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Exploring the reasons why some women use force
In the context of family relationships, women who use force generally do so because they want power rather than because they have power, according to new research. Women who use force commonly also see themselves as responsible for their actions, Read more about Exploring the reasons why some women use force
Australia; VICThe University of Melbourne -
There may be no limits to heart health benefits of exercise
PLOS Medicine
Get your joggers back on, folks! International and Australian researchers suggest there is no limit to how much physical activity can benefit your heart. The team collected data on over 90,000 participants' physical activity, and say that the people Read more about There may be no limits to heart health benefits of exercise
Australia; NSW; VICThe University of New South Wales|George Institute for Global Health... -
The pen is mightier for barking geckos
New Zealand Journal of Ecology
Establishing new populations of geckos could be more successful if the geckos are initially forced to stay in a confined space, according to new research from the University of Otago and the Department of Conservation. Nineteen barking geckos spent Read more about The pen is mightier for barking geckos
New ZealandUniversity of Otago|Department of Conservation -
Bias in genetic studies may explain beneficial effects of alcohol on health
Nature Communications
Genetic studies that rely on self-reported drinking may be biased by misreporting and changes in behaviour, according to Australian research, which may explain conflicting reports about links between alcohol and health. Drinking too much has long Read more about Bias in genetic studies may explain beneficial effects of alcohol on health
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland|Institute for Molecular Bioscience... -
People with autism are more than 3 times as likely to attempt suicide
JAMA Network Open
Australian-led research looked at rates of suicide attempts and suicide among autistic and non-autistic individuals in more than 6 million Danish people over the age of 10, and say those with a diagnosed autism spectrum disorder had more than Read more about People with autism are more than 3 times as likely to attempt suicide
Australia; International; QLD; ACTGriffith University|The Australian National University -
Most microplastics in the Arctic are polyester fibres from textiles
Nature Communications
Synthetic fibres make up around 92 per cent of microplastic pollution in near-surface seawater across the Arctic, and around 73 per cent of this is polyester, resembling fibres used in textiles, according to Canadian scientists. The team looked at Read more about Most microplastics in the Arctic are polyester fibres from textiles
InternationalOcean Wise Conservation Association, Canada -
New study of Earth’s crust shows global growth spurt three billion years ago
Nature Communications
Curtin University researchers have used ancient crystals from eroded rocks found in stream sediments in Greenland to successfully test the theory that portions of Earth’s ancient crust acted as ‘seeds’ from which later generations of crust grew Read more about New study of Earth’s crust shows global growth spurt three billion years ago
Australia; WACurtin University -
EXPERT REACTION: Has there been a global insect apocalypse?
PNAS
Many insect populations around the world are decreasing by 1-2 per cent every year, but this may not be as simple as an insect 'apocalypse' across the board, according to a series of 12 research papers being published in PNAS. For example, in the Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Has there been a global insect apocalypse?
InternationalUniversity of Connecticut, USA -
Slave labour is being used to meet our demand for PPE in the pandemic
Annals of Internal Medicine
COVID-19-related increases in supply and demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) are likely to have exacerbated the prevalence of forced labour in global PPE supply chains, according to international scientists. They cite the example of a New Read more about Slave labour is being used to meet our demand for PPE in the pandemic
InternationalCleveland Clinic, USA -
That extra cup of coffee might cut prostate cancer risk
BMJ Open
Drinking several cups of coffee every day may be linked to a lower risk of developing prostate cancer, suggests a pooled data analysis of the available evidence. Each additional daily cup of the brew was associated with a reduction in risk of nearly Read more about That extra cup of coffee might cut prostate cancer risk
InternationalShengjing Hospital of China Medical University, China -
Gut bugs could influence COVID-19 severity
Gut
The variety and volume of bacteria in the gut, known as the microbiome, may influence the severity of COVID-19, as well as the magnitude of the immune system response to the infection, suggests Chinese research. The researchers analysed poo samples Read more about Gut bugs could influence COVID-19 severity
InternationalThe Chinese University of Hong Kong, China -
Saliva-based COVID-19 testing is as effective and cheaper than uncomfortable nasal swabs
Annals of Internal Medicine
Saliva-based sampling for detecting COVID-19 is similarly sensitive and less costly than nasal swabs, according to a review of the available evidence by Canadian and Brazilian researchers. As well as being uncomfortable for the recipient, nasal Read more about Saliva-based COVID-19 testing is as effective and cheaper than uncomfortable nasal swabs
InternationalMcGill University, Canada -
Stick to supportive shoes if you have knee pain
Annals of Internal Medicine
Though they may look daggier than flat-bottomed hipster shoes, a supportive shoe might help alleviate that niggling knee pain, say Aussie scientists. Recently, it has been argued that a flat and flexible shoe might allow more of a 'barefoot' Read more about Stick to supportive shoes if you have knee pain
Australia; VICThe University of Melbourne -
COVID-19 pandemic disrupted heart disease diagnosis and treatment
Journal of the American College of Cardiology
The COVID-19 pandemic delayed and disrupted heart disease diagnosis and timely treatment across the world, according to Australian and international researchers. They found that cardiac diagnostic procedure volumes decreased 42 per cent from March Read more about COVID-19 pandemic disrupted heart disease diagnosis and treatment
Australia; International; VICThe University of Melbourne|Columbia University, USA -
Working against antibiotic-resistance
Nature Microbiology
New research published today in the prestigious journal Nature Microbiology has discovered how to revert antibiotic-resistance in one of the most dangerous superbugs. A major risk of being hospitalised is catching a bacterial infection. Hospitals, Read more about Working against antibiotic-resistance
Australia; VICMonash University -
Extreme drought area expected to double by the end of the century
Nature Climate Change
By the end of this century, the global land area and population in extreme-to-exceptional drought could more than double, according to international research. The study looked at the water available globally in lakes and reservoirs, rivers, wetlands Read more about Extreme drought area expected to double by the end of the century
Australia; InternationalMichigan State University, USA -
Unlocking the secrets of star formation
Nature Astronomy
A new study by an international team of researchers has used computer power to map the so-called sonic scale, showing the key role turbulence plays in star formation. A new study by an international team of researchers has used computer power to Read more about Unlocking the secrets of star formation
Australia; QLD; ACTThe Australian National University|Queensland University of Technology (QUT)... -
Lots of oral sex could increase your risk of mouth and throat cancer
Cancer
Having more than 10 prior oral sex partners has been linked to a 4. 3-times greater likelihood of having human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancer of the mouth and throat, say US researchers. The study also found that having oral sex at a younger Read more about Lots of oral sex could increase your risk of mouth and throat cancer
InternationalJohns Hopkins University, USA -
Sports voucher program found to encourage kids to be more active
BMC Public Health
A Sydney-led study has found that an exercise program designed to encourage children and adolescents to be more active was successful in increasing their physical activity, with increases continuing over a 6 month period. The goal of the study was Read more about Sports voucher program found to encourage kids to be more active
Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney -
Frozen egg wastage prompts calls for women to donate unused eggs
BMJ Ethics
As more women postpone childbearing for social reasons and freeze their eggs, new research reveals that most don’t end up using them, leading to wastage. Current estimates suggest that less than one in five women who freeze their eggs will return Read more about Frozen egg wastage prompts calls for women to donate unused eggs
Australia; VICThe University of Melbourne
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
