Cutting-edge VR training to equip first responders for birth emergencies A new virtual reality (VR) training program developed by Edith Cowan University (ECU) is set to revolutionise how volunteer ambulance officers and paramedics prepare for unplanned out-of-hospital births. ECU PhD candidate Michella Hill designed the NEONATE in VR training to enhance confidence and competency in managing birth emergencies before arriving at hospital.
https://www.scimex.org/newsfee....d/cutting-edge-vr-tr

Diabetes during pregnancy linked to higher risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children Children born to women who had diabetes during pregnancy may have an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, according to international research which pooled together data from previous studies. The analysis found that children of mothers with diabetes in pregnancy had a 25% increased risk of autism spectrum disorder, a 30% increased risk of ADHD, a 32% increased risk of intellectual disability, and a 28% increased risk of having any neurodevelopmental disorder. However, authors urge caution as there is currently little evidence of a causal link.
https://www.scimex.org/newsfee....d/diabetes-during-pr

Long-spined sea urchin surprisingly not on the menu for large fish New research has uncovered a crucial clue to understanding the spread of ‘barrens’ in the Great Southern Reef, which are threatening the reef ecosystem. ‘Barrens’ are areas of low, or no, seaweed cover in the reef. Barren habitat has lower productivity and absorbs less carbon dioxide than the seaweed forest it replaces. In New South Wales, barrens can form in areas where there is an overrepresentation of long-spined sea urchins. It’s assumed that large fish – believed to be a key predator of urchins – play a significant role in controlling long-spined urchin populations and in turn, barrens. However, this study found almost no evidence of large fish preying on these urchins in the Great Southern Reef.
https://www.scimex.org/newsfee....d/long-spined-sea-ur

How trees in the Amazon rainforest are spying on illegal gold miners Trees in the Amazon could be used to spy on illegal gold mining operations, according to international researchers, who found that tree rings are able to pick up mercury used in the mining process and show approximately when and where the mercury was released. Mercury is used by illegal mining operations to help in the extraction of tiny gold particles from the soil and is released into the atmosphere, where it can harm the environment and human health. The authors say that using trees as biomonitors can provide a widespread and cheap network to detect illegal mining operations.
https://www.scimex.org/newsfee....d/how-trees-in-the-a

If the US President's AIDS relief is scrapped, 500,000 children could die, experts say If the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is suspended or only receives limited, short-term funding, experts estimate that 1 million additional children could become infected with HIV and nearly 500,000 children could die from AIDS by 2030. The analysis also estimates that 2.8 million children in sub-Saharan Africa could become orphans without consistent, stable funding from this program.
https://www.scimex.org/newsfee....d/if-the-us-presiden