Research & development

Newly discovered enzyme converts air into electricity

10 March, 2023

Scientists have discovered an enzyme that converts air into energy, using the low amounts of the hydrogen in the atmosphere to create an electrical current.


Dipstick test to screen for bat-borne virus

08 March, 2023

Researchers have developed a simple dipstick test to screen for a highly infectious, potentially deadly virus transmitted by bats to humans and pigs in Asia.


Plastics upcycling with a zirconia-based catalyst

07 March, 2023

US researchers have developed a new type of catalyst, made only of earth-abundant materials, to break down polyolefin plastics into new, useful products.


Blood biomarker could help in diagnosing vascular dementia

03 March, 2023

Measuring a key blood molecule may help doctors diagnose whether or how much impaired blood flow to a patient's brain is contributing to dementia or cognitive problems.


From sea water to hydrogen — no desalination required

27 February, 2023

A new method to produce hydrogen straight from sea water is said to be simple, scalable and far more cost-effective than any green hydrogen approach currently in the market.


James Webb telescope finds galaxies "too big to even exist"

23 February, 2023

Researchers used the telescope to observe massive candidate galaxies at the beginning of time, believed to be up to 100 billion times the mass of the Sun.


Earth's structure found to have a distinct 'fifth layer'

22 February, 2023

Seismologists believe they have documented evidence of a distinct layer inside Earth — a solid 'metallic ball' that sits within the centre of the inner core.


Needle-free malaria detection with a light beam

08 February, 2023

A beam of harmless infrared light is shone on a person's ear or finger for 5–10 seconds, collecting an infrared signature that is processed by a computer algorithm.


Radio telescopes reveal Milky Way's supernova remnants

03 February, 2023

Researchers have used Australia's two greatest radio telescopes to create the most detailed radio image yet of the Milky Way galaxy.


Simple saliva test used to diagnose adrenal insufficiency

18 January, 2023

The use of an at-home test that uses saliva to diagnose adrenal insufficiency could reduce the number of hospital tests currently required by up to 70%.


Tiny hidden galaxy provides a peek into the past

15 December, 2022

Astronomers have uncovered a nearby galaxy with characteristics that are more like galaxies in the distant, early universe.


Construction begins on world's largest radio telescopes

13 December, 2022

Construction on the SKA Observatory has officially launched, with groundbreaking ceremonies held at future telescope sites in Australia and South Africa.


Black hole observed ripping apart a star

05 December, 2022

Astronomers have determined the source of an incredibly bright X-ray signal appearing from halfway across the universe, claiming it is a luminous jet of matter streaking out from a supermassive black hole.


Chemical analysis reveals the world's oldest meals

29 November, 2022

The last meals consumed by animals that inhabited Earth more than 550 million years ago have unearthed new clues about the physiology of our earliest animal ancestors.


State of the Climate highlights increased temps, heavy rainfall

28 November, 2022

The State of the Climate 2022 report shows an increase in extreme heat events, intense heavy rainfall, longer fire seasons and sea level rise across Australia.


  • All content Copyright © 2025 Westwick-Farrow Pty Ltd