Scientists at ANU analyzed ancient zircon mineral grains to reconstruct the early Earth's surface. The study reveals that the planet remained relatively quiet and calm for its first 700 million years, with no major mountain-building events or continental collisions.
A study by Australian National University reveals the world's biggest volcanoes in Hawaii formed along twin tracks due to a shift in the Pacific Plate's direction three million years ago. The discovery helps reconstruct Earth's history and understand volcanic activity away from tectonic plate boundaries.
A new study from ANU found that sagittal crest size in male gorillas and orangutans is linked to their social behavior. Females prefer larger crests, indicating a possible form of social signalling related to sexual selection.
Researchers at the Australian National University have identified two rare plant species, Daviesia schwarzenegger and Daviesia devito, named after the iconic movie duo. The plants are found in South Eastern Australia and are ecologically important nitrogen fixers, but are at risk of extinction due to habitat loss.
Researchers from Australian National University have found that parturition scars on skeletal remains are not a reliable indicator of childbirth. The technique has been used in police investigations to narrow down identities, but it could lead to complications or delays if incorrectly applied.
A comprehensive study on the bones of Homo floresiensis has found that they most likely evolved from an African ancestor and share a common ancestor with Homo habilis. The findings contradict the popular theory that Homo floresiensis evolved from Homo erectus.
A new study on UHT milk has found a link between protein clusters and age-related diseases like Alzheimer
Researchers at Australian National University have designed a portable device that uses MRI and mass spectrometry to analyze objects. The device, inspired by science fiction tools like the sonic screwdriver and tricorder, could revolutionize laboratory work and medical research.
A new study by Australian National University has found evidence of seawater cycling as deep as 2,900km into the Earth's mantle, raising questions about how the atmosphere and oceans formed. The research suggests alternative theories, such as icy comets or meteorites bringing water to Earth, could be plausible.
The team's breakthrough enables an innovative approach to data processing and switching using magnetized liquid crystals and steerable light beams. This technology could lead to tiny components that process huge amounts of data, as well as compact and fast optical switches, routers and modulators.
Researchers at ANU have developed dynamic liquid materials that can be remotely controlled by changing wave patterns, enabling new techniques to manipulate micro-organisms. This breakthrough could lead to innovations in invisibility cloaking, superlenses and high-efficiency antennae.
Researchers from ANU have developed a device that creates complex holographic images in infrared using silicon pillars. This technology has the potential to be used in various applications such as ultra-thin optical devices for cameras and satellites.
A team of astronomers from ANU has found a massive galaxy supercluster near the Milky Way, which influences the motion of our Galaxy. The Vela supercluster is one of the largest concentrations of galaxies in the Universe, and further studies will confirm its size.
A landmark study shows treating adults alongside children with intestinal worms can improve health outcomes for millions of kids worldwide. The research suggests a community-wide deworming approach is more effective than targeting only children.
A team of scientists at Australian National University has successfully created a diamond that is predicted to be harder than regular diamonds. The new material, called nano-crystalline hexagonal diamond, was made using a high-pressure diamond anvil and has the potential to be used in mining sites to cut through ultra-solid materials.
Scientists at ANU have designed a nano crystal that turns darkness into visible light, enabling the creation of lightweight night-vision glasses. This innovation has potential applications in anti-counterfeit devices, medical imaging, and holographic displays.
A new optical chip enables astronomers to capture clear images of exoplanets near their host sun, overcoming the challenge of intense solar brightness. This breakthrough technology uses an interferometer to cancel out sunlight and detect fainter planet light, paving the way for discovering planets with conditions suitable for life.
Physicists at ANU have achieved ghost imaging with atoms, creating an image of the ANU logo without direct interaction. This breakthrough may lead to quality control methods for nanoscale manufacturing and could be a precursor to investigating quantum entanglement.
Geologists have identified the Banda Detachment fault in eastern Indonesia, revealing a 7 km-deep abyss formed by 120 km of extension along a low-angle crack. This discovery helps assess dangers of future tsunamis and earthquakes in the region.
Researchers at Australian National University have developed a new way to fabricate high-efficiency semi-transparent perovskite solar cells, which can improve the performance of conventional silicon solar cells. The new fabrication method could increase power output by up to 25% and achieve efficiencies of up to 30%.
A recent study found that hybrid structures composed of DNA and RNA play a crucial role in restoring genetic information after damage. The research also revealed that RNase H enzymes targeting these hybrids are vital for efficient DNA repair. This discovery offers potential for developing new cancer drugs targeting these enzymes.
Researchers at Australian National University are developing next-generation food crops that can produce bigger yields and resist drought better than current crops. Crops like sorghum and millet use a more efficient form of photosynthesis, allowing them to thrive in extreme conditions.
Scientists at Australian National University have developed a new spray-on material that can repel water and withstand ultraviolet radiation. The coating, made from nanoparticles, is transparent, stable, and has numerous real-world applications.
Research by Australian National University has found that diagnoses of differentiated thyroid cancer have increased three-fold in 25 years despite no change to death rates. Over-meticulous examinations are leading to unnecessary surgeries, causing substantial medical costs and complications for patients.
