A new study by Australian National University found that the death of a close friend can significantly impact a person's physical health, mental wellbeing, and social life for up to four years. The researchers warn that inadequate support during this time is leading to poor health outcomes.
Researchers have uncovered the remains of a new species of human, Homo luzonensis, in the Philippines. The fossil discovery provides significant insights into human evolution across Southeast Asia, with unique skeletal features compared to other known hominin species.
A global study found that a fungal disease has caused dramatic population declines in more than 500 amphibian species, resulting in 90 extinctions. Chytridiomycosis is present in over 60 countries and is considered one of the most damaging invasive species worldwide.
Researchers have discovered that Dickinsonia fossils do not reveal all the features of the earliest known animals. The study suggests that simple physical properties of sediments can explain the preservation of these soft-bodied creatures.
A new study from ANU found that 2D materials can thrive in harsh space conditions, with one material even improving its properties after exposure to intense gamma radiation. This could lead to the development of lighter and more efficient solar cells, satellite electronics, and quantum light sources.
Researchers have solved a decades-long riddle about Australia's threatened Lungfish species by discovering its unique life span of up to 80 years. By analyzing Carbon 14 levels in scales, the team was able to determine the age of individual fish and debunk concerns about an ageing population.
Scientists from Australian National University used space technology to predict droughts and increased bushfire risk with unprecedented precision. The team combined satellite data with a computer model simulating the water cycle and plant growth, enabling accurate forecasts of vegetation state up to five months in advance.
A landmark study found forest soils need several decades to recover from bushfires and logging. Soils recovered very slowly over many years from these events.
A study led by Australian National University found swift parrots experience love triangles, sneaky sex, and increased fighting among males as the ratio of females to males increases. The introduction of sugar gliders has led to a chronic shortage of females, resulting in fewer babies being born.
A new study has discovered a promising approach to significantly lower doses of X-rays in 3D medical imaging, making it cheaper and safer. The technique, known as ghost imaging, uses a sensor instead of an X-ray camera to create 3D images.
Researchers have identified a shift in fishing behaviors on Indonesian islands Alor and Timor around 7,000 years ago, likely due to changes in sea levels and environmental conditions. The study used an analysis method traditionally used in biology to identify fish habitat in archaeological material.
Researchers observed a powerful outflow of hydrogen gas from the Small Magellanic Cloud, a tiny dwarf galaxy. The discovery provides the first clear observational measurement of mass lost from a dwarf galaxy, shedding light on its slow death and potential impact on the surrounding Milky Way galaxy.
Researchers at ANU have discovered a new syndrome with an immune deficiency and inflammatory diseases of the skin, lymph nodes, and spleen. The study provides a powerful method for resolving potentially important genetic variants using whole genome sequencing and gene editing.
Researchers at Australian National University have developed a thin and flexible semiconductor material that can convert electricity into light efficiently. The invention opens the door to biodegradable or recyclable electronic devices, reducing e-waste and environmental damage.
A team of researchers has successfully engineered a more productive corn variety that can better cope with future climates. By increasing the enzyme Rubisco, which captures CO2 from the atmosphere, they achieved a 15% improvement in crop biomass and CO2 assimilation.
Scientists have discovered molecules of fat in an ancient fossil, confirming that animals existed on Earth 558 million years ago. The discovery of the strange creature Dickinsonia, which grew up to 1.4 meters in length, reveals a long-standing mystery about its true identity.
A new study has revealed a significant rapid increase in growth across populations in Thailand, China and Vietnam 4,000 years ago. The researchers used human skeletal remains to measure prehistoric population growth and found a second subsequent rise in the Iron Age.
A tiny camera lens invented by ANU researchers may enable fast and reliable transfer of quantum information between quantum computers and an optical fibre network. The device uses a metasurface that controls light with functionalities outperforming traditional systems.
Scientists at Australian National University have engineered tiny carbon-capturing engines from blue-green algae into plants, promising a 60% increase in plant growth and yield. This breakthrough improves the way crops convert carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight into energy through enhanced photosynthesis.
The research found that Homo erectus used 'least-effort strategies' for tool making and resource collection. This lack of innovation led to the species' demise, as they failed to adapt to a changing climate and technological advancements.
Research from Australian National University found people with psychopathic traits have difficulty distinguishing real from fake emotional expressions, particularly in expressing distress. This impairment leads to reduced motivation to assist those experiencing genuine emotional pain.
A new study reveals that foreign kelp has drifted 20,000km to reach Antarctica, challenging the long-held notion of the continent's isolation. The discovery sheds light on the science of ocean drift and its implications for climate change.
Scientists from ANU and overseas have discovered the oldest colours in the geological record, dating back 1.1 billion years. The bright pink pigments were extracted from marine black shales of the Taoudeni Basin in Mauritania, West Africa, and are more than half a billion years older than previous pigment discoveries.
Dr. Catherine Frieman's excavation uncovers intact 4,000-year-old cremation and evidence of unaccountable medieval activity on the same site. The team found a large mound over the burial that existed from prehistory to the middle ages, protecting the center of the barrow.
A 48,000-year-old Kenyan cave has yielded a treasure trove of ancient items, including crayons and shell beads, that offer new insights into the dawn of modern man. The site's continuous record of human habitation dates back 78,000 years, providing valuable evidence of early Homo sapiens behavior.
