Farmers help grow water plan
Using local producer knowledge helps estimate groundwater use in modelling for mapping sustainable use of scarce resources. Farmers' land use, agricultural practices and water use are key factors in this approach.
Flinders University
Food safety model may help pandemic management
A food safety model developed by Flinders University researchers can aid in managing pandemic trust through transparent communication and public engagement. The model identifies key strategies to maintain public confidence, including credibility, proactivity, and education, which can be applied to pandemic management.
Social connection boosts fitness app appeal
A recent study found that social components of fitness apps facilitate motivation and beliefs in physical activity, leading to increased engagement. The study highlights the importance of social support in promoting exercise behavior.
Antibiotic overuse reduces bladder cancer survival rates
A new study by Flinders University researchers found that antibiotic use is directly associated with worse survival rates in patients with urothelial carcinoma treated with atezolizumab. The study suggests antibiotics may specifically reduce the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies, highlighting a need for extra caution when using t...
Rethink needed for treatment of Severe and Enduring Anorexia Nervosa
Researchers explore how women with SE-AN experience it as profoundly embodied, highlighting why treatment becomes more difficult. A new holistic approach is proposed to improve quality of life.
Maldives records highest level of micro plastic pollution on the planet
The Maldives has the highest level of microplastic pollution in the world, with high concentrations found in waters around Naifaru. The study highlights the impact on marine ecosystems and local communities, emphasizing the need for improved waste management practices.
Raising the bar on disability care
A new study published in Disability & Society journal recommends a personal care system that focuses on high-quality personalised care building self-esteem and confidence in young people with disability. The research found that supporting workers to value the contributions of people with disability is a protective mechanism for both.
Anti-bullying PEACE program packs a punch
A South Australian program to help victims of bullying and aggression has been adapted by several state education systems in Europe, showing positive results in Italy. The Preparation, Education, Action, Coping, Evaluation (PEACE) antibullying program produced a significant reduction in bullying and improvements in student wellbeing.
SourceFlinders University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateAug 3, 2020
Food menu fit for pandemic times
A new study by Flinders University researchers highlights the importance of sustainable food choices, which not only benefit individuals but also the environment. The study found that people who participate in community gardening or local food swaps experience improved mental health and social connections.
Eye-tracking tech helps aged care assessment
Researchers used eye-tracking technology to investigate how older adults process information and make decisions about their care. The study found that eye-tracking can inform the design of assessments and improve the inclusivity of older people with cognitive impairment.
'Good' virus for common infection
Australian researchers have developed a phage cocktail therapy to combat antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in diabetic foot ulcers. The treatment has shown promising results, effectively decreasing bacterial load and improving wound healing.
Living with a problem gambler?
Researchers at Flinders University warn that family members can be the first to detect early signs of a problem gambler. Chronic hypervigilance, relationship conflict, and exhaustion are common consequences for partners and families.
Women's burden increases in COVID-19 era
A recent study by Flinders University highlights the escalating gendered burdens faced by women during the pandemic, particularly in frontline healthcare roles and unpaid care work. Women experienced discrimination, eviction threats, and restricted access to essential services under COVID-19 restrictions.
Native bushland's fertility secret
New research highlights the importance of soil biological health and organic farm inputs for crop production in Australia. The study found that native vegetation acts as a reservoir for beneficial actinobacteria, which can enrich adjoining agricultural soils.
Ideal way to screen for disease
Scientists at Flinders University recommend AIEgen technology for accurate clinical biomarkers and rapid disease screening through bioprobe tests. The technique can detect disease biomarkers in very low concentrations using low-cost, portable devices.
29,000 years of Aboriginal history
New research reveals the oldest Indigenous site along Australia's longest river system, confirming a 29,000-year-old occupation timeline for the River Murray region. The findings provide deeper insights into how Aboriginal people responded to climate challenges and stress during the Last Glacial Maximum.
Sobering reminder about liver disease
Australian experts warn of a surge in chronic liver disease due to alcohol misuse and obesity-related liver disease. The number of cases has increased three-fold over the past 10-15 years, with over 6 million Australians affected.
New biomarker for dementia diagnosis
Researchers have identified a new biomarker, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), associated with cognitive decline in old age. The study found that ADMA levels were linked to decline in cognitive performance assessments after four years.
