Index reveals integrity issues for many of the world's forests

Publicly released: Wed 9 Dec 2020 at 0930 AEDT | 1130 NZDT

Nature Communications

Only 40 per cent of forests are considered to have high ecological integrity, according to a new global measure, the Forest Landscape Integrity Index. The Index was created by 47 forest and conservation experts from across the world, Read more about Index reveals integrity issues for many of the world's forests

More years of obesity means higher risk of disease

Publicly released: Wed 9 Dec 2020 at 0600 AEDT | 0800 NZDT

PLOS Medicine

Being obese for longer periods of time is associated with worse risk of disease, according to international researchers. The team used data from three UK studies which collected information on the BMI of over 20,000 people from ages 10 to 40, as Read more about More years of obesity means higher risk of disease

Genomes 'pin the tail' on donkey domestication

Publicly released: Wed 9 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Communications

Although donkeys have played a major role in many human cultures, exactly where they were first domesticated has been hard to establish, partly because they feature less prominently than horses and camels in archaeological and historical records Read more about Genomes 'pin the tail' on donkey domestication

Some corals may recover from bleaching, if humans don't disturb them

Publicly released: Wed 9 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Communications

When oceans warm, corals eject the symbiotic algae living inside them, which can result in bleaching, starvation, and disease. However, some corals may be able to recover from bleaching, as long as they aren't disturbed by human activities, say Read more about Some corals may recover from bleaching, if humans don't disturb them

Less than half of the world's forests are in their natural state, all thanks to us

Publicly released: Wed 9 Dec 2020 at 0300 AEDT | 0500 NZDT

Nature Communications

International scientists, including Australians, say only 40. 5 per cent of the world's forests are still functioning as they naturally should, and only 56 per cent of 'protected' forests are functioning naturally, and that's all down to human Read more about Less than half of the world's forests are in their natural state, all thanks to us

Booming mosquito populations and biblical bat deaths: what to expect for Australia’s increasingly hot summers

Publicly released: Wed 9 Dec 2020 at 0001 AEDT | 0201 NZDT

Public Health Research & Practice

Increasingly frequent extreme weather events due to climate change are throwing up some unexpected health challenges, exemplified by two papers published in a new issue of the journal Public Health Research & Practice. Read more about Booming mosquito populations and biblical bat deaths: what to expect for Australia’s increasingly hot summers

ROSA is delivering research to help older Australians make the best decisions about their health

Publicly released: Tue 8 Dec 2020 at 1545 AEDT | 1745 NZDT

The Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA) is extending its efforts to deliver research with impact, by working closely with the community of older Australians it serves. The Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA) is extending its efforts to deliver Read more about ROSA is delivering research to help older Australians make the best decisions about their health

A world first for ethical AI addresses equity in HR hire

Publicly released: Tue 8 Dec 2020 at 1530 AEDT | 1730 NZDT

The University of Technology Sydney and industry partner Reejig deliver a world first process where algorithms within an Artificial Intelligence-driven intelligence platform have been independently assessed against key ethical criteria of Read more about A world first for ethical AI addresses equity in HR hire

Protecting soil biodiversity essential in adapting to climate change

Publicly released: Tue 8 Dec 2020 at 1201 AEDT | 1401 NZDT

Efforts to adapt to a rapidly changing climate are entirely dependent on protecting the life in our soils. These are among findings compiled by more than 300 researchers for the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Lead author Read more about Protecting soil biodiversity essential in adapting to climate change

Satellite tracking finds turtle foraging areas in north-west

Publicly released: Tue 8 Dec 2020 at 1200 AEDT | 1400 NZDT

Diversity and Distributions

Marine scientists have mapped previously unknown foraging grounds and migratory routes of Western Australia’s green turtles to support conservation of the iconic threatened species. The Australian Institute of Marine Science-led study also Read more about Satellite tracking finds turtle foraging areas in north-west