Evolution: how the theory is inspiring a new way of understanding language

Apr 08, 2019 05:26 am UTC| Nature

Words are often seen as the building blocks of languages. But as children we dont learn lists of words like we might in a school language class. We learn longer strings of sounds and break them up into words as we grow up....

Mercury pollution from decades past may have been re-released by Tasmania's bushfires

Apr 08, 2019 05:19 am UTC| Insights & Views Nature

Tasmanias bushfires may have resulted in the release of significant amounts of mercury from burnt trees into the atmosphere. Our research shows that industrial mercury pollution from decades past has been locked up in west...

The swamp foxtail's origin is hidden in its DNA

Apr 08, 2019 05:18 am UTC| Insights & Views Nature

Sign up to the Beating Around the Bush newsletter here, and suggest a plant we should cover at [email protected] Swamp foxtail (Cenchrus purpurascens) is a delightful grass that forms a neat tussock up to a...

Cyclone Idai showed how some countries battle to handle disasters

Apr 05, 2019 10:17 am UTC| Insights & Views Nature

Cyclone Idai has caused enormous damage in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Hundreds of people have died, about 400,000 people lost their homes and an estimated 2.9 million people have been affected by the...

Invasive ants: federal budget takes aim but will it be a lethal shot?

Apr 05, 2019 10:16 am UTC| Insights & Views Nature

Amid all the usual items we expect to see in the federal budget was one that raised eyebrows: A$28.8 million for three ant eradication programs. Yet amid the inevitable media puns about the government upping the ant-e,...

Wastewater is an asset – it contains nutrients, energy and precious metals, and scientists are learning how to recover them

Mar 21, 2019 13:39 pm UTC| Insights & Views Nature

Most people think as little as possible about the wastewater that is produced daily from their showers, bathtubs, sinks, dishwashers and toilets. But with the right techniques, it can become a valuable resource. On...

Tick, tock: The countdown to peak tick season is here

Mar 21, 2019 13:19 pm UTC| Insights & Views Nature Health

With spring comes glorious sunshine, warmer weather and ticks. Ticks and some insect pests can carry bacteria, viruses and parasites that may cause disease in humans. One in particular, the blacklegged deer tick Ixodes...