A legless, leaping fish that lives on land avoids predators by using camouflage to match its rocky environment, reducing attacks from birds, lizards, and crabs. The researchers found that the fish's unique colouration helped it survive in its new habitat, suggesting an evolutionary advantage.
A global study of 224 dryland sites in 16 countries predicts that increasing aridity will disturb the balance of nutrients in the soil, leading to a reduction in carbon and nitrogen and an increase in phosphorus. This imbalance will have severe effects on essential soil processes, particularly in areas with reduced plant cover.
Researchers have found that El Nino events have been more active and intense over the past 30 years than at any time in the past 600 years. As global average temperatures increase, these extreme events are expected to become even more frequent and severe.
Researchers at the University of New South Wales discovered the genetic secrets of Antarctic extremophiles that can thrive in extremely cold and salty water. The study found that these microorganisms engage in extensive DNA swapping, enabling them to coexist despite their vastly different niches.
Researchers collected water samples up to six kilometres below the surface of the Southern Ocean, finding that physical transport in the ocean on currents shapes microbial communities. The study shows that communities connected by ocean currents are more similar to each other, regardless of distance.
Research suggests that external changes can impact the strength and timing of El Niño events. Over 4,300 years, the ENSO cycle has changed due to natural influences on the Earth's climate, such as variations in its orbit around the sun.
A UNSW-led team is mapping the location of giant gas clouds in our galaxy, which can be up to 100 light years across. The research aims to understand how these clouds form and play a key role in the cosmic cycle of birth and death of stars.
A new Australian study uses a novel modelling tool to calculate the 'material footprint' of 186 countries over two decades, revealing that pressures on raw materials do not decline with economic growth. The results confirm that decoupling of natural resources from economic growth has been exaggerated.
Researchers at UNSW have developed a new class of drugs that target the structure of cancer cells, providing proof-of-concept for two types of cancers in animal models: neuroblastoma and melanoma. This breakthrough could lead to an entirely new type of chemotherapy with fewer long-term side effects.
A recent study predicts that biodiversity on polar seabeds could be reduced by up to one third within decades as the poles warm, leading to widespread ecosystem shifts. The research reveals that even slight changes in sea-ice timing can cause a tipping point, resulting in unique communities being replaced by algal beds.
A study by the University of New South Wales reveals that global warming may lead to a decline in seasonal water storage capacity for Argentina and Chile. The North Patagonian Ice-field, vital to maintaining this capacity, is expected to shrink due to changes in westerly winds.
Research by UNSW academics links human papillomavirus (HPV) to an increased risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, a type of oesophageal cancer. HPV is one of several factors contributing to the development of OSCC, which is more prevalent in certain countries like China, South Africa, and Iran.
A large study led by researchers at the University of New South Wales found that oxytocin nasal spray did not improve symptoms of children with autism. The study suggests caution in recommending oxytocin as a general treatment for young people with autism, possibly due to impaired oxytocin receptor systems.
Researchers found that urban heat island effect combined with global warming could increase Sydney's temperatures by up to 3.7°C by 2050. Green spaces and bodies of water can help reduce the impact, with studies showing a marked effect on reducing the urban heat island effect.
Researchers used the Hubble Space Telescope to measure alpha, the fine-structure constant, on a white dwarf star. They found no significant variation in alpha near the star and compared it with laboratory measurements.
Researchers have discovered that a reduced daily dose of the antiretroviral medication efavirenz is both safe and effective in suppressing HIV. The findings could lead to lower treatment costs and increased access to life-saving therapy for millions worldwide.
Researchers used computer models to study the predatory behavior of Thylacosmilus atrox, a 3.5 million-year-old sabre-toothed super-predator. The results show that the animal relied on powerful forearms and precise neck muscles to kill its prey efficiently.
A team of researchers at the University of New South Wales has proposed a new way to distinguish between quantum bits placed only a few nanometres apart, resolving two key technical challenges. The method involves using individual phosphorus atoms in silicon chips, allowing for precise control and operation of qubits.
A study published in Traffic Injury Prevention found that bicycle helmets certified to Australia's national standard significantly reduce linear and angular head accelerations and impact force. Helmet use greatly reduces the risk of head, skull and brain injury by up to 9.5 times.
A study reveals why Puerto Rican lizards don't rapidly extend their dewlaps like Jamaican cousins, instead using alternative strategies to enhance detection of displays. The research shows the island's species lacks physiology for rapid movement, relying on tailoring speed and duration of displays to match forest conditions.
Researchers found that 30% of people with colorectal cancer did not act on genetic screening results, missing the diagnosis of Lynch syndrome. This study assesses the impact of routine screening for Lynch syndrome and highlights the importance of individuals taking action on test results.
A new Red List system has been developed to identify ecosystems at high risk of degradation. The framework assesses multiple symptoms of risk produced by different processes of ecosystem degradation, enabling it to handle a range of different sources of information.
Researchers found that certain bacteria can rapidly adapt to nanosilver's antimicrobial action, leading to the emergence of new resistant strains. This has significant implications for the widespread use of nanosilver in medicine and environmental applications.
A new class of drug targeting skin cancer's genetic material has been successfully tested in humans for the first time. The drug, Dz13, was found to be safe and showed positive effects in reducing tumour growth and spread.
A recent review of evidence suggests that humans were unlikely to have been the primary drivers of megafauna extinction in Australia, with climate change instead being the main culprit. The study challenges long-held assumptions and highlights the complexity of this issue.
Researchers from Australia have achieved a breakthrough in detecting the spin state of a single atom using a novel combined optical and electrical approach. This innovation brings closer the prospect of a global quantum internet, which could revolutionize secure communications for various industries.
