New study suggests social media adversely impacts brain activity
Published 7 August 2025, 9:04 am
A new study suggests using social media can cause crucial brain activity levels to slump within minutes. It found a measurable drop-off in cognition, emotion and focus after scrolling sessions, however experts warn more research is needed on the impact of screen time.
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ABC News
5 hours ago
- ABC News
Dugongs studied in Moreton Bay may help save the vulnerable species worldwide
Janet Lanyon leaps off a red zodiac into the waters of Moreton Bay and swims towards a group of splashing figures in front of her. Moments before, four fit people in rugby helmets launched into the water off the moving boat in pursuit of a dark shadow as it came up for air. Between them is half a tonne of grey muscle — a big male dugong ( Dugong dugon ). The team monitor the dugong's breathing in the water. ( ABC TV: Dr Ann's Secret Lives ) The team monitors the dugong's breathing in the water. (ABC TV: Dr Ann's Secret Lives) Researchers hold dugong up to measure it. ( ABC TV: Dr Ann's Secret Lives ) The dugong is held up while researchers measure it. (ABC TV: Dr Ann's Secret Lives) Wetsuit-clad researchers wrap a tape measure around the bull's belly, then stretch it the length of his body to give an accurate reading of the animal's size in the water, while the "catching team" prevents the animal from diving. "Breath … breath … breath …" the team calls out each time the bull opens his massive nostrils. Once they have his measurements, the team slides his hefty body onto a sling and transfers him to a larger boat for a full health check. As the dugong is manoeuvred onto the boat the team pours water over its head to mimic the sensation of surfacing for a breath. ( ABC TV: Dr Ann's Secret Lives ) Dr Lanyon oversees the action, keeping track of what data is being collected and making sure her team and the dugong are safe. The marine biologist from the University of Queensland knows dugongs very well. She's been running the world's largest dugong health assessment program at Moreton Bay since it started 16 years ago. Janet Lanyon has studied dugongs for more than three decades. ( ABC TV: Dr Ann's Secret Lives ) Although the pursuit and capture looks dramatic, she says monitoring shows the dugongs calm down quickly. "They are pretty relaxed animals really," Dr Lanyon says. And what we learn from these dugongs is critical for helping conserve the enigmatic marine mammal elsewhere in Australia and other places around the world where numbers are falling. Quandamooka Country Moreton Bay is the perfect place to study dugongs. About 800—1,000 dugongs live in the turquoise waters that lie off the Queensland coast near Meanjin/Brisbane. The large mammals spend up to 20 hours a day digging and hoovering up seagrass, consuming roots, rhizomes and leaves. On average, an adult dugong eats 65kg of grass a day — more when they are reproducing. They are also picky eaters, preferring to eat a specific species of seagrass. Their messy feeding leaves trails, like snails in a rock pool, making them relatively easy to find in the 3,500-square-kilometre bay. And it's safer than some of the other potential study sites in Australia. "Up north, you've got crocodiles," Dr Lanyon says. These dugongs are deeply significant to the Quandamooka people, one of the traditional owner groups of Moreton Bay. "Caring for the dugongs is the same as caring for our Country," says Justin Ladbrooke-Parkin, who is the ranger in charge for the Quandamooka Marine Rangers, but speaking from his own experience. "[Dr Lanyon's] research provides that scientific knowledge … but also, it aligns with the cultural knowledge of the Quandamooka, which has been passed down through our generations." Race on deck Once the dugong is on board the boat, a new race is on. To minimise stress to the animal, the researchers extract as much biological information from it as they can within 30 minutes, before it is released. They collect blood, urine, saliva, mucous-laden tears and faecal samples, as well as swabs of skin bacteria that could be used as a "health biomarker". If it was a female, it would also have an ultrasound to detect pregnancies. Data from the samples also reveal aspects of their secret lives. By measuring stress hormone's the team have been able to ascertain that the dugongs recover quickly from their time on board. ( ABC TV: Dr Ann's Secret Lives ) By measuring stress hormones, the team has found that dugongs recover quickly from their time on board. (ABC TV: Dr Ann's Secret Lives) The tears of a dugong are very sticky and provide a wealth of biological information. ( ABC TV: Dr Ann's Secret Lives ) The tears of a dugong are very sticky and provide a wealth of biological information. (ABC TV: Dr Ann's Secret Lives) Blood samples are taken from beneath the dugong's pectoral fin. ( ABC TV: Dr Ann's Secret Lives ) Blood samples are taken from beneath the dugong's pectoral fin. (ABC TV: Dr Ann's Secret Lives) The plastic plate used to collect a faecal sample is covered in alfoil so the plate does not contaminate the poo and the team can test for microplastic. ( ABC: Catalyst ) The plastic plate used to collect a faecal sample is covered in foil so the plate does not contaminate the poo and the team can test for microplastic. (ABC TV: Dr Ann's Secret Lives) Adult males start to look a bit rough around the edges towards late winter and early spring when