A survey of 365 Australian adolescents aged 10-15 found that those who began using social media at a younger age reported more symptoms of anxiety and depression. The study suggests that delaying children's first exposure to social media may be a promising policy for protecting mental health.
A study found that relocating turtle nests to cooler areas can produce mostly female hatchlings and reduce hatching success, while shading also affects hatchling size and ability to right themselves. Researchers aim to understand the factors affecting hatchling development to improve conservation strategies
Researchers found that cannabis users develop psychosis an average of two-and-a-half years earlier than non-users, with the difference increasing with age. The study, which examined 149 studies involving over 71,000 people, suggests a cumulative effect of cannabis use that builds over time.
A study of almost 2800 Australians over four years found no evidence that personal environmental actions like recycling and using public transport hinder support for broader climate action. Everyday behaviours are expressions of existing values rather than catalysts or obstacles for political engagement.
Global review of kelp conservation found strongest restoration programs built on unlikely partnerships. Communities have a direct stake in outcome for kelp forests to thrive.
A new study found that a low-cost, simple intervention using a self-help workbook paired with brief phone support significantly improves the mental health of displaced refugees. The program reduced psychological distress, PTSD symptoms, and improved wellbeing and daily functioning among participants.
Researchers discovered a more efficient method to eliminate errors in quantum computing by adapting the Schrödinger's cat scenario. They showed that stopping measurements immediately after detecting an error can increase confidence and reduce disturbance, enabling the detection of quantum information without disrupting it.
A new study finds that hail conditions are changing due to global warming, with warmer regions experiencing a decrease in summer hail risk and cooler regions facing an increase in winter hail risk. The shift is attributed to changes in atmospheric conditions, including the melting of frozen hailstones and the formation of stronger storms.
A team of astronomers using a new method to find planets has detected 27 potential circumbinary planet candidates in double star systems. The findings, published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, broaden our understanding of planet formation and evolution in complex environments.
A new study by UNSW researchers shows how a neural network can detect blue whale songs with remarkable accuracy, using only one recording of a blue whale call. The model performed well on real-world recordings, even those that were not part of the training data.
Researchers identify previously unknown microbe living in close partnership with another organism inside stromatolites, providing insights into how complex life began. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of eukaryotes and the emergence of mitochondria.
A new study by UNSW Sydney and published in Carcinogenesis suggests that nicotine-based vapes are likely to cause cancers of the lung and oral cavity. The research, led by Adjunct Professor Bernard Stewart AM, analyzed global research and found consistent findings across multiple disciplines.
A large Australian study of over 417,000 women found that fertility treatments were not linked to higher overall cancer rates, but some cancers were slightly more common, while others were less common. Women who received fertility treatment were more likely to develop uterine and ovarian cancer, as well as melanoma, but the overall ris...
A randomised control trial conducted on 587 gay and bisexual men found no effect of the meningococcal B vaccine (4CMenB) on preventing gonorrhoea. The study's results suggest that alternative prevention methods, such as condoms and regular testing, are necessary to combat the rise in antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea strains.
Research from UNSW Sydney and ANU found that people with average face-recognition ability performed only slightly better than chance in spotting AI-generated faces. Even super-recognisers, who excel at recognizing real human faces, were not immune to being fooled by highly realistic AI-generated images.
The study emphasizes the importance of reorganizing work to support prevention rather than perpetual recovery, particularly in the face of climate change and technological disruption. It also highlights the need for gender equity in technology design and governance to prevent job displacement and undervaluation of women's work.
Researchers have identified DNA switches that control how brain cells called astrocytes work, which are known to play a role in Alzheimer's disease. The study used CRISPRi technology and single-cell RNA sequencing to test nearly 1000 potential switches, finding that about 150 of them controlled genes implicated in Alzheimer's disease.
A single 20-30 minute online course can improve young adults' tolerance of uncertainty, leading to reduced anxiety and depression. The course, which took less than half an hour to complete, showed lasting effects on mental health even a month after completion.
A new study in Botswana explores the effectiveness of bee-sound barriers in deterring elephants from raiding crops. While results show a positive reaction from some elephants, differences in response rates between Botswana and other countries suggest context-specific factors are at play.
Researchers discover that super-recognisers don't just process more information, but instead focus on the most informative parts of a face to aid in recognition. This skill cannot be learned and is an automatic, dynamic way of picking up unique facial features.
An international team is calling for a US $14 billion investment to protect and restore one million hectares of kelp forests by 2040. The funding would help achieve the Kelp Forest Challenge, a global mission to conserve and restore three million hectares of kelp forests, which fringe nearly a third of the world's coastlines.
A new study suggests that Indigenous Australians may have been fossil collectors, rather than hunters, of Australia's megafauna. The researchers re-analyzed a fossilized tibia bone with an incision and found that it was likely already fossilized when the cut occurred.
A recent study has found that auditory verbal hallucinations in schizophrenia may stem from a disruption in the brain's ability to recognize its own inner voice. Researchers used EEG to measure brainwaves as participants listened to audio and imagined speaking, revealing a stronger reaction in people with schizophrenia who heard voices.
Diraq's silicon-based quantum computers have achieved over 99% fidelity in operations involving two qubits, a crucial step towards reaching utility scale. This breakthrough demonstrates that quantum bits can be fabricated using widely used semiconductor processes, making it cost-effective and industry-compatible.
Researchers at UNSW have made a significant advance in quantum computing by creating 'quantum entangled states' using the spins of two atomic nuclei. This breakthrough enables the potential to build large-scale quantum computers using existing technology and manufacturing processes.
Scientists discovered that human melanoma cancer cells behave like stem cells when forced through channels narrower than 10 micrometres, gaining traits to survive, spread, and form new tumours. Researchers created a biomedical device to simulate blood flow through narrow blood vessels, showing the mechanical pressure makes cancer cells...
