Researchers develop biodegradable nanobone material that activates body's own healing properties to regrow bone, reducing need for invasive procedures. The material generates 80% more new bone than a material control and activates a key bone-repair growth factor with 10 times the level achieved using conventional methods.
A study found that the FKBP5 gene, regulating stress hormones, is 'stuck on' in schizophrenia brains, leading to increased stress response and vulnerability to psychiatric conditions. The research suggests new treatment targets, targeting the gene, may develop to address this altered stress response.
A four-million-year study modelled the glucose needs of humans and their ancestors, finding natural sugars supplied energy for growing brains before cooking made starch-rich foods easier to digest. The research suggests earliest hominins were highly reliant on carbohydrate-rich foods, particularly fruit.
A recent study published by the University of Sydney found that dexamphetamine and methylphenidate are equally effective in treating ADHD in children, with no significant differences in symptom improvement. However, children taking dexamphetamine experienced greater weight loss compared to those taking methylphenidate.
A review paper synthesizes nearly 20 years of research on the Great Barrier Reef's responses to sea-level shifts, finding five distinct reef phases that formed, drowned, and reformed over 30,000 years. The study highlights the reefs' dynamic nature and reveals they were shaped by multiple environmental pressures.
The Sports Heat Tool, developed at the University of Sydney, provides personalized heat risk assessments for various sports. Users can input their location and chosen sport to receive a heat-risk score and practical steps to mitigate risks, taking into account factors such as temperature, humidity, and exertion.
A study by geoscientists at the University of Sydney reveals why some ancient continental edges became fertile sites for major mineral deposits, while others did not. The research developed a dynamic model of the Earth going back 1.8 billion years to identify how mineralised ores formed in specific places.
The study found that during surprising events, the brain allocates more energy to sensory information, leading to better memory recall. In contrast, predictable situations stimulate faster responses but less detailed encoding.
A genomic study reveals koalas experienced a severe population decline around 100,000 years ago due to climate change and habitat loss. This finding overturns earlier studies that suggest human arrival led to the decline.
New research from the University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre found that alcohol can trigger biological pathways that increase levels of the hormone FGF21, which is linked to protein appetite. This can lead people to overconsume savoury ultra-processed foods, contributing to excess energy intake and weight gain.
A team of astronomers has identified a rare stellar system that provides a unique natural laboratory to study extreme physics. The system, called ASKAP J1745−5051, consists of a white dwarf and a red dwarf star, producing powerful bursts of radio waves and X-rays.
A new study found limited evidence that front-of-pack food labels help lower sugar intake among disadvantaged groups. Simplified nutrition labels can influence consumer behavior overall, but their effectiveness for lower-income or disadvantaged populations is unclear.
New research from the University of Sydney reveals that moderate temperature rises increase koala hospital admission and mortality risk. Koalas in inland north-west NSW are particularly vulnerable to heat stress, with populations on the brink of extinction.
A study found that scuba diving tourism causes frequent and often hidden damage to coral reefs, with most damage being unintentional or unnoticed. The research identifies factors such as underwater camera use, gloves, and peer behavior that contribute to reef damage.
Researchers found significant increases in invertebrate abundance following rodent eradication, particularly among larger-bodied species vulnerable to predation. The study highlights the crucial role of invertebrates in ecosystem function and recovery.
A new study analyzing ancient DNA alongside archaeological data suggests that population movement along Peru's Pacific coast began at least 800 years ago, centuries before the rise of the Inca Empire. Genetic evidence reveals mixed ancestry between people from different coastal regions over subsequent generations.
New AI tools can accelerate soil science by speeding up early-stage work, improving predictions to support decisions on land-use, carbon, and climate adaptation. The system successfully mimicked key parts of the scientific process, with outputs beyond what's currently being used that strongly align with expert research.
A millennium-old dingo was deliberately buried by Barkindji ancestors with great care, suggesting an ongoing relationship between local people and dingoes. The discovery provides new insights into ancestral dingo burial practices extending beyond southeastern Australia.
The study reveals climate change is a growing social crisis, disrupting connections and community belonging, with impacts felt through heatwaves, air pollution, and economic strain. Vulnerable populations, such as those on low incomes or living with disability, are disproportionately affected by climate-related isolation.
A study published in Aging Cell found that reducing dietary fat or animal-based protein can reduce 'biological age' in older adults. After just four weeks, participants showed significant reductions in biomarker profiles indicative of improved health and aging outcomes.
Researchers found a diverse bacterial ecosystem in seagrass habitats that was disrupted by increased water temperature, leading to reduced seagrass biomass and tolerance to climate change. The study highlights the importance of considering microbial communities in understanding marine plant responses to environmental stress.
A national survey of Australian tunnel construction workers found significant silica dust exposure risks, with many reporting barriers to effective dust control measures. The study calls for stronger regulatory enforcement and oversight to prevent preventable disease in the high-risk industry.
A new study by the University of Sydney found that toddlers' pretend play ability is significantly associated with fewer emotional and behavioral difficulties at primary school. The researchers analyzed data from over 1400 Australian children and found that stronger pretend play ability among two- to three-year-olds was linked to bette...
An international analysis found that intrauterine administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) before embryo transfer does not increase pregnancy or live birth rates. The study urges patients and clinicians to rethink the commonly offered IVF add-on, citing concerns about unreliable trial data.
A University of Sydney physicist has developed a new approach to quantum error correction that could significantly reduce the number of physical qubits required to build large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers. The study introduces gauge theory-inspired design for efficient processing and logical information storage.
