The Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC) is an independent, non-profit service for the news media, giving journalists direct access to evidence-based science and expertise.
We aim to better inform public debate on the major issues of the day by improving links between the media and the scientific community.
ONLINE BRIEFING – Thursday May 17, 12.30pm AEST
In the first study of its kind in Australasia, scientists have used 27 natural climate records to create the first large-scale temperature reconstruction for the region, over the past 1000 years. read more
UK researchers report that inducing labour at more than 37 weeks of gestation reduces the rate of stillbirth or dying in the first month of a baby’s life, without increasing the rate of caesareans. However, inducing labour increased the number of babies admitted to neonatal intensive care compared with standard labour management. read more
Embargo lifted 5am AEST Tue 8 May
Research from the US shows exposure of pregnant rhesus monkeys to Bisphenol A (BPA) altered the developing mammary glands of their offspring. BPA is used in the manufacturing of various plastics and resins for food packaging and consumer products. BPA can act as an endocrine disruptor (a chemical that can interfere with the balance of hormones in the body); specifically, BPA has been found to mimic oestrogen (in animal models), with implications for development and reproduction. read more
Few subjects in the science media world stir debate more than that of embargoes.
Researchers from the University of Adelaide have compared the risk of major birth defects for each of the reproductive therapies commonly available internationally, including IVF. Below experts respond. read more
Embargo lifted at 3am AEST Thu 3 May
Researchers have shown that the H5N1 ‘bird flu’ virus, which is highly dangerous but so far not easily spread between mammals ( including people), could easily acquire this ability. The researchers crossed the H5N1 strain with the pandemic H1N1 strain which swept the globe in 2009 and showed that the resulting virus could easily pass between ferrets. While ferrets are a long way from humans, it suggests that similar viruses with pandemic potential in humans may emerge. The publication of this paper follows a long debate about the potential biosecurity risks from publishing this research. read more
Environment Minister Tony Burke announced his decision on Monday, April 30, 2012, to list koala populations in Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory as vulnerable on the national list of threatened species. read more
As wind farms spring up across the country in a bid to generate more renewable energy, new research from the US suggests that the wind farms themselves may be having a local warming effect on the climate. read more