Ancient DNA reveals secrets of Game of Thrones wolves

Publicly released: Thu 14 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature

Extinct dire wolves split off from other wolves nearly six million years ago and were only a distant relative of today’s wolves, according to new research published in Nature. Dire wolves, made famous in the TV show Game of Thrones, were common Read more about Ancient DNA reveals secrets of Game of Thrones wolves

Spice up your solar panels by adding a touch of chili

Publicly released: Thu 14 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Joule

Scientists in China and Sweden have determined that a pinch of capsaicin, the chemical compound that gives chilli peppers their spicy sting, may be a secret ingredient for more stable and efficient perovskite solar cells. They found that sprinkling Read more about Spice up your solar panels by adding a touch of chili

EXPERT REACTION: World-first study shows increased atmospheric CO2 levels damage young lungs, in mice

Publicly released: Wed 13 Jan 2021 at 1601 AEDT | 1801 NZDT

Environmental Health Perspectives

Australian researchers who have conducted the first study looking at the direct health impacts of predicted carbon dioxide levels say the results are worrying and highlight the urgent need for more research into the issue. Conducted in mice, the Read more about EXPERT REACTION: World-first study shows increased atmospheric CO2 levels damage young lungs, in mice

Expert prognosis for the planet – we’re on track for a ghastly future

Publicly released: Wed 13 Jan 2021 at 1600 AEDT | 1800 NZDT

Frontiers in Conservation Science

An international group of 17 leading scientists have produced a comprehensive yet concise assessment of the state of civilization, warning that the outlook is more dire and dangerous than is generally understood. A loss of biodiversity and Read more about Expert prognosis for the planet – we’re on track for a ghastly future

New cathode material for high-performing sodium ion batteries could benefit large scale energy storage

Publicly released: Wed 13 Jan 2021 at 1513 AEDT | 1713 NZDT

Nature Materials

A new type of electrode material, a sodium-rich layered oxide, did not show voltage fading on cycling ANSTO contributed to a large international collaboration on advanced sodium ion batteries led by French researchers, which provides a direction for Read more about New cathode material for high-performing sodium ion batteries could benefit large scale energy storage

Birdsong finds rhythm between science and art

Publicly released: Wed 13 Jan 2021 at 1353 AEDT | 1553 NZDT

Native Western Australian birds are the composers and stars of an engaging new music project at Edith Cowan University. Native Western Australian birds are the composers and stars of an engaging new music project at Edith Cowan University. Western Read more about Birdsong finds rhythm between science and art

Just one drink a day may set your heart a-flutter

Publicly released: Wed 13 Jan 2021 at 1105 AEDT | 1305 NZDT

European Heart Journal

European researchers have linked one small alcoholic drink a day with an increase in the risk of atrial fibrillation - an irregular and often rapid heart rate in the upper chambers of the heart that beat out of sync with the bottom half. In the past, Read more about Just one drink a day may set your heart a-flutter

Snakes evolve a magnetic way to be resistant to venom

Publicly released: Wed 13 Jan 2021 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society B

Snakes may have evolved a neat way of not being killed by their own toxic venom and it works in much the same way as when the same sides of a magnet repel each other, according to Australian research. Snake neurotoxins have evolved to have lots of Read more about Snakes evolve a magnetic way to be resistant to venom

We may have discovered the reason flies are so darn hard to swat

Publicly released: Wed 13 Jan 2021 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Proceedings of the Royal Society B

International researchers may have figured out why there are no flies on houseflies when it comes to outsmarting us. Houseflies use specialised hind-wings called halteres to stabilise their bodies during takeoff, allowing them to take off more Read more about We may have discovered the reason flies are so darn hard to swat

Telling a really big lie turns us into copycats

Publicly released: Wed 13 Jan 2021 at 1101 AEDT | 1301 NZDT

Royal Society Open Science

Dutch and UK researchers say we start to mimic the actions of an interviewer when asked to tell them a huge whopper of a lie. They used motion capture to monitor the behaviour of liar and lie-ee as the fibbers told progressively bigger untruths. We Read more about Telling a really big lie turns us into copycats