A new pilot study suggests that treating adults as well as children can significantly reduce soil-transmitted helminth infections, which affect 1.5 billion people worldwide. The study found that community-wide interventions were more effective in reducing STH infections than school-based programs.
A new international study has found that galaxies grow bigger and more ordered with age, with stars moving in all directions. The research team measured the movement of stars in 843 galaxies using an instrument called SAMI on the Anglo-Australian Telescope.
A new study found that poor-quality audio negatively affects perception of scientists and their research, while style triumphs over substance in communicating science. Researchers highlight the need to consider not only content but also delivery features.
A Bronze-Age burial mound in Cornwall has been discovered, dating back 2,000 BC. The site will be excavated to uncover its secrets and shed light on the region's prehistoric past.
Researchers created synthetic specimens similar to upper mantle rocks and measured their rigidity under conditions simulating the Earth's mantle. This study challenges a long-held theory that defects involving water absorption in normally dry rocks control seismic wave speeds.
Researchers from ANU have created a comprehensive study on the origins of people in Vanuatu, using DNA analyses and archaeological evidence. The results confirm that Vanuatu's first people arrived 3,000 years ago from South East Asia, with Papuan arrivals following shortly after.
Researchers at Australian National University have identified molecular similarities across six pharmaceutical drugs to reduce unwanted side effects. The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, aims to inform future scientists on how to design more specific drugs with fewer side effects.
A new international study has found a plane of dwarf galaxies orbiting around Centaurus A, challenging a long-held theory that these galaxies are spread out in all directions. The research reveals that spinning pancake-like systems of satellite galaxies are more common than previously thought.
A new study found that some building blocks of the Pentagon and Empire State Building were made by microbes up to 340 million years ago. The material, oolitic limestone, is composed of concentric layers of mineralized microbes debunking the popular snowball theory.
Christine Cave's new method reveals that it was not uncommon for people to live to old age in traditional societies. The study found that the most common age of death was around 70, similar across cultures.
Researchers uncovered 28 rock art sites on the island of Kisar, measuring just 81 square kilometers, with images depicting boats, dogs, horses, people holding shields, and playing drums. The discovery suggests a stronger shared history between Kisar and neighboring Timor.
Archaeologist Sue O'Connor discovered the world's oldest known fish-hooks placed in a burial ritual on Alor Island, Indonesia. The five hooks date back to the Pleistocene era and provide evidence that fishing equipment was viewed as essential for transition to the afterlife.
ANU researchers have made significant progress in developing shatter-proof mobile phone screens, shedding light on the structure of glass and its resistance to fractures. The study's findings could also inform ways to produce glass suitable for storing nuclear waste more effectively.
A landmark study published in The Lancet Public Health has found a link between living in houses with loose-fill asbestos insulation and an increased risk of mesothelioma and colorectal cancer. Men were 2.5 times more likely to develop mesothelioma, while rates of colorectal cancer were higher in both men and women who had lived in con...
An Australian anthropologist believes a 1818 Indian newspaper article reveals the fate of La Pérouse's crew, who survived shipwreck on the Great Barrier Reef near Murray Island. The crew spent several months building a small vessel to return to France before being forgotten.
A vast ancient trading network operating in Vietnam from 4,500 to 3,000 years ago has been uncovered by archaeologists. The network included specialist tool-makers and technological knowledge, with items manufactured and circulated over hundreds of kilometres.
Researchers from Australian National University discovered ancient sedimentary rocks revealing molecular fossils that indicate the emergence of algae, a pivotal moment in ecosystems. This event led to the evolution of complex life, including humans.
Scientists have found that human immune cells contain particles with neurotransmitters like dopamine, which play a crucial role in immune responses. This discovery opens the door to using available drugs to improve therapies for lymphoma, autoimmunity, and immunodeficiency disorders.
Researchers warn of increased risk of cryptosporidiosis due to drought conditions and inadequate water storage. Collaboration is key to reducing infection cases, say experts from the Australian National University.
Researchers at Australian National University (ANU) have designed a new nano material that can reflect or transmit light on demand with temperature control. This innovation offers potential protection for astronauts in space from harmful radiation, increasing resistance threshold against radiation compared to current technologies.
Researchers have captured footage of palm cockatoos playing the drums with almost perfect spacing between taps, mimicking human drummers. The bird's individual styles were distinct and may allow others to recognize their drumming signatures.
Researchers found over 20,000 animal bones, stone tools, and portable art objects from 10 sedimentary layers spanning 28,000 to 50,000 years ago. This timeline provides evidence of modern human activity in Europe during a period of significant change in species behavior.
Researchers at Australian National University have developed a new treatment for acute myeloid leukemia that reduces cancer cells and cancer stem cells. This innovative approach uses a compound called CX-5461 to target protein-making processes within cancer cells, leading to promising preclinical results.
An international team of researchers detected gravitational waves from a binary black hole system, providing evidence that black holes in binary systems may not be aligned. The discovery highlights the need for further improvements in detector sensitivity to explore the universe.
Researchers at Australian National University have found a more efficient way to pack spherical particles, such as grains and pills, into ordered patterns. This breakthrough could lead to improved storage and delivery of pharmaceuticals, as well as innovative methods for building on sand.