A team of Australian engineers at the University of New South Wales has demonstrated a functional quantum bit based on the nucleus of a single atom in silicon. The device operates with high accuracy and could revolutionize data processing in ultra-powerful quantum computers.
A study published in the Journal of Health Psychology found that portion sizes significantly affect food intake, even with mindful eating education. Despite teaching participants about external factors influencing eating habits, they consumed more food when given larger portions.
Scientists discovered that the body's adaptation mechanism allows the cochlea to perform normally when exposed to noise stress. Constant exposure to loud noise can cause irreversible damage to high frequency hearing.
Scientists have developed a new method for chemical reduction using a biomimetic catalyst that mimics naturally occurring enzymes. The catalyst-based approach uses cheap, replenishable reagents and works well at room temperature and in air, even allowing for safe use in a teacup. With high efficiency rates, the research has wide applic...
A team of scientists has successfully revived the DNA of an extinct Australian frog species, Rheobatrachus silus, using somatic cell nuclear transfer. The 'Lazarus Project' aims to bring back the bizarre gastric-brooding frog, which uniquely swallowed its eggs and gave birth through its mouth.
Researchers have discovered a single anti-ageing enzyme that can be targeted by all 117 tested drugs, leading to a new class of anti-ageing medications. The enzymes' activators, such as resveratrol, show promising results in trials for various diseases, including cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer's.
After over 20 years, a team led by Professor Merlin Crossley has found the genetic puzzle piece for hemophilia B Leyden, a rare disorder that improves symptoms after puberty. The breakthrough demonstrates the importance of persistence and curiosity in scientific research.
Healthcare workers who wear special fitted face masks are less likely to get clinical respiratory and bacterial infections. The study, published in the American Journal of Critical Care Medicine, found that continuous use of N95 masks provides significant protection against both types of infections.
Researchers used brain imaging technology to identify young people at risk of bipolar disorder, showing clear differences in brain activity when compared to controls. Young people with a genetic risk of bipolar displayed reduced brain responses to emotive faces, particularly fearful faces.
Researchers used a super-resolution microscope to study protein distribution in human T-cells, revealing the dynamic opening and closing process of kinase molecules. This discovery could provide insights into immune disorders and cancer by understanding how signaling processes are controlled.
A new study suggests that the human mind can cope with a maximum of four chunks of information before confusion sets in. Professor Gordon Parker from the University of New South Wales re-analyzed experiments and found that this number is more accurate than previously thought.
Researchers at the University of New South Wales have developed a non-toxic nanoparticle that can deliver nitric oxide to specific cancer cells, reducing chemotherapy doses by a factor of five. This could lead to improved treatment outcomes and reduced side effects for neuroblastoma patients.
Australian researchers discovered that reduced heart rate variability best predicts cognitive disturbances in people with chronic fatigue syndrome. The study found a significant loss of vagal modulation, consistent with the notion that CFS represents a system under stress. This could lead to new ways to improve cognitive difficulties i...
Researchers have gained insight into the microscopic mechanics of a sea urchin's spine, which enables it to absorb impacts and stresses while maintaining strength. The unique structure of the spine allows for an advantageous blend of elasticity and brittleness.
A team of Australian researchers suggests that a 2.5 million-year-old meteor impact in the Pacific Ocean may have generated a mega-tsunami and plunged the world into the Ice Ages. The Eltanin meteor, up to two kilometers across, crashed into deep water, potentially destabilizing the planet's climate system.
A research team created the first working quantum bit based on a single atom in silicon, representing a major advancement towards ultra-powerful quantum computers. The breakthrough enables the manipulation of data on an electron's spin to form a quantum bit, a fundamental unit of data for quantum computing.
A new study reveals how warming waters in the Southern Ocean can connect with the movement of massive ice-sheets deep in the Antarctic interior. The research found that ocean warming can trigger increased flow of ice through narrow glaciers, causing inland sectors of the ice-sheet to become thinner and flow faster.
Scientists at UNSW have developed a nano-structure that can store and release hydrogen, paving the way for practical applications in fuel cells and vehicles. The breakthrough uses sodium borohydride nanoparticles encased in nickel shells, demonstrating improved thermodynamic and kinetic properties.
A new study found that over half of malignant prostate cancers have both high-risk HPV 18 and EBV, with HPV alone present in 70% of the cancers. The research suggests a potential collaboration between the two viruses to promote cancer cell survival.
A new type of biosensor, known as a biochemiresistor, has been developed by a UNSW-led team to detect tiny traces of contaminants in liquids in just 40 minutes. The sensor can detect one-billionth of a gram of the veterinary antibiotic enrofloxacin in milk with high sensitivity and speed.
A major new study found that small marine snails have a profound impact on the marine ecosystem, removing almost 70% of plant material from the sea floor. The research, led by Associate Professor Alistair Poore, reveals that snails are a key driver of herbivory in marine habitats.
Researchers at the University of New South Wales have discovered a potential new way to regulate the immune response, increasing good regulating cells to treat autoimmune diseases. The treatment involves injecting cell-signalling proteins called cytokines, which boost the body's immune system without causing overdrive.
Deep cracks in soil can remain open underground even after they have visibly sealed on the surface, a new study has found. This persistence of cracks affects the flow of water and nutrients through the soil, leading to reduced crop productivity.
A team of physicists has developed a new design for nano-billiards that eliminates the effect of small bumps on electron paths, enabling more predictable electronic devices. By removing impurities and defects, researchers have created stable billiard tables at the nanoscale, paving the way for improved nanoscale electronics.