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Neanderthals were all thumbs
Scientific Reports
Our Neanderthal ancestors' thumbs were made for squeezing, rather than precision like our own modern thumbs, say international researchers. The team digitally mapped out the thumb and thumb joints of five Neanderthals and compared them to the Read more about Neanderthals were all thumbs
InternationalUniversity of Kent, UK -
The case of the missing dark matter: new suspect found in galactic mystery
The Astrophysical Journal
A faraway galaxy with almost no dark matter has threatened to break our theory of galaxy formation. New evidence suggests the galaxy isn’t an anomaly – but a victim of theft. Read more about The case of the missing dark matter: new suspect found in galactic mystery
Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales -
Descendants suggest indigenous role in the William Hann's exploration of Cape York has been downplayed
Historical Records of Australian Science
William Hann’s journey to explore Cape York Peninsula in 1872 was plagued by disharmony and now the descendants of members of his party have revisited the expedition and found his Indigenous guide and translator, Jerry, probably had a greater Read more about Descendants suggest indigenous role in the William Hann's exploration of Cape York has been downplayed
Australia; QLDNo organisations involved. -
Aboriginal knowledge key to fight against bushfires and climate change: Narrm Oration
Wiradjuri man and geographer, Associate Professor Michael-Shawn Fletcher, explores how Indigenous people and knowledge can save Australia’s environmental unravelling in this year’s Narrm Oration. Read more about Aboriginal knowledge key to fight against bushfires and climate change: Narrm Oration
Australia; VICThe University of Melbourne -
High blood pressure in midlife may increase brain damage later
European Heart Journal
Higher than normal blood pressure in mid-life is linked to more extensive brain damage associated with stroke, dementia, physical disabilities, depression and a decline in thinking abilities in the elderly, according to a UK study of 37,041 Read more about High blood pressure in midlife may increase brain damage later
InternationalUniversity of Oxford, UK -
Understanding traditional Chinese medicine can help protect species
People and Nature
Demystifying traditional Chinese medicine for conservationists could be the key to better protecting endangered species like pangolins, tigers and rhino, according to University of Queensland-led researchers. UQ PhD candidate Hubert Cheung said Read more about Understanding traditional Chinese medicine can help protect species
Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland -
Plasma-developed new material fundamental to Internet of Things
Nature Communications
A new light-energised material that is much brighter and more dynamic than existing photo-luminescent material could power future devices fundamental to the Internet of Things. Smart devices could process information faster, better talk to each other Read more about Plasma-developed new material fundamental to Internet of Things
Australia; QLDQueensland University of Technology (QUT) -
Jaguars robust to climate extremes but lack of food threatens species
Ecology and Evolution
QUT researchers lead an investigation into the chances of wild jaguars surviving climate extremes with six scenarios modelling the behaviour, mating, births of cubs, competition, illegal hunting, death from starvation and availability of prey. Read more about Jaguars robust to climate extremes but lack of food threatens species
Australia; International; QLDQueensland University of Technology (QUT) -
Kids born early at higher risk of hospital trips
The BMJ
Premature birth is linked to higher risk of hospital admissions up to the age of 10 years old, according to new research. Scientists in the UK tracked more than 1 million children between 2005 and 2015, and found that those born early were more Read more about Kids born early at higher risk of hospital trips
InternationalUniversity of Oxford, UK -
Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook: December 2020 – February 2021
The main fire risk for Australia this summer will be grass fires in the east and bushfires in the west, according to the Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook: December 2020 – February 2021, released today by the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Read more about Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook: December 2020 – February 2021
Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; SA; WA; TAS; NT; ACTBushfire and Natural Hazards CRC -
When hoarding becomes a health problem
Hoarding is a recognised mental health condition and should be treated as such – without the stigma associated with high-profile cases seen in the media, a UNSW clinical psychologist says. Read more about When hoarding becomes a health problem
Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales -
Low-cost population-wide salt reduction strategies could save lives
BMJ Open
Reducing salt consumption at population levels is a cost-effective strategy to combat high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease in Africa according to new Griffith University-led research. Read more about Low-cost population-wide salt reduction strategies could save lives
InternationalGriffith University -
Exercise can offset the risks of sitting around all day
British Journal of Sports Medicine
Getting in a good sweat for 30-40 minutes a day can reduce the health risks linked to prolonged sitting, such as early death. The findings come after researchers analysed data that tracked how more than 44,000 people from four countries moved. The Read more about Exercise can offset the risks of sitting around all day
Australia; InternationalThe University of Western Australia|University of Southern Queensland... -
Babbling back at bubs may boost their vocab
PLOS ONE
US scientists say imitating the babbling sounds babies make, while incorporating real words, may help boost their vocabularies. The team recorded whole days of 'conversation' between 53 13-month-old babies and their carers and asked the carers to Read more about Babbling back at bubs may boost their vocab
InternationalUniversity of California, USA -
Female founding CEOs in male-dominated industries fare worse with investors
Science Advances
When men launch businesses in male-dominated industries, they raise more than ten times the average (NZD30 million) of what’s raised by women-led businesses, according to new research. An international research team looked at the data of hundreds Read more about Female founding CEOs in male-dominated industries fare worse with investors
Australia; International; QLDThe University of Queensland|London Business School, UK -
Invasive wasps nesting in aircraft instruments in Brisbane could lead to disaster
PLOS ONE
Please note this embargo has changed from 6AM AEDT Thursday 26 November to 6AM AEDT Tuesday 1 December 2020. Invasive keyhole wasps (Pachodynerus nasidens) in Brisbane like to nest in aircraft pitot probes - vital instruments that measure airspeed Read more about Invasive wasps nesting in aircraft instruments in Brisbane could lead to disaster
Australia; QLDEco Logical Australia, Brisbane Airport Corporation, Ecosure Pty Ltd -
Landmark study to improve global wheat production
Nature
In a landmark study, an international team of scientists, including researchers from The University of Western Australia, have sequenced and analysed the genomes of 15 wheat varieties that represent breeding programs from around the world. The Read more about Landmark study to improve global wheat production
Australia; WAARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology|The University of Western Australia -
Unexpected discovery about stem cell immortality
Nature
A new paper out in Nature will upend 20 years of thinking on how stem cells protect their DNA. Telomeres are the protective caps at chromosome ends. In adult cells, telomeres shorten each time a cell divides and this contributes to ageing and cancer. Read more about Unexpected discovery about stem cell immortality
Australia; NSWChildren's Medical Research Institute (CMRI)|The University of Sydney -
New wheat and barley genomes will help feed the world
Nature
An international research collaboration, including scientists from the University of Adelaide’s Waite Research Institute, has unlocked new genetic variation in wheat and barley – a major boost for the global effort in breeding higher-yielding Read more about New wheat and barley genomes will help feed the world
Australia; SAThe University of Adelaide -
New insights into what makes massive stars shine
Nature
Scientists have gained new evidence into the way the Sun (and other more massive stars) produce energy. Stars are fuelled by the nuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium, but there’s another fusion process, involving carbon, nitrogen and oxygen, Read more about New insights into what makes massive stars shine
InternationalThe Borexino Collaboration, Italy
EXPERT Q&A: Answering your questions about COVID-19 variants
With reports of new COVID-19 strains emerging in the UK, South Africa, and Brazil, an Australian expert a...
Mantis males must wrestle if they don't want to lose their heads
The praying mantis has a reputation for cannibalism because females often eat males before they get a cha...
Bee gone? A quarter of bee species haven’t been seen in 30 years
While reports and records of animal species have increased dramatically over the last few decades, the nu...
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