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Arthritis drug tocilizumab no better than standard care for severe COVID-19
The BMJ
Adding the arthritis drug tocilizumab to standard care does not appear to improve clinical outcomes in patients with severe COVID-19 at 15 days, according to a Brazilian trial which was stopped early due to an increase in the number of deaths in Read more about Arthritis drug tocilizumab no better than standard care for severe COVID-19
InternationalBP-A Beneficência Portuguesa de São Paulo, Brazil -
COVID-19 lockdowns increase meth exposure risks in former home labs
ANZJPH
Families unwittingly living in houses used as methamphetamine labs could be exposed to significantly higher levels of the drug ice during Covid-19 lockdowns, as financial pressures brought on by the pandemic prevent relocation and limit resources Read more about COVID-19 lockdowns increase meth exposure risks in former home labs
Australia; SAFlinders University -
Rugby league should invest in young players’ diets
International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism
New QUT study recommends NRL rugby league clubs 'invest' in young players' diets to aid performance and recovery with the research outlining specific nutritional needs for the high-impact sport. Young rugby league players could benefit from Read more about Rugby league should invest in young players’ diets
Australia; QLDQueensland University of Technology (QUT) -
Do antidepressants help chronic back pain and osteoarthritis?
The BMJ
Antidepressants are commonly used worldwide to treat pain, however new research from the University of Sydney shows they offer little to no help for people suffering chronic back pain and osteoarthritis and may even cause harm. Antidepressants are Read more about Do antidepressants help chronic back pain and osteoarthritis?
Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney -
Indigenous lands: a haven for wildlife
Conservation Biology
Indigenous peoples’ lands may harbour a significant proportion of threatened and endangered species globally, according to University of Queensland-led research. Indigenous peoples’ lands may harbour a significant proportion of threatened and Read more about Indigenous lands: a haven for wildlife
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
How Silicon Valley elites see the world
PLoS ONE
The 100 richest information technology entrepreneurs see the world in similar meritocratic, self-affirming and self-serving terms, according to an analysis of their own official and unofficial statements. However, their belief that there is little Read more about How Silicon Valley elites see the world
InternationalJacobs University Bremen, Germany -
The origins of money: Ancient European hoards may contain early currency
PLOS ONE
When did money start making the world go round? International researchers say ancient Bronze Age people may have used rings and axe blades as an early form of money, even going so far as to standardise the shape and weight of their currency. The Read more about The origins of money: Ancient European hoards may contain early currency
InternationalLeiden University, The Netherlands -
Fish out of water: The genetics of evolving onto land
The transition of creatures from sea to land life is still poorly understood, so European researchers sequenced the genome of a "living fossil", the Australian lungfish. to learn more about this important evolutionary step. They found genetic Read more about Fish out of water: The genetics of evolving onto land
Australia; InternationalUniversity of Konstanz, Germany -
Online cognitive behavioural therapy could help people with depression, even without a therapist
JAMA Psychiatry
Online cognitive behavioural therapy can help people with depression, and for those with mild depression, they may not even need to be guided by a therapist, according to Australian and international research. The analysis of previous research found Read more about Online cognitive behavioural therapy could help people with depression, even without a therapist
Australia; International; NSW; VIC; ACTThe University of New South Wales|The University of Melbourne... -
In hotter water: Climate change prolongs lake heatwaves
Nature
Climate change may have more prolonged effects on heat waves in lakes than on dry land. A research team led by the European Space Agency used satellite observations and modelling to investigate changes in lake heatwaves for hundreds of lakes Read more about In hotter water: Climate change prolongs lake heatwaves
InternationalEuropean Space Agency, UK -
How dolphin airways could help save endangered whales
BMC Microbiology
A UNSW study shows airway bacteria can indicate the health of dolphins and whales – a finding that could benefit endangered species like the northern right and blue whales. A UNSW researcher has found promising evidence that airway samples Read more about How dolphin airways could help save endangered whales
Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales -
New eco-friendly way to make ammonia could be boon for agriculture, hydrogen economy
Energy and Environmental Science
Ammonia has sustained humanity since the early 20th century, but its production leaves a huge carbon footprint. Now researchers have found a way to make it 100 per cent renewable. Chemical engineers at UNSW Sydney have found a way to make Read more about New eco-friendly way to make ammonia could be boon for agriculture, hydrogen economy
Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales|The University of Sydney -
Did hot girls start as boys? Heat may override genetics when it comes to the sex of our Jacky dragon
Proceedings of the Royal Society B
In many reptiles, sex is determined by incubation temperature, but Australian researchers say for one Aussie lizard, the Jacky dragon, there may be a previously unrecognised role for genes too. The Jacky dragon tends to have female babies when Read more about Did hot girls start as boys? Heat may override genetics when it comes to the sex of our Jacky dragon
Australia; NSW; SA; ACTUniversity of Canberra|CSIRO|Flinders University|The University of New South Wales -
Mantis males must wrestle if they don't want to lose their heads
Biology Letters
The praying mantis has a reputation for cannibalism because females often eat males before they get a chance to mate, but it turns out that for one species, the Springbok mantis, the boys may have a way to escape this deadly love. Australian Read more about Mantis males must wrestle if they don't want to lose their heads
Australia; New Zealand; NSWUniversity of Auckland|The University of New South Wales -
Is COVID-19 affecting male fertility?
Royal Society Open Biology
International scientists warn that COVID-19 may affect fertility in men, and may even be passed on through sex. The researchers reviewed existing studies, and say there is some preliminary evidence that the male reproductive system may be targeted Read more about Is COVID-19 affecting male fertility?
InternationalAssam University, India -
Time to act on autism diagnosis deficiencies
Frontiers in Neurology
Identification of autism, followed by appropriate intervention, has the potential to improve outcomes for autistic individuals – but Flinders University experts say that presently not enough qualified people can diagnose. Professor Robyn Young, a Read more about Time to act on autism diagnosis deficiencies
Australia; SAFlinders University -
Schools and parents urged to register for food safety training (plus Summer lunch box food safety tips)
With an estimated 4. 1 million cases of food poisoning in Australia each year the Food Safety Information Council is urging parents, school canteen volunteers and high school students to learn more about food safety. Young people in particular have Read more about Schools and parents urged to register for food safety training (plus Summer lunch box food safety tips)
AustraliaFood Safety Information Council -
Immunotherapy trial launched to protect children who undergo stem cell transplants
Stem cell transplants for blood cancers or inherited immune deficiencies are high-risk procedures that are required to cure otherwise life-threatening diseases, but many patients develop viral complications. Australian researchers have begun a Read more about Immunotherapy trial launched to protect children who undergo stem cell transplants
Australia; QLDQIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute|Children's Health Queensland, Children's Hospital Foundation -
Higher risk of ADHD in kids if their mother has an autoimmune disease
JAMA Pediatrics
Mothers with autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, psoriasis and rheumatic fever may be more likely to have kids who have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), say Aussie researchers. The study looked at over 60,000 children in Read more about Higher risk of ADHD in kids if their mother has an autoimmune disease
Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney|Royal Hospital for Women, -
Wearing a mask seems to reduce COVID-19 transmission
The Lancet Digital Health
Wearing a mask may help control COVID-19 transmission in the community, according to international research, which analysed data from 300,000 people in the US. The study found that when people reported an increase in mask-wearing of 10 per cent, the Read more about Wearing a mask seems to reduce COVID-19 transmission
InternationalBoston Children’s Hospital, USA
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
