Science and research news from Australia. Covers Indigenous language teaching, menopause information, conservation, and open-access agreements.
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.
Tropical Cyclone Damien has formed off the Pilbara coastline of Western Australia, with NASA's Terra satellite providing visible images. The storm is expected to continue intensifying as it tracks west-southwest, with severe impacts forecast for the Pilbara coast on Saturday.
Researchers have dated ancient Aboriginal rock art in the Kimberley region using wasp nests, confirming that Gwion style paintings are around 12,000 years old. The technique used involves analyzing the age of wasp nests under and over the paintings to establish a date range.
The Orroral Valley Fire has burned 62,988 hectares of land in just one week, with the Australian Capital Territory under a State of Emergency. NASA satellites detected the fire and provided critical information to aid in firefighting efforts, saving all structures in the region.
An Australian study found that formal flexible work arrangements alone are not enough to meet the demands of working mothers and fathers. Informal 'catch-up' strategies, such as performing family-related tasks at work or leaving early, were common among parents. The researchers recommend employers provide transparent information about ...
Researchers at Monash University developed a wearable device using continuous wave radar and photoplethysmogram sensors to calculate continuous blood pressure measurements. The device achieved high accuracy rates, with 93% success during sedentary tasks and 83% during exercises.
Researchers create a novel, flame-retardant electrolyte for potassium and potassium-ion batteries, enabling safe operation at reduced concentrations. The new electrolyte allows for stable cycling of batteries with concentrations suitable for large-scale applications.
A Yale-NUS research team discovered a connection between the Great Barrier Reef and the Australian continental landmass via airborne microbes. This finding underscores the interconnectedness of ecosystems, necessitating holistic conservation efforts.
A study at Flinders University in Australia found that a form of cognitive incentive retraining can help regular consumers of energy drinks reduce their consumption. The training aimed to tackle attentional and approach biases towards energy drinks, helping participants moderate their bias towards choosing healthier options.
A new study finds that Australians are increasingly being diagnosed with harmless cancers, exposing them to unnecessary surgeries and chemotherapy. Overdiagnosis rates have increased significantly since 1982, with 24% of prostate cancers, 73% of thyroid cancers, and 58% of melanomas overdiagnosed in men.
Researchers at the Australian Institute of Marine Science found that nearly one-fifth of Ningaloo whale sharks show major scarring or fin amputations. The number of injured animals has increased in recent years, with distinct scar patterns suggesting boat collisions as a primary cause.
A new study by Brown University researchers finds that US political polarization has grown rapidly over the past 40 years, surpassing other developed democracies. The research suggests that factors such as racial division, party sorting, and partisan cable news may be driving this trend.
A new study warns of the platypus's critically high risk of extinction, citing water resource development, land clearing, climate change, and severe drought as major threats. The researchers call for urgent national action to prevent the species from disappearing from Australian waterways.
A new study found 75% of Australian rice-based products contain inorganic arsenic above the European Union guideline, posing a risk to children's health. The research recommends that kids eat rice in moderation and parents avoid serving it at every meal to minimize exposure to arsenic.
A large study of Australian women found that premature menopause increases the risk of developing multiple chronic medical conditions by age 60. Women who experienced premature menopause were twice as likely to develop multimorbidity by 60 and three times as likely after.
A recent global trial has found that high-dose intravenous vitamin C, thiamine, and hydrocortisone therapy does not improve survival rates or treatment outcomes for patients with sepsis. The study refutes previous claims of the effectiveness of this 'Vitamin C cocktail' in treating sepsis.
A study of clinical interviews between psychiatrists and inpatients found that patients with thought disorder can communicate productively with their doctors. Psychiatrists use non-confrontational approaches, open-ended questions, and transactional techniques to build respectful relationships and achieve shared understanding.
Scientists have engineered mosquitoes that can't spread all four types of the dengue virus, a major breakthrough in controlling the disease. This development has the potential to limit human suffering and mortality from dengue, which affects over 390 million people annually.
A new study reveals genetically engineered mosquitoes that are refractory to all four types of dengue virus, providing a promising approach for controlling the spread of this mosquito-borne disease. The mosquitoes express an anti-DENV gene that prevents them from being infected or transmitting the virus.
A new study estimates that daily cannabis users in Australia accounted for over 80% of total cannabis consumption between 2007 and 2016. Prevalence of past cannabis use increased from 8.9% to 10.5% during this period, with 1 in 6 past year users being daily users.
