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CSIRO Australia


Ocean floor a 'reservoir' of plastic pollution, world-first study finds

A new study by CSIRO Australia and University of Toronto estimates that between 3-11 million metric tonnes of plastic pollution are sinking to the ocean floor. The research suggests that the ocean floor has become a reservoir for most plastic pollution, with plastic clusters around continents.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalDeep Sea Research Part I Oceanographic Research Papers·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 4, 2024

Australian astronomers find possible ‘fingerprints’ of gravitational waves

Researchers using CSIRO's Parkes radio telescope have found strongest evidence yet for low-frequency gravitational waves, providing further insight into Einstein's general theory of relativity. The discovery, published in several journal papers, has also sparked collaboration among international teams searching for similar signals.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of Australia·TypeObservational study·DateJun 28, 2023

Astronomers reveal best image yet of mysterious ORCs in space

Researchers have captured a detailed image of odd radio circles (ORCs), which are enormous rings of faint radio emissions surrounding galaxies with active black holes. The new image provides more information to help narrow down theories on what causes ORCs, with three leading explanations including galactic shockwaves and wormholes.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMar 21, 2022

Coastal ecosystems 'bright spots'

Researchers identified successful coastal 'bright spots' for marine ecosystem restoration, which have delivered positive impacts for decades. These examples from around the world showcase effective techniques for restoring saltmarshes, coral reefs, and seagrass meadows, highlighting potential solutions to save struggling marine areas.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalCurrent Biology·DateDec 21, 2020

New research on SARS-CoV-2 virus 'survivability'

New research reveals SARS-CoV-2 can survive on surfaces for up to 28 days, with longer survival times found on smooth surfaces like glass and stainless steel. The study suggests establishing surface survivability is critical for developing risk mitigation strategies in high contact areas.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalVirology Journal·DateOct 11, 2020

COVID-19 puts brakes on global emissions

Global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel sources reached a maximum daily decline of 17 per cent in April due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The decrease was primarily driven by a 36 per cent drop in surface transport emissions, equivalent to 7.5 megatonnes CO2.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalNature Climate Change·DateMay 19, 2020

Breakthrough on curbing dengue

Scientists have engineered mosquitoes that can't spread all four types of the dengue virus, a major breakthrough in controlling the disease. This development has the potential to limit human suffering and mortality from dengue, which affects over 390 million people annually.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJan 16, 2020

Astronomers make history in a split second

In a world first, an Australian-led team of astronomers has determined the exact location of a powerful one-off burst of cosmic radio waves using CSIRO's ASKAP radio telescope in Western Australia. The galaxy from which the burst originated was imaged by three of the world's largest optical telescopes and published in the journal Science.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalScience·DateJun 27, 2019

Slow death of nearby galaxy

Researchers have observed a powerful outflow of hydrogen gas from the Small Magellanic Cloud, indicating it may eventually stop forming new stars. The discovery provides insight into the evolution of galaxies and the potential source of gas for the enormous Magellanic Stream surrounding the Milky Way.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalNature Astronomy·DateNov 9, 2018

Gene discovery unlocks mysteries to our immunity

A team of researchers from CSIRO Australia has identified a new gene called C6 that regulates the body's immune response to infection and disease. The discovery could lead to targeted therapies for various diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and inflammatory disorders.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJul 1, 2018

Hybrid swarm in global mega-pest

A new hybrid mega-pest has been confirmed in Brazil, combining the cotton bollworm and corn earworm to create a super-pest with unlimited geographical boundaries. The hybrid's emergence poses significant concerns for global food security due to its high resistance to pesticides and widespread damage to crops.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 5, 2018

Tiny membrane key to safe drinking water

CSIRO scientists have developed a new filtering technique using Graphair that can remove almost all contaminants from water in a single step. The breakthrough technology has the potential to provide clean drinking water for millions of people worldwide who currently lack access to safe drinking water.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 14, 2018

Post-whaling recovery of Southern Hemisphere

Researchers use complex ecosystem model to predict whale numbers by 2100, finding some species will not recover, while others like humpbacks are expected to make full recovery. Southern Hemisphere whaling has led to slow growth rates and reduced populations in several species.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalFish and Fisheries·DateAug 21, 2017

Cracking the code of megapests

Scientists have identified over 17,000 protein coding genes in the genomes of two closely related megapests, providing a detailed understanding of their genetics and potential weaknesses. This information could lead to the development of new pest management strategies and reduce control costs by billions of dollars annually.

