Hacker News
- Forearm artery reveals human evolution continues? https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2020/10/08/forearm-artery-reveals-human-evolution-continues/ 90 comments
- Increased numbers of preterm births, higher incidence of respiratory disease and death, and more children in hospitals are some of the stark health outcomes the world is facing from the impacts of extreme climate change https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2024/02/27/climate-change-increases-risk-of-preterm-births/ 8 comments science
- In a major review of how mammalian heads evolve, scientists found that adaptations to feeding explain why large species of mammals often have much longer faces compared to smaller closely related species: smaller mammals need stronger bites and shorter faces can impart more bite force https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2023/12/15/why-the-long-face-now-we-know/ 62 comments science
- A category of musculoskeletal disorders of our joints, muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons and spine are on the rise and a new forecast is as many as 1060mln people – up from 464mln – will be living with related disabilities by 2050 https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2023/11/20/1060-million-people-with-other-musculoskeletal-disorders-by-2050/ 3 comments science
- An online treatment program has the capacity to help adolescents with anorexia nervosa, focusing on shifting thinking styles that reduce barriers to effective treatment https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2023/08/07/online-program-helps-adolescents-with-anorexia-nervosa/ 8 comments science
- Clinical trial shows how patients can receive temporary pain relief by blocking nerves around knee osteoarthritis sites https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2022/12/04/nerve-block-for-knee-pain-relief/ 7 comments science
- Just one surface crack on a Teflon-coated pan can release about 9100 plastic particles, found researchers https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2022/10/31/not-so-tough-teflon/ 1811 comments science
- Silencing gut pain without pain killers by surgically removing specific populations of sensory nerves that communicate between internal organs, such as the bladder and gut, and the brain, without impacting other functions in the body https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2022/09/17/silencing-gut-pain-without-pain-killers/ 5 comments science
- Low vitamin C linked to cognitive impairment in older Australians. Cognition scores were significantly lower among patients who were deficient, with further analysis suggesting deficiency was almost 3 times more likely to be associated with cognitive impairment after adjustment for other factors https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2022/03/21/low-vitamin-c-linked-to-cognitive-impairment-in-older-australians/ 6 comments science
- A new study has confirmed the small luxuries, from sweets and chocolate to salty treats, have helped to lift our spirits and kilojoule intake during COVID-19 lockdowns https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2021/06/28/junkfood-brings-pandemic-stress-relief/ 42 comments science
- An international group of 17 leading scientists have produced a comprehensive yet concise assessment of the state of civilisation, warning that the outlook is more dire and dangerous than is generally understood. https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2021/01/13/grim-prognosis-were-on-track-for-a-ghastly-future/ 27 comments science
- Autistic adults can be wrongly perceived as deceptive and lacking credibility, Flinders University researchers say, with this working against many caught in the legal system https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2021/04/02/concern-for-judgement-of-autistic-adults/ 756 comments science
- Scientists have created a sustainable insulating composite made from waste cooking oil, sulfur and wool offcuts which capitalises on wool’s natural low flammability and could also make significant energy savings for property owners and tenants https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2021/03/17/new-insulation-takes-heat-off/ 26 comments science
- Researchers have used marine tracking technology to examine the effect of human activity on creatures such as white sharks and yellowtail kingfish by comparing their activity during COVID-19 restriction with that prior to the pandemic. https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2021/03/16/covid-19-helps-understand-impacts-on-marine-organisms/ 7 comments science
- Participants from five western countries published in PLOS ONE explores people's response to the stresses of the escalating pandemic, finding more than 13% of the sample had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related symptoms consistent with levels necessary to qualify for a clinical diagnosis https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2021/01/22/ptsd-link-to-pandemic-fears/ 3 comments science
- Scientists are testing shark-bite-proof wetsuit material made from protective neoprene fabrics that incorporate ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibres, aiming to reduce bite-related bleeding and save lives. https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2019/11/20/shark-proof-wetsuit-material-could-help-save-lives/ 134 comments science
- Millions of sensory neurons within the wall of the gut — known as the enteric nervous system — operate independently of the brain, and are responsible for the mixing and digesting of food along the digestive tract, allowing for absorption of nutrients and excretion of waste. https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2019/10/31/new-light-shed-on-gut-function/ 8 comments science
- Gut microbiome linked to regulation of blood glucose levels https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2019/09/18/gut-bacteria-negatively-influences-blood-sugar/ 30 comments science
- CT scans reveal that a species of sea snake has a modified cephalic vascular network (MCVN) that functions similarly to fish gills, allowing the snakes to draw supplemental oxygen directly from sea water while swimming. https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2019/09/05/tropical-snake-uses-its-head-to-breathe/ 12 comments science
- A promising new method to detect autism in children through a simple eye scan aims to identify the condition years earlier than is currently possible. https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2019/08/13/new-hub-launched-to-transform-caring/ 78 comments science