La Trobe University researchers found introducing a minimum unit price of $1.30 per standard drink in Australia could dramatically reduce alcohol consumption. This policy, already proven successful in Canada and Eastern Europe, could see a 10.7% fall in overall consumption and a 14.2% reduction among harmful drinkers.
Tropical Storm Claudia weakened due to wind shear and dry air, with maximum sustained winds dropping to 47 mph. The storm continued to appear elongated from NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite imagery.
Researchers at Flinders University have discovered a surprising anatomical connection between the giant cassowary, its closest relative the emu, and the extinct New Zealand moa and small South American tinamou. The study reveals that the syrinx, hyoid, and larynx structures of these birds are more similar than previously thought, provi...
The remnants of Ex-tropical Cyclone Blake have generated rainfall over desert areas in Western Australia, triggering four area flood warnings. The NASA Aqua satellite captured visible images of the elongated shape of the remnants, which stretched from central to southeastern Western Australia.
The remnants of Tropical Storm Blake are moving southeast through the South Interior area of Western Australia, threatening heavy rainfall and strong winds. Damage from the system is expected due to winds averaging 31-37 mph and potential flooding from daily rainfall totals of 3-6 inches.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that using altruistic terminology may not be effective in targeting non-donors. Instead, focusing on a sense of social obligation could lead to better cut-through rates. The researchers also discovered that blood donors tend to have higher primary prosocial characteristics like altruism and empathy.
Researchers found hydrogen accumulates at microstructures in steels, weakening them and leading to catastrophic failures. The discovery of niobium carbide clusters that trap hydrogen offers a solution to design embrittlement-resistant steel.
Researchers create two-modal fluorogenic probe to monitor protein aggregation, enabling detailed assessment of polarity and unfolded protein load. The NTPAN-MI probe offers a sharper picture of cellular stress responses, allowing for more accurate knowledge of crosstalk between components.
A three-year UQ study aims to improve food security among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children through a community-led framework and knowledge-sharing solutions. The study will capture participants' experiences and develop effective mechanisms to improve food security in remote Australia.
Researchers have successfully produced human immune cells in a lab dish, shedding light on the formation of these crucial cells. The breakthrough could pave the way for new cancer treatments and autoimmune disease interventions.
Tropical cyclone Blake made landfall in Western Australia, causing fires to rage in the southern part of the state. NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite provided an image showing the storm's center inland, with bands of thunderstorms stretching far south and red spots indicating wildfires burning.
Researchers identified a new disease called CRIA syndrome, an auto-inflammatory disease caused by mutations in the RIPK1 gene. The condition is characterized by persistent fever and swollen lymph nodes from childhood to old age, leading to lifelong pain and disability.
Scientists have discovered a molecular foundation for bacterial exposure as a potential environmental factor in coeliac disease development. Receptors from immune T cells can recognize protein fragments from certain bacteria that mimic gluten, leading to aberrant recognition and health problems.
The NASA Terra satellite captured before-and-after images of Kangaroo Island, showing the extensive burn scars and areas still affected by fires. The island's protected nature reserves, home to native wildlife such as sea lions and koalas, have been severely impacted by the bushfires.
Researchers found that by prioritizing more effective 'umbrella' species, Australia's conservation efforts could be improved by a factor of seven. Different choices in the country could provide more assistance for threatened species, including koalas and red goshawks.
Tropical Storm Blake is moving south and is expected to make landfall near Wallal Downs early Wednesday morning. The storm's center was located just off shore from Bidyadanga, with maximum sustained winds of 75 kph (47 mph) on January 7.
Monash University researchers have developed the world's most efficient lithium-sulfur battery, with the potential to power smartphones for up to five days and electric vehicles for over 1,000km. The new battery design has attractive performance, lower manufacturing costs, and a reduced environmental footprint.
Scientists successfully simulated the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) data at a scale of the massive future telescope using the Summit supercomputer and Adaptable IO System (ADIOS). The simulation generated 2.6 petabytes of data, highlighting ADIOS's efficiency in processing large datasets.
Scientists have discovered a new population of gamma delta T cells that recognize an MHC-like molecule called MR1. Using advanced imaging techniques, researchers found that these T cells bind to MR1 from underneath the molecule, rather than sitting atop it as previously thought.
