Science and research news from Australia. Covers Indigenous language teaching, menopause information, conservation, and open-access agreements.
A global report confirms that tough gun laws in Australia and other countries have led to a significant decrease in firearm deaths, particularly suicides. The study found that the Australian National Firearms Agreement has been closely linked to this decline, with other countries showing similar results.
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.
A study of Truncorotalia fossils found rapid shell shape changes 5.1 million years ago, potentially observing quantum evolution at a species level. This challenges previous theories of gradual evolution in planktonic forams.
A team of astronomers used the Moon as a reference point to measure the brightness of the Milky Way, helping them detect faint signals from hydrogen atoms in the infant Universe. This detection could confirm or refute theoretical models of the Universe's early evolution.
Researchers have developed a new method for creating three-dimensional images of leaves, allowing scientists to study the complex dynamics of water and gas exchange within plant cells. This breakthrough has significant implications for improving crop photosynthetic performance and understanding plant biology.
Research suggests that Indigenous fire practices are protecting plant biodiversity in the Gibson Desert by preventing ecosystem transformations, retaining critical species. The traditional burning practices of the Pintupi people have helped conserve unique flora and prevent the destruction of desert myrtle shrubs.
A new study found that young adults classified as obese in Australia can expect to lose up to 10 years of life expectancy. The study also predicts 36.3 million years of life will be lost due to overweight and obesity over the lifetime of today's Australian adult population.
Researchers detected 20 fast radio bursts in a year, nearly doubling the worldwide total since their discovery in 2007. The bursts originate from halfway across the Universe, with their incredible energy equivalent to the Sun's release over 80 years.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that modern humans colonized Madagascar thousands of years later than previously thought. The research, led by Atholl Anderson, analyzed animal bone material and found evidence of megafaunal extinction starting around 1200 years BP.
Researchers analyzed charcoal and pollen remains to infer a long history of human occupation at Koh Ker, contradicting traditional abandonment theory. The study suggests the region was occupied from the late 7th century CE, continuing for seven centuries or more after the royal seat's departure.
A University of Sydney study found that canine parvovirus (CPV) is more prevalent than thought, resulting in 41% euthanasia rates. The survey identified high-risk areas and suggested socioeconomic factors contribute to poor vaccination rates, leading to costly treatments.
Research published in Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica suggests that dummy use, breastfeeding, bottle use, and thumb sucking in early years do not cause or worsen phonological impairment, the most common type of speech disorder in children. The study found no significant association between sucking habits and speech delay.
Leaf fossils of Lilly Pilly trees found in the Snowy Mountains suggest a warmer climate with no winter snow around 20 million years ago. The discovery provides insight into the region's past vegetation and climate, with implications for understanding Australia's future weather patterns.
Australian researchers discovered that the increased presence of protein NLRP1 leads to fewer good bacteria and anti-inflammatory molecules in the gut, resulting in higher levels of inflammation. This finding could help inform prevention and treatment strategies for IBD.
A new plasma thruster technology has been developed to remove space debris, decelerating it with a force imparted from the satellite. The system uses bi-directional ejection of plasma plumes, controlled by a magnetic field and gas injection, for efficient removal in three operational modes.
Melbourne researchers have discovered a way to halt the invasion of the toxoplasmosis-causing parasite into cells, depriving it of a key factor necessary for its growth. This breakthrough could lead to a vaccine or treatment for Toxoplasmosis and shed light on general processes involved in other diseases caused by related parasites.
A study suggests that parts of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet would melt if Antarctica warms by 2°C for millennia, contributing to rising global sea levels. The research found evidence from warm periods in Earth's history indicating the ice sheet had retreated during similar warming conditions.
A recent study in the Australian Journal of Psychology found that heartfelt guilt leads to elevated arousal and biased preferences towards cleansing products. Participants who experienced guilt showed enhanced memory recall of threat words and a stronger desire for cleaning items.
CSIRO has launched its ASEAN presence in Singapore to strengthen collaboration between Australia and Southeast Asia. The agency will work with partners to create new value through research and technology, tackling global challenges such as sustainable development and human health.
Researchers suggest the Large Magellanic Cloud may have engulfed a third luminous galaxy, explaining why stars in the cloud rotate at different rates. This phenomenon could also help explain the 'age-gap' problem observed in the cloud, where there are very old and young star clusters.
