From terror to termination – the dynamics of London’s smallpox epidemics

Publicly released: Tue 22 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS Biology

Smallpox, which for centuries was one of the most devastating infectious diseases, was eradicated in 1980. Analysis of 300 years of weekly smallpox records from London (1664 to 1930) have shown changes in the timing, size and seasonality between Read more about From terror to termination – the dynamics of London’s smallpox epidemics

Future farming may affect 90% of Earth's wildlife by 2050

Publicly released: Tue 22 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Sustainability

Almost 90 per cent of land animals around the world may lose some of their habitat by 2050 as land is cleared to meet the future demand for food, according to an international study based on computer modelling. However, the authors say proactive Read more about Future farming may affect 90% of Earth's wildlife by 2050

Scientists shine light on ‘bright spots’ to restore coastal ecosystems

Publicly released: Tue 22 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Current Biology

CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has identified coastal ‘bright spots’ to repair marine ecosystems globally, paving the way to boost biodiversity, local economies and human wellbeing. Read more about Scientists shine light on ‘bright spots’ to restore coastal ecosystems

Crikey! Massive prehistoric croc emerges from South East Queensland

Publicly released: Mon 21 Dec 2020 at 2000 AEDT | 2200 NZDT

PeerJ

A prehistoric croc measuring more than five metres long – dubbed the ‘swamp king’ – ruled south eastern Queensland waterways only a few million years ago. University of Queensland researchers identified the new species of prehistoric croc Read more about Crikey! Massive prehistoric croc emerges from South East Queensland

Research busts mental health coping myth

Publicly released: Mon 21 Dec 2020 at 1500 AEDT | 1700 NZDT

Journal of Affective Disorders Reports

People with extreme psychological distress have exceeded the limits of their own resources, and need support from others to cope, according to new research led by USC Australia. Read more about Research busts mental health coping myth

Climate change demands same leadership as COVID-19, and Australia is failing

Publicly released: Mon 21 Dec 2020 at 1030 AEDT | 1230 NZDT

Medical Journal of Australia

Leading Australian medical clinicians and researchers have called on the Federal Government and the health sector to commit to showing the same leadership on climate change as was shown during the COVID-19 public health crisis. The authors say our Read more about Climate change demands same leadership as COVID-19, and Australia is failing

Goldilocks and the three quantum dots: This one’s just right for peak solar panel performance

Publicly released: Mon 21 Dec 2020 at 0930 AEDT | 1130 NZDT

Nanoscale

Maximising the efficiency of renewable energy technology is dependent on creating nanoparticles with ideal dimensions and density, new simulations have shown. Scientists in Australia have developed a process for calculating the perfect size and Read more about Goldilocks and the three quantum dots: This one’s just right for peak solar panel performance

Tube fishway technology will get fish up and over those dam walls

Publicly released: Mon 21 Dec 2020 at 0800 AEDT | 1000 NZDT

New technology that allows fish to glide past dam walls, weirs and other river barriers has the potential to revitalise Australia’s ailing freshwater fish stocks. Read more about Tube fishway technology will get fish up and over those dam walls

Seeking answers in ferroelectric patterning

Publicly released: Sat 19 Dec 2020 at 1122 AEDT | 1322 NZDT

Why do some ferroelectric materials display ‘bubble’-shaped patterning, while others display complex, labyrinthine patterns? A FLEET/UNSW study finds the changing patterns in ferroelectric films are driven by non-equilibrium dynamics, with Read more about Seeking answers in ferroelectric patterning

Does low self-esteem in teens predict depression?

Publicly released: Sat 19 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Australian researchers looked at the link between low self-esteem and self-criticism in 243 Aussie teens and the development of depression. They found no effect of self-criticism, but having low self-esteem meant teens were more likely to suffer Read more about Does low self-esteem in teens predict depression?