- 3ft tall, 15 pound fossilised bird discovered in New Zealand is the world's largest parrot. Paleontologists originally thought it was an Eagle because it was so unexpectedly large, so they named it Heracles inexpectatus. https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2019/08/07/meet-hercules-a-parrot-of-child-like-proportions/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=organic 39 comments science
- New geochemical analysis of two-million-year-old teeth from one of our extinct ancestors — Australopithecus africanus — reveals that they used breastfeeding as a survival strategy, continuing to feed supplemental breast milk to children as old as 5 or 6 during periods of food shortage. https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2019/07/16/maternal-secrets-of-our-earliest-ancestors-unlocked/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=reddit&utm_campaign=reddit 22 comments science
- Clownfish need nighttime darkness to reproduce — when exposed to even small amounts of artificial light at night, clownfish eggs failed to hatch, raising concerns for the growing encroachment of LED light pollution from land, and tourist infrastructure over reefs. https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2019/07/11/clownfish-reproduction-threatened-by-artificial-light/ 404 comments science
- The iconic Darwinian finches from the Galapagos islands are threatened by a deadly fly maggot that attacks baby birds in the nest; hybrid bird species, however, seem able to fight off the parasites. https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2019/04/04/hybrid-species-could-save-famous-darwins-finches-from-invasive-parasite/ 39 comments science
- Male dolphins hang out with their brothers and male cousins to increase their chances with female dolphins. https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2019/03/05/male-dolphins-swim-in-family-bachelor-groups/ 11 comments science
- Studies of 579,380 teenagers found a link between insufficient sleep, and an increased likelihood of participation in higher risk behaviour; such as smoking, alcohol and other drug consumption, unprotected sex, dangerous driving and even violence. https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2019/01/30/lack-of-sleep-a-risky-business-for-teens/ 18 comments science
- Environmental remediation of salt fields into mangroves and coastal wetlands helps sequester carbon in rapidly growing biomass. https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2018/12/29/dry-creek-salt-field-prepares-for-green-future/ 6 comments science
- Both men and women vastly overestimate the success rates of natural and IVF-assisted conception, believing that a woman in her early 40s has a ~20% - 30% chance of successful pregnancy via IVF; the actual likelihood is around 5-7%. https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2019/01/02/support-for-ovarian-reserve-screening/ 164 comments science
- Obesity discovery: Disabling a single gene, RCAN1, in mice allowed them to gorge on a high-fat diet without gaining any weight. https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2018/12/06/gene-discovery-holds-promise-against-obesity/ 44 comments science
- New "virtual Earth" modelling suggests we might have underestimated the impacts of an "extinction domino effect" where a single species extinction triggers a total ecosystem collapse. https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2018/11/14/loss-animal-plant-species-climate-change-causes-global-extinction-domino-effect/ 5 comments science
- A new two-part sports drink uses high amylose maiz starch to improve hydration for elite athletes. https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2018/11/07/elite-sports-hydration-drink-off-running/ 13 comments science
- You can get STDs in your eyes. Ocular Syphilis is on the rise, with 38% of patients in one study suffering vision loss as a result. https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2018/08/29/eye-disease-can-cause-blindness/ 17 comments science
- Dysphagia - impaired swallowing - increases the costs of a hospital stay by $12,000. https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2018/08/13/hospital-costs-hard-swallow/ 18 comments science
- A simple thin layer of phosphorus could enhance the efficiency of dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSC) while removing the need to use more expensive platinum. The technique involves microwaving phosphorus for 10 mins, rather than current methods that take 15 hours. https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2018/08/12/zapping-new-approach-solar-cells/ 4 comments science
- New class of antibiotic shown to be effective against vancomycin-resistant C. difficile http://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2018/06/22/antibiotic-promise-superbug-war/ 8 comments science
- 400 million-year-old Australian fossil identified as link to first bony fishes, and distant ancestor of humans. http://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2018/05/31/fossil-link-oldest-fish-life-earth/ 10 comments worldnews
- Paleontologists use CT scanner and 3d modelling to confirm 400-million-year-old fossil fish is the ancestor to all modern bony fish (Osteichthyes), and therefore humans. http://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2018/05/31/fossil-link-oldest-fish-life-earth/ 10 comments science
- Despite its growing popularity, acupuncture is ineffective in improving live birth rates in women undergoing IVF — a randomised clinical trial resulted in no significant difference over "sham" acupuncture. http://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2018/05/16/acupuncture-no-help-for-ivf-birth-rates/ 21 comments science
- A new study reveals those with compulsive hoarding disorder assign emotional attachments to possessions as a way of compensating for a lack of emotional warmth during early development. Additionally, those with the disorder exhibit poor confidence in memory and cognitive skills http://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2018/05/14/unpack-worries-reduce-clutter/ 29 comments science
- Early-life antibiotic use leads to dysfunctional vaccine immune response in mice, but restoring gut microbiota can repair normal antibody response. http://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2018/05/10/can-antibiotics-impair-babys-vaccine-response/ 568 comments science