Long COVID and chronic fatigue may share features in common

Publicly released: Wed 9 Jul 2025 at 1646 AEST, 1846 NZST

PNAS

US scientists looked at the characteristics of peripheral blood lymphocytes - immune cells circulating in the blood - of 27 people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), 20 with long COVID, and 25 with neither condition.... Read more about Long COVID and chronic fatigue may share features in common

Culturally diverse WA kids face disadvantage from day one at school

Publicly released: Wed 9 Jul 2025 at 0930 AEST, 1130 NZST

World Journal of Paediatrics

Children from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds are twice as likely to face developmental vulnerability in communication skills and general knowledge when starting school compared to their peers, according to new Curtin-led research. The... Read more about Culturally diverse WA kids face disadvantage from day one at school

Keeping rabbits, cats and foxes out of this reserve has helped our small animals bounceback

Publicly released: Wed 9 Jul 2025 at 0901 AEST, 1101 NZST

Proceedings of the Royal Society B

Keeping rabbits, cats and foxes out of the Arid Recovery Reserve in northern South Australia for 26 years has allowed the diversity of small mammal species to increase, while five species have also increased in numbers, according to Australian... Read more about Keeping rabbits, cats and foxes out of this reserve has helped our small animals bounceback

Sid the sloth's Ice Age migration unusually energetic

Publicly released: Wed 9 Jul 2025 at 0901 AEST, 1101 NZST

Proceedings of the Royal Society B

Unlike the migrating family of Sid the sloth in the movie Ice Age, some prehistoric giant sloths were homebodies that didn't undertake extended seasonal migrations, according to Uruguayan scientists. The team looked at chemical identifying marks... Read more about Sid the sloth's Ice Age migration unusually energetic

Coldplay's music has become blander, but Radiohead have kept it interesting

Publicly released: Wed 9 Jul 2025 at 0901 AEST, 1101 NZST

Royal Society Open Science

If you felt like Coldplay got more boring over time, it's not just A Rush of Blood to the Head - you may be right! A UK scientist has shown the bland band showed less 'harmonic daring' as they became part of the pop mainstream. However, Radiohead... Read more about Coldplay's music has become blander, but Radiohead have kept it interesting

Fish mass is 34% higher in Australia's marine protected areas, but only if all fishing is banned

Publicly released: Wed 9 Jul 2025 at 0901 AEST, 1101 NZST

Proceedings of the Royal Society B

The mass of fish in fully protected Marine Protected Areas is 34% higher than what is expected if they were openly fished, according to Australian research, which also found no boost to fish mass in partially protected areas. The authors say the... Read more about Fish mass is 34% higher in Australia's marine protected areas, but only if all fishing is banned

Tree pollen reveals 150,000 years of monsoon history—and a warning for Australia’s northern rainfall

Publicly released: Wed 9 Jul 2025 at 0700 AEST, 0900 NZST

Quaternary Science Reviews

Northern Australia's annual monsoon season brings relief to drought-stricken lands and revitalises crops and livestock for farmers. But a study of 150,000 years of climate records shows that the monsoon is likely to intensify, triggering a higher... Read more about Tree pollen reveals 150,000 years of monsoon history—and a warning for Australia’s northern rainfall

COVID, flu & other nasties: what to expect this season and beyond

Publicly released: Wed 9 Jul 2025 at 0600 AEST, 0800 NZST

UNSW experts say simple steps this season can help better protect you – and those around you – from viruses that cause and trigger a range of short and longer-term illnesses. COVID and influenza are at peak circulation in winter, with several... Read more about COVID, flu & other nasties: what to expect this season and beyond

We're told to limit processed foods, but do we know what that means?

Publicly released: Wed 9 Jul 2025 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

Researchers often recommend limiting ultra-processed foods to reduce the risk of disease, but much of the public don't know what that means, according to US research. The researchers surveyed just over 2,000 Americans online, asking them to identify... Read more about We're told to limit processed foods, but do we know what that means?

