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.
German and US researchers report that cognitive ageing could be delayed by up to 2.5 years in elderly people who eat greater amounts of blueberries and strawberries, flavonoid-rich berries. read more
Stephan Lewandowsky asks whether the science is missing from the ABC documentary “I can change your mind about … climate”
NEWS BRIEFING: The dangers of youth – a Lancet series on adolescent health
ONLINE BRIEFING – Tue 24 April at 9.30am AEST
There are around 4.8 million adolescents (those aged 10-24 years) in Australia today, comprising around a fifth of our total population. However, new research is beginning to suggest that despite how invincible teenagers feel, when it comes to health, these are not the ‘best days of our lives’. read more
EMBARGO LIFTED at 3am AEST 19 April, 2012
Japanese researchers report on a protein that protects bones by promoting bone formation and limiting bone breakdown in mice. The authors conclude that if this protein plays a similar role in humans then it may pave the way for the development of therapeutic agents for bone and joint diseases. read more
The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency has today released the latest National Greenhouse Accounts which compare Australia’s emissions to our Kyoto Protocol obligations. The Accounts show Australia’s carbon pollution is currently tracking at 104 per cent of 1990 levels. Australia’s Kyoto Protocol target is to limit emissions to108 per cent of 1990 levels, on average, over the period from 2008 to 2012. Emissions from the electricity generation sector rose by 50 per cent from 1990 to 2011, the strongest growth of all sectors in Australia. read more
According to the US Geological Survey, a magnitude 8.6 earthquake has struck off the coast of Sumatra in Indonesia at 6:38pm tonight AEST. For more information see the US Geological Survey website. Below seismologists and tsunami experts from Australia, America and the UK respond. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre has a warning in place. read more
EMBARGO LIFTED at 7am AEST Fri 6 Apr 2012
US researchers have used mathematical models to show how worries over vaccine risks affect vaccine uptake within the community. The study shows how to predict ways in which population vaccinating behaviour might unfold during a vaccine scare, testing the model against real data from two infamous vaccine scares in England and Wales: the 1970s pertussis outbreak and the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine scare in the 1990s. read more