Revealing winners & losers in projected future climates
Research reveals subtropical species are winners in future climates due to their ability to adapt to rising temperatures, while temperate species are most vulnerable. The study provides a catalogue of genes that informs about the adaptive capacity to climate change.
Aboriginal artifacts reveal first ancient underwater cultural sites in Australia
The discovery of two underwater archaeological sites off northwest Australia dates back to when the current seabed was dry land. Hundreds of stone tools made by Aboriginal peoples have been found at these sites, providing new evidence of their ways of life.
No leg to stand on for Australia's flamingos
Three species of pink flamingos evolved to live in shallow lakes and breed during seasonal blooms of algae and zooplankton before the inland lakes dried up due to climate change.
SourceFlinders University·JournalTransactions of the Royal Society of South Australia·DateJun 26, 2020
Fancy Aussie bees flew in from Asia
Researchers found that ancestors of distinctive Australian pollinating bees likely originated in tropical Asian countries, islands in the south-west Pacific or greater Oceania region. This study aims to better understand the origin and radiation of insects and other animals, helping environmental management during changing climates.
SourceFlinders University·JournalTransactions of the Royal Society of South Australia·DateJun 26, 2020
Get your hands dirty for health
The #HealthyRecovery initiative calls on G20 Presidents and Prime Ministers to support projects enabling ecological restoration for improved air quality and soil health. Experts warn that global environmental and climate crises compromise human health and long-term survival.
Australian fossil reveals new plant species
A new plant species, Keraphyton mawsoniae, has been discovered in a 372-359 million year old Australian fossil. The fern-like plant shares similarities with modern ferns and horsetails, providing valuable information on plant evolution during the Devonian-Carboniferous period.
Mysterious Australian Night Parrots may not see in the dead of night
A study found that Night Parrots' visual system is not well-adapted to life in the dark, contrary to expectations. Their eye size and optic nerves are similar to other parrots, with poor resolution vision, making it difficult to distinguish obstacles.
Lizard legacy sheds new light on web of life
A special issue of Austral Ecology celebrates the work of Professor Mike Bull, a leading expert in lizard behavior and ecology. The issue features 12 new studies on species like pygmy bluetongues and sleepy lizards, exploring topics such as parasites, environmental change, and sociality.
Impressive result for mental health therapy
The study, published in Journal of Mental Health, demonstrates the positive clinical outcomes of NewAccess in addressing known barriers to access of evidence-based early intervention for depression and anxiety in Australia. The program offers free therapy with no co-payment, accessible by phone, face-to-face, or self-referral.
Gut research delves deeper into obesity problems
A recent study published in Neurogastroenterology & Motility found that high-fat diets change the nutrient-sensing capacity of Enterochromaffin (EC) cells in mice, leading to increased serotonin levels and potential implications for obesity and type 2 diabetes
Global warming will lift agriculture weed threat
Climate change may lead to a decrease in areas suitable for most Invasive Weed Species globally, but not in highly productive agricultural regions like Europe, US and Australia. Existing eradication efforts are inadequate to counter the growing threat of invasive weeds.
Major gaps in HIV programs in Africa
New studies from Flinders University highlight key areas for improvement in HIV management in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan regions. Nutritional programs should address underlying challenges like poverty and food insecurity, while prisons often struggle with optimal HIV care due to stigma and resource limitations.
Revealing how flies make decisions on the fly to survive
Researchers studied how hoverflies process visual information to control their flight movements, finding that descending neurons adapt like sensory neurons but also persistently fire like motor neurons. This unique integration of responses offers insights into the brain-behavior link in flies and potentially all vertebrates.
Miniature rock art expands horizons
Australian archaeologists have discovered rare, small-scale rock art in the form of miniature stencils in a rockshelter traditionally owned by the Marra people. The discovery adds another dimension to the Australian and global rock art record, highlighting the use of beeswax as a material for making these tiny artworks.
Bricks made from plastic, organic waste
Scientists at Flinders University have developed a new method to create sustainable building blocks, including bricks made from recycled PVC and organic waste. The 'green' bricks can be repeatedly ground up and recycled, reducing waste and promoting a circular economy.
Ecosystem diversity drives the origin of new shark and ray species
A new study reveals that oceanographic conditions in the Gulf of California drive the origin of new shark and ray species, challenging traditional assumptions about species evolution. Four types of guitarfish have been identified, each adapted to a specific region, with improved survival and reproduction odds.
