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Singing researchers investigate cross-cultural patterns in music and speech
Science Advances
A global study has identified near-universal patterns across most of the world's musical traditions. Seventy-five researchers from 46 countries, including New Zealand and Australia, recorded themselves performing traditional songs and speaking in Read more about Singing researchers investigate cross-cultural patterns in music and speech
Australia; New Zealand; International; NSWUniversity of Auckland|Victoria University of Wellington... -
Windblown dust from land boosts productivity in the Southern Ocean
Nature
Using a fleet of ocean robots, researchers have found that windblown iron-rich dust from land fertilises around a third of phytoplankton growth in the Southern Ocean. This finding sheds light on the vital role that dust-fuelled productivity plays in Read more about Windblown dust from land boosts productivity in the Southern Ocean
Australia; TASARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes (CLEx)... -
Family tree of baobab trees traces their roots to Madagascar
Nature
Iconic baobab (Adansonia) trees are instantly recognisable because of their unusually fat trunks, and are found across Africa, in Madagascar, and in northwestern Australia. The origins of these trees were not well understood, but now international Read more about Family tree of baobab trees traces their roots to Madagascar
Australia; International; WA; NTChinese Academy of Sciences, China -
Instead of generating extreme heat with fossil fuels, we could one day just use the Sun
Device
About 25% of global energy consumption is used to generate extreme temperatures for producing glass, steel, cement and ceramics, and international researchers say they have developed a strategy that could allow us to forego burning fossil fuels to Read more about Instead of generating extreme heat with fossil fuels, we could one day just use the Sun
InternationalETH Zurich, Switzerland -
Exploring everything we know about consciousness
Neuron
The science of consciousness is explored in a special issue of Neuron, with a series of reviews and perspective pieces by international and Australian authors discussing the big issues in consciousness research. Among the papers, researchers discuss Read more about Exploring everything we know about consciousness
Australia; International; NSWThe University of Sydney -
Lizard-inspired building system may prevent full-scale collapses
Nature
A new system of construction may prevent the collapse of an entire building by ensuring that — in the event of catastrophic damage — structural failure is localized to the damaged region, according to international researchers who were inspired Read more about Lizard-inspired building system may prevent full-scale collapses
InternationalUniversitat Politècnica de València, Spain -
People hospitalised with COVID-19 may have a higher risk of death than those hospitalized with the flu
JAMA
In autumn-winter 2023-2024 in the US, the risk of death in patients hospitalised for COVID-19 was greater than the risk of death in patients hospitalised for seasonal influenza, according to international research based on the US Department of Read more about People hospitalised with COVID-19 may have a higher risk of death than those hospitalized with the flu
International -
More Australians spent time in hospital in 2022-2023 than previous years
Hospitalisations increased by 4. 6% in Australia in 2022-2023, according to a report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The report includes data on public and private hospitalisations for the year. The report says people aged 65 Read more about More Australians spent time in hospital in 2022-2023 than previous years
AustraliaAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) -
Green concrete recycling twice the coal ash is built to last
Cement and Concrete Research
New modelling reveals that low-carbon concrete developed at RMIT University can recycle double the amount of coal ash compared to current standards, halve the amount of cement required and perform exceptionally well over time. New modelling reveals Read more about Green concrete recycling twice the coal ash is built to last
Australia; VICRMIT University -
How does exercise keep mouse brains healthy as they age?
Aging Cell
Exercise may trigger genes in brain cells to behave more like a younger brain in older age, according to an Australian study in mice. The team looked at brain activity in mice given access to a running wheel or deprived of exercise to investigate Read more about How does exercise keep mouse brains healthy as they age?
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland