Science and research news from Australia. Covers Indigenous language teaching, menopause information, conservation, and open-access agreements.
The Threatened Species Recovery Hub has identified the top 100 Australian plant species facing extinction, with ground orchids topping the list. Urbanization, inappropriate fire regimes and introduced plant diseases are major drivers of these extinctions, highlighting the need for urgent conservation efforts to save these unique species.
Researchers have solved a decades-long riddle about Australia's threatened Lungfish species by discovering its unique life span of up to 80 years. By analyzing Carbon 14 levels in scales, the team was able to determine the age of individual fish and debunk concerns about an ageing population.
Tropical Cyclone Riley was affected by easterly wind shear, which pushed clouds and storms west of its center. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument captured a visible image of the storm on January 29, 2019.
A University of Queensland-led study found that environmental legislation is failing to protect the southern black-throated finch's habitat, leading to a steep decline in its population. The research highlights the need to halt the decline of this bird's habitat to prevent extinction.
A study by Indiana University found that a moderate level of piracy can have a positive impact on the profits of both manufacturers and retailers, while also enhancing consumer welfare. This 'win-win-win' situation can benefit the overall economy.
Scientists from Australian National University used space technology to predict droughts and increased bushfire risk with unprecedented precision. The team combined satellite data with a computer model simulating the water cycle and plant growth, enabling accurate forecasts of vegetation state up to five months in advance.
Researchers at the University of Queensland found that 94 species of animals in Australia's forests and woodlands attack bird nests. The top five nest predators were the pied currawong, square-tailed kite, tiger snake, laughing kookaburra, and grey strike-thrush, attacking prey from 40% of measured species.
Simulating clouds over the Tibetan Plateau helps researchers understand the role of convective systems in disastrous Chinese weather events. The study reveals biased models with excessive water vapor lifting, leading to more high-level ice clouds and less middle-level cumulus cloud.
Researchers found a dairy-supplemented Mediterranean diet significantly improved blood pressure, heart rate, cholesterol, mood, and cognitive function. The new MedDairy diet meets additional calcium requirements recommended by Australia's national health bodies.
Research has confirmed the presence of neurotoxin BMAA in 89% of eastern Australian freshwater samples, with highest levels ever recorded. The toxin is produced by cyanobacteria and linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS/MND worldwide.
Researchers at RMIT University have created fired-clay bricks that can incorporate up to 25% biosolids, significantly reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The biosolids bricks also exhibit lower thermal conductivity, making them a sustainable alternative for construction materials.
A new study from the University of Adelaide found that people who suffered bullying or sexual abuse have a lower quality of life similar to those living with chronic conditions. Those who experienced these traumas are more likely to display harmful behaviors like smoking dependence and binge eating.
The University of Chichester is conducting the first nationwide study of child maltreatment in Australia, exploring its prevalence, impact, and co-occurrence with various forms. The research aims to inform public health interventions and provide evidence for targeted prevention strategies.
Researchers discovered that simulating human cooperation with machine-actors can significantly enhance human-machine interactions. The study involved over 100 volunteers and showed improved performance comparable to human-human collaborations.
Researchers found that magnetite in Hadean zircons is likely a secondary deposit, formed after crystallization, precluding analysis of the Earth's earliest magnetic field. The presence of secondary magnetite indicates that a magnetic field may have existed during the Hadean Eon, but more evidence is needed to confirm this.
Urban gardens in Australia achieve high yields comparable to commercial farms, yet face challenges due to higher material and labor costs. The study emphasizes the need for judicious management of inputs to ensure sustainability.
A new study by Australian researchers found that pinnipeds quickly react defensively to approaching boats, risking injury and death. The closer the vessel is, the more likely it is for the animals to rush into the sea, triggering a stampede that can be deadly.
A recent study on Australian diabetics aged under 50 reveals an alarming rise in end-stage kidney disease, underscoring the need for aggressive risk factor treatment. The research highlights the importance of early intervention to mitigate this trend and alleviate pressure on Australia's kidney dialysis services.
A study by James Cook University found that sports compression stockings positively influenced agility and lower limb muscular endurance in female soccer players. The findings confirmed a protective effect with compression stockings, which may be crucial for performance in soccer matches.
A study of 143 young adults found that compulsive social media use and problem drinking share common personality traits, including narcissism and impulsivity. The study suggests targeting impulsiveness and executive dyscontrol may be effective in treating disordered social media use.
A new study uses ancient nuclear genomes to determine the geographic origins of Aboriginal Australian remains, enabling their return to ancestral lands. The analysis shows that for most all of the ancient nuclear genomes, the most closely related contemporary genome was from people living today in the same geographic region.