AI unlocks rhythms of 'deep sleep'
A new AI-powered algorithm has revolutionized the analysis of deep sleep patterns by automating the detection of K-complexes. The tool, developed by Flinders University researchers, outperforms human scoring methods in speed and accuracy, providing a more comprehensive understanding of sleep health.
High hopes for new-age rubber
Researchers have discovered a new kind of rubber and catalyst that can be used to make flexible, repairable, sustainable objects. The new rubber material can be completely repaired and returned to its original strength in minutes, even at room temperature, with an amine catalyst.
US inroads to better Ebola vaccine
Researchers at Flinders University and US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease have developed a highly protective Ebola vaccine that appears to be effective against lethal infections in mice. The vaccine, combined with an Advax™ adjuvant, shows promise for preventing future Ebola outbreaks in Africa.
Aboriginal rock art, frontier conflict and a swastika
Researchers discovered 188 engravings in a remote South Australian rockshelter that reveal traumatic period of European invasion and ongoing impacts of colonial settlement. A swastika symbol was found, etched in 1932, marking the first acts of trespass and desecration by police parties.
Chinese to rise as a global language
A Flinders University academic challenges traditional arguments that Chinese written characters hinder its global adoption. Dr Jeffrey Gil presents four arguments supporting the possibility of Chinese becoming a global language, citing technological advancements and historical precedents.
Child's play 'lost' in pandemic fear
Flinders University researchers warn that social and community disruptions caused by COVID-19 restrictions may have a lasting effect on child wellbeing. The closure of playgrounds and schools has likely had significant impacts on children's opportunities for play and ability to exercise agency during this time of transition.
Birth and pregnancy experts fail to deliver on contraception advice
Healthcare professionals outside general practice often neglect recommending long-acting reversible contraception like IUDs or implants for young women without children. Despite their proven safety and effectiveness, these superior options are underutilized compared to oral contraceptive pills.
Editing selfies is counter productive: Study
A study by Flinders University found that extended selfie editing time correlates with increased facial dissatisfaction and negative emotions among women. This suggests that excessive self-editing can lead to feelings of disingenuousness online.
'Loss of pleasure' in teen sleep study
A global study of over 350,000 teens reveals that lack of sleep can lead to anhedonia, or loss of pleasure, as well as anxiety, anger, and significantly increased risk of depression. Easy interventions such as regulating screen time, delayed school starting times, and monitoring academic pressures can improve mental health.
Physio support in COVID-19 recovery
The new guidelines aim to prevent complications of the respiratory system and muscle deconditioning, while also improving long-term physical function and recovery. Physiotherapists are essential in providing treatment and limiting ICU-acquired weakness.
Digital solutions for dementia care
Researchers found that telehealth services using videoconferences can save travel time, equip families with strategies to promote independence, and reduce costs for non-pharmacologic interventions. The study provides evidence-based information and skills to support people with dementia and their care partners.
Bid to lower COVID-19 deaths
A new investigation at Flinders University seeks to understand why bacterial infections predispose individuals to severe COVID-19. The research aims to connect respiratory tract bacterial colonization with COVID-19 outcomes in the community.
PTSD partners feel invisible, study finds
A new study by Flinders University highlights the need for better support systems for PTSD partners of veterans and emergency workers. Partners reported feeling invisible in their recovery, with their contributions to trauma management often overlooked.
Keep children from hospital during crisis
A study by Flinders University suggests that keeping children with chronic conditions at home during a crisis can help manage their health. The research highlights the importance of supported self-management plans, telehealth options, and technology in enabling children to maintain control over their own health.
Earth Day alert to save our frogs
A new study warns of amphibian conservation shortfalls due to climate change, highlighting the need for intelligent manipulation and management of water resources. Researchers found that extending temporary pool availability, restoring natural drying patterns, and releasing environmental flows can improve breeding outcomes.
'Frailty' from age 40 -- what to look out for
A new study found that people aged 40-49 are at a high risk of 'pre-frailty', a precursor to frailty and increased mortality risk. The study suggests that individuals can take proactive steps to improve their health by addressing factors such as poor nutrition, mental state, lung function, and sleep quality.