A new study reveals isometric resistance training (IRT) as a safe and effective method for reducing high blood pressure. IRT, which involves contracting muscles without changing length, can lower office blood pressure by almost as much as blood pressure-lowering medications.
A study found that COVID-19 restrictions led to a 36% drop in antibiotic dispensing rates in Australia, primarily for respiratory tract infections. The decline continued into winter and was seen across all age groups, suggesting it was not due to reduced access to healthcare.
A recent study has shown that COVID-19 stressors are negatively impacting resettled refugees' mental health, with links to PTSD, depression, and poorer daily functioning. Refugees' past experiences may heighten the impact of the pandemic due to traumatic events and challenges in the post-migration environment.
Quantum engineers at the University of New South Wales have discovered a new technique to control millions of spin qubits, a critical step towards building a practical quantum computer. This breakthrough uses a novel component called a dielectric resonator to focus microwave power and deliver uniform magnetic fields across the chip.
A recent UNSW study found that women who received their polygenic risk score (PRS) for breast cancer experienced minimal regret and reduced distress compared to those who declined. The researchers also discovered that more women reported regret about not knowing their PRS score, highlighting the importance of providing clear informatio...
A 3700-year-old clay tablet, discovered in central Iraq, is the oldest known example of applied geometry. The UNSW scientist's analysis reveals a human story of land surveying and geometric understanding, with Pythagorean triples used to make accurate right angles.
A new study found that biochar can increase crop yields by up to 42% and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Biochar also improves soil fertility, resistance to diseases, and tolerance to toxic metals, making it a promising tool for climate change mitigation in poor soils.
A big data study from UNSW Sydney found that Australian cancer patients kept up their pharmaceutical treatments during last year's COVID-19 lockdowns. The researchers attribute the good news to relatively low rates of COVID-19 infections in Australia, which minimally impacted cancer treatment patterns.
Research from UNSW Sydney found that unexpected uncertainty prompts people to adjust their behavior, even if it's not the best strategy. In contrast, gradual changes in uncertainty do not lead to significant behavioral shifts. The study suggests that understanding how people react to uncertainty can help overcome inertia and promote su...
A new study found that people with chronic pain have lower levels of GABA, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate emotions, leading to increased negative emotions and impaired emotional regulation. The researchers hope their online emotional recovery program may provide a non-pharmaceutical solution for those affected.
A new study by University of New South Wales scientists has shed light on the pathways of ocean circulation that supply newly ventilated surface water to the deep Pacific. The research finds that diffusive transport plays a leading role in ventilating the shadow zone, which is crucial for biological production and climate regulation.
A study by University of New South Wales found that 80% of asthma-related hospital presentations in Australia are potentially avoidable through a comprehensive care pathway. The study identified variations in care pathways, including inconsistent use of clinical guidelines and inadequate follow-up with GPs.
A global study found that urban greenspaces, including parks and gardens, harbor important microbial communities critical for sustaining productive ecosystem services. These microbes also promote effective immunoregulation functions and reduce allergies in humans. However, green spaces can also host fungal parasites and plant pathogens.
A new face identification ability test, GFMT2, has been developed to identify high-performing facial recognition individuals known as super-recognisers. This test will help prevent false identity matches made by facial recognition software and improve recruitment for roles such as visa processors and passport issuers.
A study on unrelated lizard species demonstrates how natural selection leads to similar communication strategies for defense and mating. The Anolis and Draco lizards have evolved identical displays, adapting to varying environmental conditions, showcasing convergent evolution's power.
A team of researchers from the University of New South Wales has discovered a new population of pygmy blue whales in the Indian Ocean, using data from underwater bomb detectors. The finding, published recently, confirms the existence of this smallest subspecies of blue whales, which can reach up to 24 meters long.
Researchers successfully implemented a headstarting method to protect juvenile bridled nailtail wallabies from feral cats, resulting in an 89% survival rate. The technique involves fencing off areas to raise young animals until they are large enough to be released back into the wild, demonstrating its effectiveness as a cost-effective ...
A new study by the University of New South Wales estimates that there are approximately 50 billion individual birds in the world, with many iconic Australian species falling within this number. However, other rare species like the Black-breasted Buttonquail have only around 100 members left, highlighting the need for conservation efforts.
Australian researchers have identified an immune response associated with protection from COVID-19, enabling the measurement of neutralising antibody levels as a proxy for immune protection. The discovery may lead to annual vaccine boosters and more efficient vaccine development.
Researchers find a way to target both pancreatic cancer cells and the scar tissue surrounding them, reducing tumor growth and spreading. A new clinical trial aims to test this approach with an existing anti-arthritis drug, potentially improving treatment response and patient survival.
A new UNSW Sydney study examines content between December 2019 to November 2020 and found over 103 million people globally shared or reacted with misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines. The study highlights the need for traditional risk communication and community engagement methods to counter misinformation.
Scientists discovered stalagmite growth is consistently linear over hundreds and thousands of years, providing an unparalleled capacity for precise chronology building. The analysis revealed that warmer climates tend towards more growth, while colder climates see slowed growth, but the majority of samples follow a linear growth pattern.
An international team of scientists has discovered the spectral signatures of almost 1000 atmospheric molecules that could be related to phosphine production. The study provides a novel approach to follow up potential biosignatures and will aid in the detection of life on exoplanets as more powerful telescopes come online.
A study by UNSW found that areas with high misogynistic tweeting had higher rates of domestic and family violence, even after controlling for other factors. The researchers used big data from Twitter and local law enforcement records to examine the relationship between online hate speech and real-world violence.
Researchers have found that pathogenic soil microbes impede seedling emergence and subsequent growth in the centre of spinifex rings. The study suggests that older parts of the plant succumb to a build-up of these microbes, while new seedlings establish at the outside edge of the rings.
