Researchers at the University of Melbourne found that knowing the Pacific Ocean's state at the beginning of a forecast can provide valuable clues about a forecast's reliability one year later. Forecasts initiated during La Niña conditions consistently performed well, while those starting from neutral conditions were less reliable.
A new University of Melbourne-led study suggests that reducing battery sizes, extending lifetimes, and promoting shared mobility can help reduce predicted global carbon dioxide-equivalent LIB emissions to around half by 2050. Cleaner production methods, such as switching battery chemistries and greener factories, are also essential, bu...
The study, published in Nature Plants, found that two warmest time periods in Earth's past drove both mass extinctions and plant diversity explosions, making flowering plants the most productive and diverse groups of land plants. This suggests that climate change played a crucial role in the evolution of flowering plants.
A new climate model suggests that reaching net zero sooner would limit long-lasting changes to El Niño and the tropical Pacific. Stopping emissions would not immediately reverse all the changes already set in motion, but rather, changes to ocean temperatures, winds, and rainfall patterns could endure for hundreds of years.
A new study finds that colonial land-use change drove a four-fold increase in eucalypt cover, transforming open woodland to forest and loading the landscape with fuel, making it more prone to wildfires. Researchers suggest restoring cultural burning and supporting Indigenous knowledge to mitigate wildfire risk.
The University of Melbourne has joined the Structural Genomics Consortium to develop AI-powered tools for drug discovery, targeting rare diseases. The new SGC-Melbourne facility will generate large-scale datasets on protein-molecule interactions, enabling the creation of high-quality data needed for AI to predict new molecular tools.
Professor Graeme Clark has been jointly awarded the 2026 Honda Prize for his pioneering work on multichannel cochlear implants, which have restored hearing to over 650,000 people globally. His research and collaboration with industry led to the development of the bionic ear, a device that transmits sound directly to the brain.
New research estimates that Australia will face significant economic losses of up to $855 billion by 2100 due to rising sea levels and storm surges. The study found that coastal flooding could affect almost 270,000 properties and two million hectares of land across the country.
Researchers found that a Western-style diet exacerbated male infertility in mice with genetic mutations, leading to lower fertility and poorer sperm quality. The study suggests that lifestyle factors contribute to the severity of infertility in men with underlying genetic susceptibility, providing new insights into personalized fertili...
Meablex's innovative prosthetic arm addresses challenges of traditional devices, including adjustable sockets and reliable control systems. The company's technology combines lightweight soft robotic materials and advanced 3D-printing to improve the quality of life for people with upper limb loss.
Scientists have discovered that marsupial forelimbs rapidly develop over a four-day period, challenging current understanding of limb development in vertebrates. This finding highlights the unique biology of marsupials and has important implications for conservation efforts.
Researchers at the University of Melbourne are developing a low-risk brain-computer interface that can capture unique 'QR codes' in the motor cortex to decode speech. The technology, Fluent, has shown high accuracy in converting recorded brain activity into text or audio, enabling non-verbal individuals to communicate.
Researchers used AI agents to compile data on 31,028 licensed greyhounds, uncovering a 30% increase in on-track fatalities between 2022 and 2024. The study also revealed the high turnover of greyhounds has not changed, with around 40% stopping every year.
A new research study by Australian energy companies and waste management firms has shown how organic waste can be safely turned into clean gas for homes and businesses. The team identified critical specifications for optimal biomethane quality, making it more cost-effective to produce.
Researchers at the University of Melbourne have uncovered the formation process of the Twelve Apostles, revealing that tectonic plate movements lifted and tilted the giant structures out of the sea. The study found that the Apostle's age is actually younger than previously thought, with layers dating back to 8.6-14 million years.
Researchers have uncovered hidden features in X-ray signals, fundamentally changing how scientists interpret them across multiple fields. The discovery enables more precise measurements and a deeper understanding of materials, from battery materials to biological proteins.
Researchers developed a novel lab-based tick feeding system that enables controlled studies on tick physiology, microbiome dynamics, and pathogen acquisition. The platform supports the feeding and reproduction of bush ticks without animal hosts.
A new study led by the University of Melbourne found that shifting tectonic plates released carbon into the atmosphere, driving major transitions between ice ages and warm climates over the last 540 million years.
A landmark study has redefined non-coeliac gluten sensitivity as part of the gut-brain interaction spectrum, suggesting that symptoms are triggered by fermentable carbohydrates and expectations. The findings have major implications for diagnosis, treatment, and public health messaging.
A global rise in ultra-processed food consumption is damaging public health and preventing government action to limit its harm. An international study outlines a roadmap for change towards impactful government regulation, community mobilisation, and affordable healthier diets.
Researchers predict that deadly hotter and longer heatwaves will become the norm due to delayed net zero carbon emissions. The study shows that the longer it takes to reach net zero, the higher the occurrence of extreme heatwave events.
The COP30 climate summit in Brazil has seen countries favoring land-based carbon removal initiatives over emission cuts. However, a new report by the University of Melbourne warns that these efforts may be unrealistic due to global commitments to halt deforestation and forest degradation. The report highlights two essential flaws in na...
Researchers from the University of Melbourne found high levels of synthetic PFAS in possums from the greater Melbourne region, linked to serious health effects. The study is the first to investigate PFAS levels in Australian marsupials and highlights broad contamination of Australian ecosystems.
A new study reveals rising rates of invasive SDSE infections across Australia, particularly among older Australians and those from remote regions. The research highlights disparities in health outcomes between regions and populations, emphasizing the need for improved surveillance and prevention strategies.
