Science and research news from Australia. Covers Indigenous language teaching, menopause information, conservation, and open-access agreements.
A new study published in EPJ B suggests that specific parameters can help avert economic collapses. By optimizing macro-economic parameters, economists can move an economy around a tipping point, thus averting disaster.
The latest IST-3 results show that alteplase treatment significantly improves mobility, self-care, and overall quality of life in stroke survivors. At 18 months, patients treated with alteplase had a 28% greater odds of being alive and independent compared to those not receiving the drug.
Researchers have documented a new mixed language, Light Warlpiri, generated from a combination of elements from three languages. This innovative language features verb and noun structures not found in the source languages, showcasing the creative potential of human language formation.
A study from the University of Adelaide found South Australian women are mildly iodine deficient despite the inclusion of iodized salt in bread. Women taking an iodine supplement during pregnancy received healthy levels of iodine, while those not taking a supplement suffered from deficiency.
Research reveals pesticides are responsible for reducing regional biodiversity of invertebrates in streams and rivers by up to 42 percent. The study's findings highlight the urgent need for new concepts linking ecology with ecotoxicology to protect aquatic ecosystems.
A new animal study finds that short-term use of antidepressants, combined with stress and a high-fat diet, leads to long-term increases in body weight. The study suggests that the medication, rather than the diet alone, contributes to the weight gain, which is accompanied by increased bone and spleen weights.
Northern Australia is prone to bushfires during winter and spring due to dry conditions and strong winds. NASA's satellite images reveal active burning areas, highlighting the region's susceptibility to wildfires.
Scientists have reconstructed the soft tissue of a 380 million-year-old armored fish using synchrotron X-rays. The study reveals well-developed neck musculature and powerful abdominal muscles in early vertebrates, challenging previous assumptions about fossil interpretation.
Scientists have discovered miraculously preserved musculature in 380 million-year-old fossil fishes from north-west Australia. This finding helps understand the evolution of neck and abdominal muscles in ancient vertebrates.
The analysis of fossil kangaroo teeth reveals a diverse prehistoric habitat in southeastern Queensland, including tropical forests, wetlands, and grasslands. The findings suggest that extinct marsupials occupied specialized dietary niches, contradicting previous assumptions about the region's aridity.
Studies reveal CO2 gas following seismic swarms, growth of Mount Everest, and remarkably modern Cretaceous seawater composition. Loess paleosol sequences in central Europe provide insights into the progressive evolution of a continental climate during the Middle Pleistocene.
Researchers have found that Blue Lake on North Stradbroke Island has remained relatively stable and resilient for millennia. The study suggests that increased groundwater extraction poses a threat to the lake's stability as a freshwater refuge.
Scientists discovered that elevated carbon dioxide concentrations have caused a significant increase in foliage cover across warm, arid environments globally. The study found that the CO2 fertilization effect led to an average 11% increase in foliage, with some regions experiencing up to 10% growth.
Researchers found that 70% of stars in a globular cluster do not undergo the final nuclear burning and mass-loss phase, contradicting previous theories. The team discovered that these stars have low levels of sodium, suggesting a link between sodium content and stellar evolution.
A new technique using primate tooth analysis has been applied to Neanderthal fossils, revealing that Neanderthal babies were weaned around 7 months old, similar to modern human infants. This method provides a precise estimate of the timing of weaning in extinct species.
The World Heart Federation hosted an international meeting to address the growing burden of rheumatic heart disease, a neglected non-communicable disease that kills over 200,000 people under 25 annually. Four key strategies were identified to integrate RHD prevention and control into national action plans.
The study found a widening gap in life expectancy of 16 years for males and 12 years for females, largely due to increasing life expectancy in the general population. Physical conditions such as cardiovascular disease were the main cause of excess deaths among people with mental illness.
A study of 19,327 newly licensed drivers aged 17-24 found that those sleeping 6 hours or less per night had a higher crash risk. Young drivers who got less sleep on weekends were more likely to be involved in run-off-road crashes between 8pm and 6am.
A team of scientists and citizen-scientists analyzed 12,000 peer-reviewed papers on climate change, finding that over 97% of authors support human-caused climate change. The study aims to raise public awareness of the scientific consensus on climate change.
Controlled fires are deliberately set by fire officials to clean out dry underbrush and debris. This strategy helps prevent devastating bushfires from getting out of control, as evident in the NASA image of southern Australia showing well-planned and controlled burns.