Scientists have unraveled the evolution of photosynthetic algae by reconstructing a key protein that captures sunlight. The discovery sheds light on how these single-celled organisms thrived in inhospitable conditions, paving the way for modern plants and photosynthetic organisms.
A global review of hail trends suggests climate change will lead to increased hailstorm frequency in most regions, particularly Australia, while reducing it in East Asia and North America. Hail severity is expected to increase globally due to warmer temperatures and increased atmospheric instability.
A new study shows that almost all wild canines in Australia are genetically more than half dingo, highlighting the need to reevaluate lethal measures and terminology. Dingo-dog hybrids make up only a small percentage of the population.
A new UNSW study found that individuals with aphantasia, who cannot visualize mental images, exhibit reduced fear responses when reading scary stories. This suggests that mental imagery plays a key role in linking thoughts and emotions, supporting the idea that imagery is an emotional thought amplifier.
A newly discovered rocky planet, Gliese 486b, has been found to have a 'piping-hot' surface temperature of 430 degrees Celsius, making it inhospitable to human life. However, studying its atmosphere could provide valuable insights into the possibility of habitable planets and signs of life beyond Earth.
A recent study has identified potential risk factors for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), including age, body mass index (BMI), and low haemoglobin levels. Patients who are older, overweight, or have lower red blood cell counts may be more at risk of developing debilitating nerve damage following chemotherapy.
Researchers have developed equations to estimate the time an object has spent drifting at sea and plot possible drift paths of a missing boat. By analyzing the growth rate of Lepas anserifera attached to the object, scientists can narrow down the search area and find missing persons more efficiently.
Researchers developed a microchip to identify and separate baby mouse heart cells, allowing for the study of their physico-mechanical properties. The findings could provide insights into developing materials that repair heart tissue, with potential applications in cardiac patches, scaffolds, and hydrogels.
A recent UNSW Sydney study pairs satellite imagery with site-based field research to show that removing dingoes leads to overgrazing and reduced soil quality. The effects of dingo removal are visible from space, with vegetation inside the fence having poorer long-term growth than outside.
A new study found that a current vaccine reduced childhood pneumonia hospitalizations by 21% but increased empyema admissions by 25%. The researchers urge the development of an effective vaccine against emerging non-vaccine serotypes, particularly serotype 3, which causes 76% of empyema cases.
A new international study suggests that the reversal of Earth's magnetic poles 42,000 years ago triggered major climate shifts, leading to global environmental change and mass extinctions. Researchers used ancient New Zealand kauri trees to create a detailed timescale of how Earth's atmosphere changed over this time.
A study by the University of New South Wales found that dingoes have more variable coat colours than previously thought, with no single colour distinguishing them from hybrids. Researchers analyzed 1325 wild canids and found that domestic dog ancestry is rare in the wild, representing less than 1.5% of the population.
A study by University of New South Wales found that kangaroo overgrazing is having a detrimental impact on soil health and vegetation biodiversity, even more so than rabbits. The research suggests that conservation reserves need to rethink their management strategies to address the issue.
Researchers found a distinctive gut microbiome profile in people with liver cancer linked to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that modulates the immune response, promoting cancer survival. This discovery could lead to more effective preventative and therapeutic treatments for NAFLD-related liver cancer.
A UNSW study in rats shows that social interaction can reverse food and cigarette cravings triggered by social isolation. The study found that socially isolated rats relapsed to nicotine seeking but showed no interest once returned to group housing, highlighting the importance of social interaction in treating substance abuse disorders.
Researchers at the University of New South Wales have created a novel ceramic-based ink that enables 3D printing of bone-like structures complete with living cells. This breakthrough technology allows for in-situ fabrication of bone tissue, which may revolutionize bone repair and regeneration techniques.
The global demand for cancer surgery is projected to rise from 9.1 million to 13.8 million cases by 2040, with a 52% increase in low-income countries. The study estimates that these countries will need to increase their surgeon and anaesthetist numbers substantially to meet the growing demand.
Researchers at UNSW Sydney create a sustainable method for producing green ammonia from atmospheric nitrogen, reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. The new technology has the potential to revolutionize agriculture and the global transition to a hydrogen economy.
A new study found that partially protected marine areas, which allow some fishing, had no more fish, invertebrates, or algae and did not attract users more highly than open areas. In contrast, fully protected areas had higher biodiversity and were valued more by coastal users.
Researchers at the University of New South Wales have created adaptive stem cells, called induced multipotent stem cells (iMS), from human fat. These cells can reprogram to act as stem cells and adapt to their surroundings, repairing a range of damaged tissues in mice.
A new study published in Sports Medicine finds that resistance training has similar benefits for older women and men, with women achieving greater relative increases in lower body strength. The research suggests that trainers should program differently for each sex to maximize training benefits.
A systematic review of international COVID-19 literature found that young children under five years old generally develop mild disease and are often asymptomatic. The study also highlights the potential risk of transmission from infants to mothers, caregivers, and other family members.
A systematic review found exercise provides relief from chronic low back pain, but researchers disagree on why it's effective. Common reasons proposed include improvements in fitness and mood, yet the effects of these factors on outcomes are often not examined.
Researchers at UNSW Sydney have found that dihydrogen phosphate anions, crucial for cellular activity, form clusters in solution due to surprisingly strong hydrogen bonds. This new understanding has implications for controlling the transport of molecules and potentially explaining biological membrane structure.
A study published in PLOS One suggests that a freely available test, known as the UNSW Face Test, is able to rank facial recognition abilities with precision. Researchers argue that this test is perfect for identifying exceptional face recognisers and could lead to breakthroughs in fields such as law enforcement and national security.