there is less good-quality seagrass in the bay. They also often have marks from fighting each other. "That time coincides with the mating season so it's a time when the adult males are just thinking about finding females," Dr Lanyon says. Sampling shows their testosterone and stress hormones increase during mating season. As a result, it's not uncommon for a few dead males to wash up at this time of year, but Dr Lanyon has been able to use this research to calm public fear of mass mortality events. Seagrass precious for picky eaters Moreton Bay's dugongs are the most studied in the world. "We've now tagged probably 750, or more, different animals in the bay," Dr Lanyon says. One of the major findings of the research is that this population rarely strays from the bay. If an occasional animal swims north, they are unlikely to breed with other dugongs. But their homebody nature, massive appetites and picky eating puts them at risk. Their growth rate, reproductive rates, how healthy they are, their whole life history is determined by their food. Dugongs use fine hairs on their nose to detect seagrass and dig it up. ( Getty Images: Andrea Izzotti ) The underwater meadows they rely on are susceptible to dieback, a disease that is on the rise due primarily to increased extreme weather events. "We're concerned because a lot of the species that are good food for dugongs and that dugongs like to feed on are becoming rarer [in Moreton Bay]," Dr Lanyon says. This ties in with traditional knowledge. "We've always known that there's these special areas for the dugongs and their feeding grounds," Mr Ladbrooke-Parkin says. "And this research obviously just supports that these areas should be protected." Life near a big city Swimming near Australia's third-largest city comes with specific risks for dugongs. Human medicine is flushed into the bay, and urban grime washes down the drains. "We looked at a panel of 18 different common antibiotics and we found that every dugong that we looked at was resistant to quite a few of the antibiotics," Dr Lanyon says. Her team has also found heavy metals, pesticides, microplastics and herbicides in the tissue and circulating blood of Moreton Bay dugongs. Extreme weather can compound these urban risks. "We know that with every flood event or cyclone there's direct damage to seagrass beds," Dr Lanyon says. Even if there is enough seagrass to eat, dugongs are still affected. They show increased levels of heavy metals, pathogens and microplastics after floods, and "there is a drop in body condition compared to that time in other years", Dr Lanyon says. But, she adds, this population may be faring better than those further north. They're exposed to agricultural runoff, which could severely affect the dugongs. In these northern populations, researchers have not been able to observe calves in the year after major cyclones and floods, suggesting none were born or survived early life. Dugong mothers need plenty of high-quality seagrass to fuel their pregnancies and to nurse their calves. ( Supplied: Janet Lanyon ) It is unclear whether this also happens in Morton Bay. There are also other looming threats such as the H5N1 strain of bird flu, which has affected many other species of mammals around the world. H5N1 hasn't yet arrived in Australia, but Dr Lanyon is monitoring dugongs for any signs of the disease. "We want to detect an emerging problem, not wait until there's a mass mortality event," she says. International insights Onboard the floating vet clinic, Chiaki Yamato is busy measuring the width of the bull's head. This is her second year studying Moreton Bay's dugongs. While the Moreton Bay population appears to be stable, other populations in waters around Asia and Africa are declining. Before joining the University of Queensland team, Dr Yamato studied dugongs in ThailaND. "In Thailand, if we could see one dugong in three boating days, I was very happy … but here, on the first day I went on the sea we were having lunch surrounded by a herd of dugongs," Dr Yamato says. By taking precise measurements on the boat and comparing those measurements to drone footage Dr Yamato can better estimate size from the air. ( ABC TV: Dr Ann's Secret Lives ) By taking precise measurements on the boat and comparing those measurements to drone footage, Dr Yamato can better estimate size from the air. (ABC TV: Dr Ann's Secret Lives) Dugong researcher Dr Chiaki Yamato. ( Supplied: Dr Chiaki Yamato ) Dr Yamato hopes the measurements she takes in Moreton Bay can be used to help develop non-invasive ways of studying the animals elsewhere. (Supplied: Chiaki Yamato) When dugongs come up for breath their body is often bent making them hard to measure. ( Supplied: Dr Chiaki Yamato ) When dugongs come up for breath, their body is often bent, making them hard to measure. (Supplied: Chiaki Yamato) It is too risky to catch and study unhealthy members of declining populations, so Dr Yamato is trying to develop a way to measure the animals using drones. Drones can be an affordable and low-impact way to study species for researchers who are licensed to use them, making her data invaluable for use on vulnerable populations. She'll use the information gathered from measuring the Moreton Bay dugongs in the water and on the boat to help refine measurements taken by drones. Swabbed, sampled and measured, the healthy male is ready for release, but for Dr Yamato, it is not yet goodbye. As the dugong swims free, her drone buzzes in its wake.
