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University of Sydney


Caution required when heading soccer balls

A new study from the University of Sydney found that non-concussive heading of a soccer ball alters the brain, causing subtle changes in brain structure and function. The researchers identified altered chemistry in a region involved in motor control and decreased electrical conductivity across several areas.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalSports Medicine - Open·DateJun 18, 2025

Quantum simulation of chemical dynamics achieved for the first time using Sydney quantum computer

Scientists successfully simulated real chemical interactions with light, marking a major breakthrough in applying quantum computing to chemistry and medicine. This achievement holds promise for understanding complex light-driven phenomena, such as photosynthesis and cancer research.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 14, 2025

Harnessing protein power to deliver medicine

Researchers at the University of Sydney have developed protein cages that can package and deliver chemotherapy drugs with greater precision. The technology has the potential to reduce side effects associated with current treatment methods.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 7, 2025

Obesity a leading cause of knee osteoarthritis

A recent study published in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage reveals that obesity is a leading cause of knee osteoarthritis. The research also found that certain lifestyle changes, such as following a Mediterranean diet and engaging in regular physical activity, can significantly reduce the risk of developing the condition.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalOsteoarthritis and Cartilage·TypeSystematic review·DateMay 7, 2025

High-fat, high-sugar diets impact cognitive function

Research from the University of Sydney finds that high-fat, high-sugar diets can impair brain function, specifically location memory and spatial navigation. Participants who consumed fewer fatty and sugary foods were better able to navigate virtual reality mazes and recall locations.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalInternational Journal of Obesity·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 20, 2025

Sydney koalas’ Catch-22

A recent study highlights the unique challenges facing Sydney's koala population, which is one of the last strongholds for New South Wales' koalas in NSW. The populations have low genetic diversity, making them highly susceptible to environmental threats and disease outbreaks.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalConservation Genetics·TypeCase study·DateFeb 27, 2025

Influencers promoting ‘overwhelmingly’ misleading information about medical tests on social media

A global study found that social media influencers promote controversial medical tests with limited scientific evidence, often without mentioning potential harms. The tests include full-body MRI scans, genetic testing, blood tests, and gut microbiome tests. Experts warn that these tests can lead to overdiagnosis and overuse.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateFeb 26, 2025

Is this the new 5:2 diet?

Researchers at the University of Sydney recommend adopting a primarily plant-centric fibre-rich diet to enhance overall health and longevity. The plan involves incorporating more plant-based meals into one's diet, starting with two days a week and increasing to five days as recommended by Professor Luigi Fontana.

Discrimination can arise from individual, random difference, study finds

A study led by Dr Eliane Deschrijver found people tend to discriminate in favour of individuals who show a similarity to them, regardless of group affiliation. The research used a simple coin toss as a trigger for discriminatory tendencies, suggesting individual processes may play a role in discrimination.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 12, 2025

Discrimination can arise from individual, random difference, study finds

A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that people tend to discriminate in favor of individuals who show a similarity to them, even when the similarity arises from a random event. The research suggests that individual differences are enough to trigger discrimination, contradicting traditional theories.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 12, 2025

Trump clusters: How an English lit graduate used AI to make sense of Twitter bios

An English literature graduate has developed a new method for large language models to understand and analyze short text chunks, such as those on social media profiles. The method successfully grouped nearly 40,000 Twitter user biographies from accounts tweeting about US President Donald Trump into 10 categories.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 21, 2025

Cycle of coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef now at ‘catastrophic’ levels

A recent study revealed that 66% of coral colonies on the southern Great Barrier Reef were bleached by February 2024, with 80% by April. The research team tracked the health of 462 coral colonies over 161 days and found that 44% of the bleached colonies had died, including a staggering 95% mortality rate for some species.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalLimnology and Oceanography Letters·TypeObservational study·DateJan 20, 2025

Antibiotic treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis found to be safe and effective in clinical trial

A clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that levofloxacin substantially reduced the risk of developing drug-resistant tuberculosis. The study found that levofloxacin reduced the risk of multidrug-resistant TB in adults and adolescents by 45 percent, and also significantly reduced the risk among family m...

