Science and research news from Australia. Covers Indigenous language teaching, menopause information, conservation, and open-access agreements.
The Compact Array Broadband Backend (CABB) project has upgraded CSIRO's radio telescope near Narrabri in NSW, increasing its bandwidth from 128 MHz to 2 GHz. This upgrade enables astronomers to capture more data from the sky faster and detect cosmic objects more quickly.
A research collaboration has identified a genetic variation that influences Rett syndrome severity, providing potential new target for treatment. Patients with the normal BDNF genetic variant experienced less severe symptoms, including later onset and fewer seizures.
The Australian ocean glider, launched in February, successfully completed a two-month, 1,500 kilometre voyage to measure changes in the East Australian and Leeuwin Currents. The glider's sensors measured temperature, salinity, oxygen, and turbidity, providing valuable insights into Australia's $94 million marine observing network.
A groundbreaking CSIRO study has defined the period when horses are most likely to shed Hendra virus, enabling early diagnosis and prevention of transmission. This breakthrough aims to reduce the risk of spread to both humans and susceptible horses.
The 2007 Solomon Island earthquake highlighted an increased tsunami risk caused by the unusual tectonic plate geography and rapid change in direction. The event showed a localized increase in tsunami heights, potentially creating near-trench islands.
A recent editorial in The Lancet critiques Coca-Cola's marketing tactics, drawing parallels with the tobacco industry. The company is accused of using celebrity endorsements and blaming shifting to avoid responsibility for its products' impact on health.
A new study reveals that climate change will bring about major shifts in worldwide fire patterns, with some regions experiencing large increases in fire activity and others decreasing. The research uses thermal-infrared sensor data to identify hotspots of fire invasion forming in parts of the western US and the Tibetan plateau.
The Integrated Ocean Drilling Program has expanded its international support with the addition of Australia, India, and New Zealand as Associate Members. These countries will contribute scientists to upcoming expeditions, expanding research opportunities in climate change, geodynamics, and marine biology.
A new study suggests that balancing two types of estrogen and a hormone in the placenta can signal labor. Researchers found that when estradiol (E2) and estriol (E3) are in balance, there is no drive to labor, but an imbalance leads to the onset of labor.
Researchers found that meat ants are more effective at killing and eating cane toads than native frogs, providing a potential solution to controlling the spread of this alien species in tropical Australia. Cane toads' poor escape abilities make them vulnerable to meat ants' attacks.
Dr Crouch, a 2009 Advancing BioBusiness Award winner, seeks to improve scientific discovery in Australia through state-of-the-art assays and automation. He hopes to develop new tests for bio-markers of diseases like cancer, improving the efficiency of research in Australian university laboratories.
The study found that vegetation cover has increased over the past 65 years, leading to a decrease in bare sandstone habitat critical for broad-headed snakes. Regular controlled burns could open up the forest canopy and prevent tree seedling establishment, benefiting the endangered species.
A new device using a Raman amplifier has successfully transmitted data over 37 miles of single-mode fiber, error-free, at a speed of 2.5 Gb/s. This technology could provide high-speed Internet to 99% of Australians living in Victoria, closing the digital divide.
A recent study by Research Australia found that simple cooperation between agencies and local governments is crucial for good health care aid in the Solomon Islands. The research suggests that longer-term commitment and alignment of priorities are necessary to improve the health landscape in the region.
Professor Ego Seeman received the IOF Medal of Achievement for his outstanding scientific contributions to osteoporosis research. The award recognizes individuals who have significantly advanced the field of osteoporosis through their original and outstanding work.
Researchers have developed a decentralized peer-to-peer (P2P) system to monitor patients with chronic illnesses remotely. The system, which utilizes idle processing cycles, storage, and bandwidth of individual nodes, can build a scalable model of the network overlay on the internet.
The Australia-China Research Centre aims to reduce the number of base stations required in wireless networks, thereby lowering their environmental impact. The centre will focus on advanced antenna technologies and signal processing algorithms for next-generation broadband wireless communications networks.
Asthma prevalence has declined among children and young adults, while Indigenous Australians face higher risks of asthma-related hospital visits and deaths. Asthma action plans are crucial for patients, yet many still lack them.
Researchers discovered that male Australian crayfish use deceptive signals to advertise their strength, cheating rivals with weaker but larger claws. This behavior comes at a cost, as large claws may hinder the males' ability to escape danger.
The University of California, Berkeley researchers argue that California can learn from Australia's 'Prepare, stay and defend' strategy, which trains residents to actively defend their homes against wildfires. The policy has been shown to reduce risk and increase survival rates in Australia.