Tropical Cyclone Owen strengthened as it moved east through the Gulf of Carpentaria towards a landfall in western Queensland. The storm was categorized as a Category 3 system with maximum sustained winds near 120 kilometers per hour.
Tropical Cyclone Owen has intensified over the Gulf of Carpentaria, with NASA's GPM satellite detecting extremely heavy rainfall rates up to 97 mm/h in the Arafura Sea. The storm is expected to continue strengthening and potentially reach Category 4 intensity by Friday.
Researchers have reconstructed the complete skeleton of Thylacoleo carnifex, a 100kg marsupial predator with a unique combination of features. The new findings suggest that Thylacoleo was an adept climber and scavenger, with a rigid lower back and powerful forelimbs, similar to the Tasmanian devil.
New research reveals small and isolated habitat patches in Australia are vital to the survival of many rare and endangered species. Small patches of vegetation, such as those along roadsides or in urban areas, can be a last piece of habitat for species that once had widespread habitats.
A large clinical study in Australia and New Zealand aims to better understand sepsis treatment practices and evaluate the effectiveness of a reduced fluid approach. The study, funded by the Emergency Medicine Foundation, will investigate how intravenous fluids are used to treat sepsis patients.
Researchers aim to evaluate a low dose blood-thinning medication for people with advanced kidney disease, a condition affecting over 30.5 million globally. The five-year trial will also investigate the safety of this medication in reducing heart attacks, strokes and deaths.
NASA's GPM mission provided detailed data on rainfall rates within Tropical Cyclone Owen's remnants as they approached the Queensland coast. The satellite's instruments revealed intense rainfall rates of over 32.4 mm/h and 52 mm/h in feeder bands, indicating a potentially intensified cyclone.
New research highlights invasive species as the top threat to Australian biodiversity, affecting 82% of threatened species, while habitat changes impact 74%. The Threatened Species Recovery Hub and Centre for Invasive Species Solutions warn of an extinction crisis without innovative management options.
Researchers found isolated habitat patches with high conservation value are critical for rare and threatened species. Small habitats pose greater risks to biodiversity than large ones due to land clearing and degradation.
A study by the University of Sydney found that middle-aged men in affluent suburbs are cycling more, with nearly 20% of those aged 45-65 years cycling at least once a week. However, most Mamils (middle-aged male cyclists) cycle only on weekends.
A QUT-led collaboration reveals the banded hare-wallaby is the closest living relative of the giant short-faced kangaroos. The study combined DNA evidence with fossil and anatomical data to trace body size change over millions of years.
Researchers have discovered a new way to manipulate spin-orbit coupling in silicon to create compact and efficient qubits for large-scale quantum computing. This breakthrough enables fast read-out of the spin state of just two boron atoms in an extremely compact circuit, hosting all devices in a commercial transistor.
A study by researchers at the University of Queensland found that newborns with vitamin D deficiency had a 44% increased risk of being diagnosed with schizophrenia as adults. Ensuring pregnant women have adequate levels of vitamin D may result in the prevention of some schizophrenia cases.
A study led by Australian National University found swift parrots experience love triangles, sneaky sex, and increased fighting among males as the ratio of females to males increases. The introduction of sugar gliders has led to a chronic shortage of females, resulting in fewer babies being born.
A reconciliation ceremony between the Kwaio community and Australian scientists has set a foundation for peace, collaborative research, and healing of historical trauma. The partnership, which began in 2015, involves the protection of Kwaio land for research and conservation entities, emphasizing local cultural processes.
Researchers found that forest fragmentation decreases transmission of a parasitic nematode in the pale-flecked garden sunskink, with infected skinks being 75% less likely to carry the parasites. Habitat disruption can lead to dramatic changes in ecosystem dynamics.
A PLOS study found that Australians who understood the health benefits of physical activity and its risks associated with inactivity were more likely to engage in regular exercise. The research suggests that knowledge of specific health conditions linked to inactivity may play a key role in influencing physical activity behavior.
A recent study published in The BMJ reveals that the UK has higher death rates from respiratory illnesses, such as COPD and pneumonia, compared to other developed countries. Death rates for men have decreased over the past 30 years, but those for women have remained relatively static.
Research reveals unexpectedly low condom use rates among Western Australian sex workers, with only 33% of female sex workers reporting consistent condom use during oral sex. The authors recommend decriminalization, increased sexual health education, and peer support opportunities to address this issue.