ASKAP telescope to rule radio-burst hunt

The Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) has successfully detected its first fast radio burst (FRB), marking a major breakthrough in this elusive field of astronomy. The detection was made using an innovative strategy, allowing the telescope to scan a larger area of the sky and increasing its chances of finding FRBs.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMay 22, 2017

Graphene from soybeans

Graphene, a carbon material one atom thick, has been made more commercially viable thanks to the humble soybean. The novel GraphAir technology eliminates the need for high-controlled environments and expensive equipment, reducing production time and cost.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 14, 2017

New way to harvest stem cells better for donors

Australian scientists have developed a new method for harvesting stem cells that eliminates the need for growth factor injections, reducing side effects for donors. The new method combines two molecules to mobilize stem cells into the bloodstream within an hour of administration.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 15, 2016

Solved! First distance to a 'fast radio burst'

A team of scientists has confirmed that a 'fast radio burst' originates in the distant universe, using CSIRO radio telescopes and the National Astronomical Observatory's Subaru telescope. The breakthrough allows researchers to weigh the normal matter in the universe, confirming the presence of missing ordinary matter.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalNature·DateFeb 24, 2016

Bat 'super immunity' could help protect people

Bats have a unique ability to carry but remain unaffected by lethal diseases due to their constant immune response. The Australian black flying fox has only three interferons, which is a fraction of the number found in people, yet it can control viral infections that are lethal in humans.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 22, 2016

Australian cancer drug licensed in $730M deal

A promising new cancer drug developed by CSIRO's Cancer Therapeutics CRC has been licensed to US pharmaceutical company Merck in a $730 million deal. The drug targets the protein PRMT5, associated with various cancers, and may also provide disease-modifying treatment options for blood disorders.

Designer crystals for next-gen electronics

Researchers have developed a new process to grow designer crystals using vapour rather than liquid, enabling the creation of faster and more powerful electronic devices. The method uses metal organic frameworks (MOFs) with extremely large surface areas, allowing for the trapping of other molecules and boosting processing power.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalNature Materials·DateDec 14, 2015

Secrets of dark proteome

A recent CSIRO study maps the boundaries of the 'dark proteome', a region of proteins with completely unknown structure. The research identifies surprising features in nearly half of the eukaryotic proteome, including associations with secretory tissues and disulfide bonding.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 18, 2015

Primordial goo used to improve implants

Researchers at CSIRO Australia have developed a new coating using prebiotic compounds from primordial goo, which can be used to improve the performance and acceptance of medical implants. The coating is bio-friendly, cells readily grow on it, and has potential applications in reducing infection risk.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalNature·DateNov 16, 2015

Glowing fingerprints to fight crime

A CSIRO scientist has developed a novel fingerprint detection method that uses ultraviolet (UV) light to reveal latent prints on surfaces. This technique enables faster and more precise analysis, reducing the need for heat and vacuum treatment in laboratories.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateOct 21, 2015

11-year cosmic search leads to black hole rethink

Scientists used Parkes telescope for 11 years to detect gravitational waves but found nothing, suggesting that black holes may merge quickly without generating waves. The lack of detection has implications for astronomers who want to use pulsar timing techniques to spot gravitational waves.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalScience·DateSep 24, 2015

Cancer patient receives 3-D printed ribs

A 54-year-old Spanish man received a revolutionary new implant made from 3D printed titanium alloy, designed to replicate the intricate structures of his sternum and ribs. The innovative prosthesis was created by medical device company Anatomics in collaboration with CSIRO's 3D printing facility Lab 22.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalEuropean Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery·DateSep 11, 2015

Plastic in 99 percent of seabirds by 2050

Researchers predict that 90% of all seabirds alive today have eaten plastic, with the majority having it in their gut. Plastic ingestion causes gut impaction, weight loss and death, affecting marine biodiversity.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 31, 2015

What's in the sheep genome? Wool see

The completed sheep genome sequencing has led to an advanced understanding of genes involved in making sheep unique. The study identified a new pathway for lipid metabolism in sheep skin, which may play a role in wool development and efficient grease production.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalScience·DateJun 5, 2014