SBS Australia
17 hours ago
- SBS Australia
Meteor sighting across Victorian skies
Meteor sighting across Victorian skies Published 11 August 2025, 8:53 am A meteor was briefly seen by residents across central and western Victoria. Experts believe it was large enough to survive entry into earth's atmosphere and could have landed in the state's west.
ABC News
a day ago
- ABC News
Push to change polycystic ovary syndrome's name to better reflect condition
An Australian-led global survey is underway to rename polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to better reflect the condition and its impact on millions of women worldwide. PCOS can cause a variety of symptoms including hormonal imbalances, excessive androgen levels and irregular periods, and is a leading cause of infertility. But the name has been labelled misleading, as research has confirmed the "cysts" on the ovaries are actually small fluid-filled sacs — underdeveloped egg follicles not released as expected during the menstrual cycle. The survey, which has garnered more than 6,500 responses so far, offered three different approaches including finding a generic name; a name that better reflects the pathology and symptoms; or keeping the acronym PCOS but changing the words each letter represents. Once a consensus is reached, the ultimate goal is to have the name changed in the International Classification of Diseases. Caitlin Videon was diagnosed with PCOS when she was 16. She experienced a swathe of symptoms, including excessive hair growth, weight gain, depression and suicidal ideation. After living with PCOS for two decades, the 36-year-old — who has also been diagnosed with endometriosis and adenomyosis — said trying to explain the condition was difficult. "I've even struggled to articulate it to doctors who have as part of their bio they're well-versed in female reproductive conditions and issues," she said. The renaming initiative is driven by the nationally funded Centre for Research Excellence in Women's Health in Reproductive Life, at Monash University. Women's health professor Helena Teede said PCOS was "one of the most neglected, poorest understood conditions". "As a clinician, what I was seeing was … the condition wasn't being diagnosed, getting appropriate attention, prevention or treatment, research or education, and it was really challenging for those people who are affected." Amy Harrison, 47, was diagnosed almost 25 years ago. Living with both PCOS and endometriosis has affected her daily life in different ways. "PCOS provides more sharp stabbing pains, but it also affects your digestive system, how your bladder and bowels work, nausea, pain [and] gives me migraines." Ms Harrison said it had been challenging explaining how it would impact her 15-year-old daughter, Emma, who was going through her own PCOS and endometriosis diagnosis journey. "The name itself doesn't actually explain how the symptoms work and how they interact with her body," Ms Harrison said. Riverland-based accredited dietician Felicity Morrell said she saw women every week with PCOS who were "just banging their heads against the wall with conflicting information and unsure of where to go". "A lot of clients have said to me the title can be a little bit confusing," she said. "I think having a title that gives a better indication as to the scope of issues these ladies are trying to deal with could be really helpful." Professor Teede said around 8,000 people over six years had been surveyed on the topic. Professor Teede said the current survey, which had more than 6,500 responses so far, offered "three basic choices": The global survey is open until the end of August. Professor Teede said there was already a consensus from those working in the field that the name needed to change, and there was no scenario where the name change would not happen. "The aim is to finish the formal process by the end of the year and then to look at the dissemination strategies early next year," she said. "There's a strategy that goes across about 15 different ways of implementing. But the ultimate one is changing the name.
