Science and research news from Australia. Covers Indigenous language teaching, menopause information, conservation, and open-access agreements.
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.
A team of Australian and international scientists have successfully sequenced the full koala genome, providing new information on conservation efforts, disease treatment, and population diversity. The highly accurate genomic data will aid in the long-term survival of the iconic species.
The koala's complete genome has been sequenced, offering unprecedented insights into its unique biology and potential health solutions. The research provides a springboard for conservation efforts and may lead to the discovery of new anti-microbial genes with human health applications.
The ECOSTRESS mission uses satellite data from NASA to track temperature changes in various biomes. The on-the-ground data collected by the University of Queensland will be used to validate the accuracy of the satellite data, providing a more comprehensive understanding of water stress and crop growth.
A newly discovered wasp species, Dolichogenidea xenomorph, has a parasitic lifecycle similar to the Alien movie franchise monster. The wasp injects eggs into live caterpillars and eats them from the inside out.
A study by Sebastian Brackhane reveals that saltwater crocodile attacks in East Timor have increased since the species' recovery under conservation. The research suggests that juvenile crocodiles migrate from Australia to find new habitats, highlighting a growing human-crocodile conflict in the region.
Scientists at Kanazawa University have identified six new compounds in the glossy red-fruited laurel shrub, featuring a unique nine-membered carbon cycle and lactone groups. The discovery opens up new avenues for research into the plant's potential biological activity.
A study of over 41,000 Australians found that women are more particular about the education level of their partners, especially under 40, while men become more selective after age 40. The research suggests that women's preferences for education level increase with age due to cultural associations between education and social status.
Researchers found female nipple sizes vary significantly due to functional use in breastfeeding, contradicting previous claims. The study's findings support the idea that highly variable features result from weak evolutionary selection.
Distinguished Professor Terry Hughes has been honored by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation for his climate change research on coral reefs. His work recognizes the influence of rapid climate change on world's coral reefs.
Researchers at Lund University found that certain nocturnally migrating insects can explore and navigate using the Earth's magnetic field. The study used a flight simulator with a system of magnetic coils to investigate how the Bogong moth knows in which direction to fly, revealing its use of both visual landmarks and the magnetic field.
Scientists have developed a method for detecting molecular fingerprints of toxic, explosive, and polluting substances using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) with a black silicon (b-Si) substrate. The technique offers high accuracy and non-invasiveness.
Two new Ediacaran era fossil animals, Obamus coronatus and Attenborites janeae, have been discovered by a UC Riverside-led team. These soft-bodied creatures represent the dawn of animal life and were named after President Barack Obama and Sir David Attenborough, respectively.
A QUT-led project, funded by the Australian Research Council, is developing 'on-demand visible light degradable dental materials' to enable removal of bonded material without mechanical force. This innovation could make dental visits less painful and allow for more flexible dental applications.
Researchers create a blend of essential oil and diesel to reduce emissions by 10%, while increasing fuel consumption slightly. The study found that the combination could be used in agricultural vehicles, potentially replacing all-diesel fuels.
Using ALMA, two teams of astronomers have confirmed the presence of three infant planets around a young star, HD 163296. The planets are located at distances of approximately 12 billion and 21 billion kilometers from the star, and were identified using a novel technique that analyzes gas flow patterns within a protoplanetary disc.
The study found that on-site pathology testing reduced the need for medical evacuations by up to 35%, resulting in estimated total cost savings of $21.75 million per year. This technology enabled early diagnosis, treatment, and evacuation for critically ill patients in remote communities.
Researchers found that male dolphins keep their unique whistles to identify partners and competitors, even in strong alliances. This allows them to negotiate a complex social network of cooperative relationships.
Researchers found that male bottlenose dolphins retain individual vocal labels in long-term cooperative alliances, enabling them to track complex social relationships. This study provides insight into the role of vocal communication in coordinating social behaviors among these intelligent marine mammals.
New fossils from South Africa's Waterloo Farm locality reveal the first African tetrapods lived in Antarctica during the Devonian period. These early vertebrates, named Tutusius and Umzantsia, challenge previous assumptions about tetrapod evolution and terrestrialization.
Tiny dinoflagellate fossils discovered in Jurassic rocks of south-western Queensland suggest a short-lived precursor to the Eromanga Sea. The fossils date back 148 million years, providing evidence of rising sea levels and incursions of saltwater inland.
