A landmark study reveals a worsening picture of biodiversity loss in Oceania, with habitat destruction and invasive species posing major threats. The report calls for urgent government action to address the extinction crisis, including increased protected areas and better ecosystem management of fisheries.
A novel drug Dz13 has been shown to reduce heart muscle damage after a heart attack and protect the heart's pumping action. The drug targets the c-Jun gene, which is responsible for inflammation and muscle death in the aftermath of a heart attack.
A new study finds that Richard Wagner used the acoustics of the soprano voice to create music drama with improved intelligibility and ease of production. Wagner's operas often featured vowels sung with an open mouth, which were matched to high notes in a way that enhanced both performer and listener experience.
Researchers at the University of New South Wales used a simple contact lens to rehabilitate damaged eye surfaces by cultivating patients' own stem cells. The procedure significantly improved sight within weeks and has potential applications in other organs.
Researchers at UNSW found that internet-based therapy programs are as effective as face-to-face treatments for depression. The Sadness program required minimal clinician contact, making it convenient for patients to access treatment without stigma or location barriers.
Research from University of New South Wales found that snoring associated with sleep apnoea can impair brain function similar to a severe stroke or death. The study analyzed brain biochemistry in real-time, revealing significant effects on the brain's bioenergetic status during oxygen desaturation.
Researchers uncover Komodo dragons' venom composition, which combines teeth and venom for lethal effects, contradicting earlier theories. The venom causes severe blood loss, inducing shock in victims.
Researchers have developed a world-first procedure to regrow muscles in a mouse model, which could be applied to human tissue-based illnesses such as liver or brain diseases. The technique strengthens adult stem cells' ability to regenerate damaged tissue by making them resistant to chemotherapy.
Research by UNSW reveals oestrogen reduces energy burning after eating, resulting in more stored fat around the body. Oestrogen's role in regulating body fat has implications for dietary advice and exercise regimes during pregnancy.
A clinical trial found adult mask wearers were four times more likely to be protected against respiratory viruses. Masks are particularly important during pandemics when vaccine development is delayed and supplies may be scarce for frontline workers.
A new study found that smaller male redback spiders have a ten-times higher paternity rate than larger males when given an early start. This is because they mature faster and are quicker on their feet, allowing them to compete effectively.
A team of Australian astronomers discovered a puzzling lack of hydrogen gas in distant galaxies, which contradicts expectations based on the Universe's life cycle. The observed absence may be due to the destruction of hydrogen by quasars' intense radiation, leaving behind only ionised particles.
Researchers found that training individuals to read body language, facial expressions, and voice tone in others resulted in significant gains in emotional perception. This skill is crucial for successful social communication and helps overcome chronic social difficulties or isolation. The training regime, known as self-instruction trai...
A University of New South Wales researcher calls for a more flexible approach to vaccine funding, considering quality-of-life impacts. This could lead to improved productivity, reduced sick leave for parents, and enhanced herd immunity against diseases such as chickenpox and shingles.
A new study suggests that racial bias affects face perception, with names significantly influencing how people see multiracial faces. Researchers used a study titled Barack Obama or Barry Dunham? to test the hypothesis that racially-suggestive names would influence participants' perception of identical multiracial faces.
Research at University of New South Wales finds a link between maternal obesity and increased body fat in offspring. Pups from obese mother rats were nearly twice as heavy as those born to lean mothers with regular milk consumption.
Researchers found massive swirling structures called gyres in the Southern Ocean, trapping pollutants and nutrients. These features play a crucial role in pumping heat poleward, moderating the planet's extremes in climate.
Research reveals that as cycling participation increases, so do safety levels for both cyclists and motorists. Studies show a one-third drop in crash frequency with increasing cyclist numbers. Experts attribute this effect to changed driver behavior, not improved infrastructure or laws.
Genetic mutations and lower growth rates found among crustaceans in Parramatta River due to heavy metal exposure, suggesting permanent negative impacts on species fertility and survival. Researchers used a sensitive test organism, Melita plumulosa, to assess toxicity of marine sediments.
New research suggests that climate change may increase Middle East rainfall by up to 50% in the Euphrates-Tigris watershed, contrary to previous projections. This could alleviate agricultural challenges and reduce food shortages.
A new study published in the Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology found that conscious thinking can lead to better choices for complex decisions, debunking a controversial 2006 research result. The study suggests that unconscious thought is more susceptible to irrelevant factors and that conscious thinkers given adequate time t...
Researchers calculated the great white's bite force to be up to 1.8 tonnes, making it more than 20 times harder than a human. The team also estimated the bite force of the extinct giant shark Carcharodon megalodon at 10.8-18.2 tonnes.
A new study published in The Lancet warns that HIV transmission could quadruple in certain populations if people with HIV follow potentially misleading advice. Mathematical modeling predicts that HIV transmission would be four times higher in serodiscordant couples who abandon condom use.
A new combination therapy using raltegravir has shown promising results in treating HIV, particularly in patients with highly resistant strains. The study found that 62% of patients achieved undetectable viral loads, while only 1 in 3 receiving a placebo showed similar reductions.
Research led by the University of New South Wales found that individuals with atopic diseases such as asthma and hay fever are up to 40% less likely to develop NHL if they have multiple conditions. Chronic atopy is associated with a reduced risk, particularly in B-cell NHL cases.