A team of archaeologists used uranium–thorium dating to establish precise construction timelines for houses built out of coral in French Polynesia. The findings reveal previously hidden patterns of architectural development and cultural life in Pacific societies, challenging earlier theories about coral reuse.
A new paper by the University of Sydney reveals that corporations manufacturing and marketing health-harming products are primary vectors of non-communicable disease. The authors propose solutions such as policy safeguards, stronger research focus, and prohibition on financial ties between industry and researchers.
A comprehensive review of 54 randomized controlled trials found no evidence that medicinal cannabis is effective in treating anxiety, depression, or PTSD. However, the study suggests that medicinal cannabis may be beneficial for certain conditions, such as reducing seizures associated with epilepsy and managing pain.
Scientists at the University of Sydney have developed an ultra-compact AI chip that harnesses the power of light to perform calculations, potentially lowering energy consumption and increasing speed. The prototype, built in-house, achieved 90-99% classification accuracy in image classification tasks.
A recent study analyzing koala genomes found that populations previously considered most at risk are now showing signs of genetic regeneration. The research, published in Science, challenges long-held assumptions about genetic risk in endangered species.
A University of Sydney-led study found that honey made from mixed floral sources has superior performance against bacteria, with high levels of bioactive compounds. The findings could help develop new treatments for drug-resistant infections while supporting bushfire recovery and sustainable beekeeping practices.
A team of scientists at the University of Sydney has discovered how three naturally occurring antibiotic compounds disrupt the ClpC1–ClpP1P2 complex, a vital protein degradation machine in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This finding uncovers surprising complexity and provides valuable insight into designing more effective anti-TB treatments.
The study found that opioids provide only small, time-limited pain relief for certain pain conditions, such as stomach pain and dental surgery. Regular use of opioids comes with a risk of harm, including dependence and overdose.
Lifespan-extending treatments and dietary restriction have increased variance in age-at-death in vertebrates, failing to 'square the survival curve'. The findings highlight that current interventions do not equally benefit all individuals, leading to a biological lottery.
A new study reveals that seabird guano was a driving force behind the Chincha Kingdom's sociopolitical expansion on Peru's coast. The nutrient-rich bird droppings boosted corn yields and supercharged agriculture, fueling the kingdom's economy, trade, population growth, and regional influence.
Researchers have created a process to produce clean hydrogen from freshwater and seawater using liquid metals powered by sunlight. The method avoids many obstacles in current hydrogen production methods, including the need for purified water and high costs. The team is working to improve efficiency for commercialization.
Researchers have designed antibodies that recognize a unique sugar found on bacterial cells, providing a potential new treatment for multidrug-resistant hospital-acquired infections. The target of the antibody is pseudaminic acid, a sugar molecule produced exclusively by bacteria and used to evade immune responses.
A new study found that social media influencers are promoting unproven claims about low testosterone in young men, framing common experiences as hormonal deficiencies. The content is linked to the manosphere, encouraging hyper-masculine ideals and positioning testosterone as a way for men to reclaim power and status.
A Sydney PhD student has recreated a tiny piece of the Universe inside a bottle in her laboratory, producing cosmic dust from scratch. The results shed new light on how the chemical building blocks of life may have formed long before Earth existed.
Researchers found that termites evolved from cockroach ancestors that became dependent on cooperation and food sharing within colonies. Monogamy and high relatedness were crucial for the evolution of complex social systems in termites, with genes involved in sperm motility being lost due to the absence of sperm competition.
A global DNA study suggests that Australian heartworms may share ancestry with parasites from Asia, potentially linking their origin to dingoes that migrated from the continent thousands of years ago. The research has implications for developing treatments given the rise in drug resistance to heartworm disease.
Researchers have shown that human hearts can regrow muscle cells after a heart attack, paving the way for new treatments to reverse heart failure. The discovery was made possible by pioneering techniques that use living tissue samples taken from patients during bypass surgery.
Researchers aim to understand why some children develop chronic UTIs by exploring immune system evasion or genetic predisposition. The new database may help remove the assumption that UTIs only affect adult women who are sexually active.
A new study warns that AI is racing ahead of safety checks in GP clinics, putting patients at risk. The research found that many GPs use AI tools without thorough evaluation or regulatory oversight, carrying risks like automation bias and loss of important social details.
Researchers discovered glioblastoma cells use PRDM9 to survive chemotherapy and regrow tumors. By blocking PRDM9 or cutting off cholesterol supply, persister cells can be wiped out, improving survival in mice. This breakthrough offers new strategies for treating the deadliest brain cancer.
A recent study found that extreme ocean temperatures triggered a rare coral disease and mass mortality on the Great Barrier Reef. The study discovered that bleaching was followed by an unprecedented outbreak of black band disease, which killed massive Goniopora corals at One Tree Reef.
A new study found that breast density notifications can lead to increased levels of confusion and anxiousness among women, contradicting the intended goal of empowering them. Women with denser breast tissue may require additional screening methods, which can result in higher out-of-pocket costs.
Researchers found that coral reefs governed the pace of climate recovery by tuning the planet's carbon and climate cycles. The study suggests that reefs played a crucial role in stabilizing climate, but modern reef systems are declining due to warming and ocean acidification.
Researchers have successfully grown platinum crystals in liquid metal using a powerful X-ray technique. The study reveals the formation and growth of crystals within liquid metals like Gallium, which could be used to create new materials for hydrogen extraction and quantum computing applications.
Researchers created a miniaturized replica of carotid arteries using 3D printing, mimicking the geometry and fluid dynamics of human blood vessels. The model revealed that platelet movement is crucial in blood clot formation, and high stress on blood vessels triggers significant platelet activity.