Science and research news from Australia. Covers Indigenous language teaching, menopause information, conservation, and open-access agreements.
Researchers are developing innovative solutions to increase crop production under climate change conditions, including improving photosynthesis and making crops more resistant to drought. The goal is to double cereal production by 2050 to ensure global food security.
Art therapy is shown to deliver improvements in mood, outlook, behaviours, confidence, personal relationships, and self-awareness for Australian veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study aims to provide evidence for increased funding for art therapy in Australia.
A study published in the Astrophysical Journal reveals that massive galaxies attain their size by merging with smaller ones. Researchers used a combination of observation and modelling to analyze how gases within galaxies move, finding evidence that many stars have been acquired from outside.
Researchers from CSIRO unveiled a new approach to analyzing the genetic codes of SARS-CoV-2, helping understand how strains evolve and identify new clusters. The findings will aid in tracking the virus's progression and informing vaccine development.
Novotech Research reveals that the top 10 biotech sites in Australia are open for clinical trial activity. The country's favorable environment is supporting clinical research during the global COVID-19 crisis, with many sites modifying their practices to ensure continuity of operations.
A new grant will support a collaboration to investigate the link between arterial, brain, and cognitive integrity in healthy older adults. The researchers aim to show that actively engaging areas of the brain can improve arterial function.
A recent study found that young adults in Australia are leaving it 'too late' to seek help for eating disorders due to various barriers. Concerns about autonomy, fear of being a burden, and perceptions of the illness's severity prevent many from seeking professional advice.
A team of biomedical engineers developed novel fibre-reinforced hydrogel scaffolds with improved stress resistance and water volume similar to real tendons and ligaments. The synthetic scaffolds aim to fast-track tendon and ligament regeneration, reducing implant failure and improving tissue integration.
A study of 166 Australian estuaries found they're warming at twice the rate of oceans and the atmosphere, threatening global aquaculture and wild fisheries worth $152 billion annually. This accelerated impact on estuaries could adversely affect economic activity and ecological biodiversity worldwide.
A study examined fertility preservation among transgender adolescents seeking hormonal intervention for gender identity in Australia. The research found a significant number of adolescents considered preserving their reproductive function during hormone therapy.
Eastern Australian bats harbor diverse KoRV-related viruses, with metagenomic analysis revealing their presence in multiple species. The discovery of a novel retrovirus, Hervey pteropid gammaretrovirus (HPG), suggests that bats can actively reproduce retroviruses.
Researchers from Western Australian Museum and Schmidt Ocean Institute discover a 150-foot siphonophore and up to 30 new species in the abyssal deep sea canyons off Ningaloo. The expedition, led by Dr. Nerida Wilson, used an underwater robot to explore depths of up to 4,500 meters.
Researchers have developed a simple method to detect tiny imperfections in next-generation solar cells, boosting their efficiency. By using a camera to analyze infrared light emitted from the cells, they can identify and adjust manufacturing processes to improve quality control.
Researchers used computer modeling to understand sources and distribution of arsenic-polluted groundwater, pinpointing the source to river muds that fuelled biogeochemical reactions. The model highlighted four key factors influencing arsenic release at surface water/groundwater interfaces.
A fossil trove from Southern Gondwana has shed light on the ecology of ancient Australia and New Zealand, preserving the oldest known animals and plants. The findings include rare 'frozen behaviour' of long-legged flies, oldest known fossil ants, and first Australian fossils of a tiny insect species.
A team of researchers has found that agave-powered bioethanol is superior to corn and sugarcane in terms of water consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and ethanol output. The efficient process could also help produce ethanol for hand sanitizer, addressing the high demand during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Researchers found that allied male bottlenose dolphins synchronize their vocal behavior when cooperating together, promoting cooperative behavior and regulating stress. This behavior helps reduce tension between males in a context that requires them to work together successfully.
Australian scientists have identified a motor protein called CHD4 that helps cells access DNA information when needed. The discovery provides insights into how defects in this process contribute to diseases such as schizophrenia and cancer.
Researchers used eDNA metabarcoding to detect biodiversity in two regions of Western Australia, finding that bulk arthropods and animal droppings detected the most species. The study suggests that eDNA can be a fast and accurate tool for biomonitoring, but careful surveys are needed to avoid contamination from outside organisms.
Fossils of Ikaria wariootia represent one of the oldest examples of bilateral symmetry and anterior-posterior differentiation. The discovery provides a critical link between Ediacaran and Cambrian animals.
