Science and research news from Australia. Covers Indigenous language teaching, menopause information, conservation, and open-access agreements.
A new study from Queensland University of Technology finds that climate change caused a series of massive droughts to kill giant kangaroos and other megafauna in south-east Queensland 40,000 years ago. The research provides evidence that the prehistoric big dry was responsible for extinctions, contradicting some theories that humans we...
Seventeen Australian researchers have been awarded funding from Pfizer Australia to conduct studies on various aspects of cardiovascular medical research. The grants, worth over $900,000, are seen as a stepping stone for researchers and will be recognized at the Sydney Hilton Hotel on October 21.
A study of over 500 eight-year-old children aims to determine the most important factors present in childhood that lead to changes in blood vessel structure and function, including birth weight and rapid weight gain.
A team of researchers, led by Dr Clair Sullivan, aims to understand the link between obesity and cardiovascular disease. They believe that hormones produced from fat may be contributing to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
The Shell Questacon Science Circus has been recognised with a Prime Minister's Excellence in Community Business Partnerships Award for its 21-year association with Questacon, Shell, and the Australian National University. The partnership has exposed countless students and families to science education in rural and remote Australia.
A new study will investigate how Australians navigate work-life balance, with a focus on parents and the role of family-friendly policies. The research, funded by the Australian Research Council, aims to provide insight into cross-cultural differences between Western individualistic societies and more collectivist Asian societies.
A 380 million-year-old fossil fish discovery in Western Australia rewrites land mammal evolution, tracing human adaptations to life on land further back in time than previously thought. The Gogonasus fossil reveals features of tetrapods evolved earlier than expected.
A national study of medical students will assess their future career aspirations, influences on specialty choice, and work preferences. The research aims to inform health workforce planning and address chronic shortages in rural areas, benefiting underserved communities.
A study by ANU researchers highlights the vital role of GPs in containing pandemics, but notes regulatory and funding hurdles. The team's findings emphasize the need for collaborative practices to prepare for influenza outbreaks.
The Australian National University has secured $13.5 million in funding for its medical research initiatives, tackling key areas like cancer treatment and mental health policy. This funding boost reinforces ANU's reputation as a global leader in healthcare research.
A pioneering study has found that people with lower or declining cognitive ability are at greater risk of falling. The research, which followed over 500 participants aged 70 over eight years, identified women and multiple fallers as being more likely to experience falls.
HCA-Vision allows researchers to reliably measure significant features of cells' appearance as they change in response to drugs, biochemicals or diseases like dementia. The software enables significant speed improvements over manual tracing methods, accelerating brain research.
Research finds stroke incidence decreasing in Perth by 43%, largely due to prevention strategies and reduced risk factors like hypertension and smoking. The study suggests successful implementation of healthy lifestyles is contributing to the decline.
Australian scientists identified a toxin produced by E. coli bacteria that causes severe gastrointestinal illnesses, including food poisoning and haemolytic uraemic syndrome. The research breakthrough may provide insights into age-related diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, as well as cancer treatments.
Australian and South African sites selected as top contenders to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope, with low man-made signals a key requirement. Both countries' sites offer stable ionospheric conditions and a good view of the southern sky, ideal for detecting cosmic radio waves.
A climatologist and a political scientist argue that planning for droughts can minimize losses. In contrast, the US still reacts to droughts as unexpected emergencies, wasting resources. Experts call for a shift in perspective and proactive risk management.
A new study published in the British Medical Journal suggests that routine use of anti-inflammatory drugs following hip replacement surgery may do more harm than good. The study found that patients taking ibuprofen for 14 days after surgery reported no significant reductions in hip pain or physical disability.
The CSIRO has signed a three-way coal research and development Joint Statement with Japan Coal Energy Centre (JCOAL) and Australian Coal Research Ltd (ACARP). The agreement aims to improve coal production technology, mine safety and coal utilization. This collaboration will enhance the capabilities of both countries in these areas.
Researchers are investigating the effectiveness of Koi herpesvirus in controlling Australian carp populations. The virus has shown promise in overseas studies and could provide an alternative to existing pest control methods.
