Science and research news from Australia. Covers Indigenous language teaching, menopause information, conservation, and open-access agreements.
A new species of extinct flesh-eating marsupial, Whollydooleya tomnpatrichorum, has been identified from a fossil discovery in New Riversleigh, Queensland. The hypercarnivore is thought to have weighed around 20-25 kilograms and lived during the Late Miocene period, around 5 million years ago.
Researchers have identified three new genes that increase the risk of motor neuron disease (MND), a debilitating condition with no effective treatments. The discovery provides new opportunities for targeted research and potentially improved outcomes for Australian patients, who are expected to benefit from increased genetic discoveries.
University of Adelaide physicists discovered the timing of electronic orders on the stock market follows a Weibull distribution similar to light bulb lifetimes, showing rational behavior when intervals exceed 10 milliseconds. The finding could help predict dramatic movements and detect irregularities in market abuse.
Researchers studied the effects of different spin types on cricket ball trajectory. They found that adding top-spin to a delivery can reduce pitch length by up to 25cm, while introducing side-spin can produce significant drift. The study aims to help newcomers master spin-bowling and potentially benefit tennis players.
In a study of Purple-crowned Fairy-wrens, researchers found that females are more likely to initiate divorce due to dissatisfaction with their territory. Divorce allows females to gain better territories, which are crucial for reproductive success in this species.
A new Australian-first study found that nearly half of patients hospitalized due to diabetic foot disease were already showing symptoms. Diabetic foot disease causes significant costs, with estimated annual direct costs reaching $350 million for hospitalization alone.
Researchers investigate directional pointing and demonstrative usage in Murrinhpatha, a language without abstract directionals. The study finds that speakers use named landmarks, pointing, and demonstratives to convey spatial directions.
Researchers from the University of Sydney and the University of Potsdam have uncovered a distinct two-phase separation process for continental breakup, involving gradual rifting and eventual rapid subsidence. The study highlights a phenomenon difficult to explain within conventional plate tectonics, shedding new light on the process.
International researchers at ANU have discovered an enzyme that senses adverse drought and sunlight conditions, enabling plants to respond with beneficial chemical compounds. This breakthrough could lead to the development of next-generation drought-proof crops, crucial for global food security.
A global study confirms that 90% of strokes can be prevented by modifying 10 modifiable risk factors, including hypertension, physical activity, and diet. The ranking of these factors varies by region, emphasizing the need for tailored strategies to reduce stroke risk.
A global study analyzing nearly 27,000 participants from every continent found that hypertension is the single most important modifiable risk factor for stroke, responsible for 47.9% of all strokes. The study also identified ten other modifiable risk factors that together account for 90% of strokes worldwide.
Researchers measured oxygen content in ancient atmosphere trapped in halite (rock salt) and found it to be a key component in determining the origin and evolution of higher life forms. The discovery has applications beyond origins of life, including tracking atmospheric changes and finding economic metal deposits.
A study by researchers at Georgia State University found that firms perform better when CEO leadership style differs from the organization's culture. CEOs who adopt a similar style as the culture have a negative impact on performance. Instead, companies benefit from having different leadership and cultural styles.
Researchers have developed an inexpensive method to monitor CO2 storage deep underground. Testing water samples from rocks reveals altered oxygen compositions when in contact with trapped CO2, allowing simple measurement of stored CO2.
Researchers at Australian National University have modeled energy consumption by wireless sensors and explored the use of ambient radio frequency sources for powering devices. The breakthrough aims to replace batteries with long-lasting monitoring devices in industries such as health, agriculture, and infrastructure.
A recent study reveals that a marine heatwave off the western coast of Australia has led to the dramatic loss of kelp forests, covering over 963 km2. The transition has resulted in a shift towards subtropical and tropical marine ecosystems, with significant changes in species composition.
Researchers discover that high densities of nests on Raine Island limit hatching rates due to oxygen depletion and bacterial buildup. Pumping air into the nests may boost hatching rate, explaining similar phenomena in other turtle species.
A QUT study of over 1000 Australian women found younger and more educated sperm donors are preferred, despite women having more freedom to choose. This suggests that resources and financial stability remain important considerations in reproductive decisions.
New research reveals that nearly one in five Aboriginal children under 16 have unregistered births, sparking concerns about access to official identity and rights. The study found that socioeconomically disadvantaged and remote areas had higher rates of unregistered births.