A long-term monitoring program for Australian fur seals has tracked a decline in pup populations, with the first reduction since species-wide protection was implemented in 1975. The study highlights the importance of regularly assessing monitoring programs and provides valuable information on how to improve them.
A study by international female scientists found that women represent 30% of the CGE community but only 15-18% in prestigious roles. The researchers identified common barriers including gender stereotyping, the 'maternal wall', microaggressions, and harassment, which can hold women back in their careers.
A research team from the University of Queensland has developed a new approach to help Australian freshwater fish species overcome obstacles like culverts. By creating a channel of slower flowing water, small and young fish can now navigate fast flows, increasing their chances of survival.
Researchers at the University of Otago have developed a new approach to achieve centimeter-level precise positioning on smartphones using a combination of signals from four different GNSSs. This technology has the potential to revolutionize applications requiring accurate location information, such as precise car navigation and surveying.
A University of Arizona-led research team analyzed past vegetation changes to project future ecosystem transformations under current warming scenarios. The study found that regions with highest temperature increases since the last ice age experienced dramatic vegetation changes, posing a significant risk to global biodiversity.
A new model accurately predicts patterns of mosquito-borne Ross River virus epidemics, highlighting the importance of temperature in predicting disease transmission. The study suggests that warmer temperatures may increase transmission in some regions and decrease it in others due to climate change.
Wildfires in Africa, driven by agricultural practices, have intensified due to low humidity, high winds, and extreme temperatures. In contrast, South American fires, particularly in Chile, are exacerbated by a mega drought and flammable tree plantations.
Scientists have unraveled how changes in nutrition determine the development of honeybees into queens or workers. Epigenetic patterns, including histones, play a crucial role in controlling gene expression and developmental outcomes.
Researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev present marine magnetic data that shows motion between East and West Antarctica continued for another 15 million years than previously thought. This discovery has significant implications for understanding tectono-volcanic activity in the Pacific Ocean.
A new study found that nearly half of fishers from seven countries witnessed someone poaching in marine protected areas in the past year, with most doing nothing about it. Inaction was especially common on Australia's Great Barrier Reef, where nearly 80% of fishers did nothing.
Scientists found that ancient silica-rich felsic rocks in Canada formed at high temperatures and shallow crust depths, likely due to meteorite bombardment. The results suggest that these rocks are the only surviving remnants of a barrage of extraterrestrial impacts that shaped Earth's early history.
Researchers have discovered a signal pathway within cells that could stop degeneration and improve learning and memory in affected patients. The study also invented a potential drug to target tauopathies, a class of diseases caused by misfolding of the tau protein.
Researchers reevaluate Madjedbebe site evidence, suggesting a revised human dispersal timeline for the region; the findings have implications for understanding human migration patterns in Southeast Asia and surrounding areas.
The researchers discovered a connection between the colouration of clownfish and the toxicity of sea anemone species they live with. The more venomous anemones have less white stripes on their hosts, suggesting the bright colouration has a protective function.
A new review questions the usefulness of wearable devices in providing medical insights, citing limited formal validation and potential risks of misinterpretation. The study highlights concerns about concussion detection technologies and the need for rigorous evaluation and regulation of the growing industry.
A long-term study confirms that cross-linked polyethylene hip implants significantly lower the rate of repeat surgery, with a cumulative revision rate of 11.7% compared to 6.2% for conventional polyethylene implants over 16 years. The use of XLPE implants also encourages total hip replacement in younger patients.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that methadone treatment is associated with lower mortality rates among convicted offenders with opioid dependence. The research analyzed population-level data and found significant reductions in deaths from both external and non-external causes.
A large study examining media reporting of suicide found significant associations between reporting details and suicide deaths, highlighting the need for responsible reporting. The study suggests that including crisis resources among recommendations can have a positive impact on vulnerable individuals.
A landmark study by Newcastle University researchers finds that heavy, short rain storms are intensifying rapidly in Australia, leading to increased flash flood and urban flooding risks. The study, published in Nature Climate Change, shows that these extreme events are substantially larger than expected under climate change.
A world-first study by QUT researchers concludes that men can experience Postcoital Dysphoria (PCD), leading to feelings of sadness and irritability following sex. The study found that 41% of participants reported experiencing PCD in their lifetime, with 20% reporting it in the previous four weeks.
