Science and research news from Australia. Covers Indigenous language teaching, menopause information, conservation, and open-access agreements.
Tropical Cyclone Gillian made landfall on the western Cape York Peninsula of Queensland, Australia, weakening and has now meandered back over water. The remnants were located near Mornington Island in the Gulf of Carpentaria, with estimated maximum sustained surface winds between 15 to 20 knots.
A cluster randomized controlled trial in 20 communities found no significant difference in alcohol-related harms between intervention and control groups, despite reported reductions in self-reported average weekly consumption of alcohol. The study suggests that community action alone may not be sufficient to reduce problem drinking and...
Tropical Cyclone Gillian's center remained over land on March 11 with maximum sustained winds near 35 knots/40mph. NASA's TRMM satellite detected powerful storms up to 16km high, indicating significant power before the cyclone made landfall.
Tropical Cyclone Gillian made its first landfall in the northwestern coast of the York Peninsula, while Tropical Cyclone Hadi lingered off the eastern coast. Gillian is expected to re-emerge in the Gulf of Carpentaria and make a second landfall near the Northern Territory/Queensland border.
Researchers found that species near volcanoes were more likely to survive past ice ages due to the heat and steam from volcanic activity. This discovery could inform conservation efforts in icy regions as humans continue to impact the environment.
Researchers found delicate strings of galaxies in previously thought-empty voids, revealing a new type of structure called 'tendrils'. This discovery suggests that voids might be smaller than initially believed, challenging our understanding of the universe's organization.
Two tropical low pressure systems, System 96P and System 98P, are developing in the Coral Sea and northern Gulf of Carpentaria, respectively. These storms have strengthened, with sustained winds reported on Willis Island, and are expected to make landfall near Queensland's eastern coast.
The Australian National University-led Cooperative Research Centre for Space Environment Management will track space debris, improve predictions of space debris orbits, and predict potential collisions in space. The center aims to reduce the rate of debris proliferation and remove debris using ground-based lasers.
A new Cooperative Research Centre will use lasers to track and remove space debris in low orbits around the Earth. The initiative aims to reduce collision risks for satellites, space stations, and spacecraft.
International cricket attendance is largely driven by team strength, according to new research. The study found that strong teams draw bigger crowds, even if the match is an unequal contest.
The Eskitis Institute is working with the Queensland Compound Library and Nature Bank to discover new natural compounds that could be developed into life-saving drugs. The collaboration has led to significant advancements in high-throughput screening of natural product fractions, resulting in the discovery of more useful compounds.
The New Guinea flatworm, considered one of the 100 worst invasive alien species, has been found in France for the first time. The flatworm was identified by molecular analysis and is capable of consuming European snails and other soil-dwelling species.
Research reveals that female lizards' bright orange patches on their underbellies signal peak fertility to males, attracting them with showy behavior. Males also exhibit aggressive behavior towards pregnant females, which can be deterred by the females' display of bright orange color.
Astronomers have found a new superpowered small black hole named MQ1 in galaxy M83, which is classed as a microquasar with jets that heat and sweep away surrounding gas. The discovery sheds light on early universe evolution and provides insight into the growth of quasars.
Despite progress in extinguishing the Morwell fire, officials warn of weeks of firefighting ahead due to hot and dry conditions. The Snowy River Complex fire has burned over 500 square miles, with many bushfires considered under control but still posing a threat.
Researchers found that insect distribution is primarily defined by their tolerance to extreme temperatures, not average temperature changes. This knowledge helped model the expected shift in distributions due to climate change, with some species predicted to disappear entirely in a few decades.
Researchers in Tasmania reveal ancient conditions that stifled evolution for a billion years, but then oxygen levels surged, triggering the 'Cambrian explosion of life'. The study uses a new technique to analyze ancient seafloor rocks, shedding light on the emergence of life and its impact on Earth.
A QUT study found that variations in temperatures coupled with spikes in unemployment are significant risk factors for suicide. The research identified two major clusters of high suicide rates in Mornington Shire and the Bathurst-Melville area, particularly after the mid-1990s.
Research from University of Adelaide reveals South Australia has a higher rate of hypothermia deaths than Sweden, with elderly women indoors being the main victims. The study attributes this to poor heating and insulation, as well as lack of social interaction and multiple underlying medical conditions.