The study found that males benefit from high-carbohydrate, low-protein diets, while females thrive on a diet with a one-to-one carbohydrate-to-protein ratio. This finding has implications for human diet, aging, and reproduction, highlighting the need for individualized dietary approaches based on sex and reproductive stage.
A new international study reveals how the Komodo dragon can efficiently kill prey despite having a weak bite and featherweight skull. The 'space-frame' skull, combined with powerful neck muscles and razor-sharp teeth, allows it to butcher large animal prey.
A recent study reveals a drastic decline in shorebird populations over the past 25 years, with migratory species suffering a 73% drop and resident shorebirds declining by 81%. The loss of wetlands and habitats is a significant contributor to this decline, highlighting the need for improved conservation efforts.
A new study by the University of New South Wales reveals that contaminated seaweeds in Sydney Harbour are killing up to 75% of small crustacean offspring. The harbour's seaweeds have been found to contain high levels of copper, lead and zinc, posing a threat to marine life.
Researchers found that people tend to focus on information supporting their pre-existing beliefs, even if it's accurate. The study suggests designing search engine interfaces to help users organize information and overcome decision biases.
A new review integrates psychological and biological theories of autism, which may help medical professionals detect conditions such as Asperger's Disorder at an earlier stage. This approach could lead to better explanations for parents worried about their child's behaviour and potentially improve remediation.
The marsupial lion's 'bolt-cutter' type teeth allowed for rapid killing of prey, while African lions used a 'clamp and hold' technique that could take up to 15 minutes. Research suggests the marsupial lion was an efficient predator that could inflict mortal wounds on large prey.
The Surgilux device seals surgical wounds using an infrared laser, potentially reducing complications and infections associated with sutures. Early test results show promising results in brain and nerve surgery, paving the way for a new approach to repairing damaged nerves.
Jurors presented with gruesome evidence are more likely to convict, a study finds. The evidence can influence jurors' decisions at an unconscious level, leading to unfair outcomes for defendants.
A team of Australian researchers has developed a novel treatment for obesity and extreme weight loss in late-stage cancer patients. By targeting the MIC-1 molecule, which sends a 'don't eat' signal to the brain, they hope to prevent this condition and improve chances of recovery.
Researchers use Finite Element Analysis to test the bite force and feeding mechanics of Smilodon, finding a relatively weak bite that limits its killing behaviors. Despite this, Smilodon was an efficient hunter of large game and could restrain prey before biting.
Research published in Biology Letters finds that dog-walking in bushland causes a significant reduction in bird diversity and abundance, with ground-dwelling birds most affected. The study's findings support the long-term prohibition of dog-walking from sensitive conservation areas.
UNSW researchers have uncovered a naturally occurring mechanism to control 'bad' cells causing blood vessel blockages while leaving 'good' cells unaffected. This discovery could benefit those undergoing heart surgery or haemodialysis by targeting specific gene suppressors like YY1.
A landmark study finds that HIV/AIDS patients are 11 times more likely to develop Hodgkin's lymphoma, while transplant recipients face a similar increased risk for several types of cancer. Immune deficiency is the common factor driving these higher cancer rates in both groups.
A study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases reveals 35 genes whose expression patterns correlate with chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms. These findings may provide clues about the disease's underlying nature and potential mechanisms.
A recent study by researchers at the University of New South Wales and Sydney Children's Hospital found that a third of children with a predicted peanut allergy were not allergic when challenged with peanuts. This suggests that diagnostic tests for peanut allergy may have poor sensitivity and specificity.
A recent breakthrough in solar cell technology has shown a 16-fold enhancement in light absorption, boosting efficiency from 8-10% to 13-15%. This improvement could make solar energy more affordable for homeowners, with the price of an installed system potentially falling by up to AUD$5,000.
A new study has found that the ancestors of modern mammals did not quickly evolve and spread to fill empty niches following the mass extinctions of dinosaurs. Instead, diversification rates dropped and stayed low for 40 million years, with modern mammal orders emerging around 50-55 million years ago.
A study by the University of New South Wales found that 78% of pedestrian collisions occur when pedestrians are crossing roads without marked crossings, and many people misunderstand right-of-way rules at intersections. The researchers suggest that better education and awareness are needed to reduce road trauma.
Researchers warn that an immuno-contraception vaccine, which aims to control wildlife populations, is not fully effective and may manipulate natural reproduction in unpredictable ways. The vaccine also raises concerns about the potential for individuals who survive the vaccine to carry infectious diseases affecting other animals.
Researchers at the University of New South Wales have developed a cost-effective process for manufacturing GGC, a precursor to antioxidant glutathione. The new additive is set to be used in various products, including skincare creams and supplements, with significant market potential.
Scientists have discovered a unique, mouse-sized land animal in New Zealand, which challenges the theory that birds evolved without competition from land mammals. The discovery also sheds new light on climate change in the region, indicating a massive shift from warm and wet to cool and dry conditions.
Researchers have proven that tumours can be prevented from forming when embryonic stem cells are transplanted into laboratory animals. The team used microencapsulation technology to achieve this result, paving the way for vital therapies for disorders like diabetes.
Children with 'callous-unemotional' temperament show a lack of empathy and guilt about their actions, making them less responsive to traditional discipline. Researchers found that increasing punishment can exacerbate behavioral problems in these children, who respond better to incentives and rewards.
A new study found that Sydney harbor's seaweeds contain high levels of toxic heavy metals, harming small animals that eat them. Up to three-quarters of juvenile crustaceans are killed when exposed to copper, highlighting the potential consequences for marine food chains.