Science
Like humans, young humpacks go to Gold Coast for whale of a time
A study of humpback whale behaviour has found as in humans, the whales use the Gold Coast as a party location, while Hervey Bay is a more sedate escape destination.
- by Stuart Layt
Latest
Australian-first trial shows deep-brain stimulation treats severe OCD
The small clinical trial showed very positive results for most participants, leading to researchers calling for the treatment to be approved for more general use.
- by Stuart Layt
Humans affected most of Earth 12,000 years ago, but not to environment’s detriment
New modelling has found humans impacted two-thirds of the planet over 10,000 years ago but land use only recently intensified.
- by Stuart Layt
How NASA’s Mars flight could transform drones on Earth
An Australian-based member of the current NASA Mars rover mission says the first flight on the planet’s surface is not just historic but has implications for Earth too.
- by Stuart Layt
France and Germany are mixing their vaccines. Should Australia do the same?
There remains no evidence mixing COVID-19 vaccines is safe and effective, Australian experts say, even as France and Germany race ahead with mix-and-match plans.
- by Liam Mannix
Researchers develop ‘bouncer’ drug to keep viruses out of cells
Researchers have developed a metal-based compound which physically blocks a wide range of viruses from entering cells, showing promise as a broad-scale antiviral.
- by Stuart Layt
Missile tech and microbats, using thermal imagery in wildlife rescue
What do you do when the subject you’re trying to count is both tiny and elusive? Answer: call in the military, or at least its technology.
- by Peter Hannam
Did Australia get its vaccine strategy right?
What went wrong? Could we have chosen different vaccines? Hindsight is 20:20, but was it clear early last year we should have selected different jabs?
- by Liam Mannix
Boomerangs were the multi-tool of early Indigenous Australians
Researchers analysed marks found on preserved boomerangs to show they were used for more than hunting, including shaping stone tools.
- by Stuart Layt
Tiptoe through the Cretaceous: baby dino footprint shows toe-walking
The footprint of a baby stegosaurus - the smallest ever found - shows the animals tiptoed its way across north-west China 110 million years ago.
- by Stuart Layt
Overweight people at risk of more severe COVID symptoms: Study
An international study taking in thousands of COVID cases from around the world has found clear links between being overweight and getting severe COVID symptoms.
- by Stuart Layt