Researchers from UNSW identify a crucial protein, CHP1, that acts as a central director in fat metabolism, promoting lipid droplet growth and regulating key enzymes. This discovery advances basic knowledge of cellular fat storage and opens new avenues for future research into metabolic disorders.
A new UNSW Sydney study reveals that nearly 70% of Australian teachers report an unmanageable workload, leading to severe stress, depression, and anxiety. The research highlights the critical need for improved working conditions to retain skilled educators and ensure quality education.
Researchers have developed a new epigenetic editing method using CRISPR technology, which can switch genes back on by removing methyl groups attached to silenced or suppressed genes. This approach shows promise for treating people with Sickle Cell-related diseases, reducing the risk of unwanted changes and potential health problems.
A new Lancet Psychiatry Commission report emphasizes the need for lifestyle interventions in mental health care, highlighting their effectiveness in improving symptoms and overall health. The report recommends increasing investment in lifestyle interventions, upskilling mental health staff, and enabling access to allied health professi...
Researchers have identified 21 new PFAS chemicals in Sydney's tap water, exceeding previous estimates. The findings highlight the need for broader monitoring and underscore the persistence of 'forever chemicals' in human systems.
A systematic review of 14.5 million students across 61 countries reveals that prolonged exposure to urban heat significantly impairs learning capacity, particularly for complex tasks like mathematics. The study highlights the need for climate resilience in educational infrastructure planning to protect future generations.
Researchers at UNSW Sydney discovered that leopard seal songs share structural similarities with human nursery rhymes, featuring predictable patterns and low entropy. The study found that male seals spend up to 13 hours a day singing in two-minute cycles, with each individual creating a unique sonic signature.
A new study reveals three distinct behavioral types: Sensitives who avoid bad choices, Unawares who don't, and Compulsives who continue making wrong choices despite awareness. Researcher Dr. Philip Jean-Richard-dit-Bressel found that these traits are stable and require intervention to break.
A 26-year study found that removing feral animals like cats and foxes from a reserve sparked an ecological transformation, favoring the growth of smaller rodents like Bolam's mouse and spinifex hopping mouse. Larger species like plains mouse and stripe-faced dunnart also surged in population after five to nine years.
Researchers have developed a novel nanomaterial that can hold over three times its weight in water and achieve this far quicker than existing commercial technologies. The material's unique synergy between calcium and oxygen facilitates extraordinary adsorption of water, enabling the efficient harvesting of clean drinking water from air.
Researchers have developed a more efficient method for producing green ammonia using artificial intelligence and machine learning. The new process achieves a sevenfold improvement in production rate while being nearly 100% efficient, making it a viable alternative to traditional methods.
Researchers argue that space exploration mirrors historical patterns of land appropriation and ecological harm, sidelining Indigenous knowledge systems and rights. They call for a fundamental shift towards collaboration, consultation, and mutual benefit.
A study found that a record-smashing North Atlantic marine heatwave in 2023 was caused by record-breaking weak winds combined with increased solar radiation. The warming waters radiated heat back into the atmosphere, triggering deadly heatwaves across Europe and intensifying hurricanes.
A new brain training game has shown promise in treating nerve pain, with participants experiencing significant reductions in pain and comparable relief to opioids. The PainWaive technology uses EEG headsets to track brain activity and respond in real time, providing a potential non-invasive alternative for chronic pain management.
A UNSW-led study reveals humpback whales are giving birth up to 1500 km north of their previously assumed calving zone in Tasmania. This challenges current beliefs and raises concerns about the vulnerability of newborn whales exposed to risks like boat strikes, entanglements, and pollution.
A new study found climate scientists are overall less trusted than other scientists, with an average trust rating of 3.5 worldwide. However, six countries and China showed significantly higher trust in climate scientists, bucking the global trend.
A new species of ancient tree frog, Litoria tylerantiqua, has been discovered in Australia, challenging previous estimates of when Australian and South American tree frogs separated. The fossil record indicates that the separation occurred approximately 22 million years ago, rather than 33 million years ago as previously thought.
A new study shows that enhancing emotional processing through therapeutic intervention is an effective approach to managing chronic pain. The trial demonstrated a significant reduction in pain intensity and improved emotional regulation among participants who received the novel eHealth intervention, Pain and Emotion Therapy.
A mathematician has discovered a new method to solve higher polynomial equations, avoiding classical radicals and infinite decimals. The approach uses novel number sequences connected to combinatorics and geometry, leading to a general solution for degree five polynomials.
Researchers analyzed a rare fossil bone and found it shared characteristics with platypuses, suggesting that ancient echidnas originated from a semi-aquatic ancestor. This discovery adds weight to the idea that stem-monotremes started off as semi-aquatic animals.
A new study by UNSW Sydney researchers has discovered the sound frequencies of a cluster of stars 2700 light years away, allowing scientists to map the history of the Milky Way and other galaxies. The discovery uses oscillation frequencies to determine a star's age and mass, providing insights into galaxy formation and evolution.
A new UNSW study projects a 4°C rise in global temperatures would result in a 40% loss of world GDP by 2100, significantly higher than previous estimates of around 11%. The analysis refines economic models to account for interconnected global supply chains and their impact on climate policy.
Researchers developed an AI-powered breath test to detect silicosis, a lung disease caused by inhaling silicon dioxide particles. The test shows high accuracy in differentiating between affected and unaffected individuals, with results provided in minutes.
Researchers used DNA technology to confirm feral cats as primary predators responsible for native animal deaths at two conservation sites in South Australia. DNA analysis revealed that feral cats were culprits in killing of native animals, with 96% of confirmed kills determined by DNA analysis.