Researchers at QUT have developed a new molecular strategy to prevent carbon nanotubes from clumping together, enabling a new benchmark for materials that convert heat directly into electricity. The breakthrough has the potential to create a new generation of higher-performing materials for harvesting energy from heat.
Researchers at QUT and AusHSI found two widely downloaded health datasets to have unknown origins, raising questions about their authenticity and suitability for clinical research. The study assessed the datasets using the internationally recognized TRIPOD+AI reporting framework and scored 0 out of 9 on essential data-provenance criteria.
A new framework, coined as the 'belief effect', proposes that beliefs are shaped by factors such as a person's previous experiences and expectations, practitioner communication, treatment itself, and environment. This framework could help clinicians improve patient care by being more intentional about shaping belief.
An international team of researchers used AI to create tiny 'smart' proteins that detect chosen targets, opening the way to low-cost biosensors. The protein switches can work inside living cells and generate electrical signals, making them suitable for various sensing technologies.
A QUT study found wide variation in GP involvement in voluntary assisted dying (VAD) in Queensland, highlighting the need for improved remuneration, streamlined processes, and broader education. GPs reported confusion about who was eligible and how to discuss VAD with patients.
Experts will address critical issues in voluntary assisted dying and dementia, including community attitudes, Indigenous perspectives, and organ donation. The conference, open to the media and public, features over 130 presentations on VAD and its intersection with dementia.
A new study reveals a quantum effect that can be used to control an unusual quantum phenomenon, allowing for the conversion of alternating electrical signals into direct current. This discovery opens up possibilities for smaller, faster, and more efficient energy-harvesting devices, including self-powered sensors and wearable technology.
A new machine learning tool has identified over 250,000 cancer research papers that may have been produced by 'paper mills', companies selling fake or low-quality scientific studies. The study found suspicious writing patterns in these papers, which can be detected by large language models.
A QUT-led study has found how increasing aridity and habitat variation led to the diversification of modern kangaroos and wallabies. The research reveals that these iconic Australian marsupials evolved in two major bursts over the past nine million years, with their expansion coinciding with the emergence of grasslands.
A QUT-led study introduces a framework to assess the potential of different strategies to mitigate climate change through plant agriculture and synthetic biology innovations. Reducing reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers is seen as a key solution, with gigatonne-level potential for carbon mitigation.
A QUT research team discovered that randomly aligned edge dislocations are responsible for the low thermal conductivity of certain materials. This finding provides a new design principle for creating materials with tailored thermal properties, which could improve efficiency in thermoelectric generators and thermal insulation.
Researchers at Queensland University of Technology have discovered a three-step process in coral fragments attaching to reefs, involving an immune response, tissue anchoring, and skeleton building. The study reveals distinct biological differences between coral species influencing attachment efficiency and growth rates.
A systematic review of 42 studies found that bariatric surgery boosts short-term employment rates, with improvements in productivity and work capacity. However, the long-term effects are uncertain, with employment rates returning to pre-surgery levels after about five years.
Researchers at Queensland University of Technology have created a prototype electronic device using chitosan, a naturally derived biopolymer from seafood waste. The material is used to create flexible and wearable health sensors that can monitor vital signs without compromising comfort or the environment.
Researchers at QUT developed a material that achieves record-high thermoelectric performance, converting waste heat into clean electricity with over 13% efficiency. The material also has environmental benefits, being stable and simple to produce without toxic elements.
Researchers at Queensland University of Technology developed a targeted copper doping strategy to enhance the thermoelectric properties of germanium telluride. This approach achieved an improvement of over 50% in figure of merit, outperforming previous versions.
Researchers led by QUT's Distinguished Professor Christopher Barner-Kowollik identified a new mechanism involving molecular microenvironments that can dramatically influence how molecules respond to light. This effect can lead to longer excited-state lifetimes, making certain molecules more reactive under lower-energy light.
Researchers developed a new robot navigation system called LENS, which uses brain-inspired computing to set a low-energy benchmark for robotic place recognition. The system combines a spiking neural network with a special camera and low-power chip to enable fast and energy-efficient location tracking.
QUT researchers create novel composite traits from UK Biobank data, identifying 50,000 biomarkers that outperform eGFR in detecting CKD. Their approach uncovers genetic signals missed by traditional methods.
Researchers at Queensland University of Technology have developed a new material that can convert body heat into electricity with improved mechanical properties and flexibility. The material, AgCu(Te, Se, S), was enhanced using vacancy engineering techniques.
Researchers analyzing data from NASA's Perseverance rover uncover mineral-forming events beneath the Martian surface, bringing scientists closer to answering if life existed on Mars. Two separate generations of calcium-sulphate minerals are found in different regions, hinting at multiple potential windows for life to have existed.
A new study reveals that marine reserves on the Great Barrier Reef supply nearly half of the region's coral trout catch, contributing significantly to sustainable fishery yields. The protected areas also ensure a higher reproductive output and more resilient coral reef ecosystems.
Researchers at Queensland University of Technology have developed a novel biosensor that can selectively detect rare earth elements. The biosensor is based on molecular nanomachines engineered by the team, which produce easily detectable signals when binding to lanthanides.
Scientists discovered a unique movement strategy in free-living corals that helps them navigate and migrate towards optimal light conditions. Pulsed inflation, similar to jellyfish movements, aids in self-righting, sediment rejection, and phototaxis.