The team discovered a tiny, wormlike creature named Ikaria wariootia, the earliest bilaterian ancestor of modern animals, including humans. The creature lived over 555 million years ago and had a distinct head and tail, with rudimentary sensory organs.
Researchers in Australia have developed a new ultrasound biosensor that can be used to track disease states in real-time, using cheap and portable technology. The sensor uses nanoparticles that alter their stiffness in response to pH changes, allowing for accurate monitoring of biomarkers such as tumor shrinkage and organ response.
A new molecular imaging technique, PSMA PET/CT, is more accurate than conventional medical imaging in detecting prostate cancer spread. The approach helps doctors tailor treatments by identifying disease extent at diagnosis.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that opening plastic packaging can generate small amounts of microplastics. The researchers monitored the generation of microplastics during tasks such as tearing open plastic bags and bottles, finding that different shapes and sizes of microplastics were produced.
A long-running ARC-funded project explores the recruitment and impact of Aboriginal men as native mounted police in Queensland, revealing ongoing psychological impacts of historical dispossession and frontier violence. The study argues that inter-generational trauma persists among Indigenous Australians.
The HD-MAP vaccine shows significantly enhanced immune responses compared to standard intramuscular injection, with faster onset kinetics and higher overall immune responses. The patch is stable for up to 12 months at temperatures as high as 40°C, providing potential for easy distribution without refrigeration.
NASA's Terra satellite provided a visible image of Ex-Tropical Cyclone 21S, which is still affecting Western Australia's Pilbara Coast with heavy rainfall and squally winds. The system is expected to bring severe weather events, including damaging wind gusts and flash flooding.
Tropical Storm 21S formed in the Southern Indian Ocean and was tracked by NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite. The storm is expected to make landfall in Western Australia as a tropical storm, with maximum sustained winds near 35 knots (40 mph/65 kph).
Researchers at KU Leuven exposed a security flaw in Intel processors, revealing a vulnerability in SGX enclaves that can be exploited for sensitive information. The 'Load Value Injection' attack allows attackers to inject data into software programs, compromising passwords and other personal data.
Researchers find historically rare events in Indian Ocean have become more frequent and intense, with potential dire impacts on Australia's climate. The study uses coral records to reconstruct variability over the last millennium, providing new insights into how the Indian Ocean interacts with ENSO.
New research reveals a worrying change in Indian Ocean surface temperatures, putting southeast Australia on course for increasingly hot and dry conditions. The study, led by Australian National University, suggests that historically rare events have become more frequent and intense during the 20th Century.
International team parses Pacific Robin populations across South Pacific islands into several distinct species, revealing complex relationships and major conservation implications. The study highlights the importance of understanding biodiversity units for effective conservation, particularly for small, isolated island populations.
Research reveals that animals like goats, termites, and elephants can suppress fires by altering plant consumption and habitat structure. Grazing animals can increase wildfire severity if not managed strategically, while insects stimulate plant defenses against flames.
A study by University of South Australia Adjunct Professor Jan de Jonge found that obsessively passionate runners are more likely to suffer from running-related injuries. In contrast, runners who maintain a harmonious balance between running and other activities report fewer injuries.
Tasmania's ancient King Billy pine trees are at risk due to increasing wildfires and dry conditions. The study found that fire refugia are breaching, making it unlikely for the species to recover.
A new study led by Murdoch Children's Research Institute found that caesarean delivery had a small link to asthma but no association with eczema or lung function. The research suggests parents need not worry about caesarean birth impacting their child's risk of allergies.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther has turned back into Western Australia, bringing heavy rainfall and flood warnings to the region. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Flood Watch for several areas, with widespread daily totals of 50-80 mm expected, and isolated falls of up to 150 mm possible.
Researchers found that swamp wallabies ovulate and mate while still pregnant, suggesting continuous pregnancy throughout their lives. This unique reproductive strategy challenges the traditional view of marsupial reproduction and may have implications for our understanding of female fertility.
Geologists have determined that the early Earth was a 'water world' with submerged continents based on oxygen isotope data from ancient ocean crust in Australia. This finding has significant implications for the origin of life on Earth and its possible existence elsewhere.
A team of researchers has shown that fish school by copying each other and changing directions randomly, rather than calculating and adapting to an average direction of the group. This new model proposes that noise-induced ordering is responsible for schooling behavior, contradicting previous theories.
