A gene, Lr67, has been identified to prevent important wheat diseases such as rust and powdery mildew. The discovery holds potential to save over $1.5 billion annually in Australian wheat production.
A team of scientists has discovered the first oceanic microplate in the Indian Ocean, helping identify when the initial collision between India and Eurasia occurred. The collision is believed to have led to the formation of the Himalayan Mountain Range at a precise age of 47 million years ago.
Researchers found that asymptomatic AF doubles the risk of stroke and premature death compared to age and gender matched people without AF. Treating asymptomatic AF with anticoagulants can nearly completely reverse the increased risk of stroke.
A five-week oxytocin treatment improved social, emotional and behavioral issues in young children with autism. The study found significant improvements in social responsiveness at home and in therapy settings.
A new study reveals that horses with race-winning parents are more likely to have a champion career, including factors like career length and disease susceptibility. The research, led by Dr. Natasha Hamilton, sheds light on the genetic influence of durability and health-related traits.
Nicotinamide significantly lowered the risk of common non-melanoma skin cancer in high-risk patients, reducing incidence by 23% compared to placebo controls. The treatment also cut the incidence of pre-cancerous sun spots by around 15%.
Researchers have developed a method to use nanoscale diamonds to identify cancerous tumours before they become life-threatening. The technique involves attaching hyperpolarised diamonds to molecules targeting cancers, allowing for the tracking of these molecules' movement in the body.
A randomized clinical trial published in JAMA found that laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer has not yet been established as a routine procedure. The ALaCaRT trial showed similar success rates and fewer complications compared to open surgery, but with some concerns about margin involvement.
A University of Sydney study found that swapping one hour of sitting with physical activity decreases the chance of an early death by 12 to 14 per cent. Replacing one hour of sitting with standing is linked to a five per cent reduction in risk of premature death.
A multi-agency study found that severe El Niño and La Niña events will cause an increase in storm events leading to extreme coastal flooding and erosion across the Pacific. The research analyzed data from 48 beaches across three continents, suggesting the predicted increase will exacerbate coastal erosion irrespective of sea level rise.
Professor Nick Enfield and his colleagues found evidence of a universal trait in human conversation, with the word 'Huh' appearing in 31 languages. They also discovered that people stop for clarification once every 90 seconds, regardless of language.
Researchers found male seahorses play a crucial role in nourishing and protecting embryos during pregnancy, delivering energy-rich lipids and calcium. Their gene expression during pregnancy was also similar to that of humans, suggesting a common genetic mechanism for managing pregnancy across species.
The University of Sydney has created a digital map of the seafloor's geology, covering 70% of the Earth's surface, after 40 years without update. The map provides key findings on diatom accumulations and their relationship with ocean carbon cycle.
Researchers found that just ten diseases account for around 50% of all published knowledge on diseases at the wildlife-livestock interface. The study emphasizes the need for sustained investments in research to evaluate risks and improve responses to disease epidemics in animals and humans.
Research published in Cell Metabolism reveals that ancestral undernutrition can lead to obesity and metabolic disorders, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes. A study on rats found that descendants of undernourished ancestors were eight times more likely to develop diabetes when switched to a normal diet.
A global study has found that people with recurrent depression have a significantly smaller hippocampus than healthy individuals. The study, involving nearly 9,000 participants, highlights the need for effective treatment at first occurrence, particularly among teenagers and young adults.
A study by the University of Sydney found that an ABC TV program questioning the link between cholesterol and heart disease resulted in 14,000 fewer people taking statins per week. The program's impact was seen in those at high risk of cardiovascular disease, potentially leading to preventable heart attacks and strokes.
A study found that over 90% of educational materials for kidney disease patients have literacy levels above an average patient's grade level, making it hard for them to comprehend. This can lead to poor management and higher mortality rates among those with low health literacy.
Researchers have found a novel way to 'read the Earth's LIPS', revealing a previously missed connection between Large Igneous Provinces and mid-ocean ridges. This discovery changes our understanding of massive volcanism in ocean basins, suggesting that undersea eruptions are less catastrophic than thought.
Researchers from the University of Sydney have found a humane way to kill cane toads by placing them in a refrigerator for a few hours before transferring them to a freezer. This method induces unconsciousness without causing pain, solving a long-standing dilemma for communities affected by the invasive species.
A new study published in The Lancet reveals that ACE inhibitors and angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) are the most effective treatments for preventing end-stage kidney disease in adults with diabetes. These medications, used alone or in combination, have been shown to protect kidney function in the long term.
A national survey found that only one in ten Australians report being told about the risk of overdiagnosis by their doctors, while over 90% believe people should be informed. Overdiagnosis occurs when someone is diagnosed with a disease that will never cause harm due to unnecessary labelling and treatment.
Research links environmental factors to Great Barrier Reef's eight-thousand-year growth slowdown, highlighting the need for conservation efforts in the face of projected port expansions and nutrient runoff. The study suggests a two-thousand-year delay in reef growth following sea level rise and flooding of pre-existing reefs.
Researchers found samples of seamounts that did not erupt from hot spots but formed from cracks in the oceanic crust. This discovery confirms their origins and helps explain the unique bend in the Hawaiian-Emperor chain.
A genetic test has been developed to identify 'killer' bees, allowing for the safe import of Varroa-resistant honeybees from countries where killer bees are present. This technology is crucial for preventing losses in Australia's $4-6 billion crop industry relying on honeybee pollination.