A recent review of evidence suggests that humans were unlikely to have been the primary drivers of megafauna extinction in Australia, with climate change instead being the main culprit. The study challenges long-held assumptions and highlights the complexity of this issue.
Researchers analyzed hundreds of thousands of credit card transactions to identify predictable shopping patterns. They found that people's behavior is repetitive and can be predicted with a fair degree of probability for future purchases within the next month.
Controlled fires in southern Australia are being used to clear dry underbrush and debris, reducing the risk of devastating bushfires. NASA's satellite imagery shows a mix of planned and spontaneous fires, with most currently under control.
Cyclone Zane is a disorganized storm with strongest rain northwest of the center. NASA's TRMM satellite measured light to moderate rainfall within the storm, with an area northwest of the center showing a high rainfall rate of around 2 inches/50 mm per hour.
Researchers from Australia have achieved a breakthrough in detecting the spin state of a single atom using a novel combined optical and electrical approach. This innovation brings closer the prospect of a global quantum internet, which could revolutionize secure communications for various industries.
Cyclone Zane is forecasted to make landfall in northeastern Queensland on May 2, bringing strong winds and tropical storm conditions. The cyclone's maximum sustained winds were near 55 knots (63.2 mph) on May 1, with a brief weakening expected before landfall.
Infrared data captured by NASA's AIRS instrument revealed the rapid development of Tropical Storm Zane in the Southwestern Pacific Ocean. The storm is expected to make landfall in northeastern Queensland on May 1 at cyclone strength, bringing warnings and watches for coastal areas.
NASA's MODIS satellite detected dozens of fires in Western Australia and the Northern Territory on April 28, 2013. The worst time for fire is late in the dry season, when vegetation has dried to tinder and blazes tend to be uncontrollable.
Exposure to secondhand smoke at home has been linked to lower levels of 'good' cholesterol in teenage girls, increasing their risk of heart disease. The study found that 17-year-old girls exposed to passive smoking had declined HDL cholesterol levels, making them more vulnerable to cardiovascular disease.
Research reveals Nipah virus can be carried by fruit bats on both sides of Wallace's line, which may have initially restricted the spread of avian flu to Australia. The finding extends the known regions where Nipah virus has been detected, including the island of Timor.
A total of 90 species are recognized from the Indo-Malayan and Palearctic realms, with 71 described as new species. The discovery greatly expands knowledge of the genus Oxyscelio, a parasitic wasp family.
Researchers at University of Cincinnati have made a groundbreaking discovery in semiconductor nanowires, opening doors to better ways of harnessing solar energy and improving air quality sensors. The new structure has unique properties that could lead to advances in photovoltaic cells and stronger security measures.
Australian researchers use CSIRO's Zebedee to create detailed 3D maps of historic sites in Moreton Bay, preserving fragile and remote cultural heritage. The technology allows for rapid data collection, enabling analysis of important aspects of Australian history, such as the segregation of Indigenous people in leper colonies.
Early season prescribed burns, such as those conducted by the NASA-backed Ecofire program, are more effective at containing fires and reducing long-term damage. By mimicking traditional Aboriginal fire practices, these early-season burns can help reestablish vegetation and prevent the formation of extensive burn scars.
Researchers analyzed data from eight sexual health services across Australia, finding a significant decline in genital warts diagnoses among vaccinated young women and men. The HPV vaccination has been shown to protect against the types of HPV that cause 90% of genital warts and cancer-causing HPV types.
A team of Australian engineers at the University of New South Wales has demonstrated a functional quantum bit based on the nucleus of a single atom in silicon. The device operates with high accuracy and could revolutionize data processing in ultra-powerful quantum computers.
A multicenter study found that administering sodium bicarbonate during and after open heart surgery does not reduce the incidence of acute kidney injury, but may increase mortality. The authors recommend against using this treatment to prevent AKI in patients undergoing open heart surgery.
Research suggests that fainting, also known as vasovagal syncope, may have a genetic component, with some families affected by multiple genes. Triggers such as emotional distress, pain, and frightening thoughts vary greatly within families, but the study found no link between triggers and genetic inheritance.
A new 1000-year Antarctic Peninsula climate reconstruction reveals a near-tenfold increase in summer ice melt since the mid-20th century. This intensification has important implications for ice instability and sea level rise in a warming climate.