Researchers at Swansea University have identified a new species of venomous snake found only in Australia. The Weipa bandy-bandy, a small black and white banded snake, poses no risk to humans but its venom may hold potential for future drug developments.
A recent study reveals that the marine heatwave had a significant impact on fish and invertebrate communities across the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. The loss of coral was only part of the story, with changes also occurring in other animal populations.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide found a link between enzymes involved in malt production and a specific tissue layer within barley grains. The study showed that grains with more aleurone had increased enzyme activity, which could lead to improved brewing processes and new malts.
A new framework helps researchers and conservationists share sensitive data while minimizing harm to threatened species. The framework considers the pros and cons of making data public and provides ways to publish data without putting species at risk.
A QUT-led study found that women who received continuity of care, lived outside major cities, and had minimal medical intervention during labor were more likely to have a 'normal' birth. The research aims to empower pregnant women with the information they need to make informed decisions about their maternity care.
A study published in the Medical Journal of Australia found that women under-treated for heart attacks die at twice the rate of men. The study adjusted for confounding factors and analyzed data from 41 hospitals across Australia, revealing significant disparities in treatment outcomes between men and women.
A new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism reveals that broken bones among older people increase their risk of death for up to 10 years. Non-hip fractures, such as femur and pelvic fractures, pose a significant risk of mortality, with a one-year excess mortality rate ranging from 20%...
A global study reveals 62% of antibiotics sold without prescription in community pharmacies worldwide, posing a significant risk to the development and spread of antibiotic resistance. The study highlights the urgent need for better enforcement of laws regulating antibiotic sales.
The not-school movement is an alternative approach to education that recognizes individual learning needs and talents, providing options for students who struggle in traditional school environments. This movement emphasizes the importance of creativity, innovation, and real-world experience in education.
A world-first study found that regular sunscreen users in childhood reduced their risk of developing melanoma by 40 percent. The study analyzed data from nearly 1700 people and showed that sunscreen use was protective against melanoma in young people under 40 years old.
A new study by researchers at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University found that temperature shapes how mitochondrial DNA varies in nature. The study used fruit flies to demonstrate the selection of one mtDNA variant over another under different environmental temperatures.
The University of Melbourne researchers have created a tool to calculate the 'nitrogen footprint' of an organization, providing a guide to reduce daily activities' impact on pollution. The study found that institutions can significantly contribute to nitrogen pollution but also have potential for reduction by up to 60%.
Scientists have successfully implemented an atomic engineering strategy to individually address closely spaced spin qubits in silicon, achieving dramatically different control frequencies. This breakthrough enables selective addressing of qubits, reducing errors and advancing the development of a silicon-based quantum computer.
A study by La Trobe University found that cutting back on tobacco and alcohol consumption as a population would significantly reduce future cancer deaths. Reducing smoking by half a kilogram less annually per capita could lower cancer deaths by 8%, while reducing drinking by three litres less annually per capita could lower them by 12%.
Researchers from the University of Adelaide conducted a systematic review of over 70 studies on vitamin D's role in neurodegenerative diseases, including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. The findings suggest that vitamin D is unlikely to protect against these brain-related disorders.
A study of 61 popular mental health apps found they predominantly addressed anxiety and stress, framing problems as psychological symptoms. The analysis suggests these apps may be misleadingly simplistic in their approach to mental health issues.
Research from James Cook University suggests digital-free tourism is gaining traction, with luxury resorts and isolated island destinations capitalizing on the trend. The study found growing media coverage of digital-detox holidays, which are expected to expand into more services and programs.
Scientists from ANU and overseas have discovered the oldest colours in the geological record, dating back 1.1 billion years. The bright pink pigments were extracted from marine black shales of the Taoudeni Basin in Mauritania, West Africa, and are more than half a billion years older than previous pigment discoveries.
A study by the University of Portsmouth found that potentially 180 deaths in British waters from 2007-2016 were avoidable if victims wore lifejackets. Anglers aged 41-50 are at highest risk, with leisure angling having the second-highest fatality rate.
Researchers discovered a self-sealing mechanism in the seed pods of Banksia plants, where special waxes melt at 45-55°C to seal small cracks. This adaptation protects seeds from environmental challenges, such as moisture and pathogens, and may have potential applications for dimensionally stable wood.