A world-first study published in The Lancet Psychiatry suggests that basic mental health training for managers can significantly improve workers' mental wellbeing. The study found a 18% decrease in work-related sickness absence amongst those whose manager received the training, with a return on investment of $9.98 for each dollar spent.
A review of geological evidence in the Mediterranean Sea suggests that up to 90% of tsunami events may have been misinterpreted as storm activity. The study, published in Science Advances, reevaluates 135 past events and finds that most dates for tsunamis peaked every 1500 years, coinciding with severe storms.
A University of New South Wales researcher has uncovered documents that suggest Teddy Evans, Scott's second-in-command, may have been responsible for his leader's death and that of four others. Evans' actions, including stealing rations and failing to pass on orders, are believed to have contributed to the tragedy.
A landmark study found that regular exercise can prevent future depression and that even small amounts of physical activity can deliver significant protection. The research involved 33,908 Norwegian adults and showed that 12% of cases of depression could have been prevented with just one hour of physical activity per week.
Research by University of New South Wales scientists finds that even a 1.5°C temperature increase will lead to longer and more frequent heatwaves globally. Tropical regions are expected to experience almost constant heatwaves with just a 2°C rise, while others may become unliveable if temperatures increase by 5°C.
Researchers at the University of New South Wales have successfully detected polarised light from a rapidly spinning star for the first time. Using a highly sensitive piece of equipment, they measured Regulus' spin rate of 96.5% of its break-up velocity, equivalent to 320 km/s.
Researchers found that microbes associated with native species provide resistance to invasion, while those with invaders break down this resistance and may poison native plants. The study suggests a new way to restore the balance of microbial communities in sediments to reduce the risk of invasive marine species.
Researchers discovered a new mechanism that may explain how temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere spiked several degrees centigrade during the last global ice age. The study suggests Antarctica plays a role too, and linked melting ice there to rapid atmospheric warming in the North Atlantic.
Researchers identified tau, a brain protein, as a potential target for stroke therapies. Mice deficient in tau showed significant protection from excitotoxic brain damage after experimental stroke, offering new avenues for treatment development.
Engineers at University of New South Wales invent radical new architecture for quantum computing based on novel 'flip-flop qubits'. The design allows for silicon quantum processor that can be scaled up without precise placement of atoms, enabling easier fabrication and placement of thousands or millions of qubits.
The discovery of Plimpton 322 reveals the ancient Babylonians' use of a novel kind of trigonometry based on ratios, not angles and circles, to calculate shapes of right-angle triangles. The tablet predates Hipparchus' trigonometric table by over 1000 years, offering new possibilities for modern mathematics research and education.
Researchers found plasmids, small DNA molecules that replicate independently, in Antarctic haloarchaea microbes. These plasmids can masquerade as viruses and infect other cells, potentially evolving into protective coats for successful virus invasion.
A global analysis of rainfall and rivers reveals more intense flooding in cities and smaller catchments, coupled with a drier countryside. This is attributed to rising local temperatures causing more evaporation from moist soils, leading to reduced water flows in rural areas.
A study of over 300 galaxies found that heavier galaxies spin more slowly due to their mass, contradicting earlier theories. The research used the Sydney-AAO Multi-object Integral field spectrograph to measure galaxy rotation rates.
Greater intraindividual reaction time variability was found to predict shorter survival times in older adults, independent of cognitive decline. The study used computerized reaction time tests to measure participants' responses and found that increased variability was associated with a higher risk of mortality.
A systematic review of ketamine treatment for depression found few studies reporting on the safety of repeated doses or sustained use. The review highlights the need for more research into the long-term effects of ketamine treatment to ensure its safe adoption as a clinical treatment.
Researchers have conducted the world's first randomised control trial assessing ketamine's effectiveness as an antidepressant in elderly patients. The trial found that repeated intravenous doses of ketamine resulted in a 68.8% response and remission rate among patients, with no severe side effects reported.
A major stormfront study reveals shifting storms bring unprecedented danger from climate change, damaging waterfront areas once thought safe. The study found 11.5 million cubic metres of sand eroded in just three days, equivalent to filling the Melbourne Cricket Ground seven times.
Researchers have made key discoveries to improve the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a blood disorder that can transform into acute leukemia. The study found that certain molecular mechanisms underlying resistance to treatment can be identified, allowing for early intervention and potentially more effective therapies.
Research reveals that strengthening winds in East Antarctica generate Kelvin waves that lead to increased melting along the West Antarctic Peninsula. This warming can drive up to 1°C of water temperature, contributing to significant ice shelf melt and potential sea-level rise.
A record-breaking marine heatwave, lasting 251 days and seven times larger than Tasmania, was driven by a surge of warm water in the East Australian Current. Climate change made this event several times more likely, with temperatures 2.9°C above normal.
Researchers have developed a gene-editing technique using CRISPR that can introduce beneficial mutations into blood cells, potentially treating sickle cell anaemia and other blood disorders. The British-198 mutation already exists in nature and has been shown to boost foetal haemoglobin production.
Professor Matthew England has been awarded the Tinker-Muse Prize for Science and Policy in Antarctica for his outstanding research on the influence of the Southern Ocean on global climate. He is recognized for his leadership roles in international programs and commitment to translating global issues to local impacts.
Researchers expose burrowing bettongs to feral cats, observing improved evasion behaviors and increased vigilance. The study suggests this technique could aid the reintroduction of threatened Australian mammals onto the mainland.
The journal has achieved a high impact factor of 9.111, demonstrating its influence on the scientific community. UNSW is proud to be a leader in the global sharing of knowledge in this rapidly evolving field.
