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Next generation drones could learn from bumblebees’ amazing flight
PNAS
An international study, led by researchers from UNSW Canberra, has discovered the secret of bumblebees’ self-aware dexterous flight, that could have applications for the next generation of drones and autonomous vehicles. Read more about Next generation drones could learn from bumblebees’ amazing flight
Australia; International; NSW; ACTThe University of New South Wales|Bielefeld University, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Brown University, University of California, -
Isolation makes us literally hungry for company
Nature Neuroscience
Social isolation can evoke a craving response in the human brain, US research finds. Scientists restricted the in-person and online social interactions of 40 people for ten hours and measured their brain response. Showing the participants pictures Read more about Isolation makes us literally hungry for company
InternationalMassachusetts Institute of Technology, USA -
Candy with a chance of meatballs: Movie food and drinks fail the health test
JAMA Internal Medicine
Popular US movies depict an unhealthy diet, with the majority showing unhealthy foods and drinks, according to US research. The study looked at the 250 top-grossing US films between 1994 and 2018 and found that 73 per cent would be unhealthy enough Read more about Candy with a chance of meatballs: Movie food and drinks fail the health test
InternationalStanford University, USA -
Study reveals true origin of oldest evidence of animals
Nature Ecology & Evolution
Two teams of scientists have resolved a longstanding controversy surrounding the origins of complex life on Earth. The joint studies found molecular fossils extracted from 635-million-year-old rocks aren’t the earliest evidence of animals, but Read more about Study reveals true origin of oldest evidence of animals
Australia; ACTThe Australian National University|Max Planck Institute, Caltech -
Using cutting edge technology to bioprint mini-kidneys
Nature Materials
Researchers have used cutting edge technology to bioprint miniature human kidneys in the lab, paving the way for new treatments for kidney failure and possibly lab-grown transplants. Similar to the process used to 3D print materials like metal and Read more about Using cutting edge technology to bioprint mini-kidneys
Australia; VICMurdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI)|The University of Melbourne -
Greenhouse gas is still at record levels despite COVID-19 lockdowns, according to WMO
WMO Greenhouse Gas Bulletin
The WMO says COVID-19 has not curbed record levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, despite the industrial slowdown as a result of the pandemic. The WMO Greenhouse Gas Bulletin reports that the reduction in CO2 emissions in 2020 will be Read more about Greenhouse gas is still at record levels despite COVID-19 lockdowns, according to WMO
InternationalWorld Meteorological Organization (WMO) -
Machine learning predicts onset of dementia
Nature Scientific Reports
Researchers from the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) and the School of Computer Science and Engineering at UNSW Sydney have undertaken the largest comparison of survival analysis methods to date, to predict the onset of dementia using Read more about Machine learning predicts onset of dementia
Australia; NSWCHeBA -
NT croc resurgence under investigation
A team of researchers from Charles Darwin University will investigate the impact of the recovery of the northern Australian estuarine crocodile population on river ecosystems. The project in collaboration with Griffith University, the Australian Read more about NT croc resurgence under investigation
Australia; NTCharles Darwin University -
No meat may make vegan bones brittle
BMC Medicine
A lack of meat in their diet may be making vegans, vegetarians and pescatarians more susceptible to bone breaks, say UK scientists. The team say when compared with people who ate meat, vegans with lower calcium and protein intakes on average had a Read more about No meat may make vegan bones brittle
InternationalUniversity of Oxford, UK -
New tool to combat terrorism
Forensic Science International: Genetics
Forensic science experts at Flinders University are refining an innovative counter-terrorism technique that checks for environmental DNA in the dust on clothing, baggage, shoes or even a passport. The research, led by postdoctoral research associate Read more about New tool to combat terrorism
Australia; SAFlinders University
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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