Maths model helps rangers protect national parks, despite tight budgets. Mathematics can help reduce poaching and illegal logging in national parks, researchers have found. A team of applied mathematicians including Macquarie University’s David Arnold has developed an algorithm that predicts which areas inside park boundaries offer the greatest possibilities for criminals – and how rangers…
Researchers close in on an objective measure for physical distress. A new microscope-based method for detecting a particular molecule in the spinal cord could help lead to an accurate and independent universal pain scale, research from Australia’s Macquarie University suggests. An accurate way of measuring pain is of critical importance because at present degrees of…
New tech means cars can power houses, as well as the other way round. A new device turns electric vehicles into chargers for houses and stranded cars. Researchers led by Seyedfoad Taghizadeh from Australia’s Macquarie University are looking to commercialise the technology, which may significantly increase the appeal of the vehicles.
Image credit: Mehwish Nasim Filtering out social bots can help critical response teams see what’s happening in real time Researchers have created an algorithm that distinguishes between misinformation and genuine conversations on Twitter, by detecting messages churned out by social bots. Dr Mehwish Nasim and colleagues at the School of Mathematical Sciences at the University…
Cognition is influenced by siblings, researchers find. Autistic children with autistic siblings have better cognition than those who are the only family member with the condition, researchers have found. Importantly, the outcome does not depend on birth order. Although previous studies have identified that having autistic siblings leads to better cognition for individual children with…
Adelaide researchers find how a bacteria digests a sugar can be key to new treatments The severity of a common and often lethal type of bacteria depends on its ability to process a type of sugar, research from the University of Adelaide reveals. Streptococcus pneumoniae causes diseases of the lungs, blood, ear and brain, killing…
A technique adapted from telecommunications promises more effective cancer treatments. Drugs can be delivered into individual cells by using soundwaves, Melbourne researchers have discovered. Adapting a technique used in the telecommunications industry for decades, Dr Shwathy Ramesan from RMIT, and colleagues, used the mechanical force of sound to push against cell walls and deliver drugs…
UWA, Curtin university and Perth zoo researchers have discovered that Australian endangered ghost bats in the Pilbara (WA) eat over 46 different species. Its diet is very diverse ranging from small mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Researchers used a new approach by combining two methodologies: DNA analysis of faecal pellets and classification of dried food…
Bright ideas and beer combine when Australia’s Fresh Scientists strut their stuff at 2019’s Fresh Science Pub Nights. Fresh Science is annual competition that invites early-career scientists to present their fascinating research in the time it takes for a sparkler to burn out.
Scientists available for interview – details and photos below. Correction: an earlier version stated the tool is being formally trialed by the NSW Rural Fire SERVICE. It is currently in use, but formal trials ended in 2016. Firestorms are a nightmare for emergency services and anyone in their path. They occur when a bushfire meets…