A 30-year study of Murray-Darling Basin wetlands reveals a 72% decline in waterbird numbers due to dam construction and water diversion. Reduced water flow has significant implications for river management worldwide.
A new, cheap catalyst has been invented to split water into oxygen and hydrogen using electricity. The catalyst, made of abundant non-precious metals like nickel and copper, is highly conductive and efficient, making it a promising solution for reducing the cost of producing clean hydrogen fuel.
Research suggests that a 1.5C temperature increase will lead to twice as many extreme ocean heat events like the 2016 Great Barrier Reef damage, while a 2C rise triples the odds of mass bleaching. The study models thousands of years under different scenarios and finds keeping temperatures below 1.5C reduces extreme events and costs.
Scientists discovered fossil evidence of early life in ancient hot spring deposits in Western Australia, pushing back the earliest known existence of inhabited terrestrial hot springs by 3 billion years. The discovery has implications for the origin of life and its potential preservation on Mars.
A positive phase of the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation could accelerate global warming, potentially pushing temperatures above 1.5°C as early as 2026. According to new research, this natural climate driver would likely produce a sharp acceleration in global warming over the next decade.
A wild-born dingo named Sandy Maliki won the World's Most Interesting Genome competition with 41% of international votes. The UNSW-led project aims to sequence Sandy's genome and uncover genes related to temperament and behavior, shedding light on the transition from wild animals to domestic pets.
Researchers have identified a key step in the molecular process of DNA repair and found a treatment to reverse aging, improve DNA repair, and potentially mitigate effects of cosmic radiation. Human trials are set to begin within six months.
Researchers found that probiotics had little impact on microbial diversity and even impaired recognition memory in rats on a balanced diet. However, for rats fed a junk diet, probiotics positively changed the bacterial make-up in their digestive tract and benefitted brain function, preventing spatial memory loss.
Researchers discovered termites can detect predatory ants through subtle substrate vibrations, allowing them to evade danger. This unique ability could lead to advances in technologies based on acoustic signatures and potentially revolutionize pest control methods.
New research predicts a 11.3-30% intensification of rainfall from extreme precipitation events in Australia with a 2°C rise in global temperatures. This will occur despite some areas becoming increasingly drought-prone, highlighting the need for infrastructure adaptation to extreme rainfall events.
Researchers identify three critical areas for climate research to tackle new frontiers of climate study. They include understanding the fate of carbon in the atmosphere and accurately modeling regional climate changes. These efforts require international collaboration and significant computational resources.
UNSW biomedical engineers create 'smart' fabric that mimics periosteum's complex properties, with potential applications in protective suits, compression bandages, and steel-belt radial tyres. The technique involves scaling up nature's architectural patterns to produce multidimensional fabrics.
Researchers found that Antarctic ocean temperatures became more layered, leading to coastal melting of ice sheets. This stratification is now happening again due to global warming, potentially triggering a three-meter rise in global sea levels.
Researchers identify molecule that inhibits protein responsible for converting touch to pain receptors in skin, paving way for new drug development to treat diabetic neuropathy and other nerve damage-related pain. The study shows promising results with minimal impact on non-pain related touch sensitivity.
A new study reveals that dingoes help reduce the spread of woody shrubs in Australian deserts by controlling small mammal populations. The research found that areas with fewer dingoes had higher rates of shrub cover and lower rates of seed removal, leading to a cascade effect where shrubs can thrive without top predators.
Researchers at the University of New South Wales achieved a 12.1% efficiency rating for a 16 cm2 perovskite solar cell, making it the largest single certified with the highest energy conversion efficiency. The team has also demonstrated an 18% efficiency rating on smaller cells and plans to extend durability.
Researchers have created a polymer patch that improves conduction of electrical impulses in damaged heart tissue, showing long-lasting stability and minimal invasiveness. The suture-less patch uses green laser technology to adhere to the heart tissue and has been shown to work in animal models.
Researchers identified a protein called kinase p38γ that assists protective phosphorylation of tau and interferes with amyloid-beta toxicity. Introducing the protein into mice brains prevented memory deficits associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Research reveals that warming ocean temperatures and increased fish populations are destroying kelp forests off the NSW north coast. The study found that over-grazing by fish can lead to kelp deforestation and barren reefs, posing a significant threat to marine ecosystems in Australia and globally.
A recent study found that shallow coral reefs in Singapore can recover rapidly from bleaching events, despite high levels of sedimentation. The team's research suggests that diverse shallow coral communities can persist in adverse conditions, highlighting the resilience of corals to environmental stresses.
A record hot year globally in 2015 could soon become an average year by 2025 if carbon emissions continue to rise, according to new research. The 'new normal' for global average temperatures is expected to be locked in by 2040, but immediate action on carbon emissions can prevent extreme seasons from becoming the norm at regional levels.
Australian engineers have created a new quantum bit called the 'dressed qubit' which retains quantum information for much longer than previously achieved, opening up new avenues to build and operate powerful quantum computers. The result is a 10-fold improvement in the time span during which quantum superposition can be preserved.
A landmark twin study has identified moderate to strong genetic contributions to the volume of cortical and subcortical brain structures in people over 65. The research found that specific brain regions, such as the hippocampus, have high genetic influences, while others show unique genetic determinants.
Tiny immune receptors on T-cells recognize antigens more effectively when clustered together, leading to improved immune response. This discovery could lead to new strategies to reprogram inactive T-cells and improve treatment for cancer and deadly infections.
Australian and Belgian medical scientists have discovered a way to improve fertility treatment without the need for hormone drugs, enhancing IVM to increase embryo yield by 50% while reducing discomfort and cost. The new technique aims to restore natural egg maturation processes using potent growth factors.