A Dartmouth-Australian study provides the first global evidence that foreign aid programs can improve donor countries' public image. The research suggests that targeted and sustained foreign aid can serve a crucial geostrategic goal for those countries providing it, while also improving humanitarian outcomes.
A new study tracks global species shift in response to changing climates, highlighting complex migration patterns and areas of high risk for extinction. The maps display where new temperature conditions are being generated and where existing environments may disappear.
Researchers at Curtin University have found a way to breed disease-resistant wheat, reducing yield loss due to Yellow Spot and other diseases. This new technology allows for improved disease resistance without affecting yields or increasing costs.
The study provides critical information for targeting conservation efforts and highlights the need for urgent action to protect biodiversity. Climate change is expected to force plants and animals to adapt or migrate to track their ideal climate, with some species facing significant challenges in finding new habitats.
Hot and dry conditions in Victoria sparked a rash of bushfires in the Snowy River National Park area, with fires spanning over 27,000 acres. Authorities are warning residents of another potential fire season this weekend.
Two low-pressure areas, System 94P (Fletcher) and 95S, were detected by NASA's Aqua satellite over Australia. Fletcher remains in the Gulf of Carpentaria with disorganized convection, while System 95S develops near Darwin with heavy rainfall potential.
Tropical Storm Edna has developed in the South Pacific Ocean east of Queensland, while System 94P/Fletcher continues to have a medium chance for development. NASA's Aqua satellite captured both storms in one infrared image, showing convection and thunderstorm development beginning to erode System 94P's center over land.
TRMM satellite data revealed moderate to heavy rainfall rates of over 31 mm/h as Tropical Storm Dylan approached the Australian coast. The storm made landfall on January 30 and was quickly weakening as it moved inland.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured visible and infrared imagery of Tropical Cyclone Dylan as it began landfalling in Queensland, Australia. The storm had maximum sustained winds near 55 knots and was expected to dissipate within one day.
Tropical Cyclone 11P is a newly developed storm moving toward a landfall in Queensland, Australia, with maximum sustained winds near 35 knots. The JTWC expects the cyclone to strengthen before making landfall around January 31.
The paper presents findings on strain rates measured in travertine in the Rio Grande rift, age dating of the Neoarchean Rum Jungle complex, and the first lithosphere-scale illustration of the structural evolution of the Black Sea Basin. Geodynamic modeling also reveals internal structures produced during craton formation.
System 99P is showing signs of organization, with high cloud tops and potential for heavy rainfall. NASA predicts it will become a tropical depression over the next day as it tracks towards Willis Island in Australia.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that texting alters posture and balance while walking, causing individuals to swerve and slow down. This behavior may impact the safety of people who text and walk at the same time, highlighting the need for greater awareness about phone use while navigating.
Professor Geoff Pryde from Griffith University's Centre for Quantum Dynamics has been recognized for his pioneering contributions to quantum information science, including the first entangling optical quantum computer logic gate and fundamental experimental studies of quantum entanglement.
NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites continue to monitor the movement of System 94S, a stubborn tropical low pressure area affecting Western Australia. The system is expected to bring heavy rainfall, including flash flooding, to parts of the region.
Scientists predict a doubling of extreme El Nino events as the world warms, leading to increased heat waves and droughts. The research found that the eastern Pacific Ocean will warm, causing massive changes in global rainfall patterns.
NASA's Terra satellite tracked System 94S, a tropical low, moving inland from the Northern Territory into Western Australia. The system brought heavy rainfall to the region, exceeding 50mm at Sturt Creek in the Interior Region.
Severe bushfires swept across South Australia, driven by record-breaking heat and strong winds. Firefighters struggled to control complex fires in rural areas, aided by additional water bombers from Queensland and Victoria.
Researchers identified a special yeast, Metschnikowia pulcherrima AWRI1149, that can produce wine with reduced ethanol concentration. Sequential inoculation of this yeast with Saccharomyces cerevisiae resulted in an alcohol content reduction of up to 1.6%.
System 94S continues to track over Western Australia and the Northern Territory, with NASA's Aqua satellite detecting powerful thunderstorms northwest of the low-pressure center. Heavy rainfall warnings have been issued for the region, with some storms potentially producing heavy rain rates.
Research from Kansas State University found that decreasing sitting time and increasing physical activity can lower chronic disease risk and improve quality of life. The study suggests breaking up sedentary periods with movement to stimulate metabolism and reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mortality.
