Red foxes feasting on Australian mammals
Scientists at Murdoch University's Harry Butler Institute (HBI) have discovered that red foxes are ravaging a larger range of Australian animals than previously realized, with 70% of fox diet samples turning up mammal remains......»»
Apple Watch, Siri, Muay Thai combo ends in accidental police raid
A series of unfortunate events led to Australian police showing up in force at a Muay Thai gym after an inadvertent emergency call was made via Siri made an inadvertent emergency call on a trainer's Apple Watch.Activating Siri by accident can lead to.....»»
Are the fish in your aquarium happy? Five things to look out for
If 1,500 captive mammals suffocated to death in a zoo, their suffering would spark an outcry. So when a Berlin hotel aquarium exploded at the end of 2022, why did so few people comment on the welfare of the fish? Aquatic species don't seem to induce.....»»
The role of a novel long non-coding RNA in the immune escape of pathogenic Vibrio in fish
MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate almost all biological processes, protein production, inflammatory responses, immune regulation, tumorigenesis and infection. In mammals, the classic formation of miRNA needs to transcribe a lo.....»»
Evolution of uniquely human DNA was a balancing act, study concludes
Humans and chimpanzees differ in only one percent of their DNA. Human accelerated regions (HARs) are parts of the genome with an unexpected amount of these differences. HARs were stable in mammals for millennia but quickly changed in early humans. Sc.....»»
New techniques for accurate measurements of tiny quantum objects
New research led by a team of scientists at The Australian National University (ANU) has outlined a way to achieve more accurate measurements of microscopic objects using quantum computers—a step that could prove useful in a huge range of next-gene.....»»
2023 Australian Open live stream: where to watch the first tennis Grand Slam
The tennis world heads to the land down under as the top players in the world convene for the 2023 Australian Open......»»
Climate change puts brakes on speedy corals
Scientists at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) have found some fast-growing coral species on the Great Barrier Reef slow down their growth rates when exposed to warm water......»»
Corridors between Western US national parks would greatly increase the persistence time of mammals
National parks are the backbone of conservation. Yet mounting evidence shows that many parks are too small to sustain long-term viable populations and maintain essential, large-scale ecological processes, such as large mammal migrations and natural d.....»»
New metric of molecular evolution in the search for the genetic basis of phenotypic traits
With its powerful digging shovels, the European mole can burrow through the soil with ease. The same applies to the Australian marsupial mole. Although the two animal species live far apart, they have developed similar organs in the course of evoluti.....»»
Here today, gone tomorrow: How humans lost their body hair
Orangutans, mice, and horses are covered with it, but humans aren't. Why we have significantly less body hair than most other mammals has long remained a mystery. But a first-of-its-kind comparison of genetic codes from 62 animals is beginning to tel.....»»
Four facts about seagulls that will make you love these relentless chip thieves
Whether they're stealing your chips or screeching at your picnic table, seagulls are a hallmark of Australian summers. But how much do you really know about them?.....»»
Painting an accurate profile of Adelaide"s homeless
University of Adelaide researchers have built a comprehensive profile of homelessness and associated health issues in Adelaide. Their work is published in the Australian Journal of Social Issues......»»
Producers getting better at making alcohol-free beer and wine: Here"s how it"s done
Drinking alcohol has been part of Australian culture for at least 240 years, and perhaps millennia prior......»»
Successful hypothermia in nonhuman primate paves the way for future application in human torpor during spaceflight
Hibernation is a state adopted by certain mammals as an adaptation to adverse winter conditions. Typical features of hibernation include greatly reduced metabolic activity and lowered body temperature......»»
Scientists highlight safe access to the outdoors with naming of new plant species
A new species of Australian bush tomato described from the Garrarnawun Lookout in Judbarra National Park provides a compelling example of the need to provide equal and safe access to natural places. Bucknell University postdoctoral fellow Tanisha Wil.....»»
Tracing the rapid evolution of spermatogenesis across mammals
Evolutionary pressure across male mammals to guarantee the procreation of their own offspring led to a rapid evolution of the testicle. Bioinformatic studies—conducted by an international team of researchers led by Prof. Dr. Henrik Kaessmann from t.....»»
Clearer rules on reporting companies" climate risks could soon put us on a path to decarbonising corporate Australia
Australian company directors have long had legal obligations to identify, disclose and manage material financial risks to the company. Where risks result from climate change, or from measures to mitigate climate change, they have an obligation to add.....»»
An environmentally friendly RNA-based spray to help combat rust disease in plants
University of Queensland scientists have developed an environmentally friendly RNA-based spray to help combat myrtle rust, which has wiped out many Australian plants......»»
Twin brother spotted hyenas are often attracted to the same new group when they disperse from their birth group
In most mammals, males disperse to a new group after reaching sexual maturity. Dispersal often entails costs and is risky. New results from spotted hyenas show that males from the same birth group—and particularly twin brothers—very often dispers.....»»
Model shows extinction cascades caused by land use and climate change will wipe out more than 25% of world biodiversity
A new tool developed by European and Australian scientists enabling unparalleled modeling of interconnected species loss shows cascading extinctions are unavoidable, and that the Earth will lose some 10% of its animals and plants by 2050, rising to 2.....»»