A study found that Australian children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often face delays in diagnosis due to prolonged waiting periods for assessments. Practitioners cited having large waiting lists as a major factor, leading to delayed diagnoses and reduced access to evidence-based interventions.
A new study in Australia finds that drinking patterns among younger generations are leading to a decline in overall alcohol consumption. The research shows that Australians born in the 1990s are significantly less likely to drink than previous generations.
A new study of the 37,000-year-old Deep Skull fossil has overturned long-held views about the early history of South-East Asia. The research finds that the remains likely belonged to an older woman and closely resemble Indigenous people of Borneo today, rather than Indigenous Australians.
European countries should not adopt Australia's immigration system, which perpetuates human rights abuses and torture in detention centers. The lack of transparency in the system is particularly concerning, with allegations of waterboarding, force-feeding, and restraints on asylum seekers surfaced.
A study by the University of Queensland found that spending 30 minutes or more in parks per week can reduce the risk of developing heart disease, stress, anxiety, and depression. The research suggests a minimum
Since gun law reform in 1996, Australia has seen an accelerating decline in intentional firearm deaths and an absence of fatal mass shootings. Key findings include a significant acceleration in the downward trend for firearm suicides and a non-significant acceleration in the downward trend in firearm homicides.
A new study from the University of Sydney reveals that nearly half of unexplained sudden cardiac deaths in young people (40%) had a clinically relevant genetic mutation, despite structurally normal hearts. The research also found that limiting strenuous physical activity may not reduce SCD among children and young adults, as most cases...
Researchers found that some male banana fiddler crabs in Australia use a coercion tactic to mate, trapping females in tight burrows. This strategy increases mating odds for males when females enter first.
Victor Flambaum's appointment at the Helmholtz Institute Mainz is expected to give great impetus to the development of the PRISMA Cluster of Excellence. He will be collaborating with various departments, including experimental groups working on dark matter and antimatter research.
Two volunteer participants in Radio Galaxy Zoo discovered a rare C-shaped galaxy cluster that they pieced together from much smaller images of cosmic radio waves. The team's dataset, with over 1.6 million images classified by 10,000 volunteers, has already reached almost 60% completeness.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests creating a list of essential medicines to ensure availability, citing global shortages and the need for national pharmacare. This could help governments plan for contingencies and mitigate drug shortages.
A recent Australian study found that no method is reliable for assessing suicide risk in mental health patients. The meta-analysis suggests that traditional approaches may be ineffective and that a more patient-focused approach is needed.
A study published in Global Change Biology predicts that climate change will make it difficult for koalas to survive in the drier, hotter parts of their range. The researchers used a detailed ecological model to predict how much energy and water koalas need to survive under changing climate conditions.
People driving over an hour a day are 2.3kg heavier and 1.5cm wider around the waist compared to those who drive less frequently. Men are more likely to experience weight gain due to prolonged car travel, according to research by Australian Catholic University.
Researchers from Griffith University's Research Centre for Human Evolution refuted a landmark study suggesting Mungo Man was an extinct lineage of modern humans. The team recovered the genomic sequence of an early inhabitant of Lake Mungo, supporting the argument that Aboriginal Australians were the first inhabitants of Australia.
Researchers discovered a specific protein in spider venom that stimulates pain-sensing nerves, underlying abdominal pain in irritable bowel syndrome patients. Developing molecules to block this protein could lead to novel treatments for the condition.
A new study challenges common industry claims that introducing a national living wage would result in excessive costs and job losses. Instead, it finds that including incentives can have a positive impact on productivity, particularly in service sectors.
A study of mitochondrial genomes from the Huaca Pucllana site in Lima, Peru, found minimal genetic shift, indicating continuity of population over time. The Wari Empire's influence may have been exerted through cultural diffusion rather than population replacement.
An international team of scientists has detected a faint signal emitted by hydrogen gas in a galaxy over five billion light years away. The detection, achieved using the Very Large Array radio telescope, reveals an unusually large amount of hydrogen and provides insights into the history of galaxy evolution.
Researchers highlight the importance of fire-adaptive communities in managing wildfires, which have successfully coexisted with flames for centuries. These communities use social institutions to balance individual benefits with preservation of the common good, offering valuable lessons for designing local fire management strategies.
A new study reveals that male sparrows can distinguish between their faithful and unfaithful partners. When paired with an unfaithful female, males provide less food for their chicks. The research suggests that males make this decision based on the partner's behavior during fertile periods rather than detecting which chicks are theirs.