Researchers at UNSW Sydney have developed a compact sensor for accessing information stored in individual atoms, reducing the number of connections and gates required for scale-up. This breakthrough enables more efficient and sensitive qubit readout, a crucial step towards scalable quantum computing in silicon.
Research using actual income numbers from two generations of Australians found that family structure matters when it comes to income mobility. The study estimated the intergenerational elasticity of income in Australia at 0.4, indicating a moderate level of income advantage or disadvantage being transferred across generations.
A new study categorizes Australian land mammals by their susceptibility to predation by feral cats and red foxes, revealing 63 of the 100 surviving mammal species are highly susceptible. The most vulnerable species include potoroos, bandicoots, bettongs, native rodents, and several marsupial species.
A new QUT study reveals that men with a range of personality traits, particularly extraversion and emotional stability, tend to engage in sex more frequently. These individuals are also more likely to produce offspring. For women, being agreeable is linked to having more children.
The ESO's VLT captured the details of an elaborate serpentine system sculpted by colliding stellar winds, with Apep being a likely source of one of the most energetic phenomena in the Universe. The system consists of a nest of massive stars surrounded by a dust pinwheel.
Researchers studied the digestive tracts of wombats and found that elastic properties of intestinal walls allow for cube formation. Wombats use cube-shaped poop to mark their home ranges and communicate with other wombats.
A study of Australian seniors reveals high rates of nonadherence and discontinuation with prescribed statins. Factors such as age, comorbidities, and type of prescribing doctor influence the likelihood of proper statin use.
New research reveals modern slavery promotes overfishing by allowing distant-water fishing fleets to remain profitable, with crews from China, Taiwan, and Russia facing high risk of labour abuses. Global marine fish catches are declining at a rate of 1.2 million tonnes per year.
Research detects 69 pharmaceutical compounds in stream insects, which can pass to predators in water and on land, exposing them to therapeutically-relevant doses. The study highlights the chronic drug pollution concentrated in aquatic insects and its potential ecological consequences.
A new study suggests that mindfulness-based interventions like yoga and tai chi can lower blood pressure, improve diabetics' health, and boost antioxidants. These practices may help reduce stroke risk by mitigating key factors such as hypertension, fatty acids, and blood sugar levels.
Researchers have developed an AI bot named ClaRAN to identify galaxies emitting powerful radio jets from supermassive black holes. The system uses machine learning to spot complex galaxy structures, reducing manual classification by human astronomers.
An Australian research team has experimentally realised a crucial combination of two fundamental quantum techniques on a silicon chip, confirming the promise of silicon for quantum computing. The integrated design combines single-spin addressability and a qubit read-out process vital for quantum error correction.
Astronomers have discovered that fast radio bursts, which are exceptionally bright flashes of energy coming from deep space, do not emit at low frequencies. The Murchison Widefield Array and Australian SKA Pathfinder telescopes were synchronized to observe the same point in the sky, allowing researchers to capture the same view and gai...
A recent study by La Trobe University found that Australians are re-evaluating their relationship with alcohol, with younger adults being key drivers of change. The research revealed that 30% of Aussies have reduced their drink intake and 6% have quit drinking altogether.
A landmark study published in JAMA found that brain cooling, a long-debated treatment for traumatic brain injury (TBI), offers no benefits to patients. The POLAR trial involved 511 patients across six countries and showed that neither group had significantly better outcomes in terms of living independently after TBI recovery.
An international team of researchers has discovered ultra-confined infrared polaritons that propagate only in specific directions along thin slabs of molybdenum trioxide. The polaritons live for an exceptionally long time, up to 20 picoseconds, and could enable the development of more efficient nanophotonic devices.
Researchers have discovered that Nafion membranes partially unwind their fibers as they interact with water, leading to the growth of polymer fibers extending from the surface. This phenomenon is most pronounced in water with a high deuterium content, offering new avenues for optimizing fuel cell performance and electrical properties.
Research by University of Sydney reveals a link between chocolate Labrador coat color and reduced longevity, as well as higher rates of ear infections and joint conditions. The study also found that 8.8% of UK Labradors are overweight or obese.
A newly discovered mineral zircon in Galapagos basalts raises questions about the Earth's crust-mantle system. Geoscientists from Mainz University and partners will collaborate to investigate hypotheses and explore a geological enigma, with implications for understanding island formation.
Researchers have identified a novel human immunodeficiency syndrome caused by a mutation in the IKBKB gene. The mutation disrupts the immune system, resulting in excessive inflammation and reduced numbers of antibody-producing B cells and effector T cells.