly

Publicly released: Fri 5 Apr 2019 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

Science

Researchers have found new evidence about what made some of New Zealand's iconic birds flightless. The study, published in Science, examined the genomes of eight flightless ratites, including great and little spotted kiwi, Okarito kiwi and the Read more about How NZ birds lost the ability to fly - Scimex

Beauty spots in our genes vary between good-looking guys and gals

Publicly released: Fri 5 Apr 2019 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

PLOS Genetics

The parts of the genome linked to having an attractive face differ for men and women, according to US scientists, who have identified a handful of genes linked to facial attractiveness. They found in women genetic variations linked to beauty also Read more about Beauty spots in our genes vary between good-looking guys and gals - Scimex

Were the Terracotta Army's weapons preserved?

Publicly released: Fri 5 Apr 2019 at 0000 AEDT | 0200 NZDT

Scientific Reports

Many of the weapons excavated from the Qin Terracotta Army have been maintained in good condition, with some speculation that their makers used an advanced form of preservation to prevent metal corrosion. But new research suggests the traces of Read more about Were the Terracotta Army's weapons preserved? - Scimex

Perhaps Mittens really does know its name

Publicly released: Fri 5 Apr 2019 at 0000 AEDT | 0200 NZDT

Scientific Reports

Cats don't just respond to the sound of a can of food being opened, they also recognise their own names, according to researchers in Japan. They tested 78 cats from households and a cat cafe by saying four different words followed by the cat's name. Read more about Perhaps Mittens really does know its name - Scimex

Maths whiz solves 48-year-old multiplication problem

Publicly released: Thu 4 Apr 2019 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

A UNSW Sydney mathematician has cracked a maths problem that has stood for almost half a century which will enable computers to multiply huge numbers together much more quickly. Media Release. From:The University of New South Wales. A UNSW Sydney Read more about Maths whiz solves 48-year-old multiplication problem - Scimex

Clean-up mission for remote island polluted by 38 million bits of plastic

Publicly released: Thu 4 Apr 2019 at 1100 AEDT | 1300 NZDT

Two years after revealing that one of the world’s most remote islands was polluted with the highest density of plastic debris ever recorded, IMAS scientist Dr Jennifer Lavers is leading an expedition back to the island to clean up its beaches. Dr Read more about Clean-up mission for remote island polluted by 38 million bits of plastic - Scimex

Poor diet linked to 11 million deaths globally

Publicly released: Thu 4 Apr 2019 at 0930 AEDT | 1130 NZDT

The Lancet

Globally, one in five deaths in 2017 were linked to poor diet, with cardiovascular disease the prime culprit, according to data from the Global Burden of Disease Study, which has been tracking death and disease across 195 countries since 1990. More Read more about Poor diet linked to 11 million deaths globally - Scimex

HPV vaccination leads to drop in cervical disease

Publicly released: Thu 4 Apr 2019 at 0930 AEDT | 1130 NZDT

The BMJ

Scotland has been vaccinating 12- and 13-year-old girls against HPV since 2008, which has led to a dramatic reduction in cervical disease later in life. By comparing women before and after the vaccination campaign was introduced, researchers found a Read more about HPV vaccination leads to drop in cervical disease - Scimex

Hypothermia was critical for Thai cave boys, says Dr Richard Harris

Publicly released: Thu 4 Apr 2019 at 0800 AEDT | 1000 NZDT

New England Journal of Medicine

Hypothermia and inefficient team coordination were identified as critical components of the Thai cave rescue, after the first day of operations saw one of the boys develop hypothermia en route to the hospital, according to Aussie cave hero, Dr Read more about Hypothermia was critical for Thai cave boys, says Dr Richard Harris - Scimex

You're probably not getting SPF coverage on your eyelids

Publicly released: Thu 4 Apr 2019 at 0500 AEDT | 0700 NZDT

PLOS One

When people slather their faces with sunscreen, it's easy to miss the eyelids but it's even worse when using SPF moisturiser, according to UK researchers. More than 80 people participated in a study that photographed their faces under UV light Read more about You're probably not getting SPF coverage on your eyelids - Scimex

Ecstacy makes social interactions more rewarding in mice

Publicly released: Thu 4 Apr 2019 at 0400 AEDT | 0600 NZDT

Nature

A single dose of ecstasy - or MDMA - reopens a critical period in brain development in adult mice, according to researchers who say the treatment makes social interactions more rewarding. Recently the US Food and Drug Administration approved Read more about Ecstacy makes social interactions more rewarding in mice - Scimex

Skin stem cell competition may hold the key to youthful skin, in mice

Publicly released: Thu 4 Apr 2019 at 0400 AEDT | 0600 NZDT

Nature

Skin stem cells are already touted as the next big thing in anti-aging skin care, and while it is currently more marketing than science, Japanese researchers have found that competition between these skin stem cells does play a critical role in Read more about Skin stem cell competition may hold the key to youthful skin, in mice - Scimex

'Dead corals don’t make babies' - Coral baby numbers crash on the Great Barrier Reef

Publicly released: Thu 4 Apr 2019 at 0400 AEDT | 0600 NZDT

Nature

After the mass bleaching events on the Great Barrier Reef in 2016 and 2017, the number of new corals settling on the Great Barrier Reef dropped by around 90 per cent compared to historical levels, according to Australian research, drawing into Read more about 'Dead corals don’t make babies' - Coral baby numbers crash on the Great Barrier Reef - Scimex