A new study suggests inadequate sleep has grave economic consequences, affecting over 33% of Australian adults and costing billions. The financial cost of $17.88 billion represents 1.55% of the country's GDP.
A study found that living kidney donors consider post-donation concerns such as kidney health and surgical impacts more important than hypothetical long-term risks. The research highlights the need to understand donors' priorities for informed decision-making and care.
A new study found that climate change is amplifying the relationship between lightning-ignited fires and rising temperatures across the Southern Hemisphere. The strongest impact on fire activity was attributed to the Southern Annular Mode, which is expected to continue due to increasing greenhouse gas levels.
Researchers found that boldness in male and female yellow-spotted monitor lizards was associated with higher mating success. However, this boldness came with a cost: exposed individuals were at a higher risk of being eaten by predators during the wet season.
A QUT study found that cyclists are more seriously hurt in crashes with motor vehicles at intersections with 'Stop' or 'Give-way' signs than at intersections with traffic signals. The study, analyzing 13 years of Queensland police crash records, found drivers were most often at fault at these intersections.
A new study published in the Australasian Journal on Ageing found that people with dementia are more likely to wander and become lost, resulting in potentially life-threatening outcomes. The researchers recommend implementing a 'Silver Alert' system, similar to Amber Alerts for missing children, to minimize this risk.
Participants were 36% less likely to purchase sugary drinks with graphic warnings, while those with Health Star Ratings were 20% less likely. Healthier options were also chosen more frequently when Health Star Ratings were displayed.
A new study reveals that C4 plants, which dominate Australia's landscape, first expanded around 3.5 million years ago due to a strengthened summer monsoon. The research suggests that human influence on the atmosphere will play a significant role in shaping ecosystems in the future.
Professor Yates received the prestigious Distinguished Researcher award from the international Oncology Nursing Society for her research on managing common problems experienced by cancer patients. The award recognizes her contributions to enhancing the science and practice of oncology nursing, particularly in Australia.
A team of researchers has successfully created a microscopic drum that can simultaneously vibrate and stand still, a phenomenon known as quantum superposition. This breakthrough is expected to enable the development of ultra-precise sensors and new types of transducers.
A new study of marine fossils from Antarctica, Australia, New Zealand and South America reveals that sea lilies remained in shallow waters until around 33 million years ago. The results provide conclusive evidence that this change happened at different times in different parts of the globe.
Researchers discovered that C4 plants first expanded across Australia around 3.5 million years ago, driven by a strong summer monsoon. This finding provides new insights into the impact of climate change on these critically important plants.
A study found six million square kilometers of protected land, equivalent to two-thirds China's size, are unlikely to conserve endangered biodiversity. Human activities like road infrastructure and agriculture are damaging these areas.
A new study found that blue whales frequenting the South Taranaki Bight in New Zealand are part of a locally distinct population. Researchers used hydrophones and biopsies to determine genetic differences, estimating a minimum abundance of 718 individuals.
A study of over 800 women found that acupuncture administered prior to and following embryo transfer did not improve live birth rates compared to a sham control. However, the researchers reported psycho-social benefits from acupuncture for women undergoing IVF.
Research highlights transhemispheric ecosystem link spanning Pacific Ocean between pink salmon abundance and short-tailed shearwater populations. Declining short-tailed shearwater productivity linked to increasing pink salmon abundance in North Pacific Ocean.
A study estimates teledermoscopy would increase costs per case but achieve clinical resolutions faster, making it a potentially valuable tool for managing skin cancer in Australia. The analysis suggests this approach could improve the country's skin cancer management, particularly given its high melanoma incidence rate.
The Tapanuli Orangutan, one of the rarest animals on the planet, is under threat from a planned U.S.$1.6 billion mega-dam project that could flood its habitat and destroy its remaining area. The species survives only in areas with no roads, making it vulnerable to illegal logging, clearing, and poaching.
Researchers report that expanding community-level control programs for soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) can reach more children than traditional school-based programs. In a pilot study, community-based deworming and water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions showed a 58% reduction in STH infections among participating children.