New research reveals female fiddler crabs visit and leave males to find safe burrows from predators, not perfect matches. Female fiddler crabs use a map of burrow positions to survive bird attacks, which is crucial for both mate-searching and burrow-seeking females.
A new study finds human activity has been causing global warming since the early stages of the Industrial Revolution. The research suggests that greenhouse gas levels rose in the atmosphere during the 1800s, leading to rapid and measurable warming in tropical oceans and the Arctic.
Researchers have identified key proteins involved in regulating gene expression in blood cells, which could lead to the development of more effective breast cancer treatments. The study's findings may also help explain how existing drugs work inside human cells.
Researchers at Australian National University predict that a warmer climate could lead to a decrease in dengue transmission in certain regions, such as northeast Australia. This finding is relevant to other mosquito-borne viruses like Zika, and highlights the need for continued monitoring of global health impacts.
Researchers at Australian National University have identified over 1,000 RNA-binding proteins in the heart that could lead to a cure for heart disease. These proteins interact with RNA and play a crucial role in regulating genome function.
Researchers at ANU have found that changes in the protein enable the parasite to evade some drugs but make it vulnerable to others. This discovery could prolong the use of anti-malarial drugs, including chloroquine, and improve cure rates for people with malaria.
A new understanding of protein creation based on RNA recipes reveals great precision in cell diversity and efficiency in ribosome reading. The research also sheds light on the interaction between ribosomes and RNA during tumor formation, potentially leading to better treatments.
International researchers at ANU have discovered an enzyme that senses adverse drought and sunlight conditions, enabling plants to respond with beneficial chemical compounds. This breakthrough could lead to the development of next-generation drought-proof crops, crucial for global food security.
Researchers at Australian National University have modeled energy consumption by wireless sensors and explored the use of ambient radio frequency sources for powering devices. The breakthrough aims to replace batteries with long-lasting monitoring devices in industries such as health, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Researchers at The Australian National University have improved the performance of tiny lasers by adding impurities, increasing light emission efficiency. The discovery could lead to development of low-cost biomedical sensors, quantum computing, and a faster internet.
A study by Australian National University has found that pythons and boas, two snake families, evolved independently to share similar traits due to living in the same habitat. This demonstrates the power of natural selection and adaptation in reptiles.
Scientists uncovered century-scale patterns in Pacific rainfall and temperature linked to global climate changes over the past 2000 years. El Niño-like states have amplified global climate fluctuations, with northern hemisphere warming and droughts corresponding to an El Niño state from 950 to 1250.
A global increase in baby formula sales, especially in East Asia, raises concerns about the health of millions of mothers and their children. The study highlights the need for governments to regulate marketing and ensure supportive work policies for breastfeeding mothers.
A new study reveals that marine life from the north can easily invade Antarctic waters due to the weakening of the Antarctic Polar Front. As a result, non-Antarctic species could soon colonize the region, leading to drastic ecosystem changes.
Researchers urge governments to share more information about migration to track people moving between countries. Governments need to prioritize sharing data, training programs, and modeling to make better public policy decisions.
Researchers at ANU tested breeding habits of fish to disprove theory that larger genitals make males more attractive or successful in fathering offspring. They found females don't find bigger genitals more attractive, contradicting previous studies and human research.
Physicists have successfully used artificial intelligence to run a complex experiment, replicating the 2001 Nobel Prize-winning experiment. The AI system cooled a gas to extreme temperatures, far colder than outer space, and made precise measurements with unprecedented accuracy.
Scientists have discovered evidence of a huge asteroid that struck the Earth 3.46 billion years ago, creating massive earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic activity. The impact is believed to be one of the largest in human history, with the asteroid estimated to be 20-30 kilometers across.
Researchers at ANU found that New Zealand possums prefer leaves with high available protein content to eat, which can help limit their impact on native forests. This knowledge could inform targeted control programs to manage the possum population and protect sensitive tree species.
The discovery of the world's oldest-known axe in Australia pushes back the date of hafted axes by thousands of years. Early Aboriginal technology was not as simple as previously thought, with evidence suggesting it developed in Australia after people arrived around 50,000 years ago.
Researchers identified a vital supply route for cancer cells to obtain nutrients, blocking this pathway led to significant tumor growth reduction. The discovery offers new hope for developing targeted treatments with fewer side effects.
Researchers have discovered a new metamaterial that radiates heat in specific directions, making it ideal for use with thermophotovoltaic cells. This breakthrough could lead to highly efficient cells that harvest heat from surroundings and convert it into electricity.
A global network is being set up to use surveillance camera networks and drone data to track changes in trees' growth patterns. Researchers will be able to access time-lapse image data to better understand how climate change affects forests worldwide.
An international team found radioactive iron-60 in sediment and crust samples from the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, indicating a series of massive supernovae near our solar system. The debris is dated to 3.2-1.7 million years ago and coincides with Earth's cooling period.
Scientists have solved a key puzzle in fusion energy by understanding the behavior of plasma waves. By applying fluid flow theory, they explained an unstable wave mode that had been observed in fusion experiments, making it possible to harness clean and endless energy.
Researchers at Australian National University have successfully controlled chemical reactions using static electricity, improving reaction rates by a factor of five. The breakthrough could lead to cleaner industry, cheaper nanotechnology, and unprecedented control over chemical processes.