Researchers studied manta ray 'Whoopi' who suffered significant propeller cuts in 2015 and found she healed by 50% in just 46 days. The study reveals a unique adaptive immune system likely behind the high healing capacity of sharks and rays.
A team of researchers led by the University of Iowa has dated the last known appearance of Homo erectus at Ngandong in Indonesia between 108,000 and 117,000 years ago. The site is considered the last known settlement of this direct ancestor to modern humans.
A large desalination plant in Sydney, Australia, has been found to attract certain species of fish, increasing their abundance at the discharge site. The researchers suggest that turbulence caused by high-pressure release of salty solution may be responsible for this effect.
Global warming affects Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) predictability, leading to less time for gains in strength and intensity. This challenges regional climate forecasting on multi-year timescales.
Researchers have cracked a rare gene variant for a devastating disorder that causes severe neurodegeneration in infants, leading to loss of motor skills and language ability. Targeted B vitamin therapy has been successfully developed to treat the condition.
A major study has identified seven key themes to inform strategies for supporting Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents in the first years of their children's lives. The research aims to break the cycle of intergenerational and complex trauma experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
A $1.4 million grant is awarded to improve food security for Aboriginal communities in Central Australia and Torres Strait Islanders. The project focuses on promoting healthier diets through pricing strategies and community engagement.
A team of researchers extracted large air samples from Antarctica's Law Dome site, dating back to the 1870s, to track the history of hydroxyl and its impact on climate models. The analysis aims to produce a concentration curve for carbon-14 monoxide and hydroxyl over the decades, shedding light on past and future climate changes.
Researchers are examining changes in children's diets and time use over the summer holidays to better understand factors affecting childhood obesity. The study aims to find effective ways to address the serious issue of childhood obesity by tracking the behavior of 300 Grade four students over three years.
New research reveals that Australia's oldest flowering plants are 126 million years old and resemble modern magnolias, buttercups, and laurels. Climate change may have prevented their expansion into Australasia due to cold temperatures.
A new approach to treating MLL-rearranged leukaemia (MLL-r leukaemias) has shown promising results, with a small molecule inhibitor called VTP50469 producing a 'dramatic response' in specially-bred mice. The therapy is designed to target molecules critical for the survival and growth of cancer cells.
A study at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) suggests that pindolol, a blood pressure medication, can reduce anxiety-like behavior and neurogenic maladaptations in mice with long-term heavy alcohol consumption. The drug also restores damage caused by alcohol to new and immature neurons in the brain.
A new human autoinflammatory disease called CRIA syndrome has been discovered and identified by an Australian-US research team. The disease is caused by a mutation in the RIPK1 protein, leading to uncontrolled cell death and inflammation.
A research paper explores Indigenous Australian place relationships using Yanyuwa terms, highlighting the importance of understanding ecological health through Indigenous knowledges. The study examines human relationships with places that play a key role in ecological health, revealing specific terms for good land and sea management.
Researchers at GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel identify Volcano F as the origin of a large pumice raft drifting towards Australia. The team used satellite images and seismic data to confirm the connection between the volcano and the floating rocks.
Researchers from the University of South Australia have developed a new version of the Mediterranean diet incorporating lean pork, which delivers cognitive benefits while catering to Western tastes. The Med-Pork diet outperforms low-fat diets in delivering higher cognitive processing speeds and emotional functioning.
A $1 million international study aims to develop a new therapeutic treatment for people who have suffered heart attacks with extensive cardiac damage. The project, led by UniSA Professor Janna Morrison, explores whether changing the expression of a specific molecule can repair cardiac damage.
A new review analysis published in Nature Astronomy finds that increasing diversity among astronomers can lead to significant research discoveries and improved innovation. The study highlights progress in gender equity, with initiatives such as the Pleiades Awards leading to a culture change in Australian astronomy.
Outdated laws hinder pharmacists from providing timely treatment to displaced people in disaster-affected regions. The current model focuses on high-acuity patients, but vulnerable groups require longer-term assistance.
Researchers developed a new tool to predict the global spread of dengue, analyzing travel data and dengue incidence rates. The tool identifies the country of origin for imported cases and forecasts absolute numbers of dengue importations at a global level.
A team of scientists used data from NASA's Kepler telescope to calculate that the thick disc of the Milky Way is about 10 billion years old. This finding resolves a long-standing question about the age distribution of stars in the disc.