A new study published in the Lancet found that aggressive treatment to lower blood pressure significantly reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack. The research, which involved over 160,000 individuals in 50 countries, highlights the importance of driving blood pressure down to very low levels rather than choosing specific medications.
A multi-million dollar research partnership aims to protect the Coorong's ecological health and conserve threatened species through detailed studies of the region's ecology and water regime. The project will produce ecosystem-level models for predicting future changes in the wetland.
A US-Australian research team has detected radio pulses from a magnetar star, XTE J1810-197, which is giving off extraordinary radio pulses. The finding links this rare type of star with the much more common 'radio pulsars', reordering our understanding of these neutron stars.
Researchers found that at least two objects in the Quintuplet Cluster are binary pairs forming pinwheel stars that live fast and die young. These 'Wolf-Rayet colliding-wind binaries' emit enormous amounts of radiation, with each quintuplet outshining the Sun by 10,000 to 100,000 times.
The new $4 million collaboration will develop a cybernose using sensor proteins from insects and nematodes, allowing for more accurate smell detection in the wine industry. The technology has potential to detect pests and diseases, boosting Australia's biosecurity.
Scientists found that artificially stimulating semicircular canal nerves allows for 'remote control' steering without affecting balance. The discovery sheds light on the brain's ability to process sensory signals, paving the way for diagnostic, therapeutic, and virtual-reality applications.
A study found that driver distraction leads to one in five crashes and affects young drivers significantly. The research also revealed common distracting activities while driving, including adjusting equipment and talking to passengers.
Scientists have discovered evidence of man's environmental impact at an underwater volcano, revealing lead pollution originating from Australia that traveled thousands of miles to the Mediterranean. The study highlights the growing power of using high-precision isotopic measurements as a tracing tool.
A meta-analysis of studies found that men are at a 50% higher risk of recurrent blood clots compared to women. The study enrolled 5416 patients and analyzed rates of recurrence after stopping preventative anticoagulant medication.
A diet with a high carbohydrate content but a low glycemic index may help promote weight loss and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Participants on diets with lower glycemic loads experienced greater fat loss, particularly in women.
Dr. Peter Kloeden received the 2006 prize for his fundamental contributions to the theoretical and computational analysis of differential equations. He made significant advancements in random attractors and the preservation of synchronization in the presence of noise.
This year, SIAM awarded outstanding paper prizes to researchers who explored new areas of applied mathematics and offered fresh perspectives on existing fields. The award winners include Girish N. Nair and Robin J. Evans, Jean-Michel Coron and Emmanuel Trélat, and Michael Hintermüller and Karl Kunisch.
The Australia-US Free Trade Agreement could lead to a decline in Australia's blood safety standards if plasma fractionation is opened up to overseas tender. The move could also affect products in other countries, including New Zealand, which may be forced into 'piggy-backing' with new arrangements.
Doctors are practicing defensive medicine due to fear of legal liability, resulting in unnecessary treatment and wasted resources. The study suggests that limiting damages and increasing competition can improve medical practice and enhance patient access to care.
Chinese immigrants aspire to Australia's free, democratic culture with a focus on social and environmental interests. They perceive Australians as friendly, open, and balanced between work and enjoyment.
The Human Variome Project aims to catalog human mutations, providing valuable information for people in developing countries. The project has already yielded significant results, including identifying genetic variants that make people resistant to asthma drugs and those predisposed to schizophrenia.
Researchers discovered a key mechanism by which TUS stops the replisome in a directional manner. This finding has significant implications for bio- and nano-technology applications.
Researchers found that community awareness of poor oral health, framing fluoridation as a public health issue, and unified support from health professionals significantly influenced councillor decisions. The study's preliminary findings suggest that these strategies can be effective in promoting water fluoridation in other rural areas.
A new study reveals that less training in psychological medicine and counselling is linked to a high reported wish to hasten death by patients. Doctors' reactions to patients' emotional distress can inadvertently lead them to support assisted suicide.
A study of 44 older adults with depressive symptoms found that executive function decline and rumination are associated with late-onset depression. Executive function tests showed poorer performance among those with late-onset depression, while no such link was seen in early-onset depression.
A study by Professor Jansen found that improving culture conditions and nutrition coincided with an increase in monozygotic twinning rates. The best way to minimize MZ and DZ twinning is to transfer one embryo at a time, regardless of the mother's age.