A global study across six continents found that context is critical in determining the effectiveness of anti-predator strategies used by insects. The research revealed that predators had a significant influence on which colour strategy was most successful for prey, with camouflage working best in areas with intense predation.
Researchers have created a new class of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) with complex internal arrangements, expanding their potential for carrying small-molecule drugs, proteins, metal ions, and mRNA. The breakthrough offers flexibility in designing delivery systems for different therapeutic molecules.
The SpIRIT nanosatellite has successfully completed its initial phase, marking a significant achievement for Australia's place in the global space industry. The satellite will now transition to scientific observation, scanning large areas of space using its HERMES X-ray detector to spot cosmic explosions called gamma rays bursts.
Research has shown that lymph nodes provide the right environment for stem-like T cells to survive, multiply, and produce killer cells. Preserving lymph nodes could strengthen immune responses and increase the effectiveness of immunotherapy. The study's findings have important implications for cancer therapy.
Researchers developed a novel optical sieve method to detect, classify and count nanoplastic particles in real-world environments. The innovation provides hope for scalable monitoring of global plastic pollution with far-reaching implications for human health and the environment.
A team of researchers from the University of Melbourne and Hanyang University has discovered a new method for creating spiral whirlpools of light through Van der Waals materials. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and secure optical communication systems, including Australia's NBN.
Heat-stressed Australian mountain ash forests are losing a quarter of their trees by 2080 due to global warming. The natural thinning response to temperature stress may decline large-scale tree-planting initiatives to reduce atmospheric carbon levels.
New research warns that climate interventions in oceans carry significant risks and may repeat past mistakes if not regulated responsibly. Experts advocate for a governance approach prioritizing sustainability, equity, and adaptability to ensure effective solutions.
Research using fitness trackers found that Australian central bearded dragons with higher speeds had a greater risk of mortality. The study suggests that being too speedy may put these lizards at risk to predators, especially during spring when they move more openly in search of mates.
Research reveals common patterns between ice shelf, sea ice, and ocean swell conditions prior to three large-scale iceberg calving events. Long periods of sea ice loss surrounding the ice shelves were found in the months leading up to the events.
Researchers find that melting Antarctic ice sheets are slowing the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), the world's strongest ocean current, by around 20% by 2050. This change in ocean properties and circulation patterns has implications for global climate indicators, including sea level rise and marine ecosystems.
Researchers at University of Melbourne and Pfizer discover new insights into a dual-target drug that may supercharge cancer-fighting immune cells, potentially leading to improved outcomes for breast cancer patients. The study found that this approach can enhance anti-tumor immunity by intratumoral CD8+ T cells.
Researchers discovered immune cells that can recognise influenza (flu) viruses even as they mutate, providing a potential solution to the annual updates of flu vaccines. The study found that certain T cells, which play a critical role in fighting infections, can detect multiple flu strains, even those that have evolved over a century.
Researchers at the University of Melbourne have identified a rare type of immune cell, called stem-like T cells, that holds the key to maintaining powerful, long-term immune responses. ID3+ T cells have the remarkable ability to resist burnout and maintain a powerful immune response over time.
Researchers developed a powerful tool to detect SARS-CoV-2 variants with high transmission potential, pinpointing exact mutations driving spread. The model focuses on spike protein and other parts of the virus, enhancing ability to bind human cells and evade immune systems.
Desert lizards are facing a 'cost-of-living' squeeze due to climate warming, requiring more food while having less time to find it. Researchers developed a model combining physics and biology to predict energy pressures on these animals.
A team of University of Melbourne researchers has developed a novel drug delivery system composed of metal-biomolecule networks (MBNs), which eliminate the need for toxic drug carriers. The MBNs show antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, potentially increasing success in drug development.
A team led by Associate Professor Giuseppe Barca has developed software capable of accurately predicting molecular behavior and setting a new benchmark in computational chemistry. This breakthrough enables scientists to simulate drug performance with accuracy rivaling physical experiments, accelerating new therapeutics design.
A team of biomedical engineers from the University of Melbourne has developed a groundbreaking 3D printing system that can fabricate complex human tissues in just seconds. This technology significantly improves the potential to predict and develop new pharmaceutical therapies, reducing the need for animal testing.
A new study has found that rifaximin, an antibiotic commonly prescribed for liver disease patients, is driving the emergence of a deadly superbug. The antibiotic triggers specific changes in bacteria that make them resistant to last-resort antibiotics like daptomycin.
A new long-term study found that memory T cells can be established and maintain key features to fight off subsequent infections of newer strains, providing potential insight into rapid recovery from COVID. The study's findings are important for understanding how the body responds to COVID-19.
Researchers have identified a unique biomarker in human blood serum that shows potential for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The study's findings suggest that this test could be used to diagnose AD before cognitive decline or symptoms become apparent, enabling earlier lifestyle changes and medication to slow disease progression.
Researchers discovered a non-virulent bacterium, Mycobacterium spongiae, that shares 80% of its genetic material with M. tuberculosis, shedding light on the disease's origins. The study provides valuable insights into the evolution and virulence of TB.
Research published in Nature Communications found an association between prenatal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and autism in boys. The study suggests that BPA may disrupt hormone-controlled male fetal brain development, leading to autism symptoms.
Researchers at the University of Melbourne and Manchester have invented a breakthrough technique for manufacturing highly purified silicon, making it ideal for creating powerful quantum computers. The new technique uses qubits of phosphorous atoms implanted into crystals of pure stable silicon, extending the duration of notoriously fra...
Two groups of leaf-nosed bats, one small and one large, are an example of parallel evolution where they evolved similar features independently despite living on the same islands. The larger bats have adapted to eat bigger prey, using lower sonar frequencies, while the smaller bats use higher frequencies.