Researchers have developed a safer, more targeted way to deliver CRISPR gene therapy using light-activated liposomes. The new method uses spherical nanostructures of fat molecules to carry CRISPR molecules to specific sites in the body.
Engineers at the University of New South Wales have developed a robotic gripper that behaves like an elephant's trunk to grasp, pick up, and release objects without breaking them. The versatile technology can be applied in various industries, including agriculture, food, and scientific exploration.
A strain of oral bacteria has been found to be associated with severe ulcerative colitis. The discovery offers new avenues for research into the prevention and treatment of IBD. Researchers believe that targeting the oral cavity could help reduce the load of the bacteria, potentially leading to new therapies.
Researchers found that COVID-19 disproportionately affects people with non-communicable diseases (NCDs), increasing their vulnerability to the virus and exposure to NCD risk factors. The study also revealed that COVID-19 disrupted essential public health services, further exacerbating NCD management.
Researchers at UNSW Sydney have analyzed the costs of producing green hydrogen using electrolysis and solar power, finding that it can range from $2.89 to $4.67 per kilogram. The cost is influenced by factors such as electrolyser efficiency, available sunlight, and capital costs of electrolysers. To make green hydrogen more competitive...
Researchers at UNSW Science discovered a new molecular pathway that controls Shiga toxin production in E. coli, which could lead to the development of drugs suppressing toxin production during infections. The study's findings provide a potential breakthrough for treating severe E. coli infections.
Researchers at UNSW Sydney developed a new haptic device that recreates the sense of touch, enabling users to feel virtual or remote objects in a more realistic way. The device overcomes existing issues with haptic technology by introducing a novel method to recreate an effective haptic sensation via soft, miniature artificial muscles.
Researchers used high-resolution models to predict where marine heatwaves will occur and intensify, revealing stark regional variability. The study found intense heatwaves more likely off Tasmania's coast and along the US Gulf Stream's shoreline.
Researchers have discovered a global phenomenon where microbes thrive on air, expanding the possibilities for microbial life beyond Earth. This process, known as atmospheric chemosynthesis, was previously thought to be unique to Antarctica, but is now found in soils across the Arctic and Tibetan Plateau.
Researchers developed a tumour gene test that accurately predicts ovarian cancer survival, outperforming age and cancer stage. The test identifies high-risk patients for personalized treatment options.
New research confirms pasteurisation inactivates SARS-CoV-2 virus in human milk, ensuring safe supply to preterm babies. Cold storage also doesn't impact the virus's stability, allowing mothers with COVID-19 to express and store milk safely.
A team of researchers discovered unexpected features in roaming reactions, enabling more accurate predictions about molecules in the atmosphere, including models of climate change and ozone depletion. The study provides new tools to understand reaction mechanisms in the atmosphere.
Dingoes in poison-baited regions have increased in size by 6-9% over the last 80 years, according to a collaborative study. The growth is linked to reduced competition for food, as baiting campaigns favor the survival of larger dingoes.
A global meta-analysis led by UNSW scientists found that biocrusts reduce water erosion by an average of 68% and increase water storage in upper layers, supporting the world's shrinking water supplies. Biocrusts are critical for fixing nitrogen and carbon, stabilizing surface soils, and providing a home for soil organisms.
Scientists have identified Dome A in Antarctica as the best place on Earth to view distant stars, thanks to its extremely stable atmosphere. The location offers a unique opportunity to observe the universe with greatly reduced interference from atmospheric turbulence.
Researchers found significantly less microbial diversity and richness in humpback whales' respiratory microbiota during the return leg of their migration, suggesting they were likely in poorer health. This study provides new insights into using airway microbiota as a non-invasive method for monitoring whale health.
Research shows that climate change will shift the timing of prescribed burning windows along the east coast of Australia, with some months experiencing more frequent fires. However, the overall number of prescribed burning days is expected to remain similar or even increase in some cases.