A new study from the University of South Australia shows that the Adelaide Fringe festival plays a crucial role in building the state's social capital, helping to combat 'brain drain'. The festival achieves this through placemaking, regeneration of urban spaces, and creating vibrant experiences for residents and visitors.
Chronic job insecurity has been shown to alter a person's personality over time, particularly in regards to emotional stability and agreeableness. Researchers found that those exposed to job insecurity for over four years became less conscientious as well.
The journal special issue examines how contemporary trends in immigration affect aging populations, with a focus on social ties, filial obligation, and culturally accessible services. Strongest common themes include the importance of social connections for promoting health and well-being.
A new study finds that socioeconomic status has the strongest impact on STEM science enrollment in Australian secondary schools. Lower SES schools lack resources and diversity in syllabi, making it difficult for underrepresented students to engage with science. Initiatives promoting inclusivity and cultural capital can help increase pa...
A new study from University of South Australia found that social media literacy can help individuals change their perceptions of the 'tanned ideal' and reduce their risk of skin cancer. The research tested 151 young Australian adults and found that those with higher media literacy skills were less likely to idealize a golden tan.
A new study reveals half of young Australian women experience sexually-related personal distress, with 20.6% experiencing at least one female sexual dysfunction. Low self-image and psychotropic medication are major contributors to these issues.
Professor Mary-Anne Williams from the University of Technology Sydney wins a Google TensorFlow Faculty Award to develop educational content with TensorFlow 2.0 and design machine learning experiences. The award aims to support responsible AI technologies that people can understand and trust.
Researchers developed a novel receiver scheme for detecting complex-valued double sideband signals with field recovery, called carrier-assisted differential detection (CADD). CADD doubles the electrical spectral efficiency compared to conventional carrier-less differential detection, and is insensitive to chromatic dispersion.
A recent study has charted a rising trend of image-based sexual abuse in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. The survey of 2000 Australians found 1 in 3 had been victimized, with men more likely to be perpetrators than women.
Young Indigenous people are being discouraged from getting routine STI screenings due to incorrect assumptions. This stigma can lead to poorer health outcomes, as it discourages them from reporting underlying infections. The median age for first-time sex is around 16 years old in both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
A team of archaeologists and Traditional Owners identified 10 plant foods, including fruits, nuts, roots, and palm stem, preserved as charcoal at the Madjedbebe archaeological site. The discovery provides insights into the complex lifestyle of the earliest Australian Aboriginal people.
A team of archaeologists has discovered the oldest known Australian example of a communal type of Irish settlement, uncovering a large and vibrant clachan settlement hidden beneath an empty farm paddock. The discovery highlights the sustainable way of life maintained by over 500 Irish migrants who created a community in marginal land.
Research reveals that seagrass species have evolved a winged seed trait that harnesses underwater currents to hold it on the seafloor for rooting. This adaptation allows seeds to maintain their position until they can grow anchoring roots, providing valuable insights for seagrass restoration efforts.
A new study investigates predictors of child maltreatment and factors contributing to better or worse outcomes for victims and their children. The research explores connections between mothers who have experienced child protective services and early-life health and social outcomes of their children.
Researchers at UTS have developed a method to protect pipelines using polymer blocks, improving safety and reliability in Australia's pipeline network. The proposed solution can save lives and reduce environmental disasters due to content leakage.
A study found that yellow-footed antechinus, a shrew-like marsupial species, are less able to respond effectively to prolonged heat waves due to their limited physiological flexibility. This has significant implications for their ability to adapt to climate change in Australia.
Researchers conducted a large trial of MRSA blood infections and found that combining two antibiotics was not more effective than using one alone, but led to more kidney injuries. The study's findings aim to guide best management for patients worldwide.
Researchers applied the 40Ar/39Ar dating technique to young volcanoes in southeastern Australia, providing independent age constraints for sites older than 10,000 years. The study reveals that oral traditions surrounding volcanic activity may be among the longest-lived in the world.
A new study shows that female dolphins in southern Australia form social clusters with mothers' groups, while maintaining loose bonds with same-sex individuals. The research highlights the importance of conservation efforts to protect marine sanctuaries and regulate aquaculture and fishing practices.
Research found that middle-aged and young-old women tend to consume alcohol at levels exceeding low-risk guidelines. They prioritize appearing respectable and in control over the quantity of alcohol consumed. Health advice needs to acknowledge that women may socially construct their drinking practices to focus on non-biomedical impacts.