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 14, 2025

Healthy lifestyle changes shown to help low back pain

Researchers found integrating lifestyle support into back pain care reduced disability by an average of 1.3 points on the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire, while participants in a 'Healthy Lifestyle Program' also lost an average of 1.6kg more than the control group.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 14, 2025

New clinical pathway supports cancer recurrence anxiety

A new clinical pathway aims to address the intense fear of cancer returning, empowering patients to regain confidence. The three-step plan involves assessment, diagnosis, and stepped-care support to tackle moderate to severe anxiety, which affects 60% of people living with or beyond cancer.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalJournal of Cancer Survivorship·TypeSurvey·DateDec 4, 2024

Tiny, daily bursts of vigorous incidental physical activity could almost halve cardiovascular risk in middle-aged women

A study found that middle-aged women who engaged in short bursts of vigorous physical activity, such as carrying shopping or power walking, had a significantly lower risk of heart attacks and heart failure. Women who averaged 3.4 minutes of daily activity were 45% less likely to experience a major cardiovascular event.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateDec 3, 2024

Velcro DNA helps build nanorobotic Meccano

Scientists at the University of Sydney create programmable nanostructures using DNA origami, enabling rapid prototyping of diverse configurations. These custom-designed nanostructures have potential applications in targeted drug delivery, responsive materials, and energy-efficient optical signal processing.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalScience Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 27, 2024

Five minutes of exercise a day could lower blood pressure

A new study suggests that adding physical activity into daily life can help lower blood pressure. Replacing sedentary behaviors with 20-27 minutes of exercise per day was estimated to lead to a clinically meaningful reduction in blood pressure, while just five minutes of activity a day was also associated with reduced levels.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalCirculation·TypeObservational study·DateNov 6, 2024

Earthquake on a chip: Scientists harness sound waves on the surface of a microchip

Researchers successfully generate guided sound waves on a microchip using lasers, enabling interactions with the environment and paving the way for new sensing technologies. The innovative approach uses special glass to contain sound waves, making it ideal for applications in signal processing and communication technologies.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalAPL Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 22, 2024

Over 160,000 new virus species discovered by AI

A recent study using AI has discovered over 160,000 new RNA virus species, shedding light on the diversity of life on Earth. The machine learning tool, LucaProt, was able to organize and categorize genetic sequence data, revealing a previously unknown branch of life.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalCell·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 9, 2024

Plenty more fish in the sea? Environmental protections account for around 10 percent of fish stocks on coral reefs

A recent study from the University of Sydney found that international conservation efforts account for approximately 10 percent of fish biomass on coral reefs. Increasing Marine Protected Areas and implementing fisheries restrictions are key to sustaining fish populations, but more work is needed to meet the 30x30 initiative.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 7, 2024

Antidepressants prescribed for pain in older adults despite weak evidence of effectiveness

Researchers found limited evidence to support antidepressant use in older adults for most pain conditions, highlighting the need for a multidimensional approach and non-pharmacological strategies. Antidepressants were associated with increased negative effects, such as falling and injury, compared to placebo groups.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 15, 2024

Crown-of-thorns starfish thrive in degraded coral habitats

Research reveals that crown-of-thorns starfish thrive in degraded coral habitats, benefiting from the loss of live coral. This 'degraded reef hypothesis' explains how juvenile COTS accumulate in rubble habitats, promoting a pulsed emergence as adults and exacerbating the cycle of coral loss.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalMarine Environmental Research·TypeObservational study·DateSep 9, 2024

Depressed adolescents twice as likely to vape

A study of over 5,000 Australian high school students found that those with severe depressive symptoms were more than twice as likely to have tried e-cigarettes. The research highlights the urgent need for effective mental health support to prevent vaping onset during early adolescence.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalAustralian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry·DateSep 2, 2024

New antidote for cobra bites discovered

A team of scientists at the University of Sydney has repurposed a commonly used blood thinner, heparin, as an inexpensive antidote for cobra venom. The discovery could drastically reduce the impact of snakebites worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where cobra species account for most snakebite incidents.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 17, 2024