Archived News for Research Sector Professionals

Researchers are trying to crack open an extremely common source of electricity – vibrations.

Mind control goes multi-coloured

Algae have provided a new tool to enhance optogenetics – a technique using light to watch and control neurons in the brain.

New maps show species threats and pressure worldwide

An international team has developed a series of maps showing how fast and in which direction local climates have shifted, to illuminate species at risk worldwide.

Rock scan pays off in spades

A university project using advanced technologies to look for crude oil has sold for $76 million.

Feeling bionic hand makes mechanical sense

A Danish man has become the first in the world to be fitted with a prosthetic hand that can feel.

Sponge draws up new cancer possibilities

A marine sponge may provide a new treatment for some forms of leukaemia and other cancers.

Blood drug re-jig kills cancer cells

An Australian research team has found indications that a set of drugs for a blood disorder may be able to treat both stomach and bowel cancer.

Evolution reaches across time and face

Timing is indeed crucial, with a new paper finding time is the difference between fear and surprise in facial expressions.

New field, new ideas as data and science mingle

Just as answering one question leads to several more, developments in one scientific field often create entirely new areas of study.

Once-hot rocks hold old secrets, pushing first life back eons

New research could shake our understanding of the origins of life on Earth, setting the date back about a billion years.

Single molecule LED leaps to miniature extreme

Engineers have created an LED consisting of a single molecule, reaching the end point on the race to make miniature light sources.

Tests to find we can really know in weird quantum world

A team from the University of Queensland is not so sure about Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle.

Waves of struggle could form stronger swimmers

A new study has assessed how difficult it is for fish to swim through large waves, and it turns out that many have little choice but to go with the flow.

Funding wakes work on CRC for sleep

The federal government has provided $14.5 million to fund the creation of a Cooperative Research Centre for Alertness, Safety and Productivity – which will look to reduce the damage of fatigue and poor alertness on workplace safety and productivity.

Gas plan to bring broad bio-fuel boost

A new technique could allow plant matter to be turned into a gasoline-like fuel, opening up the possibility of bio-fuels beyond diesel substitutes.

Search for life in space descends to smaller scale

A new technique could help scientists sift through space dust for the ingredients to make life.

Single atom nano-engine build gets underway

German physicists are moving from calculation to construction on a project that hopes to build an engine powered by a single particle.

Snake spine secrets de-coded for undersea design

Engineers are once again referring to the great catalogue of nature for their next robotic design.

Drilling for liquid heat steams up in Iceland

Iceland is going deep for its next new energy supply - drilling a 2.1 kilometre hole through the Earth’s crust to draw power from its liquid interior.

Novel approach finds likely source of autistic habit

Many who work with autistic children and adults are aware of the habit of ‘withdrawal into self’, but a new study has shed some light on where the characteristic might come from.