Quantum battery device lasts much longer than previous demonstrations

Publicly released: Wed 9 Jul 2025 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

PRX Energy

Researchers from RMIT University and CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, have unveiled a method to significantly extend the lifetime of quantum batteries – 1,000 times longer than previous demonstrations. Researchers from RMIT University... Read more about Quantum battery device lasts much longer than previous demonstrations

A new plan for Australia to remain an astronomy world-leader

Publicly released: Wed 9 Jul 2025 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

Australian scientists are on the verge of answering humanity's biggest questions about our cosmic origins and whether we're alone in the universe. But for Australia to remain at the forefront of astronomy research and discovery, our nation’s... Read more about A new plan for Australia to remain an astronomy world-leader

EXPERT REACTION: 230,000 deaths prevented by cancer control measures in Australia since the mid-1980s

Publicly released: Wed 9 Jul 2025 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

Cancer control measures have prevented 230,000 deaths in Australia since the mid-1980s, according to Aussie research. The researchers say that we are seeing the benefits of investments made in cancer control over the many decades, especially in the... Read more about EXPERT REACTION: 230,000 deaths prevented by cancer control measures in Australia since the mid-1980s

Not all species flee the heat: New hypothesis explains surprising movements in nature

Publicly released: Tue 8 Jul 2025 at 1901 AEST, 2101 NZST

Global Change Biology

As the climate warms, scientists expect animals and plants to move to cooler areas — uphill, toward the poles, or into deeper waters. But in a surprising twist, scientists have found that over a third of species are doing the opposite and instead... Read more about Not all species flee the heat: New hypothesis explains surprising movements in nature

Potential antibody treatment for deadly Nipah and Hendra viruses shows promise in early lab study

Publicly released: Tue 8 Jul 2025 at 1900 AEST, 2100 NZST

Nature Structural & Molecular Biology

A potential antibody treatment for the deadly Nipah and Hendra viruses has been developed by Australian experts and has shown promise in early lab studies. There are currently no approved human vaccines or therapeutics for these viruses, in part... Read more about Potential antibody treatment for deadly Nipah and Hendra viruses shows promise in early lab study

Global study reveals clover’s genetic secrets

Publicly released: Tue 8 Jul 2025 at 1900 AEST, 2100 NZST

Nature Ecology & Evolution

Monash University scientists have uncovered how invasive plants like white clover rapidly adapt to new environments, revealing genetic changes that underpin their global success. Published as part of the Global Urban Evolution Project (GLUE), the... Read more about Global study reveals clover’s genetic secrets

Quantum clocks guarantee precise navigation

Publicly released: Tue 8 Jul 2025 at 1500 AEST, 1700 NZST

Nature Communications

Optical quantum clocks developed at the University of Adelaide have been proven to out-perfom GPS navigation systems by many orders of magnitude. The clocks, which were put through their paces in naval exercises, were designed to be robust enough to... Read more about Quantum clocks guarantee precise navigation

Matching your workout to your personality might make gym sessions more fun and better for you

Publicly released: Tue 8 Jul 2025 at 1400 AEST, 1600 NZST

Frontiers in Psychology

We all know keeping fit and exercising is a slog over time, but international researchers say we can match our exercise routine with our personalities, and end up happier and seeing better results. The team set a group of participants a series of... Read more about Matching your workout to your personality might make gym sessions more fun and better for you

When domesticated rabbits go feral, new morphologies emerge

Publicly released: Tue 8 Jul 2025 at 1114 AEST, 1314 NZST

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Originally bred for meat and fur, the European rabbit has become a successful invader worldwide. When domesticated breeds return to the wild and feralise, the rabbits do not simply revert to their wild form – they experience distinct, novel... Read more about When domesticated rabbits go feral, new morphologies emerge

New study maps key regions for killer whales in Australian waters

Publicly released: Tue 8 Jul 2025 at 1014 AEST, 1214 NZST

Ecology and Evolution

While well documented in the Northern Hemisphere and Antarctica, much less is known about killer whales  (Orcinus orca) in Australia. However, orcas are actually sighted year-round in all coastal states and territories, and a new Flinders... Read more about New study maps key regions for killer whales in Australian waters

Hidden role of 'cell protector' opens cancer treatment possibilities

Publicly released: Tue 8 Jul 2025 at 0951 AEST, 1151 NZST

Science

Landmark research on MCL-1, a critical protein that is an attractive target for cancer drug development, helps explain why some promising cancer treatments are causing serious side effects and offers a roadmap for designing safer, more targeted... Read more about Hidden role of 'cell protector' opens cancer treatment possibilities