The three-year project aims to develop cost-effective, reel-to-reel printable plastic solar cells that can be printed like money. The technology has enormous potential for the solar industry in Australia and could lead to a world-leading Australian industry in printable electronics.
Researchers identify aerosols as a crucial factor in shaping Australian rainfall patterns, with potential impacts on future climate change. Aerosol pollution from Asia may be responsible for changes in rainfall patterns in northern Australia.
Researchers highlight potential security concerns for remote intelligent drug delivery systems, which could compromise patient safety. The team proposes implementing robust security mechanisms to mitigate hacking risks.
The Lancet Editorial emphasizes the need for governments to implement policies focusing on price, availability, and affordability of alcohol. Recent guidance in the UK and Australia advises delaying drinking onset age, but warns that education alone may not be effective without complementary population-level policies.
Researchers discovered at least three new species of sea life, including a carnivorous sea squirt and a new species of barnacles. The team also collected over 10,000 fossilized coral samples, which will help study the impact of climate change on oceans.
A study found that older adults who experience osteoporotic fracture have an increased risk of death for 5-10 years, and subsequent fractures further increase the risk. Non-hip, nonvertebral fractures were also associated with a significant proportion of premature mortality.
Researchers studied the San Andreas fault system, Africa's ancient crustal blocks, and the High Plains aquifer using gravity, magnetic, and seismic data. The results show that Africa is a collage of ancient cratons with mantle roots extending deep into the Earth's interior.
CSIRO's Snorocket software enhances electronic health record accuracy, enabling faster data processing and improved collaboration among healthcare professionals worldwide. The innovation is part of the IHTSDO Workbench, a platform for standardizing clinical terminology and promoting global health data consistency.
Scientists from Denmark and Australia have established an error-free speed-reading record using a compact ultra-fast component, reaching 640 Gbps. The new technology allows for faster network speeds and opens the door to even higher data rates approaching terabits/second.
The European Union's decision to allow orlistat to be sold OTC may not be beneficial for the public due to its limited effect on obesity management. The drug's high cost, approximately £1.47 per day in England, adds false credibility to quick fixes, highlighting the need for long-term lifestyle changes.
A new model predicts climate change and human water storage behavior will accelerate the spread of the disease-bearing Aedes aegypti mosquito. The study highlights the importance of water hygiene education to prevent mosquito establishment in areas where they are currently not found.
Climate change and mosquito adaptation could lead to the expansion of dengue fever vectors in Australia, increasing disease transmission risk. The researchers' Niche Mapper software predicts suitable habitats for the mosquitoes will increase across the continent by 2050.
Researchers found that honey bees can reliably distinguish between patterns containing two and three dots, but struggle with four. The bees use a combination of working memory and memory rules to solve the problem. This remarkable cognitive ability challenges traditional views on the numerical competence of insects.
A four-week expedition to explore the deep ocean south-west of Tasmania has revealed new species of animals, including a bizarre carnivorous sea squirt and giant sponges. The survey also found vast fields of fossil corals dated to over 10,000 years old, providing ancient climate data for models of regional and global climate change.
The special issue highlights various new treatment options, including mobile phones, Internet-based interventions, and computers. Researchers have seen promising results, such as a high number of students logging on to screening programs and increased access for hard-to-reach populations.
The removal of cats from Macquarie Island, a World Heritage Site, has caused widespread environmental devastation due to the increase in the native rabbit population. The island's vegetation has been severely impacted, with nearly 40% of the area affected and nearly 20% having moderate to severe change.
Ancient DNA and palaeontology researchers analyzed coprolites from giant extinct birds to build a detailed picture of an ecosystem dominated by these species. The findings suggest that some moa grazed on tiny herbs, while others are threatened or rare due to their extinction.
Research on submarine displacement rates reveals some of the highest strike-slip rates on Earth, with implications for plate boundary deformation. Volcanic ice-slurry flows are also studied, showing extreme mobility and hazards at snow-capped volcanoes, with insights into their kinematic properties.
Researchers have created a family tree of 2,000 protea plant species, revealing that two regions – South Western Australia and the Cape Floristic Region – are experiencing accelerated speciation rates. This surge is linked to climate change approximately 10-20 million years ago, which led to hotter, drier conditions and vegetation fires.
A recent study found that multiple antenatal steroid courses do not improve preterm birth outcomes and can decrease baby size. Infants exposed to multiple doses of corticosteroids weighed less at birth than those exposed to placebo.