International analysis narrows range of climate's sensitivity to CO2, suggesting a likely warming of 2.3-4.5°C with doubled atmospheric carbon dioxide. The study, commissioned by the World Climate Research Programme, uses temperature records, paleoclimate data, and detailed models to converge on the best estimate of climate sensitivity.
Research by UNSW Sydney and NSW DPI Fisheries found that artificial reefs in estuaries with limited natural reef can increase fish abundance significantly. The study revealed a 20-fold increase in fish populations in the reef areas compared to bare sand habitats, benefiting recreational fishing and environmental conservation.
Researchers found that transitioning to renewable energy technologies has high energy return on investment (EROI) values, making it a worthwhile transition. The study analyzed dozens of studies on wind and solar renewables in regions with high solar and/or wind resources.
A global assessment of heatwaves has found increasing frequency and duration since the 1950s, with regions like the Mediterranean experiencing rapid changes. The cumulative heat metric shows accelerating trends worldwide, but not in heatwave intensity.
A study by UNSW researchers found that tropical plants are more at risk from climate change than previously thought, with over 20% predicted to face temperatures above their upper limit. This is because they are near their maximum seed germination temperatures, and even small temperature increases could push them over the edge.
A team of researchers has discovered a new family of extinct marsupials, Mukupirnidae, including the giant wombat-like creature Mukupirna nambensis. The species is estimated to be around 25 million years old and was likely a gentle giant that subsisted on plants.
A new study found that seasonal growth and destruction of sea ice in the Southern Ocean enhances marine life present in the sea around Antarctica, sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. The researchers analyzed data from a period when atmospheric carbon dioxide levels plateaued at 240 ppm 14,600 years ago.
A new study from UNSW Sydney found that people with aphantasia, a lack of mental visual imagery, experience changes in other cognitive functions. They reported reduced ability to remember past events, have less vivid dreams and struggle with imagination. The research highlights the complexity of aphantasia and its impact on daily life.
A review by researchers identifies the link between wealth, economy, and environmental impacts, highlighting the need for structural change to address affluence. Lifestyle changes are crucial, but also, broader economic paradigm shifts are necessary to manage economies in a way that protects climate and natural resources.
A new study led by UNSW reveals that blenny fish's transition from water to land is driven by dietary flexibility, which allows them to survive and thrive on land. The researchers found that once on land, these remarkable creatures face restrictions on food availability, triggering major evolutionary changes in their morphology.
Chemical engineers at UNSW Sydney have developed a new technology to convert waste carbon dioxide into chemical building blocks, producing syngas that can be used in industrial products like fuel and plastics. The process uses nanoparticles created by flame spray pyrolysis, which is cheaper and more scalable than existing methods.
New climate model projections indicate that droughts will become longer and more frequent globally, particularly in regions like the Amazon, Mediterranean, and southern Africa. The study's findings suggest that variability in rainfall is a key factor in predicting future drought intensity.
Researchers at UNSW Sydney have developed a new imaging technique that uses the color of cells as a 'thermometer' for molecular imbalance. This technology has the potential to revolutionize medical diagnostics by allowing scientists to detect and decode cell colors without needing to extract samples from the body.
Scientists from UNSW Sydney report new measurements of light emitted from a quasar 13 billion light years away, reaffirming past studies on tiny variations in the fine structure constant. The findings suggest that one of nature's laws may not be constant, challenging the Grand Unifying Theory.
Researchers at UNSW achieved unprecedented resolution capabilities in single-molecule microscopy to detect interactions between individual molecules within intact cells. Their self-aligning microscope smashed the limits of existing super-resolution microscopy technology by measuring distances between proteins with nanometre precision.
Researchers at UNSW Sydney have developed a proof-of-concept quantum processor unit cell that works at 1.5 Kelvin, 15 times warmer than previous designs, allowing for affordable and real-world business applications. This breakthrough addresses one of the biggest constraints to practical quantum computers.
