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University of Sydney


Parental diet affects offspring immunity: Meta-analysis

A meta-analysis of hundreds of studies found a close relationship between parents' diet and offspring immunity across various animal species. The study suggests that poor nutrition can negatively impact disease resistance and that the effects of a parental diet can be inherited and maintained in offspring even on a normal diet.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalBiological Reviews·DateNov 27, 2017

Storing mine waste -- safety is no accident UN finds

The United Nations report emphasizes the need for mining companies to prioritize safety over economic considerations in managing mine waste. The report's recommendations include improving tailings dam government regulation and exploring alternative solutions to building massive dams that can cause devastating environmental damage.

From quantum physicist to quantum CEO

Q-Ctrl, founded by University of Sydney's Professor Michael Biercuk, aims to provide trusted quantum control solutions for various industries. The company has attracted multimillion-dollar investments and is focused on reducing qubit errors to improve the performance of quantum devices.

Aus gravitational waves world-first finding

A team of Australian researchers has confirmed the detection of radio waves from a gravitational wave event, providing new insights into massive bodies like black holes. The discovery was made using the CSIRO's Australia Telescope Compact Array and marks a significant contribution to the global discovery of gravitational waves.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalScience·DateOct 16, 2017

World first: 'Storing lightning inside thunder'

University of Sydney researchers have achieved a groundbreaking breakthrough in transferring digital information between light waves and sound waves on a microchip. The innovation enables faster processing and reduces energy consumption by slowing down data transfer velocity to five orders of magnitude, making it suitable for use in te...

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 18, 2017

Astronomers spun up by galaxy-shape finding

For the first time, astronomers have measured how a galaxy's spin affects its shape, finding that faster-spinning galaxies are flatter and spiral galaxies with faster spins have more circular disks. The study used a new instrument, SAMI, to analyze data from 845 galaxies.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateSep 11, 2017

Science spin prevalent, researchers warn

A systematic review of 35 academic studies found that over 26% of systematic reviews and meta-analyses contained spin, with up to 84% in non-randomized trials. The most common strategies for spinning results included selective reporting and attributing causality when it was not possible.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalPLOS Biology·DateSep 11, 2017

University of Sydney charges ahead on zinc-air batteries

Researchers at the University of Sydney have made a breakthrough in rechargeable zinc-air batteries by developing a new three-stage method that produces low-cost and high-performance catalysts. The new catalysts can be used to build rechargeable zinc-air batteries, overcoming one of the biggest hurdles preventing their widespread use.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateAug 14, 2017

Sex obsession a killer for male snakes

A study of red-sided garter snakes reveals that males who prioritize mating over self-preservation age faster and die earlier than females. Females, on the other hand, maintain their body condition with age, allowing them to live longer lives and reproduce more effectively.

Don't relax drug approval process, experts warn

Three experts from the University of Sydney argue that deregulating the FDA's regulatory system will subject patients to potentially toxic drugs. They highlight examples of successful drugs that were identified through well-controlled studies, and contrast these with unregulated markets that struggle to sift out ineffective treatments.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature·DateMar 8, 2017

New drug lead identified in fight against TB

Researchers at the University of Sydney have discovered a new compound that could translate into a new drug lead for tuberculosis. The compound, which is derived from soil bacteria compounds, has been shown to be effective against the bacterium causing TB in containment laboratory tests.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 1, 2017

Is back pain killing us?

Research at the University of Sydney found that back pain is linked to a 13% increased risk of death in older Australians. The study controlled for shared genetic factors and suggests that spinal pain may be part of a pattern of poor health, increasing mortality risk.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalEuropean Journal of Pain·DateFeb 23, 2017