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.
animal science
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.
Salad on menu for whale sharks off WA
Whale sharks have displaced the Kodiak bear as the world's biggest omnivore after Aussie researchers discovered they like a bit of salad with their krill.
Lone gum trees on farms crucial for koalas
Lone gum trees that dot paddocks across Australia are more than just a pretty picture and play an important role in koala nutrition, a new study shows.
Mite could indirectly threaten native bees
A ecologist says native bees and plants could suffer if the parasitic varroa mite found in NSW takes hold across the country.
Threatened species could be saved: study
Dozens of Australia's most threatened animal species could be saved from extinction with enhanced conservation efforts, a study has found.
Crocodile meat ‘triggers fish allergies’
Researchers warn people with a taste for crocodile that eating the reptile's meat could trigger dangerous reactions if they're allergic to fish.
Qld seagrass meadows vanishing: study
The health of sea turtles and dugongs is at risk as seagrass meadows in Hervey Bay and the Great Sandy Strait have almost disappeared, researchers have found.
‘Bum breathing’ turtle reappears in Qld
Researchers have used a DNA analysis to find a "bum breathing" turtle last seen more than 25 years ago in a north Queensland river.
Crocodiles change diet to land prey: study
Saltwater crocodiles have changed their diet from fish to pigs and it could be why their numbers have rapidly climbed in northern Australia, scientists say.