Researchers detected antibodies to dopamine D2 receptor and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor among children experiencing their first episode of psychosis. The finding suggests a distinct subgroup where autoimmunity plays a role in their illness, paving the way for more specific diagnosis and effective interventions.
Paracetamol is ineffective in reducing pain, disability, or improving quality of life for patients with low back pain or osteoarthritis. Its use may also affect the liver, increasing the risk of liver toxicity in patients. The study calls for an urgent review of guidelines that endorse paracetamol for these conditions.
Researchers at the University of Sydney have discovered a key RNA mechanism that helps plants adapt to their environment, which could lead to improved crop yields and gene therapies for diseases like cancer. The findings also suggest similar mechanisms exist in humans, providing new avenues for medical research.
A recent study has identified a group of gene variants that may contribute to sporadic motor neurone disease, a devastating condition affecting thousands of Australians. Researchers sequenced the protein-coding genes of 44 MND-affected individuals and their parents, finding rare genetic changes in two-fifths of cases.
Researchers at the University of Sydney developed a method to selectively enhance or inhibit optical nonlinearities in photonic chips, which can be useful for both hindering and helping signal processing applications. This breakthrough uses a grating structure on chip scale devices to control optical nonlinearity.
Researchers at the University of Sydney and Regensburg found that oxytocin prevents alcohol from accessing specific brain sites causing intoxication effects, leading to improved coordination in rats. Oxytocin may help reduce alcohol's impairing effects on speech and cognition after high consumption levels
A new study found that women who understand the risks of over-detection and over-diagnosis associated with mammography screening are less likely to have a breast screening test. The Lancet study suggests that clear decision support materials can help women make more informed decisions about their screening choices.
The study suggests reintroducing dingoes to Sturt National Park in NSW, Australia, to control invasive predators and native herbivores that degrade rangeland. By monitoring the results, researchers hope to address a national and international issue of significant concern.
An international team of astronomers has discovered a Sun-like star with orbiting Earth-sized planets dating back to the dawn of the Galaxy. The discovery, Kepler-444, hosts five small planets smaller than Mercury and Venus.
A new study reveals that a small variation in sea level can stall coral reef growth and sediment production, contradicting the long-held notion of continuous reef formation. The research found that most lagoon infilling occurred over just four thousand years before being 'turned off' by a relatively small sea level fall.
A landmark study in remote Fitzroy Valley communities in Western Australia found that one in eight children have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, a preventable condition. The research, led by Aboriginal community leaders, provides Australia's first comprehensive data on the prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in remote communities.
A large international study has shown that statin treatment reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease in women, with benefits similar to those seen in men. Statins have been proven to be effective in preventing heart attacks and strokes in both sexes, especially for high-risk individuals.
A recent Science study reveals that crocodilians have a slow rate of mutation, evolving about one-quarter the rate of birds. This discovery sheds light on how these species maintained their genetic diversity and survived for hundreds of millions of years.
A study of bird genomes reveals that birds are less susceptible to viral invasions or purge them more effectively than mammals. The research, published in Science, identified five viral families that have left a footprint in the bird genome during evolution.
A genetic study of 48 bird species reveals most modern birds diversified after dinosaurs became extinct, with some lineages emerging around 100 million years ago and others in a window of less than 10 million years afterwards.
Climate change is expected to surpass ectotherms' capacity for acclimation, leading to catastrophic consequences for biodiversity. The rapid fluctuations in temperature will require animals to function across a broader range of conditions.
A new study reveals that computer-based cognitive training can improve memory, speed, and visuospatial skills in older adults. However, self-directed brain training at home has no therapeutic effect on cognition. Training frequency is also crucial, with one to three sessions per week being most effective.
Researchers have developed an optical oscilloscope with 20 times the resolution of conventional electronics, enabling low-power, high-speed processing on compact chips. The technology is made possible by a collaboration between industry partners Alnair Labs Corporation and Australian academia.
The study reveals that the US and UK have higher internal inequality rates compared to some developing countries. Despite international trade reducing inequality footprints in many developed nations, these two countries remain exceptions.
Astronomers have taken the first time-lapse images of an expanding fireball from a 'nova' star, providing new insights into this rare celestial phenomenon. The data reveal that the fireball expands at a rate faster than previously predicted, engulfing a region comparable to Earth's orbit within a day.
Researchers at the University of Sydney have successfully applied control engineering principles from aerospace to protect fragile quantum systems from environmental noise. This breakthrough enables the development of useful technologies in fields such as computation, communication, and specialized sensors.
A phase 3 trial found that combining dabrafenib with trametinib significantly reduces disease progression and death risk in metastatic melanoma patients. The therapy results in a 67% complete or partial response rate compared to 51% on monotherapy.
Research from the University of Sydney measures positive and negative emotional states in dogs objectively, revealing that while most dogs are optimistic, some display pessimistic tendencies. Pessimistic dogs tend to be more stressed by failures and less willing to take risks.
The Earth's massive tectonic plates are driven by a self-sustaining process that has shaped the modern planet. Early continents triggered plate motion by placing major stress on surrounding plates, forcing them to be pushed under at their edges.
A study from the University of Sydney reveals a 61% decrease in genital wart management among young women since the introduction of the free HPV vaccination program. The vaccine has been effective in reducing genital warts and their treatment costs, with no significant change in other sexually transmitted infections.