Vaccine to protect Australian crocodile industry
Scientists have developed a vaccine for farmed saltwater crocodiles, boosting protection for the booming multi-million dollar industry.
animal science
Pleas in a pod: dolphins teach each other how to beg
Dolphins in Queensland are learning from their peers how to beg for food, which could pose short and long-term risks, researchers say.
New Australian AI tech makes identifying birds a finch
Australian ornithologists will get a helping hand from new AI technology designed to identify birds across the country from collated audio.
‘Like an accent’: Not all frogs ribbit the same
Frog calls are just as diverse and unique as frog species, researchers say after analysing more than 700 individual frog calls.
Overfishing takes big bite out of reef sharks globally
Overfishing is driving the world's reef sharks towards extinction but Australia is doing relatively well at managing populations, a new study shows.
Australian cave researchers dig up quite a big skink
A newly confirmed giant prehistoric skink dubbed Mega Chonk could "break the internet" with its bulky bod and seriously spiky armour, researchers say.
DNA tests show most wild dingoes are pure, not hybrids
Dingo populations have significantly less dog ancestry than previously thought, as shown in genetic analysis that far outstrips previous technology.
Sharks leave their mark on dolphin species
A new study has revealed the frequency of shark attacks on dolphins along the Queensland coast, with about 25 per cent showing signs of injuries.
Liver function could influence internal body clock
Queensland research has revealed liver cells have an impact on the body's circadian clock, which plays a part in most physiological functions.
Wild results from chlamydia vaccine trial for koalas
A world-first study to vaccinate a wild koala population against the deadly chlamydia disease has exceeded all expectations, researchers say.
Black rhino birth a true labour of love
NSW zookeepers are celebrating the birth of a critically endangered black rhino calf after more than a little human assistance.
Dinosaur skull reveals journey via warmer Antarctica
Analysis of Australia's first near-complete sauropod dinosaur skull has revealed new details of the animal's anatomy, relationships and feeding habits.
Footprint find in Chinese restaurant proves dino-mite
An eagle-eyed diner has uncovered prehistoric dinosaur footprints at a restaurant in China.
Cassowaries critical in spreading native seeds
An Australian study has shown just how important Cassowaries are to native plant seed dispersal in highly fragmented rainforest areas.
Crocodiles are uniquely protected against fungal infections. This might one day help human medicine too
As the threat of antibiotic-resistant microbes grows, so does our need for new and effective treatments. Could the defensins of these beasts hold the answers to help create a new wave of life-saving therapeutics?
Intrepid biologist makes stunning lizard find on island
A new species of gecko believed to have evolved in isolation over millions of years has been discovered on a remote, rocky island on the Great Barrier Reef.
Queensland study shows snakes can be good listeners
Australian researchers have shown a lack of external ears is no barrier when it comes to the hearing abilities of snakes.
Lusty quoll’s sleepless habits could see species rooted
Researchers say the mating drive of northern quolls overrides even the need for sleep, putting the endangered species at further risk.
Echidnas blow snot bubbles to say cool
It's long been thought echidnas are poor at dealing with the Australian heat but researchers say they have some secret weapons including snot bubbles.
Study questions funnel-web aggression
A researcher from James Cook University has exposed the secret lives of Australia's deadly funnel-webs.
New details on Aust’s other giant wombat
There are better matches to modern-day wombats than the car-sized Diprotodon, and a skull found in a Queensland cave reveals more about their lives.
Marine fossil found in outback Qld
Palaeontologists have excavated Australia's first complete head and body of a 100-million-year-old long-necked marine reptile in outback Queensland.
Lyrebirds losing their voices and habitat
Australia's lyrebirds are losing their impressive singing abilities because of habitat loss, with researchers concerned the species may disappear altogether.
Warning of tick season with real bite
A wet winter and spring in Australia's east is driving a surge in tick cases among pets, including in normally tick-free areas like Melbourne's suburbs.
Bat behaviour sparks Hendra virus risk
An Australian study has revealed encroachment into the habitat of bats is driving them into agricultural areas, increasing the risk of Hendra virus spillover.
Aussie octopus venom may treat melanoma
The venom of an Australian octopus contains a peptide that could reduce skin cancer cells and slow the growth of tumours, a study shows.
Itchy fish use sharks as scratching posts
Itchy fish fearlessly ambush much larger sharks and use the coarse-skinned predators as scratching posts, an Aussie researcher says.
Ditch pig eradication programs: experts
Feral pigs are a major problem for Australian farms and ecosystems but scientists say trying to exterminate them won't work.
Citizen scientists spot elusive platypuses
From the Australian tropics down to Kangaroo Island, citizen scientists are looking for platypuses in suburban creeks, farm dams, and bush waterways.
Tech takes guesswork out of mud crab meat
A new device aims to accurately determine how much meat is in a mud crab, and there is potential to expand the technology to other seafood.
Horror-film moth a killer at navigation
The moth that had a horrifying cameo role in The Silence of the Lambs cult classic has shed new light on the mysteries of long-haul insect migrations.