The QUT Design Lab has partnered with the Sleepy Burrows Wombat Sanctuary to develop an Australian-first 'hospital' burrow for treating manged wombats. The prototype design aims to improve treatment times and survival rates, with data collected in a field study helping refine the design.
The Australian Mountain Ash ecosystem experienced significant declines in tree populations and animal biodiversity following logging and fire events. Prolonged periods of decline and slow recovery were also observed after disturbance events.
Researchers analyzed billions of Twitter and Facebook posts to find that people express happier sentiments when the weather is warm and sunny. The study found a significant correlation between good weather and increased positivity, which could be used to tailor advertising campaigns and content to users' emotional states.
A new guide from QUT's Dementia Centre aims to prepare those who care for people with dementia to cope during natural disasters. The Preparing for a Natural Disaster Guide highlights the increased risks faced by carers of people with dementia, including exacerbated symptoms and potential harm.
Children born to youngest and oldest mothers have higher rates of developmental vulnerabilities at age 5. Socio-economic factors explain at least half the increased risk, with 40% of children born to mothers aged 15 years or younger being developmentally vulnerable.
A new international study has found that galaxies grow bigger and more ordered with age, with stars moving in all directions. The research team measured the movement of stars in 843 galaxies using an instrument called SAMI on the Anglo-Australian Telescope.
Researchers have discovered a new form of DNA, called the i-motif, which forms in the nuclei of human cells. The i-motif is a four-stranded 'knot' that plays a crucial role in gene expression and cell life cycle.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine successfully used CRISPR-Cas9 to genetically edit coral, demonstrating its potential as a resource for coral biologists. The technique allowed them to identify critical genes in coral biology and alter multiple gene copies, offering hope for conserving coral reefs.
A new study found that children are exposed to over 800 junk food ads per year, with unhealthy food ads being 2.3 times more frequent than healthy food ads during peak viewing times. The research, led by the University of Adelaide, used a bespoke TV monitoring system to capture an entire year's worth of television and ads.
Astronomers have revealed the 'DNA' of over 340,000 stars in the Milky Way, tracing their ancestry and composition. The GALAH survey aims to make DNA matches between stars to find long-lost sisters and brothers of the Sun.
Researchers found that logging in Solomon Islands' tropical forests can lead to unsustainable soil erosion and significant impacts on downstream water quality. The study highlights the need for tighter regulations and local buy-in for forest management to protect biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Australia is joining the Lancet Countdown, a global health and climate change initiative. The country will track its progress on 40 indicators across five categories, including adaptation planning, mitigation actions, and public engagement.
A study published in Acta Psychologica found that people's personality traits influence their eye movements when viewing abstract artwork. Volunteers who tended towards neuroticism spent more time looking at the left side of images, while those with schizophrenia-like traits looked less often at the top.
The remnant low-pressure area of Tropical Cyclone Iris continues to linger in the South Pacific, approximately 285 nautical miles north-northeast of Willis Island, Australia. Global computer forecast models predict the system will remain weak, but there is a possibility it could develop into a weak tropical cyclone after 84 hours.
Scientists have identified the most primitive kangaroo ancestor, Palaeopotorous priscus, which lived around 24 million years ago and was similar to living rat-kangaroos. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of modern kangaroos and their adaptations for hopping gaits.
Researchers at Leang Burung 2 rock shelter on Sulawesi island discovered archaic cobble-based cores and flakes indicating human occupation at least 50,000 years ago. The findings provide key insights into early human occupation and cultural evolution in the Indonesian region.
Remnants of Tropical Cyclone Iris continue to linger off Queensland, Australia, with moderate to high vertical winds shear. The system is moving through warm sea surface temperatures, creating favorable conditions for potential re-development into a tropical cyclone.
A QUT-led study found that lane widths and speed limits significantly influence the distance drivers leave when passing, not cyclist characteristics. The study's key finding is that cycling would be safer with improved road infrastructure, such as more cycling lanes and stronger enforcement of the law.
Tropical Cyclone Iris is weakening and moving away from the Queensland coast as it continues to move southeast. The cyclone's wind speeds decreased to 52 mph near its center, with cloud top temperatures indicating potential for heavy rainfall.
Astronomers have discovered an isolated neutron star with low magnetic field located beyond our Milky Way galaxy using the MUSE instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope in Chile. The neutron star is surrounded by a ring of gas that includes neon and oxygen.