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COVID-19 antibody test helps select donor blood samples for therapeutic use
PLOS Pathogens
Argentinian and US researchers have developed and applied an antibody test to assist health authorities in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detects immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) Read more about COVID-19 antibody test helps select donor blood samples for therapeutic use
InternationalFundacio´n Instituto Leloir-CONICET, Argentina -
Screening people for genetic risk could help prevent heart attacks and strokes
PLOS Medicine
Screening people for their genetic heart disease risk could help detect those likely to suffer a heart attack or stoke, allowing doctors to begin preventative treatment, say Australian and UK researchers. They found that, for those already with Read more about Screening people for genetic risk could help prevent heart attacks and strokes
Australia; International; VICBaker Heart and Diabetes Institute|University of Cambridge, UK -
Retinal cell transplants in monkeys show promise for treating blindness
Stem Cell Reports
Retinal cells derived from adult human eye stem cells survived when transplanted into the eyes of monkeys, an important early step in the validation of this approach for treating blindness, according to international scientists. They extracted Read more about Retinal cell transplants in monkeys show promise for treating blindness
InternationalAgency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore -
Seagrass meadows could be sweeping the ocean of plastic waste
Scientific Reports
Seagrass meadows along coastal waters may trap, extract and carry plastics in our waters up to the shore, helping clear our seas of microplastics and other plastic pollution, say Spanish researchers. The team found plastic debris among half of their Read more about Seagrass meadows could be sweeping the ocean of plastic waste
InternationalUniversity of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain -
Project maps 'astronomical' number of celestial objects
Nearly 700 million astronomical objects have been carefully catalogued and made public as part of a major international collaboration involving researchers from The Australian National University. Nearly 700 million astronomical objects have been Read more about Project maps 'astronomical' number of celestial objects
Australia; International; ACTThe Australian National University|The University of Queensland -
COVID-19 lockdowns may be making more kids near-sighted
JAMA Ophthalmology
US and Chinese scientists say being stuck indoors during the pandemic may be affecting some kids' eyesight, making them more near-sighted. They looked at eye tests of more than 120,000 children aged 6 to 13 years from 10 Chinese elementary schools, Read more about COVID-19 lockdowns may be making more kids near-sighted
InternationalEmory University, USA -
Notifications to child protection services fell under COVID-19 lockdowns
Notifications to authorities of suspected child abuse fell in Australia during COVID-19 ‘lockdowns’ in 2020 and increased again as restrictions were eased, according to a new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). The Read more about Notifications to child protection services fell under COVID-19 lockdowns
Australia; VICAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) -
Funding and access to contraception in NZ still 'variable'
New Zealand Medical Journal
Funding and access to contraception is still "variable and inconsistent" across New Zealand despite a $6 million government initiative to increase its access, according to a new Viewpoint article. New Zealand researchers looked at how DHBs and Read more about Funding and access to contraception in NZ still 'variable'
New ZealandUniversity of Auckland -
The high cost of major infections and sepsis in NZ
New Zealand Medical Journal
Sepsis is life-threatening organ failure that happens as a complication of infection, and is a leading cause of healthcare spending. Researchers analysed New Zealand data from 2016 and found that almost a quarter of all hospital discharges that Read more about The high cost of major infections and sepsis in NZ
New ZealandWaikato Hospital and DHB -
Perth has distinct dolphin communities and they each need different protections
Frontiers in Marine Science
There are distinct ecological communities of dolphins living in Perth waters requiring separate protection measures from anthropogenic threats, and climate change. Research out of Murdoch University has identified distinct ecological communities of Read more about Perth has distinct dolphin communities and they each need different protections
Australia; WAMurdoch University -
New insights into pancreatitis
Gut