Scientists have mapped the genome of the German shepherd, providing a reference for future studies of diseases that afflict this breed. The completed genome will enable early detection and development of breeding programs to reduce genetic diseases like hip dysplasia.
A team of engineers at UNSW Sydney has successfully controlled the nucleus of a single atom using only electric fields, solving a problem that stood for over half a century. This breakthrough has major implications for the development of quantum computers and sensors, enabling precise control over individual atoms.
A new UNSW study found that climate change and urbanization are expected to increase groundwater organic carbon, posing a threat to the quality and availability of drinking water for over half of the world's population. Increased groundwater DOC concentrations can lead to higher water treatment costs and health risks.
Researchers from UNSW Sydney have successfully analyzed the complex structure of benzene in 126 dimensions, shedding light on its stability and interactions. The discovery reveals unexpected electron behavior, where up-spin double-bonded electrons interact with down-spin single-bonded electrons.
A study found that heterogametic males (XY) die sooner than females in most species, supporting the unguarded X hypothesis. In contrast, the difference is smaller for female heterogametic species, suggesting other factors may be at play.
A team of researchers has shown that fish school by copying each other and changing directions randomly, rather than calculating and adapting to an average direction of the group. This new model proposes that noise-induced ordering is responsible for schooling behavior, contradicting previous theories.
Astronomers have discovered a rare opportunity to study the evolution of a planetary system, with the DS Tuc binary system providing insights into how planets form without being heavily impacted by external forces. The findings suggest that the planet DS Tuc Ab formed through relatively calm processes.
Researchers from UNSW Sydney have created artificial atoms in silicon chips that provide improved stability for quantum computing. The artificial atoms, with shells of electrons whizzing around the centre, offer robust qubits that can be reliably used for calculations.
A new international study led by UNSW Sydney reveals that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet melted rapidly during the Last Interglacial period, causing a multi-metre rise in global mean sea levels. The research suggests that the ice sheet is highly sensitive to future ocean warming, posing an urgent need to minimize warming.
A new study warns of the platypus's critically high risk of extinction, citing water resource development, land clearing, climate change, and severe drought as major threats. The researchers call for urgent national action to prevent the species from disappearing from Australian waterways.
UNSW researchers found that whooping cough bacteria are adapting to evade vaccine-generated immunity by producing more nutrient-binding proteins and fewer immunogenic proteins. A new vaccine is needed to protect vulnerable populations, particularly newborns and those with weakened immune systems.
Researchers used drones to estimate hippo numbers in the Okavango Delta, northern Botswana, and found the method to be just as effective as traditional land surveys. The drone's bird's-eye perspective allowed for accurate counting of individual hippos, even when they were crowded together.
A new study reveals that the Montreal Protocol successfully mitigated global warming by banning CFCs in 1987. The treaty has led to a reduction of up to 3°C-4°C of avoided warming in the Arctic, and 1.5°C-2°C in regions like North America, Africa, and Eurasia.
A new 3D printing technique harnesses the power of visible light to create 'living' 4D materials with controlled polymerisation, enabling objects to transform their shape in response to conditions. The technology has numerous potential applications, including recycling and biomedical uses.
Researchers have discovered that liquid metals, such as gallium, indium, bismuth, and tin, can be used to create catalysts for the conversion of CO2 into useful byproducts. By heating an alloy of these metals, they can melt at a lower temperature than individual metals, producing eutectic alloys with unique properties. These alloys can...
A new study using FAD tracking data, ocean models and simulation methods reveals the trajectories and potential impact of FADs on fisheries and island nations. The research found that over 2000 FADs wash up on beaches and coral reefs every year, with significant impacts on bycatch species and reef damage.
Researchers found exceptionally preserved microbial structures in Western Australia's Dresser Formation, proving biogenic origin and providing new insights into early life investigations. The discovery is a major advance, shedding light on the search for life on Mars and humanity's ancestry.