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University of Sydney


Beauty in the biased eye of the beholder

A study published in Journal of Vision found that our aesthetic assessment is biased by the artwork seen previously. Observers rated paintings higher following an attractive painting and lower after an unattractive one, revealing a positive serial dependence effect.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalJournal of Vision·DateNov 19, 2019

World scientists declare climate emergency

A global team of scientists declares a climate emergency, warning of 'untold human suffering' without drastic shifts in human activities contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. The declaration outlines six areas of action, including energy conservation, reducing short-lived pollutants, and stabilizing the global population.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalBioScience·DateNov 5, 2019

Estuarine waters hold promise in global pain-relief hunt

A team of researchers from the University of Sydney has made a breakthrough in the search for an opioid alternative, discovering a fungus that produces tetrapeptides mimicking endomophins. The findings, published in PNAS, suggest a new drug could be developed with fewer side-effects and effective pain relief.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 14, 2019

Wired for sound: A third wave emerges in integrated circuits

Researchers have developed a new generation of integrated circuits that utilize the interaction between light and sound to revolutionize 5G networks, sensor systems, satellite communication, radar systems, and radio astronomy. This third-wave technology offers immense technological applications and opportunities for pure scientific inv...

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature Photonics·DateAug 19, 2019

Is it safe to use an electric fan for cooling?

New research from the University of Sydney suggests that electric fans can be beneficial in hot, humid conditions but detrimental in dry conditions. The study calls into question current guidelines recommending fan use only when temperature rises above 35 degrees Celsius.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateAug 5, 2019

Thwack! Insects feel chronic pain after injury

Researchers have discovered genetic evidence of chronic pain in Drosophila fruit flies, which may lead to new treatments targeting the underlying cause. The study found that an injury can lead to long-lasting hypersensitivity to normally non-painful stimuli, similar to human patients' experiences with neuropathic pain.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 12, 2019

Common food additive found to affect gut microbiota

A new study found that titanium dioxide nanoparticles, used in over 900 food products, can affect the gut microbiota and potentially trigger diseases like inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer. The research suggests that better regulation of E171 consumption is needed to ensure safe use.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·DateMay 13, 2019

For giant pandas, bamboo is vegetarian 'meat'

Researchers used nutritional geometry to assess giant pandas' macronutrient mix, revealing a high protein content similar to hypercarnivores. Despite their plant-based diet, pandas' energy intake comes from protein-rich bamboo, blurring the line between herbivore and carnivore.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 2, 2019

Which came first, the lizard or the egg?

In a groundbreaking study, scientists at the University of Sydney observed a normally live-bearing Australian lizard lay eggs and then weeks later, give birth to a live baby from the same pregnancy. This unusual reproductive trait is known as bimodality, where some individuals lay eggs while others give birth to live young.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalBiology Letters·DateApr 2, 2019

Australian study links breastfeeding with lower risk of heart disease

A new Australian study found that mothers who breastfeed are 34 percent less likely to die of heart disease than those who don't. Women who breastfed for up to 12 months had a lower risk of developing and dying from cardiovascular disease, with significant findings independent of socio-economic status and overall health-related lifestyle.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateMar 18, 2019

How marine snow cools the planet

Scientists at the University of Sydney have modelled how marine snow absorbs carbon dioxide over millennia, keeping the planet cool. The study found that carbonate accumulation in deep-sea sediments has increased significantly over time, with a net increase in total volume of carbonate sediments in the oceans.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalGeology·DateMar 13, 2019

New research casts doubt on cause of Angkor's collapse

Researchers have long debated the causes of Angkor's demise, but new evidence suggests that land use declined gradually over 100 years before the supposed collapse. The study shows that forest disturbance and soil erosion decreased, and the moat was eventually covered in floating vegetation, indicating a lack of maintenance.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 25, 2019

Study links diabetes and back pain

Research by University of Sydney researchers reveals a significant association between diabetes and low back pain and neck pain. The study found people with diabetes have a higher risk of experiencing these conditions, warranting further investigation into the link.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 21, 2019

World's biggest bee found

A team of international scientists and conservationists has successfully rediscovered the world's largest bee, Wallace's giant bee. The species was lost to science since 1981 but has been found in Indonesia, where it is threatened by forest destruction.

The new exercise trend that's made for everyone

Researchers propose incorporating short high-intensity incidental physical activity (HIIPA) into daily routines to improve health. HIIPA involves brief bursts of high-intensity exercise, such as walking uphill or carrying groceries, which can be done in just a few minutes a day and offer significant health benefits.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·DateFeb 20, 2019

Stem cell growth accelerated by tropoelastin protein

A new method of growing stem cells has been discovered using the tropoelastin protein, which could lead to significant cost savings in treatment options. This breakthrough discovery, published in PNAS, uses a cost-effective approach to encourage the growth and recruitment of mesenchymal stem cells.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 31, 2019