Acute Pancreatitis (AP) is one of the most common diseases in the world. Associated with a considerable risk of morbidity and even death in patients who suffer a severe form of the disease, to date there is no specific treatment for it. Now, Read more about New insights into pancreatitis
Australia; International; SAFlinders University -
Fast decisions of flying insects
Australian scientists are homing in on the amazing flying skills of insects. How flying insects are able to respond rapidly and appropriately in fast-changing surroundings is a serious ambition of new Australian Research Council study. Led by Read more about Fast decisions of flying insects
Australia; NSW; SAFlinders University -
Men more susceptible to COVID-19 than women
PLOS ONE
Men are more likely to test positive for COVID-19, more likely to have complications and more likely to die from the virus than women, independent of age, according to US scientists. They looked at the health records of almost 100,000 US adults and Read more about Men more susceptible to COVID-19 than women
InternationalHouston Methodist Research Institute, USA -
COVID-19 virus can infect brain cells and cause brain damage
Journal of Experimental Medicine
Using both mouse and human brain tissue, US researchers found SARS-CoV-2 can directly infect the central nervous system. The team says the virus was able to infect neurons in human brain organoids - miniature 3D organs grown in the lab from human Read more about COVID-19 virus can infect brain cells and cause brain damage
InternationalYale School of Medicine, USA -
Flight or fright: what is the future of the emus of east coast Australia?
Scientific Reports
Emu populations are projected to remain stable overall into the future under climate change scenarios, but east of the ranges, populations are likely to be further threatened by increasing urbanisation, and increasing losses from feral predators. Read more about Flight or fright: what is the future of the emus of east coast Australia?
Australia; NSW; TASWestern Sydney University|University of Tasmania -
Researchers track a century of sexual abuse in NZ
Social Science and Medicine
Rates of sexual abuse by an intimate partner over one’s lifetime have not changed, according to new estimates by New Zealand researchers. The study authors analysed data from face-to-face interviews with more than 4300 New Zealand women born as Read more about Researchers track a century of sexual abuse in NZ
New ZealandUniversity of Auckland -
Salt reformulation programs can substantially improve health, but not Australia’s
BMJ Nutrition, Prevention and Health
Government targets designed to lower the salt content of packaged foods will make little difference to the health of Australians, according to a new analysis published today. George Institute researchers found that even if the voluntary targets Read more about Salt reformulation programs can substantially improve health, but not Australia’s
Australia; New Zealand; NSWGeorge Institute for Global Health|The University of New South Wales... -
What’s app-ening with my lungs?
Learning about healthy lungs has just become a lot easier for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and health practitioners thanks to an expanded interactive app. The app, produced by the Menzies School of Health Research’s (Menzies) Read more about What’s app-ening with my lungs?
Australia; NTMenzies School of Health Research|Lung Foundation Australia -
Sea lion diagnosed with tuberculosis triggers public health concerns
Journal of Wildlife Diseases
A wild Australian sea lion has been reported with tuberculosis in South Australia. The type of disease is not the typical presentation of tuberculosis, as this was not found in the animal’s lungs, but in its abdomen. Researchers from the Read more about Sea lion diagnosed with tuberculosis triggers public health concerns
Australia; SAThe University of Sydney -
Low carb diets can reverse type 2 diabetes
BMJ
Scientists have found that after six months, patients who followed a low carb diet containing less than 26 per cent of daily calories from carbohydrates achieved greater rates of type 2 diabetes remission than those who followed other diets Read more about Low carb diets can reverse type 2 diabetes
Australia; ACTCSIRO
EXPERT Q&A: Answering your questions about COVID-19 variants
With reports of new COVID-19 strains emerging in the UK, South Africa, and Brazil, an Australian expert a...
Mantis males must wrestle if they don't want to lose their heads
The praying mantis has a reputation for cannibalism because females often eat males before they get a cha...
Bee gone? A quarter of bee species haven’t been seen in 30 years
While reports and records of animal species have increased dramatically over the last few decades, the nu...
Resources for journalists
Links to expert comments, media briefings and the latest COVID-19 news and research here
