A 20-year study reveals Omura's whales are most likely to be found in warm, food-rich waters off northwest Australia. The whales were more likely to be present during the warmer months and were associated with sea surface temperatures above 27.5°C.
A new report found that only 14% of employees believe their employer is making good progress on climate commitments, highlighting a significant trust gap between employee expectations and perceptions. The study suggests that employees want to see evidence of real progress, not just commitments or communications campaigns.
Curtin University's BioBlitz identified 572 unique species across three campuses, using environmental DNA to shed light on biodiversity. The initiative provides practical experience for students and establishes a baseline for tracking biodiversity changes.
A Curtin University study found almost half of people who experience a concussion still experience problems a year later. Mental health and sleep disorders were identified as key risk factors for long-term symptoms. Despite this, 97% of participants returned to work within a year of their injury.
The study reveals that both sea lions and fur seals are most sensitive to sounds around 3.2 kilohertz, providing a baseline for assessing the impact of human-made noise on these marine mammals. The research findings could help inform environmental impact assessments and noise management as shipping and coastal development expand.
A study has uncovered the reproductive cycles of key coral reef-builders, providing a benchmark for tracking the impacts of climate change and assessing reef recovery. The research found that some coral species may not follow traditional reproductive schedules, highlighting the need for year-round monitoring.
A new Curtin University-led resource, Brain Health WA, aims to help people protect their brain health and reduce their risk of dementia. The resource, developed with over 100 Western Australians, provides practical advice, everyday actions, and connections to support services.
Astronomers have long suspected black holes follow the same physics regardless of size, but proving it was difficult due to supermassive black hole evolution. WA scientist Dr Adelle Goodwin helped crack the code by studying tidal disruption events, finding two distinct jet-launching phases
A new Curtin University study reveals the immense impact of young onset dementia on families, highlighting the need for timely diagnosis and appropriate support. Care partners often become advocates and problem-solvers, but face difficulties finding age-appropriate services, leading to delays and emotional strain.
Researchers found people with sarcopenia, or loss of muscle mass and strength, had a 42% higher risk of dementia. Maintaining muscle strength and function as people age appears to be important in reducing dementia risk.
Researchers mapped 61 dementia risk factors to show individual motivation and behavior change may not be enough to prevent dementia. Social and environmental influences like education, housing, and healthcare access play a crucial role in brain health.
Researchers discovered that prehistoric builders deliberately transported enormous 25-tonne stones from Brimham Rocks 18km away to build Britain's tallest stone row, the Devil's Arrows. The study challenges long-held assumptions about ancient monument construction and highlights the importance of landscape and shared belief systems.
SourceCurtin University·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 8, 2026
Curtin University's first Innovation graduate, Matthew Grundy, excels in creative problem-solving and adaptability. He attributes his success to the degree's emphasis on thinking differently and adapting to change, skills that will remain essential in a rapidly evolving job market.
A large-scale Curtin University study found that 21.4% of children who experienced parental loss had a diagnosable mental disorder, compared to 10.8% of children who had not experienced parental loss. The study also found that losing a parent to death had the strongest impact on children's mental health.
Researchers analysed stone blocks and bricks from the Dutch East India Company's ship Batavia, revealing the materials came from at least two different quarry areas in what is now Germany. The study used advanced geochemical techniques to trace the origin of the cargo, uncovering hidden details about global trade routes.
A Curtin University study found that children who attend preschool before starting school are significantly more likely to arrive ready to learn. The study, which analyzed over 123,000 Western Australian children, also showed that preschool attendance was associated with better developmental outcomes across every area of child developm...
Researchers uncover new evidence about the timing and intensity of asteroid bombardment on the Moon's surface, finding it declined gradually rather than a short burst. The discovery allows scientists to reconstruct over three billion years of lunar impact history.
A new teaching approach, translingual yarning pedagogy (TYP), combines storytelling, shared learning, and translanguaging to incorporate Aboriginal languages into classrooms. This flexible approach has been found to increase children's active participation and confidence in language learning.
Associate Professor Laurence Cheung has been recognized for his groundbreaking research in developing more effective treatments for children with high-risk leukaemia. He aims to find safer and more effective treatments for those whose cancer is harder to treat, enabling more young patients to recover and live healthy lives.
A major international study led by Curtin University found diabetes risk is linked to both excess body fat and poor muscle health, with nearly 15% of people with sarcopenic obesity developing type 2 diabetes within 10 years. Maintaining muscle strength and mass may be as important as managing body weight in assessing diabetes risk.
The partnership aims to bridge the gap between university learning and real-world practice, equipping students with in-demand digital skills. Through the Octave NextGen Builders Program, students will gain practical experience using professional tools used across industry projects.
The World Stroke Organization's Rehabilitation Certification Program sets out clear standards for stroke rehabilitation services, aiming to address gaps in quality of care globally. The program includes 55 recommendations covering key areas of stroke recovery, including mobility, communication, and mental health.
Nearly half of dementia cases can be prevented by addressing modifiable risk factors like physical inactivity and smoking. A new review found that large-scale awareness campaigns often lead to limited behavior change, highlighting the need for more personalized and community-driven approaches.
Researchers suggest that frequent asteroid strikes may have kept the early Earth hotter and more unstable, making it difficult for rocks to survive. This led to a lack of preserved rocks from the first 500 million years of Earth's history, with long-lived continents forming only after impact intensity declined.
Researchers from Curtin University and the Geological Survey of Western Australia have precisely dated the oldest known asteroid impact on Earth to around 3 billion years ago. This discovery pushes the Earth's impact record deeper into geological time, offering a rare glimpse of the violent processes that shaped the early Earth.