Researchers observe thousands of Hemiphlebia mirabilis in Australia, revealing a unique mating system and high sperm competition mechanisms. The species displays elaborate abdominal flicking displays, suggesting an advanced courtship behavior.
Researchers found that Australian small carpenter bee populations flourished in the wake of global warming following the last Ice Age. The study's findings suggest that bees have responded similarly to climate change globally, which could be a positive sign for their survival.
Researchers have identified a type of wild sorghum, known as Arun, which yields significantly more bioethanol than other varieties. The plant's stems contain high levels of a component thought to inhibit bioethanol production, but a high level of easily fermentable sugar negates this effect.
Children can learn robotics skills from a young age, with even pre-school students showing complex conceptual thinking and creativity. Robotics provides an engaging way for students and teachers to work together, promoting problem-solving and hands-on learning.
A team of Australian researchers has discovered the fossilized remains of a bizarre group of carnivorous marsupials that lived 15 million years ago. The newly found species, Malleodectes mirabilis, had an insatiable appetite for snails and was characterized by its powerful hammer-like premolar.
Researchers developed an algorithm using submarine and guided missile technology to measure intensity of effort in cricketers. The 'torpedo technology' wearables provide a stable measure of bowling load across repeated spells, helping coaches identify fatigue and optimize preparation.
A new type of ultra-thin film can absorb almost 99% of light, revolutionizing night vision and sensing devices. This technology has the potential to save millions of dollars in defence and agriculture applications.
The University of Huddersfield has received funding from CREST to investigate people's views and experiences on reporting suspicious activity to authorities. The project will be the first UK-based replication of a successful Australian study and aims to provide internationally comparable data on community reporting thresholds.
A Monash University-led research team has discovered that about half of the stars in the M4 globular cluster are dying prematurely, skipping the Red Giant phase and becoming White Dwarfs millions of years ahead of schedule. The cause of this phenomenon remains a mystery, but it is believed to only occur in sodium-rich/oxygen-poor stars.
Researchers at UNSW have developed a new solar cell configuration that delivers a world-record 34.5% efficiency in sunlight-to-electricity conversion, nudging closer to the theoretical limits of such devices. The device uses a four-junction mini-module with a hybrid receiver to extract maximum energy from unfocussed sunlight.
Scientists have discovered evidence of a huge asteroid that struck the Earth 3.46 billion years ago, creating massive earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic activity. The impact is believed to be one of the largest in human history, with the asteroid estimated to be 20-30 kilometers across.
Researchers at ANU found that New Zealand possums prefer leaves with high available protein content to eat, which can help limit their impact on native forests. This knowledge could inform targeted control programs to manage the possum population and protect sensitive tree species.
International research found a direct link between continued marijuana use during pregnancy and pre-term birth, with 6% of pre-term births potentially preventable. Marijuana use was independently associated with a five-fold increase in pre-term birth risk, regardless of other risk factors.
A new study published in Nature found that Earth's ancient upper atmosphere contained about the same amount of oxygen as today, with a methane haze layer separating the oxygen-rich upper layer from the lower, oxygen-starved atmosphere. This challenges the accepted view that Earth's ancient atmosphere was oxygen-poor.
A team of archaeologists from the University of Sydney has discovered a piece of the world's oldest axe, which dates back to a Stone Age period of 45,000 to 49,000 years ago. The axe fragment was found in Western Australia and reveals that the first Australians were technological innovators.
The discovery of the world's oldest-known axe in Australia pushes back the date of hafted axes by thousands of years. Early Aboriginal technology was not as simple as previously thought, with evidence suggesting it developed in Australia after people arrived around 50,000 years ago.
Researchers found that storms are shrinking in space and intensifying over smaller areas, resulting in more intense peak rainfalls. This intensification is expected to lead to a significant rise in flash flooding across major urban centers worldwide.
Research team led by Loïc Pellissier showed that continental plate movement drove the evolution of new species in coral reefs. The study used computer models and combined different simulations to demonstrate how shallow and warm waters were located throughout Earth history, giving corals a habitat.
The Five hundred metre Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) in China features technology developed by CSIRO engineers, making it one of the most sensitive telescopes globally. The telescope will explore the nature and evolution of the universe, helping to detect thousands of new pulsars.
Persistent Critical Illness (PerCI) affects a small but significant portion of ICU patients, using up 33% of available beds. Researchers hope their findings will lead to improved treatments and patient outcomes.