Cyclone Victoria appears as a 'J' shape due to thunderstorms wrapping around the eastern side of the storm. The cyclone is weakening rapidly due to wind shear and dropping sea surface temperatures.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured smoke and heat signatures from fires in Victoria's national parks on April 9, 2013. The affected areas include Snowy River, Errinundra, and Coopracamba National Parks.
Researchers identified several risk factors, including the number of previous complaints and specialty, which could help predict future complaints. The study suggests that identifying high-risk doctors earlier can lead to targeted interventions to improve quality care.
A joint project between QUT and The Australian Museum has mapped the koala genome, providing insights into their immune system. The study identified genes involved in B cell and T cell activation, suggesting that koalas have a capability to protect themselves against microbial pathogens like Chlamydia.
A study in Australia found that 3% of doctors account for 49% of all patient complaints, with those who have multiple complaints being highly likely to receive further complaints. The researchers argue that this issue could be mitigated by introducing formal appraisal of a doctor's practice as part of revalidation.
The joint research collaboration aims to develop new approaches to tackle emerging infectious diseases in the Asia-Pacific region. The project will focus on designing treatments and vaccines for tuberculosis, predicting patients at risk of severe dengue, and developing improved vaccines against virus diseases.
A new study found that Google searches for information on all major mental illnesses followed seasonal patterns, with winter queries consistently higher than summer ones. This suggests that mental illness may be more strongly linked to seasonal patterns than previously thought.
A long-term study shows that isolated coral reefs like Scott Reef in Western Australia can recover from severe disturbances without relying on neighboring reefs. The reef's isolation allowed surviving corals to rapidly grow and propagate, ultimately recovering within 12 years.
A global plan for road building is proposed to reduce environmental damage by concentrating roads in suitable areas. Properly planned roads can improve farming, increase farm profits, and enhance food security, helping to feed the growing global population.
Researchers have discovered the original host of ancient pigmy moths was a rainforest plant in the myrtle family. The moths' evolution reveals unique adaptations for courtship and mating.
A team of scientists has successfully revived the DNA of an extinct Australian frog species, Rheobatrachus silus, using somatic cell nuclear transfer. The 'Lazarus Project' aims to bring back the bizarre gastric-brooding frog, which uniquely swallowed its eggs and gave birth through its mouth.
Cyclone Tim has matured into Tropical Storm Tim over the Coral Sea, with NASA tracking its movement and predicting intensification. The storm is expected to pass east of Willis Island and then head toward Queensland Australia's east coast.
Young servicemen under 30 are more likely to have a conviction for violent offending, with 20.6% vs 6.7% in the general population. Combat exposure and mental health issues also significantly increase the risk of violent behavior among military personnel.
Scientists found that using a handsfree kit or sending text messages while driving has the same effect on reaction capacity as consuming alcohol above the legal limit. The study, conducted in Australia and Spain, used a simulation test involving 12 healthy volunteers who drove at speeds of 60-80 km/h.
A national study of chicken pox admissions found a 68% drop in hospitalizations since the introduction of the vaccine in 2006. The results show that unvaccinated children were more likely to require intensive care treatment, highlighting the importance of herd immunity.
Researchers discovered three new, previously unknown clam species that diverged from a common ancestor over 10 million years ago. A climate-cooling event may have played a role in their evolution, leading to the creation of distinct biogeographic provinces along Australia's coastline.
The ACEmobile app uses the latest version of the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination (ACE-III) to provide a sensitive, reliable, and secure dementia assessment tool. The app will be made available free of charge via iTunes and Google Play, allowing clinicians around the world to access accurate diagnoses and aid in earlier treatment.
A new study by researchers at UNC Chapel Hill and the University of Adelaide found that fluoride in drinking water prevents tooth decay for all adults regardless of age or childhood consumption. Adults living in fluoridated communities had up to 30% less tooth decay.
Scientists have discovered a way to revive genetic diversity in Tasmanian devils, allowing them to develop a vaccine against the deadly devil facial tumour disease (DFTD). The vaccine aims to boost the devils' immune system and give them a fighting chance against the contagious cancer.
A 10-year study found that daily walking increased as residents had more access to local transport and recreational destinations. For every shop or facility available, residents walked an extra 5-6 minutes or 21 minutes per week respectively.
Researchers from the University of Adelaide's Australian Centre for Ancient DNA extracted ancient DNA from two specimens and compared it to extinct relatives. They found that the Falkland Islands wolf diverged from its closest living relative around 16,000 years ago, revealing a 16,000-year-old island colonization process.