A study of 25,287 patients found that death rates were lower among those receiving peritoneal dialysis at day 90, but this effect varied depending on age and health. The results indicate that certain patient characteristics should be factored into decisions on dialysis treatment.
A major international study highlights the need for improved prenatal care in South-East Asian hospitals to prevent neonatal lung disease. Antenatal corticosteroid treatment before preterm birth has been shown to significantly reduce child death and disease.
The University of Adelaide is set to become a global leader in photonics and advanced sensing technologies thanks to a $28.8 million government investment. Researchers will utilize state-of-the-art facilities to develop breakthroughs in various fields, including physics, chemistry, biology, and environmental science.
New research from University of Toronto breaks long-held assumption that larger animals have an advantage in mating and offspring production. Smaller Redback spiders actually outperform larger ones due to their faster maturation rate.
A preliminary study by Durham University found that struggling households in the UK have borrowed against their homes to meet basic needs like raising children. On average, these households borrowed an additional £5000 to £7500 in a given year.
New study reveals that despite increased wind speeds, Southern Ocean currents and upwelling patterns remain unchanged, contradicting previous concerns about the ocean's capacity to combat climate change. The research suggests that small-scale ocean eddies balance stronger winds, preventing a significant impact on carbon dioxide storage.
A team of CSIRO scientists has developed a rapid screening system to identify inhibitors of toxic multimers formed during Alzheimer's disease progression. Folate is shown to be beneficial in the screening system, and could lead to the discovery of new agents that may prevent or delay the onset of the disease.
The Lancet Series on Child Maltreatment highlights the importance of supporting paediatricians who work with child maltreatment cases. Professor Jenny suggests that regulation of experts and media coverage can help safeguard children. The series also emphasizes the need for a public-health approach to address social inequality and pare...
Almost a third of registered aged care nurses in Victoria are considering quitting their jobs due to emotional exhaustion. The study highlights the need for improved training, human resource management and grievance procedures to improve staff well-being and quality of care.
A new study reveals a link between alcohol-industry sponsorship and hazardous drinking among sportspeople, with those receiving free or discounted booze reporting higher levels of binge drinking. The research suggests that severing links with the alcohol industry is crucial to promote the health and well-being of athletes.
Fiddler crabs grow weak and puny 'cheap' claws that deceive rivals about their fighting ability, highlighting the widespread nature of dishonesty in animal communication. The study sheds light on how animals like fiddler crabs bluff their way to survival and reproductive success.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that testosterone administered by a skin patch improves sexual well-being in post-menopausal women. The research involved over 800 participants from across the globe and suggests testosterone as a potential treatment for low libido in this demographic.
Researchers found that eating red meat absorbs human cells with non-human molecules, making them a target for disease-causing bacteria. The study emphasizes the need to eat well-cooked or pasteurized dairy products to avoid food poisoning.
Researchers discovered a significant genetic link between male to female transsexuals and a longer version of the androgen receptor (AR) gene, which modifies testosterone action. This study provides evidence for a biological basis of how gender identity develops.
An international team is exploring two uncharted regions of Antarctica to study the impact of climate change on global sea levels. The research aims to understand how Earth's climate changed in the past and how future climate change will affect global sea level.
A new protocol, PAST, reduces pre-hospital delays for stroke patients, increasing those treated with thrombolytic therapy from 4.7% to 21.4%. The protocol could save an estimated $31.2 million annually by enabling more patients to receive brain-saving treatment within the three-hour window.
Asthma affects over 2 million Australians, with a plateauing prevalence among children and declining hospital admission rates since 1993. Despite positive trends, asthma remains a major concern due to smoking habits, lack of written action plans, and higher mortality rates among Indigenous Australians.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found a strong association between proteinuria and the risk of coronary heart disease. The study suggests that markers of kidney dysfunction may be used as indicators for coronary heart disease risk, highlighting the importance of monitoring kidney function in patients with cardiovascular disease.
The Australian Imaging, Biomarker and Lifestyle Flagship Study of Ageing (AIBL) has secured a three-year collaboration with Pfizer Australia, valued at over $1.1 million. The partnership aims to identify blood-based biomarkers for early diagnosis and test new disease-modifying therapies.
Scientists have solved the debate about the origin of a 3 billion-year-old rock fragment using a new X-ray technique, revealing it formed in the Earth's mantle at high temperatures. This discovery provides clues about the Earth's early history and internal processes, opening up new avenues for research on the planet's evolution.