A new report from Curtin University's Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre warns that Western Australia must transition to higher-value industries to secure long-term prosperity. The sector still underpins the state's economy, but decarbonisation and technological change are reshaping resource markets.
Researchers will examine the impact of 'partygoing' behaviors on young people's health, as well as the use of nicotine pouches. The projects aim to provide practical evidence for prevention, policy, and health promotion in Western Australia.
A 113-million-year-old pterosaur fossil has been found with exceptionally well-preserved chemical traces hinting at its diet. The discovery offers a rare glimpse into the preservation process of fossils, challenging long-held ideas about how ancient organisms were preserved.
A new study reveals that ancient Britons likely transported the Altar Stone of Stonehenge 700km across challenging terrain, requiring careful planning and coordination. The research uses mineral grain dating and ice-sheet modeling to confirm human transport over natural Ice Age processes.
Two Curtin University researchers, Keith Hampson and Masood Mostofi, have been honored for their contributions to industry collaboration and research impact. Their work has led to the development of technology to automate drilling fluid management during mineral exploration, making the process more efficient, safer and cheaper.
Research in regional Australia found nearly a third of rural siblings experience low wellbeing due to insufficient access to formal mental health services. Resilience, community support, and understanding from local communities are critical for improving sibling outcomes and addressing emotional strain.
A new study by Curtin University found that millions of dementia cases across the Western Pacific Region could be prevented by implementing country-specific strategies to address key risk factors. The research highlights a major opportunity for prevention, showing how different countries' economic and social contexts affect risk factors.
Curtin Ignition 2026 is a fast-paced program designed to help early-stage concepts move towards commercial reality. The program features a mix of workshops, hands-on venture support sessions and mentoring, as well as networking with experienced entrepreneurs, investors and industry specialists.
Scientists used environmental DNA to document species in deep underwater canyons, including the giant squid and other rare species. The study reveals a vast amount of deep-sea biodiversity in Western Australian waters, with dozens of new species detected.
Carl Solder, Chief Technology Officer of Cisco Australia and New Zealand, brings 40 years of expertise to Curtin to mentor students, deliver seminars, and share insights on networking technologies. He aims to help students navigate the rapidly evolving global technology landscape.
The study aims to implement skills-based mental health and substance use training for community health workers, embedded with peer recovery coaches. Over 5000 patients will be followed to measure the approach's effectiveness in re-engaging patients with care.
A new report highlights the need for schools to embed Indigenous knowledge and practices into their curriculum and training programs. The Moombaki Cultural Learnings Project, led by Curtin University, demonstrates how authentic community-led programs can transform Aboriginal children's wellbeing and sense of belonging.
Scientists have confirmed the immense power of black hole jets, measuring over 10,000 times the energy released by the Sun. The research used a radio telescope array spanning the Earth to capture images of the 'dancing jets', revealing their movement pattern and speed, approximately half the speed of light.
Researchers found that smooth barriers higher than 50cm can be toad-proof through design changes or upgrades during routine maintenance. This method could protect ecosystem services supporting pasture health and prevent millions of offspring from spreading across the landscape.
Researchers at Curtin University discovered how ancient ichthyosaur fossils formed in oxygen-free ocean floor settings. Anaerobic microbes triggered chemical reactions that caused minerals to form inside the bones, preserving them three-dimensionally.
The Curtin Frontier Institute for Geoscience Solutions (CFIGS) aims to transform WA's economic future in critical minerals through sustainable exploration. The institute offers tailored services, practical insights, and advanced analytical expertise to support efficient and sustainable resource development.
Researchers analyzed over 500 zircon crystals and found no evidence of glaciers transporting the bluestones to Stonehenge. The study strengthens the case for human transport, leaving the exact method a mystery. Advanced mineral fingerprinting techniques provided key insights into geological history.
A Curtin University-led study found that playing video games for more than 10 hours a week can lead to a decline in diet quality, obesity, and poor sleep quality. The study suggests that low and moderate gaming is generally fine, but excessive gaming may crowd out healthy habits.
A new method uses tiny crystals of zircon to study the past evolution of Australian landscapes, offering insights into how the environment responds to geological processes and climate change. The approach provides valuable information on the storage and reworking of sediments near the surface over millions of years.
A Curtin University-led research found that households in 26 countries burn plastic as an everyday energy source, posing serious health risks. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve sanitation, access to modern cooking energy, and culturally relevant options.
A new Curtin University study reveals that people diagnosed with sarcoma, a rare and complex cancer, are being left without the resources they urgently need. The research found that many online resources significantly lacked emotional support, practical guidance, age-specific information, and dedicated resources for caregivers.
A national study led by Curtin University found that Australian's location significantly affects their body weight. The research tracked individuals across 14 years and discovered that people tend to adapt to the typical weight profile of their new community., Local food environments, walkability, and access to green space are key fact...
Middle-aged Australians are experiencing mounting pressures as they balance work, family, and financial demands, leading to declining life satisfaction and increased stress. Women face sharper declines in wellbeing due to unpaid care and time stress, with one in ten caring for both children and ageing parents.
A new study published in Nature Human Behaviour found that letting go of unattainable goals can restore wellbeing and life satisfaction. Researchers from Curtin University discovered that shifting to new goals can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, while quitting impossible goals is not a sign of weakness.
A new study by Curtin University predicts that invasive cane toads will colonize up to 75% of the Pilbara within three decades, putting 25 native species at risk. Simple steps can prevent the toads from using dams as stepping stones into the region.