Facial recognition ability on for young and old

They determined there was no significant difference between the two groups in how much their performance dwindled in response to the change in viewpoint, contrary to the argument that children are more affected by viewing …

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Genetic variants lend insight into behavioural traits

THREE genetic variants have been found to be significantly associated with educational attainment in certain individuals, according to a recent study involving Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. The results showed three SNPs significantly associated with educational …

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Media may influence water-saving behaviour

RECENT research has revealed unscientific and biased media coverage of water issues could be negatively impacting public engagement and understanding of water management measures. Research reveals only 14 per cent of articles presented factual information …

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Leafy greens reduce aggressive behaviour in adolescents

HIGH magnesium intake has been associated with reduced aggressive behaviour in WA adolescents, highlighting the importance of a magnesium-rich diet in emotional and behavioural health. While previous research has linked low dietary zinc and magnesium …

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Sleep deprivation found to trigger initial seizure

NEUROLOGISTS studying WA’s first-ever seizure database have established that sleep deprivation is more likely to act as a trigger for people having seizures, rather than a provoked cause of epilepsy. Royal Perth Hospital neurologist and lead …

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Nationwide study finds khat abuse within community

PERTH’S Somali-Australian community has played a key role in new research on the health impacts of khat (Catha edulis) leaves, chewed for their amphetamine-like stimulant effects. It contains the alkaloids cathine, norephedrine and cathinone (the …

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Oral insulin won’t needle diabetics

A TEAM of researchers at Curtin University have found a substitute for insulin to help treat diabetes orally. “Our innovation is the development of a new chemical entity, a small drug molecule we have discovered …

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ADHD high among substance abusers

ALMOST half of adults who are substance users show symptoms of an attention disorder and are more likely to have poorer treatment outcomes according to a multi-institutional international study. “The recommendations from our research in …

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About us

About us ScienceNetwork WA (SNWA) is an independent, not-for-profit, news website devoted to telling the public about science research and achievements happening in Western Australia. We write about all forms of science and scientists from …

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Fitzroy children centre of Foetal Alcohol Disorder study

ABORIGINAL organisations in Fitzroy Valley have called for research into social, health and wellbeing issues associated with alcohol abuse. Paediatrician James Fitzpatrick is leading one investigation into Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) in Fitzroy Valley …

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Ecstasy derivative targets blood cancers

A TEAM of UWA researchers have found they may be able to alter the club drug ‘ecstasy’ to kill certain types of blood cancers at the same time boosting the potency and reducing the psychoactivity. …

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Cochlear implant maintence via the internet

THE Ear Science Institute of Australia (ESIA) is building software that will allow for remote mapping and analysis of cochlear implants. Under the software patients would be able to plug their implants into their computer …

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ICT centres of excellence open in WA

THE Australian Computer Society (ACS) WA branch recently announced the launch of Australia’s first two ACS Centres of Excellence, promising to open the West Australian ICT community to national and overseas interest. The two centres …

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WA to build nation’s first Sun power tower

Written by Aaron Fernandes WESTERN Australia looks set to host the country’s first ever power station utilising Solar Updraft Technology, with a project scheduled to get underway in the state’s Midwest. “This plant will provide …

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Environmental effects of fracking unclear: CSIRO study

CSIRO scientists have highlighted concerns that chemicals produced by hydraulic fracturing could be affecting ground and surface waters. In a review published in the national science agency’s online Environmental Chemistry journal, researchers say fracking may be …

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More toxicity in canola-based biodiesel

EXHAUST from pure canola oil biodiesel is more lethal for human epithelial cells than that from traditional diesel, new research contends. “They also have a higher specific surface area and thus higher capacity to absorb …

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Native plum likely new weapon against Alzheimer’s

Written by Kerry Faulkner The Kakadu plum produces powerful antioxidants to protect themselves from the harsh environment they grown in. Parks Australia WEST Australian researchers are confident the native Australian fruit Kakadu plum could provide the …

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Desert cat hunters cut wildlife protection costs

Nolia Ward with a feral cat that she has just hunted. Kate Crossing, Central Desert Native Title Services Gibson Desert Aborigines’ dietary preferences supported to target predator species Skinks, moles and bilbies thrive in Indigenous Protection …

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New dates for prized Kimberley spear points

A pressure-flaked Kimberley spear point, recovered from the Mount Behn excavation. Noel Tan AN ARCHAEOLOGIST dating Kimberley stone tools says the region’s most sophisticated stone technology, known as Kimberley points, appeared just 1,000 years ago. Australian …

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Crisis in cosmology stirs emotional debate

The Alternative Cosmology Group (ACG) meeting coincided with the commissioning of Europe’s Large Hadron Collider at CERN, in Geneva, Switzerland and University of WA physics professor John Hartnett attended the meeting. Although weird and wonderful …

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Professor John de Laeter dies, aged 77

TRIBUTES have poured in from around the world to honour the man who has inspired generations of scientists across Australia and internationally. Emeritus Professor John de Laeter died in the early hours of Monday morning after …

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Making sense of Iron Man’s science

UWA Professor Adrian Keating suggests some of the technology seen in the latest Marvel blockbuster, such as controlling the exoskeleton with simple thoughts, will be available in the near future. Marvel Studios Dust grain-sized robots could …

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Western diet leads to poorer performance

HIGHER intake of a western diet by 14-year-olds has been linked with diminished cognitive performance at age 17. Researchers found that participants with a western dietary pattern—characterised by high intakes of takeaway food, red and …

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Great Southern algae bloom kills waterway fish

A SIGNIGICANT freshwater fish kill 15km west of Albany earlier this month has been attributed to a large bloom of blue-green algae affecting the waterway. Phytoplankton analysis of water samples taken from Marbellup Brook by …

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Rottnest culls feral peacocks

AND then there were three – all males, their blue-green chests and colourful fantails all that is left of Rottnest Island’s peacock population. Only three male peacocks remain after the female birds (peahens) were removed …

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All About the Goldfields in Esperance

The Goldfields–Esperance region is a compelling example of Australia’s diverse and sometimes inhospitable landscape. Sandy beaches and rugged limestone cliffs greatly contrast the arid desert that extends north to meet the Northern Territory border. As …

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