System 94S continues to develop over the Northern Territory of Australia, with strong central convection and spiral bands of thunderstorms pushed west by moderate to strong vertical wind shear. The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Severe Weather Warning for heavy rainfall and flash flooding in the affected areas.
Studies examine the role of hydrated fault zones in carrying large amounts of water from Earth's oceans to the mantle. Researchers also investigate vertical structural heterogeneities within cratonic lithosphere, shedding light on continent destruction and evolution.
A study by Hebrew University researchers and international colleagues found that different cultural approaches to tasks like pottery-throwing didn't produce distinct outcomes. Instead, most hand positions were culture-specific while vessel shapes remained largely unified across cultures.
NASA's TRMM satellite measured heavy rainfall rates of up to 2 inches per hour in the northeastern Van Dieman Gulf and northwestern Arnhem Region. The system is affecting parts of Northern Territory with damaging winds and heavy rainfall warnings issued.
A new blood test has been developed to diagnose coeliac disease, providing a rapid and accurate result within 24 hours. The test measures T cell response to gluten after three days of consumption, showing high predictive value for coeliac disease diagnosis.
A team of researchers from Curtin University has developed an approach to identify potential refugia in declining rainfall environments, essential for conservation efforts. They found that areas with great water run-off below granite outcrops and deeper soil may provide safe havens for biodiversity.
Paleobotanists discover complete fossil remains of Agathis trees from Australia to South America across Antarctica, revealing its vast range and adaptability. The findings provide insights into climate change's impact on the tree's distribution.
International team uncovers first record of dinosaurs from Saudi Arabia, featuring a sauropod and carnivorous theropod species. The discovery sheds light on the region's rare dinosaur fossil record.
A new Tropical Depression is forming near Australia's Kimberly coast, with System 98S expected to develop into Cyclone 05S on Saturday. Heavy rainfall and gusty winds are forecast for coastal areas, including gusts up to 100 km/h and heavy rain from Port Hedland to Mardie and Karratha.
The ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies has been awarded $28m for research on sustainable coral reef management. The centre will focus on understanding the interaction between coral reefs and people, with a goal to foster their sustainable use.
Several major cities have been mapped for their food security and self-provisioning, revealing varying degrees of dependence on national and global markets. Cities like Tokyo and Canberra struggle to feed themselves due to population growth and climate change, while Copenhagen's stable population has increased its local production.
Researchers used geological evidence to derive a natural background pattern of sea-level rise. Based on this, they found that modern sea-level rise is fast but within the 'natural range', with only half of observed changes expected by natural standards.
Professor Len Harrison has been awarded the JDRF Australia Lifetime Research Achievement Award for his groundbreaking work on improving treatments for people with type 1 diabetes. His research aims to prevent or delay the onset of the disease, bringing hope for better therapies and treatments.
Researchers found that kinship inflections evolved as a means to avoid restricted personal names, providing a practical solution for person recognition. The study provides insight into language evolution by examining the use of linguistic structures in social interaction.
The Silver Banksia plant genus has developed a strategy to cope with phosphorus scarcity by reducing ribosomal RNA in their cells, saving phosphorus and water. By optimizing phosphate use, Proteaceae plants outperform Arabidopsis thaliana in photosynthetic efficiency.
Chris Martine's discovery of a new wild eggplant species in Australia has shed light on the plant's unique reproductive strategy. The female plant produces male pollen, tricking bees into visiting its flowers, and Martine hopes to study this phenomenon further.
Tropical Storm Alessia reclaimed her title after being tracked by NASA's TRMM satellite on November 27. Heavy rainfall was observed around the storm's center, with rain rates reaching up to 50 mm/hour.
The remnants of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alessia have been spotted in the Northern Territory, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing infrared data revealing strong thunderstorms and potential heavy rains. The low-pressure system is expected to move slowly south before turning west towards the Timor Sea.
Tropical Cyclone Alessia made landfall in northern Australia as a weak storm, with NASA's TRMM satellite capturing mostly light rain and moderate rainfall. The cyclone dissipated quickly after crossing the Northern Territory coast, causing no damages or significant impacts.
Tropical Cyclone Alessia has formed in the Southern Indian Ocean and is expected to threaten Western Australia. The cyclone's maximum sustained winds are near 35 knots, and it is currently moving east-southeast towards Darwin.