A QUT-led study found that surgeons are slow to adopt newly developed biomaterials or tissue-engineered solutions for treating bone defects. The researchers surveyed 337 surgeons and 99 scientists, revealing a significant gap between their optimism about future advancements and the slow adoption of these innovations in clinical practice.
A QUT-led research team developed an ultra-thin, flexible film that converts body heat into power, enabling sustainable energy for wearable electronics. The technology also offers efficient cooling methods for chips, potentially improving smartphone and computer performance.
A QUT research team developed a novel place recognition algorithm using Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs) to improve robotic navigation efficiency and accuracy. The system achieved an improvement of 41% in place recognition accuracy, enabling robots to adapt to appearance changes over time.
A recent study has uncovered a genetic variant in the PSA gene that is associated with aggressive prostate cancer. This finding could lead to the development of a novel point-of-care device that can identify high-risk patients with low blood PSA levels, enabling early detection and treatment.
A global study published in Nature reveals that over 215 million hectares of tropical forests can support natural regeneration, sequestering 23.4 gigatonnes of carbon over 30 years. The identified area spans across five countries, including Brazil, Indonesia, China, Mexico, and Colombia, highlighting the need for targeted restoration e...
QUT optometry researcher Professor Stephen Vincent analyzed John Lennon's contact lens use and found that cannabis-induced ptosis reduced lens ejection. Modern contact lenses have improved significantly since then.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of proper ventilation in buildings to prevent airborne infection transmission. Experts recommend developing interdisciplinary knowledge, investing in mechanical ventilation systems, and implementing equivalent ventilation methods for existing buildings.
Researchers studied airport security screeners' performance using eye-tracking technology, finding that less experienced screeners rely on slower and weaker strategies. The study suggests that training is essential for critical safety tasks like x-ray screening, and that expertise can be developed in six months of on-the-job experience.
The study, published in PNAS, used ancient dingo DNA to analyze the genetic landscape of dingoes before European settlement. The research found that modern-day dingoes retain much of their ancestral genetic diversity and are distinct from domestic dogs.
A recent study published in the American Psychological Association journal Emotion found that people are faster and more accurate to recognize happiness than negative emotions in face pareidolia. Women's faces tend to trigger a 'happy face advantage', while men's faces elicit an 'angry face advantage'.
A global research team identified 863,498 promising antimicrobial peptides in marine and soil environments, as well as human and animal guts, to combat antimicrobial resistance. The findings come with a renewed focus on combatting the growing number of superbugs resistant to current drugs.
The experts recommend setting standards for carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, PM2.5, and ventilation rate to ensure adequate indoor air quality in public spaces. A CO2 concentration level of 800ppm is proposed with a focus on removing and diluting human-emitted pollutants.
Researchers have documented cannibalism in the mainland dusky antechinus during its breeding period. The behavior is linked to stress-induced death and provides an opportunity for energy gain via eating dead males or females of other species.
QUT researchers have created a booster vaccine using implant technology to protect wild koalas from Chlamydia disease. The new device allows for in-the-field vaccination without recapturing the animals, reducing human interference and increasing vaccination efficiency.
Researchers at Queensland University of Technology have developed a new approach to designing molecular ON-OFF switches based on proteins, which can be used in various biotechnological and biomedical applications. The novel technique allows for faster and more accurate diagnostic tests for detecting diseases and monitoring water quality.
A new study suggests that more women should be aware of the potential for revision surgery after cosmetic breast augmentation. The researchers found that those who consider themselves healthier and have higher levels of education are less likely to undergo or recommend the procedure.
Researchers at Queensland University of Technology have discovered a blueprint for adaptation-capable signalling networks across all domains of life. The study reveals that biological systems use a special type of regulation called integral control to implement complex intermolecular interactions.
A new tool has been developed to measure customer aggression in the retail sector, which can lead to emotional exhaustion and job stress among employees. The scale identifies four types of aggressive behaviors, including being ignored or having fake negative reviews posted online.
A major study found that climate change could decline the diet quality of fish by up to 10% as zooplankton communities shift towards more carnivorous groups. This could exacerbate declines in fish biomass, with potential implications for human societies relying on fisheries for food and livelihoods.
Researchers at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) have built and tested a full-scale bushfire safe room that demonstrates excellent heat resistance. The results suggest the shelter could keep people alive for up to two hours in extreme conditions, but further testing is needed to confirm human survivability.
QUT researchers have solved a long-held geological conundrum about how diamonds formed in the deep roots of the earth's ancient continents. The study used computer modeling on an ancient rock sample to determine that diamonds are rare today and were always rare, challenging the existing explanation.
Researchers used drones to map large areas of Antarctica, capturing unprecedented high-resolution imagery of vegetation and biodiversity in protected areas. The vision identified areas with moss and lichen not previously picked up by satellite, providing valuable insights into the fragile ecosystem.
A report by Queensland University of Technology highlights the struggle of international experts who warned about COVID-19 airborne transmission in early 2020. The group's warnings were initially rejected by the World Health Organisation, leading to delays in implementing control measures that could have saved lives.
A recent study published in Human Genetics has confirmed the genetic link between migraine and blood sugar levels, identifying shared loci and genes. The researchers found a significant correlation between fasting insulin and glycated haemoglobin with both migraine and headache.
A QUT study found that climate change believing southeast Queensland residents are more divided by socio-economic factors than political views. Climate change deniers predominantly have right-wing perspectives and are older and less educated.
A study found that Antarctic ice-free areas will create new habitats for some species, but also increase competition and risk of invasion by non-native species. The research highlights the need to address key questions about the impacts of these changes on biodiversity.