Exploring the brain’s ‘unknown zone’

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 1300 AEDT | 1500 NZDT

A mystery region of the brain associated with learning and memory is set to reveal its secrets in a new study exploration at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health. Described as one of the least studied regions of the brain, the Read more about Exploring the brain’s ‘unknown zone’

Queensland suicide rate unaffected during first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

The Lancet Psychiatry

Up until the end of August there was no overall change in Queensland’s suspected suicide rate between since the declaration of a public health emergency declaration (PHED) on January 29. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to some Read more about Queensland suicide rate unaffected during first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic

Let's talk about sex(bots)... for the elderly and disabled

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Journal of Medical Ethics

Service bots are available to assist with eating, dressing and bathing, so why not sexytime too? The sexbot industry should market their products to older adults and those with disabilities, according to a US ethicist who points out these groups of Read more about Let's talk about sex(bots)... for the elderly and disabled

Night shift could leave you short of breath

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Thorax

Shift workers, especially those working permanent night shifts, may be at a heightened risk of moderate to severe asthma, say UK and US researchers. The team explains that, after taking account of potentially influencing factors, people on permanent Read more about Night shift could leave you short of breath

Heat-detecting drones help find koalas in forests

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Heat-detecting drones are a cheaper, more efficient way to find koalas in forests than traditional spotlighting methods, according to Australian research. Koala populations in NSW are under threat, especially after last summer's devastating Read more about Heat-detecting drones help find koalas in forests

Sexual health status of Australia’s young Indigenous revealed

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

The results are in for the latest Australia-wide sexual health survey of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Read more about Sexual health status of Australia’s young Indigenous revealed

Ranking the best ways to limit COVID spread

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

Nature Human Behaviour

The most effective ways of limiting COVID are cancelling small gatherings, closing schools and unis, border restrictions, individual movement restrictions, national lockdowns and increasing the supply of personal protective equipment, according to Read more about Ranking the best ways to limit COVID spread

First treatment closer for fatal disease affecting premature babies

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 1000 AEDT | 1200 NZDT

Nature Communications

Melbourne researchers have published a study that will accelerate new treatments for an often-fatal disease affecting premature babies in intensive care, called necrotising enterocolitis (NEC). The condition can trigger massive inflammation causing Read more about First treatment closer for fatal disease affecting premature babies

Every pregnancy helps reduce endometrial cancer risk

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

International Journal of Cancer

It is well known that having a full-term pregnancy reduces a woman’s risk of developing endometrial cancer, but new QIMR Berghofer research has clearly shown for the first time that pregnancies that end in a miscarriage also reduce risk of Read more about Every pregnancy helps reduce endometrial cancer risk

Could key gene system discovery be suffocating corals’ last gasp?

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

Global Change Biology

Ocean deoxygenation is now being recognised as major threat to future global coral reef survival. Climate change and localised pollution are exposing marine life worldwide to lower oxygen levels leaving fragile coral reef ecosystems especially Read more about Could key gene system discovery be suffocating corals’ last gasp?

Abundant corals and fishes emerge from the ancient contours of Arafura Marine Park

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0900 AEDT | 1100 NZDT

Scientists have collected the first fine-scale maps and imagery of reefs and submarine canyons in the rarely visited Arafura Marine Park, revealing seafloor environments with surprisingly diverse coral and fish communities. Read more about Abundant corals and fishes emerge from the ancient contours of Arafura Marine Park

New placement for one of Earth's largest mass extinction events

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0700 AEDT | 0900 NZDT

PNAS

Curtin University research has shed new light on when one of the largest mass extinction events on Earth occurred, which gives new meaning to what killed Triassic life and allowed the ecological expansion of dinosaurs in the Jurassic period. The Read more about New placement for one of Earth's largest mass extinction events

National supplies of protein, carbs and fats can predict your lifespan

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0700 AEDT | 0900 NZDT

PNAS

A new global study from the University of Sydney has looked at how macronutrient supplies (proteins, carbohydrates and fats) of different countries are associated with the risk of death at different ages. It is the most extensive analysis to date of Read more about National supplies of protein, carbs and fats can predict your lifespan

Henderson Island fossils reveal new Polynesian sandpiper species

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0700 AEDT | 0900 NZDT

Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society

Fossil bones collected in the early 1990s on Henderson Island, part of the Pitcairn Group, have revealed a new species of Polynesian sandpiper. The newly-described bird is formally named Prosobonia sauli after Cook Islands-based ornithologist and Read more about Henderson Island fossils reveal new Polynesian sandpiper species

Who's Australia's best super-recogniser? This test could help us find them

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS One

Psychologists are hoping the UNSW Face Test will help unearth more of Australia’s top performers in facial recognition, known as super-recognisers. Read more about Who's Australia's best super-recogniser? This test could help us find them

Using sand to reconstruct 3,000 years of typhoons

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Geoscience

The number of typhoons and tropical cyclones in the past has been affected by changes in ocean and atmosphere conditions, new research finds. The research team, including a New Zealander, looked at evidence of past cyclones in sediment layers to Read more about Using sand to reconstruct 3,000 years of typhoons

Native lizards thriving after Kāpiti Island cleared of rats

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

New Zealand Journal of Ecology

Some native lizard populations have increased 28-fold after rats were eradicated from Kāpiti Island, off the West coast of the lower North Island. Ecologists surveyed the island in 2014-15 and found more of almost every type of skink and gecko than Read more about Native lizards thriving after Kāpiti Island cleared of rats

Hawke’s Bay feral cats take a hit from new poison regime

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

New Zealand Journal of Ecology

Conservationists suggest a predator control regime in Hawke’s Bay has reduced the feral cat population by nearly 40 per cent. A 2018 trial saw toxic PredaSTOP baits laid at stations across 9,000 hectares of bush. They found baits were removed from Read more about Hawke’s Bay feral cats take a hit from new poison regime

Measles outbreaks likely in wake of COVID-19 pandemic

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

The Lancet

Major measles outbreaks will likely occur during 2021 as an unexpected consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new academic article. Read more about Measles outbreaks likely in wake of COVID-19 pandemic

Key patient insights the missing link in understanding COVID-19 and its mutations

Publicly released: Tue 17 Nov 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Transboundary and Emerging Diseases

A new study led by Australia’s national science agency CSIRO, has found 95. 5 per cent of current entries in GISAID, the world’s largest novel coronavirus genome database, do not contain relevant patient information — a critical piece Read more about Key patient insights the missing link in understanding COVID-19 and its mutations