A new cue, dynamic half-occlusion, is used to perceive motion in depth when unmatched features are observed. The study enhances the potential for creating more effective simulation of motion in 3D displays and virtual environments.
A recent study found that men and women both prioritize detecting angry male faces, suggesting a bias towards threat detection. Angry male faces were also found more rapidly by both sexes than angry female faces or socially relevant expressions.
A Canadian study found that farm kids are at a higher risk of fatal injuries due to accidents on the farm. The researchers identified three main ways these injuries occur and proposed prevention strategies, including improved supervision and safer equipment.
A study in Queensland, Australia found that Indigenous patients had lower survival rates and fewer cases of early-stage cancer compared to non-Indigenous patients. The researchers highlight the need for holistic and culturally respectful approaches to address these disparities.
The International Society for Influenza and other Respiratory Diseases has launched a new journal, Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, with renowned influenza expert Alan Hampson at the helm. The journal aims to bring together international knowledge and expertise in combating the global threat of an influenza pandemic.
The study found that Aboriginal infants had more preventable deaths and higher disparities in death rates compared to non-Aboriginal peers. The researchers emphasize the need for effective maternal and infant services to address these disparities and promote long-term Aboriginal health and well-being.
Researchers found faster subtropical warming of the troposphere, moving jet streams poleward, which could widen tropical regions and alter rainfall patterns. This shift may reduce winter precipitation in southern Europe and Australia, as well as impact regional climate patterns.
The Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study found that approximately 100,000 adults develop diabetes annually, with nearly 600 people progressing to obesity every day. The study also revealed a significant increase in hypertension and chronic kidney disease among the Australian population.
A study by Professor Ussher reveals that societal expectations of femininity and the 'monstrous feminine' can lead to self-policing practices, causing distress in premenstrual phase. Women in lesbian relationships reported less distress, suggesting a need for women-centred psychological interventions.
A study of 1,460 elderly women found that calcium supplementation did not reduce the risk of osteoporotic fractures overall, but compliance was key. Women who took 80% or more of their daily pills had a lower risk of fractures and improved bone test results.
A study examining Campylobacter jejuni isolates from 585 Australian patients found only 2% were resistant to ciprofloxacin, a type of fluoroquinolone. This low level of resistance likely reflects Australia's policy of prohibiting fluoroquinolones for animal use.
Researchers are conducting a year-long study on pastoral care for older Australians, gathering insights from elderly individuals, relatives, and caregivers. The project seeks to understand the value and practice of pastoral care in Australia's rapidly aging population, with a focus on its spiritual significance.
The e-cohort study aims to provide information on factors affecting the work and health of nurses and midwives in Australia. The research also hopes to examine population health outcomes, retention rates, and workforce shortages.
Researchers at the University of Toronto found that male Australian redback spiders develop faster in areas with high female populations, allowing them to find mates before other males. This adaptation enables them to optimize their reproductive success despite intense competition for limited mating opportunities.
A new study comparing healthcare systems in Australia and the US found that young patients are more likely to survive cancer in Australia due to universal health insurance. The US system, which relies on private insurance, leads to a higher mortality rate among teenagers and young adults.
A new salt substitute with high potassium content significantly reduced blood pressure in rural Northern China, comparable to single-drug therapy. The study suggests that a population-wide switch to this salt substitute could prevent hundreds of thousands of serious vascular events annually.
Researchers at the University of Queensland have received four significant grants from the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund, totaling over $128,000. The grants will support studies on parenting programs designed for families with autistic children and female teachers who are also mothers.
The World Medical Association prohibits force-feeding in declarations. Doctors call for an end to techniques like force-feeding and restraint chairs, citing international standards. Physicians for Human Rights supports the ban.
A study by UK and Australian researchers found that people with strong religious beliefs were less likely to be lonely, while retired individuals were more likely to be socially connected than the unemployed. Loneliness levels started rising between ages 20-49, challenging the belief that retirement leads to social isolation.
The Australian government has pledged $50 million to support the expansion of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute's (WEHI) research capabilities in cancer and infectious disease. This funding will enable significant expansions in the institute's research programs, focusing on targeted therapies for cancer treatment and malaria control.